When fabulous tools don't do what you expect them to do

I spent more than an hour of my morning trying to embellish this fabulous brass cuff I bought 3 years ago.

I was working on a sample so I could submit for CYS class in Tucson next year. On my plans: covering with fish leather, adding cup chain, hf flat backs, two shell stones and etc. 

Unfortunately, it didn't go the way I wanted simply because the hole punching and riveting tools I have do not work on this project. seriously...I get frustrating when some people try t convince simple mortals that certain jewelry making techniques are very easy, very basic...here is the thing: I am leaving out the brands of those tools so people do not feel like I am reviewing those products because that's is not what I am doing. 

1st: punch pliers...fabulous idea and great tool but only if you are working with metal blanks (and I am not talking about large blanks...average size blanks) just because cuffs that are 2 to 3 inches wide in the middle section would not be punched because it can't reach it...duhhhh! Not so fabulous tool for me at the end....

2nd: twisting hole punch tool and riveting system...on 2009 I had already used one of these tools  in a project I designed for my book "modern expressions" so I think it's a cool concept and this one had riveting head on the opposite side...how great is that?! nooope! Did not work at all for my cuff either because it can't reach the right place in order to rivet closed settings in lace...so I tried to change my concept and place them near to the edge as possible of my cuff because I could add several things between the two settings but again, I was wronnnng!

frustration, frustration and time wasted....

Unless you are Sandy Lupo, Kim St Jean or Candie Cooper, do not think that any mortal can do certain metal techniques without a wider array of cards under their sleeves.

As far as my cuff, I will get back on that design with the help of a metal smith who can use old fashion techniques from the real jewelry world and help my design become reality.

Both tools mentioned here are good for very basic hole punching design needs,but still you got to adapt the media you are working with to those tools - if you can do that fabulous! As far as riveting...practice a lot on cheap metals before you do your final design...it's tricky and requires lots of patience what sometimes I personally don't have it. 

Not mentioning that the sizes of rivets widely available in the market most of the time do not fill the needs of its applications...get ready to buy all sizes of head available so you can switch back and forth as may times as you design calls for.

Good luck!

PS. I do have a fabulous drill press machine and my friend Sandy Lupo already told me that that's the baby I need to work on this design...serious stuff! I was trying to make it work with a more light weight and casual tool so sometimes we do need complexity in life.

Modern Expressions hits New Jersey Bead Society

Good Morning, my friends!

Later this evening, I will be at the New Jersey Bead Society to assist Wyatt White on his presentation of the new Beadalon catalog at their monthly meeting. parallel to the main event I will be promoting my book "Modern Expressions" to the ladies, that mean I will be selling, signing copies and displaying some of the jewelry within the book.

But the best of all, we will rubbing shoulders with my friend and fellow Create Your Style ambassador Sandy Lupo.

I will post pictures here over the weekend.

Have a fabulous day!

" Modern Expressions" brings jewelry making, fashion tips and lots of Brazilian flair to the reader.

From casual chic to the red carpet you will find a little bit of everything possible style.

Illustrations by Vladimir Alvarez
Designs by Fernando Dasilva for "Modern Expressions"
Published by FW Media.
 Copyright  © 2010

Seeking Susan Desperately

Last August, Beadalon and I promoted my book at their booth during the Bead Fest Show and we picked a winner for a signed copy of my book and a kit for one of the projects within.

Unfortunately, I lost the winner's address.

Now, I am " seeking Susan desperately ".

Susan, if you are still around please contact me so I can ship your prize to you.

I am sorry!

Time flies and I got caught with so many stuff that I ended up forgetting about this matter. Your prize is here. Please email me your address so I can get that in the mail for you.  

f_dasilva@comcast.net

Thanks!

Fernando Dasilva

Mother's Day quick giveaway winner

Thank you Maria Soto and "Unknown" for participating on my quick giveaway...I appreciated both of your comments on my previous post featuring my selection of the best dressed celebrities at the Met gala 2012.

The winner is the "Unknown" ...please send me a private message to f_dasilva@comcast.net with your t-shirt size and your address so I can ship you your prize.

BTW, the prize is a signed copy of my book "Modern Expressions", a black t-shirt with the title of the book crystallized by Swarovski Elements and a small bag with jewelry components picked by me.

