SILVERSMITHING CLASS - PROJECT TWO!

Project two at the Appalachian Rock Shop with Jo Naleppa - yes, it's another pendant!!  My goal was to get a good grip on bezel setting stones, but I decided to go in a different direction this time and am setting this beautiful stone with prongs from 16 ga. wire.  The back plate and bail are created with sterling silver.  This probably looks pretty simple, but for those of you who don't make jewelry, there is a lot of time that goes into the simplest creation.  I was in class for three hours and in that time, I outlined my back plate and bail, cut them out with a jeweler's saw, rounded the edges with filing tools and then sanded them with three different grits/sanding papers.  I hammered the edges to add a little interest and will probably have to go over the edges again before I am done.  The pieces were pickled and cleaned.  At that point, I formed the wires, gave them a little sanding where they were to be soldered, and fluxed everything.  We also added some "mud" on the parts of the wire that we didn't not want to get soldered (accidentally).  After soldering the wires, they had to be placed in water and pickle.  Then back to the drawing board so the soldered wires could be soldered onto the plate.  More flux, more mud, then pinned to the soldering brick so it wouldn't move during soldering.  After a successful join of metals, back into the water and pickle for cleaning.  The next step should be attaching the bail...next week  The bail will be carefully bent in half and placed on the back plate - more flux - place the solder, and we should be close to setting the stone.... but I think there will be more polishing before that.  So, that is the process.  More next week!
I tell you this because when artisans have to price their work, it is not just the materials, but the time and energy that goes into creating a piece that is pleasing to the eye and of good workmanship.  The best part (for me) of creating, is finding that special person who falls in love with something you made  That brings me great joy and keeps me going!  Thanks for reading my post!  Please leave a comment!  I appreciate knowing when someone has read my posts and if you have something to add, I would love for you to share!

Round Two of Classes at the Appalachian Rock Shop!

A few weeks ago I began another 10 week metalworking course at the
Appalachian Rock Shop and Gift Emporium in Harmony, PA.  Since I have already taken one course a and learned the basics, now I can continue under the guidance of our instructor, Jo, but can choose what I want to make.  My first project is a Ruby in Fuchsite or Zoisite (can't remember which!) cabochon that I wanted to set in silver and copper.  I wanted to continue to work on my bezel setting skills, so this was a perfect project and I have two more cabs after this!  I don't have start to finish pics to show the progress, but this is the final result.  Since the cab had such an organic feel to it, I wanted the bale to resemble vines.  It did not come out exactly as I had envisioned it, but I am very happy with how the bale turned out in the end!  I can't wait to wear it and have ordered a s.s. omega chain to showcase it. 

For more information on the healing properties of Ruby Fuchsite, visit Crystals, Rocks and Gems!

Next - two more stones to set - one a pendant and the other may be a ring.  More later!

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