More Silverware and Gemstone Bracelets!

I am doing an event tomorrow, "Creativity for a Cause", at Casal Aveda Institute in Youngstown, OH.  It's from 12 - 4 p.m. - if you are from the area, stop by!  I wanted to make some more of the silverware bracelets, so now have five total.  Two are in my previous post, and these are the three I just completed.  I want to see if there is an interest in this  type of  art jewelry.  Each bracelet has a different gemstone.  The ones pictured here are with Pink Aventurine, Blue Goldstone, and Turquoise.  I think they have a Victorian or antique appeal.  If my clients like them, I'd like to find a variety of silverware pieces, perhaps even odd lots of sterling silver forks and spoons.  They can also be made into rings. 

It is a process to make the bracelets, from cutting and drilling, to annealing and forming/bending, and adding embellishments.  The hardest part for me is the process of bending them.  Since these are silver plated pieces, the metal is not as forgiving as sterling silver may be.  I hope you enjoyed the post.  I'd love to hear from you!  Blessings, Anita

CUSTOMIZABLE JEWELRY

Always looking for a new market?  Me, too!  This is  nothing new, I have just never posted a lot as doing custom jewelry.  But chainmaille is one perfect example of this.  Chain type - Byzantine (pictured), Persian, half Persian, box link, mobius (pictured).  Metal:  Sterling Silver, Argentium Sterling Silver, Copper, Jeweler's Bronze (brass for jewelers), permanently colored copper wire comes in many colors, and of course, size!  Embellish or not, toggle or hook.  There are so many variations your clients can choose from to make it personally their own.  These two photos are of a Byzantine with pearl embellishment and a Mobius link bracelet.  I just made this one today as a prize for an event I am doing this weekend at Casal Aveda Institute in Youngstown.  The possibilities are endless.



A friend and fellow jewelry designer suggested I offer this "silverware" jewelry as a customizable item using a piece of silverware from their family in the creation.  I thought that was a great idea and further, you could add stones/embellishments in their birthstone colors!  Just some ideas!  Share yours with us!  Thanks for  looking! 

Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles with Amethyst

Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles
 with Opal Green Puff Beads



Creations in Sterling Silver

It's been a while since I have posted, but I HAVE been creating and doing more in sterling silver. I was always a little apprehensive to use my sterling silver wire because I was worried I'd waste it, but with the addition of the metalsmithing classes, my confidence has grown. Fortunately, not too much wire has been wasted and I have found ways to use the bits and pieces. Time is a great teacher in all things! I thought I would post the pictures of some of my recent designs in silver. I have been using a lot of Argentium s.s. - it is tarnish resistant and has beautiful shine. And, you can use Argentium for fusing! A big plus if you don't want to mess with solder. I have been very happy with the results and am still learning to use this wire. But if you like and want to add patina for a more antiqued look, then stick with sterling silver wire. Most, if not all, of the pictured items are listed on my Artfire site. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for following! Have a wonderful 2012! Anita