I had a very small turned out but as I have learned as the years passed, quality is what matters.

Thanks again and keep reading because I will be running other giveaways, soon.

Truly yours,

Fernando.

My favorites at the Met Gala 2012

Hello everybody!

I watched the red carpet event at the Metropolitan's website and here are images that belongs to W Magazine of my favorite looks - because sometimes the dress is gorgeous but the attitude is awful, and vice versa.

Giselle Bundchen - extremely sensuous and slightly sexy - regal beauty.

Tom Brady showing all the love to his beauty. he looks beyond gorgeous...sorry Manning , there is no other as handsome as Mr. Brady.

Vibrant yellow against the red carpet is great. Some Art Deco lines and the Cartier necklace is to die for...somehow she made both work together very well...one of my favorite of the night.

Diane V Furstenberg chiqueeeeeeeeerrima - this lady knows how to do prints and the jewelry is amazing...wonder if is DVF for HStern...it might be. 

I loved this over the top fringe almost French burlesque chic dress paired with the statement necklace....that btw she was one of the few who brought jewelry to The Met dinner as a focal element of her look. Bravissima! Chic, Chic, Chic!

Mr. Tom Ford the epitome of class and elegance with his muse wearing such exotic creation...its very Upper East Side Manhattan.

Kate Blanchet is simplesmennnnnnntch, that means, simply the regal amongst the regals...dress is amazing and her posture and marble skin is like the moonlight. Ultra chic!

Loved the way "see through" was done on this dress...this gotta be Dior or Givenchy. I think is Dior.

She can wear nest year or 10 years form now and it will still make a statement. Tres chic!

Black and dramatic...but her attitude is what makes the dress stand out..the girl with dragon tatoo over the top. Maravilhosa! Escandalo de lindo! Wonderful and all of the good stuff! lol

Tim Tebow looks incredibly handsome - I am speechless by the rays of light coming from  those blue eyes.  Helllo!

Loved the all gold snake skin dress..chic, young and she is right on. Loved the entire look. She is very chic!

Brazilian model Camille Bell - maravilhoooooza!

Emilio Pucci dress...loved the colors and the 60's psychedelic vibe.

Anna Wintour was one of the first ones I saw it on the red carpet. She was delightful nice and her look was astonishing. I loved the ivory/white/gold combo.

Images excerpted from W Magazine website.

My style on Bead Style

After taking a pause on submitting designs for arts and crafts magazines, I've decided to come back to the printed media to bring my work to the main stream. It was a wise decision because I was thrilled when I got informed that my necklace made the cover of Bead Style magazine.  The May issue has been out since beginning of April. I see that as an award to have my design selected based on a fresh approach on how to turn hidden components into the main element of a design. Thanks Bead Style and in special to Cathy Jakicic  who had selected some of my designs for upcoming issues, as well. 

My necklace designed last October exclusively for John Bead Corporation to be featured on JTV/Jewel School during a special sales event of amazing Czech glass kits of beads was brought back to the spotlight by Bead Style...another chance to highlight my design work and the beauty of Czech glass donut beads seen from a different angle.

My project was very well written and dissected by Naomi Fujimoto, editor and also jewelry designer - love the colors picked to be used next to the photos and text.

This picture shows the entire piece and all the elements working together - I worked on pretyy much 3 shades of colors...blue, greens and silver - it's almost monocromatic but in different hues. Green gold faux pearls do the trick next to sterling silver toggle.

 *

Call me crazy... but for some reason I think that my necklace on the previous picture reminded me of these  ancient ship...I don't know... the whole overall shape...the outerline is similar...Am I crazy!?!

On the last page, a couple of options for earrings and a second necklace with similar elements used on a different way - pearls, glass donuts and faux suede....circles of pearls rolling freely on somebody's neck. lol

Last but not least, another designs created exclusively for John Bead is featured on the galllery section...delicate, demure and subtle - usually places that my design work do not vist at all.

I painted filigree connectors with gilder's paste, added silk thread, crystals and used a similar style of toggle twice...up front and in the back. The other 2 designs on the page are equaly delicate and fresh...Spring is in the air. I loved the coral necklace on top right of the page.

Images of jewelry belong to Bead Style magazine - May issue 2012

All copyrights protected by law.

