tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220461552024-03-05T19:24:32.494-07:00Orange Starfish DesignsJournalling my progress at miscellaneous creative pursuits.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-46279604519867894762011-03-06T14:05:00.003-07:002011-03-06T14:07:57.465-07:002011 - week 9Nothing photographed this week because nothing got finished. I had two short sessions at the bench though. The first was disastrous. The second I got a lot of little components for things started but nothing got finished. I was so happy to have a good session that I quit when I started to get tired and didn't try to force anything to come together. Maybe next time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-4911644219856289982011-02-28T12:38:00.003-07:002011-02-28T12:40:52.498-07:002011 - week 8<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5486646484/" title="2011 - week 8 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5486646484_153d3fb9e4_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="2011 - week 8" /></a><br /><br />I had one of those days where nothing wanted to work. Finally, in a fit of frustration, I gave up all thoughts of finishing something good and just made this little (1/2" diameter) bead. Another day I will pickle it and polish it and maybe even embellish it. For now I'm calling it done.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-82259970991907244162011-02-28T12:38:00.001-07:002011-02-28T12:38:41.091-07:002011 - week 7Away on vacation in Mexico all week so nothing happened on the bench.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-11456828703646523802011-02-28T12:36:00.001-07:002011-02-28T12:37:55.938-07:002011 - week 6<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5486050665/" title="2011 - week 6 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5486050665_9b76c03ab9_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="2011 - week 6" /></a><br /><br />Experimental open backed bezel set coin pearl pendant. It has proven more difficult to set than I expected (and I expected difficulty) but I think the basic idea has promise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-16318651276183785062011-02-06T13:56:00.004-07:002011-02-06T14:03:39.562-07:002011 - week 5<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5422948598/" title="2011 - week 5 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5422948598_608e88b06d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="2011 - week 5" /></a><br /><br />Iolite, moonstone, and plain sterling rings. I intended the whole group to be a stacking ring set but didn't think about the clearance needed under the moonstone and set it too low into the band. It fits nicely on the adjacent finger though so all is not lost.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-77348862460127117512011-02-02T07:33:00.001-07:002011-02-02T07:35:34.087-07:002011 - week 4The Ring That Wouldn't Be<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5410014745/" title="2011 - week 4 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5410014745_b28a2cc3e1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="2011 - week 4" /></a><br /><br />Sterling silver. Amethyst. Size 4.<br /><br />This ring did not want to come together. I ended up having to remake almost every component in it, sometimes more than once. The kid is happy with it in the end though so I can't complain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-79860579085596970152011-01-25T04:27:00.001-07:002011-01-25T04:27:55.982-07:002011 - week 3No photos this week. I did get some time at my bench but nothing came together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-71713531600396139722011-01-19T13:55:00.001-07:002011-01-19T13:56:23.026-07:002011 - week 2<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5370427157/" title="2011 - week 2 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5370427157_c1071e77a4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2011 - week 2" /></a><br /><br />Teeny tiny little ring for a kidlet. This is approximately a size 1-1/2. Isn't it cute?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-27672479869591382552011-01-19T13:53:00.001-07:002011-01-19T13:55:09.216-07:002011 - week 1<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5371031042/" title="2011 - week 1 by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5371031042_f505fbd222.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="2011 - week 1" /></a><br /><br />Square bead. Sterling silver. I had a hard time getting this dapped neatly because my tools aren't the right size for these pieces of metal. Next time I'm going to make a smaller bead to see if I can't do better.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-7610471223504834992010-11-07T14:41:00.003-07:002010-11-07T14:44:14.004-07:00Wicked cool!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/5151576869/" title="307. Wicked cool! by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/5151576869_d01c03f584.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="307. Wicked cool!" /></a><br /><br />I whipped this set up last weekend to go with my witch costume. I intended it to be single-wear so I just used cheap base metal components. In the end I liked it so much that I think I'm going to dismantle it and remake it with sterling. When I do that I'll retake the photos and hopefully get a better one.