Nearly finished 2 more pieces. The one on the left is going to be called “templar amulet”. I’ve got some ruby spheres coming and will place one in the back cavity of the dome, so that the red shows through like a templar cross. I’ll also put some garnets in the “portholes” and top toggle.

Ordered some big open link silver chain yesterday, and I’m curious how it is going to look on the a piece. I’ve also ordered some jump links to use on this one and on the other dome I have created. They are more of a rounded triangle shape, I think they were originally made for hanging briolettes from?

I haven’t really thought all that much about findings, but now I’m getting some finished pieces, I really want to make sure that I get just the right chains or cord to really set the pieces off.

The pendant on the right is my first attempt at a celtic look. I have a friend who is part of the SCA (medieval reenactment society) who wants a celtic cross. I’m building up to that. If I want to make it a hollow shape, I’m going to have to make my own formwork out of sculpy or something to make the rim around. Another technique to add to the arsenal. It’s all good stuff!

I also need to put a black onyx I have on order into the space on the end of the toggle and form some wire for a jump ring to go through the hole.  I want to make a D shaped ring so it could take me a few tries to get it fabricated the way I want it.

And hey.. I might even show this to my husband as a hint-hint-hint when christmas time comes around! 

Beautiful Keum Boo!

Jennifer Kahn - Silver and Gold Earrings

As a person who looks much better in gold than in silver, I have to say I love these little earrings.  They are beautifully executed and the depth of gold is really fab.   I’m looking forward to learning Keum Boo at some stage later down the track.  There is a necklace that matches these too!

If you want these for yourself, they are only $60 on Etsy.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18691743   Check out Jennifer’s website at Jennifer Kahn Jewelry and her blog.

Warm Summer Nights Necklace

Teresa Boland - Warm Summer Nights Necklace

I found this beautiful piece on etsy as well.  I love how Teresa has matched the color on the silver with the accent stones of labradorite and apetite on the bail.  This is a seriously pretty and eye catching piece. 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26339324  (Only $58, including silver oxidised chain.  can’t see this one lasting long!)

bezel setting on donut rim

All of my lovely gems turned up from www.gemresources.com.. I don’t know how I’m going to wait for October, which is when I travel down to the city and can get some more pieces fired.  Can’t fire these ones with a wood clay core with a hand-torch, unfortunately!

Setting the bezels into smalled raised platforms around the ring of the donut, combined with the little “tongues” has given this piece a cross like feel, without it actually being a cross!

4 bezels attached

I also spent some time working with wood clay yesterday. I’ve made some more wooden “blanks” for more donuts. For some reason, the donut shape really appeals to me. I should probably try something a little different to get some variety in my work, but at the moment, I’m just enjoying working around this central theme and getting to know the medium better.

The last blank I made has warped slighty now it’s dry, so I’m drying this batch under a big heavy book.. hopefully this will solve the problem and will result in some straight pieces!  I also misted the warped one and put it in under the book as well.. it may flatten out that way and not be a completely lost cause.

wood clay blanks

My stepdaughter came over on Wednesday and really loved the first piece I made.  She was quite interested in the gemstones and how the clay worked.  I’m thinking of buying her some clay to work with for her birthday.  It’s not cheap stuff though..  although I do have a idea of something that might work well as a 13th birthday present for her.  A friend of mine saw people in the shopping centre with a kiln and silver clay.  You could get your child’s fingerprint embedded in the clay and they would fire it and send it out to you as a pendant.  Maybe my Sd would like her own 13 year old fingerprint as a pendant?

Peacock Donut

This is a hollow piece that I added Aurra 22 to, then patina and set a sapphire, amethyst and iolite into.   Its nice to have something that I can feel is finally done!  I practiced the patinas on the back, to make sure I would be happy with the finished product on the front.

back of the donut

donut close up

I’ve also put the toggles on my new donut.  It’s looking good!  I’m a bit worried about it not holding together during firing.. hopefully it won’t slump in the middle which is my biggest concern.  I found a tutorial on firing donuts, holefully I can fire it in this position when th time comes to prevent slumping.

I also found a couple of good sites for gems:

JS Ritter (lots of lovely bullets!)

GemWow - Liked these lovely citrines.  I think I’d need some more experience setting stones before attempting doing anything with these beauties, however.

wood clay cores drying

I then covered the two sides with textured clay and applied a rim to the outer edge.

Under Construction

Then I added the inner ring and the “points” were built up with slip.. inspiration courtesy of the Visby lenses.

points and inner rim added

19/06/2009

I’ve got the bezels applied to the edge, on little “platforms”.

bezel setting on donut rim

Pendant 2

Third times the charm..

Info and photos of this piece under construction are here.