* image aquired online

Swimming on the wildside

It was about June of 2011 when Nature Beads brought a new exciting and exotic kind of product into the American market - fish leather. It took me certain time to experiment with it and I waited for the right time to spread my Midas touch to it's surface. 

I created a necklace for the 2012 Bead Trends panel hosted by Katie Hacker at CHA Winter Show, and right after I started working on some bracelets but I was waiting for the new applicator tool by Swarovski to use with it.

It's still not finished all the way I wanted because some products just need do require a more mechanical method to achieve its full potential. 

On these bracelets I applied the techniques I could to get the look I wanted. This leather is soft, comes in a wide range of colors and it can be used to cover metal blanks, acrylic beads and etc.

All bracelets bedazzled with Swarovski Elements hot fix flat backs and sew-on fancy stones.

Swarovski applicator tool for jeans buttons, snaps and more and more and more - the best tool available for such kind of application. Manual, very friendly usage, light weight  and well designed to serve its purposed.

You must have one...it will open many design possibilities.

Photos and designs by Fernando Dasilva.

Copyright  © 2012.

Artistic Wire mesh designs review

I had the honor of launching for a large audience the Artistic Wire mesh by Beadalon last year, during a fashion show at the headquarters of Jewelry Television in Knoxville-TN.

Since, then I had created several designs to inspire the consumer on what to do with it.

I have posted several pictures on my Facebook page but I just realized that none of those designs were shared with you here my beloved followers.

Taking advantage of the launching of the new colored Artistic Wire mesh, I am sharing with you some of those designs created with the actual colors that Beadalon does carry in their catalog - just to clarify, the colored mesh was exclusive released onto kits for JTV. So, you can only get those colors if you buy through JTV website.

My first design created with silver mesh, large navette jet crystal pendants and light grey crystal pearls running inside the mesh.

Very non-sense - large gunmetal ball chain weaved with copper mesh - the stylist in Knoxville loved this one and I ended up giving it  to her...not my favorite but is still inspirational.

Color pop - dark brown mixed with platinum and copper crystal pearls...black polyester chain to keep it lightweight. Textured copper bead caps by Tierra Cast through John Bead.

Sections of hematite mesh has been fluffed to create an off shape feeling on this necklace.

Rhodium-plated bead caps by Tierra Cast through John Bead add texture between the crystal beads.

On these bold earrings a black mesh was twisted and stretched to the side edges to create volume - and again, crystal navettes do the final talk. J'adore!

Large red magma crystal navette drops to bring a sensuous flamenco vibe on this lariat - I'm addicted to this style of necklace - great to accentuate any cleavage line - dark grey crystal pearls inside of the mesh finished with rhodium-plated hammered cone ends by Tierra Cast through John Bead add a touch of  artsy chic.

I think this is my favorite color among this selection of mesh - copper...crystal light bronze large hole beads strung on,  large crystal donuts stuffed onto the mesh and two tone of chain used towards to the back. Bohemian chic and expensive!

This necklace  was worn by Jewel School hostess ... black and hematite mesh accented with tons of crystal briolettes and crystal pearls  - duet rhodium plated claps and polyester chain to hold all together. 

Lush and decadent! 

All crystal components used on all the designs above are form the Swarovski Elements™ collection.

Artistic Wire mesh is a product under the Artistic Wire umbrella inside of the Beadalon brand.

Spacer beads, bead caps and cone ends used on some designs are from Tierra Cast® through John Bead® .

 ps...all crystal pearls strung into the mesh had their holes enlarged to accommodate the thickness of the mesh.

All jewelry pieces designed by

Fernando Dasilva © 2012

Photos by Fernando Dasilva

The new colored Artistic Wire® mesh

Hello, my darlings!

Here I am...back to you again.

I was in Knoxville last weekend and then had to drive to New York City for a quick business gig two days ago...now I am back to Amish country...almost...lol

Beadalon has brought new Artistic Wire® colored wire mesh exclusively for JTV-Jewel School™ this Spring/Summer season, and I was fortunate enough to be the guest designer at the Jewel School™ show to promote the new colors. Here are some of the designs I created to inspire their viewer and you.

Above a 'tropical snake' feeling expressed by gemstones colors...sapphire, emerald and peridot - simply braided and twisted together...extra pizazz added on a second picture further down.

