YOJ week twenty

I had the opportunity to spend several hours in the garage today, so I decided to tackle my first bezel. I knew I didn't have any appropriate tools to set the stone, but I didn't actually expect to get to that point and thought I could just get the piece ready for setting.

It turned out that I've misplaced my file too, so I had to sand the bezel down. I thought it might be a bit high, but I was tired of sanding, so I stopped too soon. The first time I thought I soldered the bezel to the back plate it actually didn't, but the second time worked just fine! Woo hoo!

I didn't have anything that let me strike the tube rivet on the front without damaging the bezel, so I basically didn't. That worked okay, but isn't ideal. And the lack of a file meant that finishing the edges of the piece wasn't done as well as it should have been. Oh, and when I soldered the jump ring I almost undid the solder on the bezel... But aside from that I thought it was all going well!

So I foolishly decided to try to set the stone. I had read that you can use a cut-off old toothbrush to bezel set fragile items so I thought I would give that a try. I couldn't hold the piece steady, and although the toothbrush worked, it didn't work easily. I ended up using my hammer to push over the bezel. This created a very rustic look that I almost like, but it does need some refinement.

All in all this was an entertaining and educational experience, even if the piece is far from perfect. Very far...

YOJ week nineteen

This was my first time tackling viking wire weave. I was pleased with how it turned out, although I was adding in new wire incorrectly at first and my joins are quite obvious. Got that figured out though, so next time will go more smoothly.

I used some sterling cones and a clasp I had on hand, but I want to make my own for future chains. This is a nice technique to become a piece that I can say "I made that all myself".

I tried to patina this, but it just turned yellow. Since it is partially fine silver and partially sterling I suspect I either need to treat it more or not at all. I shall clean it up and wear it shiny for a while, I think...

1000 Jewelry Details

Exciting news! I just found out that my Caged Bangles have been chosen to be included in the upcoming book 1000 Jewelry Details. It will be a new picture in the book, but here is one I submitted for consideration. I know I've posted this before, but I'm thrilled and want to show a picture anyway!

YOJ week eighteen (WIP)

This is a close-up of a bracelet I am working on. It is not finalized - I like the look of this arrangement but four sections is too short and five is too long, so I need to come up with something different.

I have been struggling with a pair of earings that were intended to be this week's entry. I have given up for the day, but perhaps I can make them work tomorrow.

YOJ weeks 15, 16, and 17

I thought that I was going to have to skip a couple of weeks in the Year of Jewelry, but then I had a couple of productive days (and a new camera card) and decided that it was better to put something in rather than leave those dates blank. So, here are a bunch of Swarovski and sterling earrings. A couple left for new homes before I could get them photographed, and a couple are waiting on earwires. I am not happy with photo quality on these but didn't want to get any further behind.