Lisa

  • LPDstudios Blog: Behind the Scenes - Fine Silver Jewelry Collection

    I really love the metallic finish of the bronze and copper metal clay I use for a majority of the jewelry pieces I create, but to expand my jewelry collection I decided to invest in Fine Silver metal clay for a new look.

    What is nice about metal clay, whether it is copper, bronze or silver, is that in the early stages I am able to use it just like clay. I roll it out, cut any desired shape, add texture to the surface, and manipulate it in any way I want to create my pieces. 

    For my new silver pieces, I cut and shaped hearts, stars, flowers and round discs to be used for studs and charms.

    Once I was happy with the shape, texture and overall design, I placed the delicate little components into my kiln, which is specifically designed for firing metal clay. The high heat of the kiln is what burns off the binder in the metal clay and the metal particles fuse together to create a solid metal item.

    Once the firing is complete, the clean up begins, because even though the binder has burned off, there is still a residual white reside present on the metal. I brush, rub and polish each piece to bring out the true luster of the silver finish.

    Some of the final products include the Fine Silver Daisy Earrings:

    The Heavenly Star Fine Silver Earrings with Silken Sheen:

    The Descending Fine Silver Triple Star Pendant Necklace:

    And the Swinging Hearts of Brushed Fine Silver Earrings:

    Thanks for stopping by LPDstudios to see what's new!

  • LPDstudios Blog: What's New - Tapestry Printed Leather Small Tote with Handmade Tassels

    The aesthetic of the Tapestry Printed Leather Tote is a little different from most of the LPDstudios handbags, because instead of a signature animal motif, this bag has a vintage inspired flair. I fell in love with this small batch of leather, because of the beautiful scrolling vine-like tapestry print! The design is embossed into the leather creating a relief effect with a lot of texture and dimension. Not to mention it's dyed in these really pretty shades of sahara tan and zinc grey.

     

    Signature LPDstudios finishing details like the pinked edges, contrast stitching, stag horn closure and tassels give the small tote a lot of personality.

    Stop by LPDstudios to see what new handmade pieces I am working on in the studio!

  • LPDstudios Blog: Style - All About the LPD Accessories

    I was so inspired by the super casual and relaxed look of today's inspiration outfit I found on Jess Ann Kirby Lifestyle blog. Her taste is impeccable, and she knows style! I love the way the velvet slip on mules, skinny leather belt and chunky knit sweater all come together for a simple yet classic fall outfit.

    But I do think this inspiration outfit needs a dose of LPDstudios accessories!!! I felt the Copper Heart Earrings, Blackened Copper Bangles and Distressed Black Leather Tote add a nice touch of leather and metal to the look. No need to choose between wearing a watch or a bracelet! I like the way the watch and bangles would create a cool layering look. 

    Want to learn more about the accessories found on today's Style Board? Check out LPDstudios!

  • LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...

    Finding time for LPDstudios is not always easy in the summer months. Having the girls home from school means a new schedule of driving to summer jobs, camps and sports. But I still managed to create new products, attend events and have fun doing it all!

    Here are a few of my favorite LPDstudios summer moments! 

    Farmers Market on Chocolate in Hershey, PA:LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    What a fun event! The community comes together to celebrate all things local; food, arts, music, yoga. This was my first Farmers Market experience, and it was so exciting to have a large booth just for LPDstudios. I invested in a pop up tent, custom banner and some unique shelving to create a welcoming and homey place for people to shop. 

    It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning, and if you didn't make it this year, I highly recommend it for next year.

    Craft on Tap:

    LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    This was a workshop led by LPDstudios where students learned the basic skills of working in leather, from cutting, punching, stamping and painting, all while enjoying a complimentary craft beer from Wacker Brewing Company. 

    This was definitely a first for me! Teaching how to make jewelry pieces is an entirely different skill set than creating work in the studio. With a small class of students with varying skill levels, I was able to learn a lot about how to lead a class. I really enjoyed the experience, and I think my students did too. Look out for my next teaching adventure coming in October.

    Here are a few action shots from the class!

    LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    Horizon of Hope Breast Cancer Fundraiser:LPDstudios Blog: Summer Living Happened So Fast...LPDstudios was created by designer artist Lisa Parmer Ditty. All of her designs are handcrafted in her Pennsylvania studio. She has merged her love of leather, metal and metal clay to create a unique collection of custom leather handbags, metal and leather jewelry and even pet collars. Follow her studio blog and see what she is designing next.

    LPDstudios was able to participate in the Horizon of Hope Breast Cancer Fundraiser this year! 

    Through the event, Horizon of Hope was able to earn money for local organizations like the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, American Cancer Society Patient Services, and the MS Hershey Breast Center's Karen Dwyer-Jones Fund. 

    We donated the Pearled Navy Blue Handsewn Leather Night Out Tote with Star to be raffled off at the event. It's always so awesome to see LPDstudios originals find a good home, especially for a worthy cause. LPDstudios also had a vendor table at the event with several new designs. The new pieces were designed specifically for the attendees of the event, which were predominantly women who are breast cancer survivors and people who are close to someone who has survived.

    Summer was jammed packed and I am ready for a fresh season with new LPDstudios adventures around every corner.

    Don't forget to stop by LPDstudios to see what is new in the studio :)

  • LPDstudios Blog: Behind the Scenes - Distressed Antique Leather Red Heart Belt

    I was thrilled to receive this custom order from a customer who loved the LPDstudios Leather Pet Collar with Heart Design so much that she wanted a belt made from the same design! 

    To make a belt version, I started with a much longer piece of leather and cut according to the belt dimensions my customer requested. This takes a steady hand and a lot of muscle to ensure I make a clean cut through the leather. A little while back I had a custom heart shaped punch made for me, which came in handy for this project. I was able to quickly punch out the leather hearts and know they would all be uniform in shape and size.

    Next comes the fun part, the color!! My customer wanted a slightly brighter red than the red I use on the dog collars, so I put together a custom pigment to dye the leather.

    Once the dye has saturated the leather, typically after several coats, I am able to distress and soften the leather using my brass roller. Then I add a cream to my leather and buff it, this adds a bit of shine .

    Now that the leather is where I want it for color and texture, I affix the hearts to the belt using hand cut brass rivets.

    Last but not least, I add the brass hardware, that coordinates nicely back to the rivets, and add my signature LPDstudios label.

    Now the custom distressed antique red leather belt with hearts, brass rivets and buckle is ready to be worn for many, many years!!!!!

    Thank you to all of my customers for supporting LPDstudios, and keep visiting me to see what is new in the studio!!

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