A lariat style necklace spotlighting the duet light purple/silver mesh almost used as it comes...I mean. I only ruffled up the ends up front to create a whimsical feeling before ending with a luscious tassel made with white opaque bugle Czech glass beads from the John Bead collection and vintage pink wild crystal hear pendants by Swarovski Elements, or course! Detail: I used EZ™ lobster clasp by Beadalon to attach the tassel so you can interchange with a pair of earrings - so wear the tassels as necklace or earrings.

On this necklace a mixing od gemstones and metalized silver beads - turquoise mesh weaved in between the beads - I used Sbeady™ needle to run 19 Strands Beadalon silver color wire - asymmetrical look complemented by aquamarine silver lined bugle beads and fishing sleeves used as spacer from ™ fishing line. Open heart silver-plated charms by Beadalon were added off side to add draaaaaama and poise!

Bracelets galore to be worn as a stack...more colored mesh and heart charms on a preview for Mother's Day. Simple mesh and aluminum chain.

Overview of earrings and bracelet. Long earrings on the right can serve as the base for the tassels form previous lariat. Mesh was added to filigree hearts to add texture to cut out areas of component.

Bracelet on left was folded by hand in squares sections and ironed press to keep its modern and architectural - two blue tones combined together - lock heart charm with flat cabochons of grey crystal pearl glued on.  on the right: my bluesy earrings for a girlie look - Katiedids™ components to make it sleek and modern and a simple bow wrapped around the chain section - bottom ending with crysolite opal hearts form Swarovski Elements. More gift ideas to mom! Remember blue is always in and goes well with any style.

I think the folks from Beadalon loved this bracelet and I will be making another version with colors that are currently on their latest catalog. Again, simple form and section ironed press to keep its shape.
Swarovski crystal roundelles discreetly hidden to mirror the metallic look. Open heart charm used as toggle circle and puffed heart charm used as.... a charm...lol

Bringing back the firs necklace with an ultra fantabulous and seductive extra large crystal silver shade polygon Swarovski Element pendant. Use a easy to attach and detach clasp so you can wear with our without. A long stone encrusted pendant would work as well. As long it adds draaaaaaaaaama, you will be in business darling!

Get inspired and create more beauty on your own to share.

Artistic Wire colored mesh sold in kits exclusively from JTV - Jewel School™, by Beadalon.

All crystals used on all the designs above are from the collection of Swarovski Elements.

All Czech glass and metalized beads used on the designs above are from the John Bead collection.

All designs and photos on this post are copyrighted by

Fernando Dasilva © 2012.

Easter elegance

Happy Easter my friends!

I woke up around 5:30 this morning and had to step out of my door and photograph  a beautiful moonlight, and then when I look to the horizon behind me the sunrise was magnificent and I snap another shot.

Still over the moonlight effect I went to my work area and put together some colors and design the necklaces featured on this post. I have watched Barbara Walters showing off beautiful and very high end necklaces lately on her TV appearances and I love all of them....and trust me they all work for young and cool chicks as well. It's juts a matter of styling with the right outfit. 

Happy Easter Sunday to all of you!

Full moon today at 5:30am and it's moonlight alluring myself to step out the door and be enchanted by.  

On the opposite side, this gorgeous sunrise telling me that a new day was born.

My design of the day - huge silver-plated textured beads, crystal rings, white coral, pink Peruvian opal faceted nuggets and faceted amethyst for a happy and very "brunch at  the Hamptons" mood.   White outfits will be fabulous against this necklace.

Several components form different sources were used on this design. Rectangle rhodium plated links, sterling silver filigree cone ends, Tierra Cast antique silver bead caps p and purple rattail cord (can you see the hint of purple going through the Swarovski rondelles?! ) by John Bead® Corp. 

Crimp covers , copper crimp tubes and 7 Strands Beadalon Silverose .024' stringing wire used on gemstones strands by Beadalon™ - actually the Silverose stringing wire works perfect with one of the latest colors by Swarovski Elements™ - light vintage rose. 

Gun metal lobster clasp and extension chain by Garlan® Chain. 

3 to 1 gunmetal and all gemstones by designer's personal sources.

Design by Fernando Dasilva 

Copyright © 2012