I think we need more jewellery!

My jewellery escapades, have been sorely neglected on this blog for a few weeks, due to presenting the fine work of other handmade artisans. So, to amend this situation, I will show you my latest creation, entitled:

“I am finding myself becoming more and more abstracted”

I am currently working ona range of statement necklaces which I am calling ‘Totem necklaces’, mainly because they are formed from several parts, that are connected to form a pendant. This piece started out as sterling silver wire and sheet silver.

Part 1:Making the basic parts

I created semi-circles from the silver wire, soldered them, pickled them and then tumbled them.

I then formed several silver discs from sheet sterling silver

Part 2:Starting the construction

The first part of constructing the pendant, involved soldering the semicircles to each other, to form a  weave. This become more and more difficult as the piece grew, because of the heat sink effects of a larger surface area of metal. I created 2 sections of the weave, the smaller of which would be attached to the large, so that it hung below.

Once the soldering was complete I picked, cleaned off excess solder and tumbled the two sections.

Part 3:Doming the silver discs

While the two weave sections were being tumbled I used a doming block and punch to dome the silver discs, creating a concave surface. I then drilled holes into each disc to allow them to be hung from the main pendant.

Part 4: Joining the parts

Once the main two weave pieces were cleaned, I attached them using some sterling silver rings, that I had previously created (I usually make a load at once as they always come in handy).

Part 5: Completing the pendant

To complete the pendant, I attached the domed discs to the main pendant to create dangling discs. I added a Swarovski crystal to the bottom of the pendant to finish it off.

Part 6:Finishing the statement necklace

I attached the pendant via a sterling silver wire hanger to a leather necklet. In fact I am going to make 2 different length necklets to use with the pendant.

So, here is the finished piece. It’ll go on sale once it has returned from the hallmarkers:

Abstract statement necklace in silver

Abstract statement necklace in silver

The Evil Eye Necklace: Progress Part 2, The Chain

After the fiasco of the ‘lost’ rings, I couldn’t face making anymore, so I decided to go in an entirely different route for the chain.

Instead of rings, I decided to use sterling silver strip to form individual silver links to create the chain.

I cut an inch in length from the silver strip to form each link as shown  below:

I then hammered each link to flatten both ends of the link and make a flared link:

Once I had done this for each link, I then wanted to shape the links to give them a sort of bone like look. This meant I had to file down the ends to form the shape of the end of the ‘bone’, you know that curved structure at the joint ends (what is it called?). I used my favourite file (yes I have a favourite file) to do this, which is a half round needle file (oh my love), followed by various grades of ‘wet and dry’ sanding paper to give a  nice smooth finish. You can see the sort of shape in this image below:

After forming the bone shapes, I placed each link between some flat-bed pliers and gently shaped the link so that it curved slightly, this gave it more depth and to sit more nicely on the neck:

Once all the links had been completed and shaped I then needed to drill two holes in the end of each link to allow jump rings to be used to join the links. The joining of each link, using two tiny jump rings per end, was the most fiddly thing I have ever done. However, its looking good…

Next post will be on making the evil eye pendant itself.

Sterling Silver Heart Necklace: Progress

I’ve been in the process of making a new necklace called “My heart was broken, but it is beginning to mend”. I think we all have a story like that, don’t we…

Anyway, I got inspiration for this from a personal experience, but also from an old jewelry making book I found, I think it’s from the late 40′s. In it there was a really nice idea for silver links for a chain, which I liked the look of so, that was how it started.

The Chain

Each link, around 4.5 cm in length was cut from 1.5 mm sterling silver wire.

I then hammered each link to flatten each end, but leaving the middle unflattened. Once flattened, I then dimple hammered the length to give  a nice Arts and Crafts effect. The links were finshed off by filing down any sharp edges and sanding over any small scratches.

Both ends of each link then were drilled to allow jump rings to connect the links together.

You can see the necklace starting to take shape in the photo above.

The Rest of the Necklace (silver heart and clasp)

I have also created a handmade clasp which has an oval jump ring in place to close up the clasp once hooked.

As you can also see from the image above, I have attached red sea jasper beads to the ends of the necklace where the silver heart will be attached.

The heart is made of PMC (which is a clay like substance containing 99.9% silver granules. You shape it, then fire it in a kiln (or use a torch). The heat processes evaporates the clay, leaving almost pure silver behind. Once out of the kiln, you have to clean it up and place it in a tumbler with steel shot to shine it up.

As I write, the heart is tumbling away, being cleaned ready for attachment.

I’ll post up the completed necklace in a  day or so.

Oh, I’ve also made matching earrings – you can see  a close up shot of one of them here:

I think the effect of the red sea jasper with the hammered silver has a Mackintosh  feel to it – do you think so too?