<br /><br />Black druzy and lava, green and black seed beads, and assorted metal components.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-30271410470150741242010-09-13T13:35:00.002-06:002010-09-13T13:43:31.227-06:00Spinny spinner and more teeny tiny bling<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4987587072/" title="256. Spinner ring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4987587072_eeb3b0e61d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="256. Spinner ring" /></a><br /><br />This ring was harder to flare evenly than I expected. I think I just assumed that each side would flare neatly. Worked okay in the end though, and it fits me perfectly. I'm going to take full credit for that even though I started it so long ago that I honestly don't remember what size I intended it to be.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4987588530/" title="Teeny tiny bling by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4987588530_7e7a87d796.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Teeny tiny bling" /></a><br /><br />More teeny tiny stud earrings. The white one is the one I made previously and the butterfly is just in the photo for scale. It looks a little tarnished because it probably is - I've been wearing this little post almost daily since I finished it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-63251310409725207172010-08-11T06:29:00.002-06:002010-08-11T06:52:26.191-06:00Bouncing back after a dry spell<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4879803787/" title="200. Pearl and garnet earrings by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4879803787_713eef78a5.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="200. Pearl and garnet earrings" /></a> <br />I've been in a bit of a slump at my bench this summer. The rings I showed in the last couple of posts came together quite easily and then it seemed that everything I touched was a disaster. So I took a little break, did a little organization and planning, started prepping the walls of my workroom for painting, and then finished these. I worked on them on and off for ages - all through my disaster period - and I think I always expected them to end up as little molten blobs on my soldering block. In the end though everything just clicked and they came together nicely.<br /><br />Deep red garnets. Lustrous freshwater pearl drops. Sterling.<br /><br />I also made a single tiny stud earring. I had a terrible time photographing it and the photo below at least shows the scale. A 2mm CZ is tube set in sterling. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out and have several more colours in the works.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4879805579/" title="Teeny tiny earring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4879805579_1708f80233_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Teeny tiny earring" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-46275465901771156842010-05-08T07:59:00.002-06:002010-05-08T08:00:34.474-06:00Stacking rings<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4575048817/" title="123. Stacking rings by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4575048817_2b339fab36.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="123. Stacking rings" /></a><br /><br />Made these last weekend - a dainty stacking ring set with CZ and sterling silver. About a size 6.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-75685043675069388542010-04-27T05:03:00.002-06:002010-04-27T05:07:13.816-06:00Purple agateI have not made much since my life was packed away in boxes last summer. This weekend I made a simple pair of fused earrings (not photographed, sorry) and this beauty. I made it for myself but unfortunately it turned out about half a size too big. I'm wearing it anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4555850975/" title="116. Purple agate ring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4555850975_472cb7de9f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="116. Purple agate ring" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-88143050088154520292009-07-01T21:49:00.003-06:002009-07-01T22:00:21.122-06:00YOJ weeks 24 and 25<span style="font-weight: bold;">Week 24</span><br />Simple carnelian ring. Bezel set oval stone on a slightly hammered wire band.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3679408765/" title="Carnelian ring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3679408765_4404a25b80.jpg" width="500" height="330" alt="Carnelian ring" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week 25</span><br />It is a bit of a miracle that this piece turned out. It started as a casual "wonder if I can bezel set this pearl". Once I had the bezel in hand I was driven to add the wire border out of admiration for Deborah (Sneakbead)'s pieces using a similar technique. I figured out lots of things to do differently next time. Then, at the last minute, I realized the bezel wasn't high enough to hold the pearl. Luckily I was able to cut out the back of the pendant which reduced the height of the pearl enough that I could set it. I like this - there will be more.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3680333586/" title="Pearl pendant by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3680333586_5c61090c6e.jpg" width="325" height="500" alt="Pearl pendant" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-42751624501692305752009-06-30T10:40:00.002-06:002009-06-30T10:44:23.861-06:00YOJ weeks 22 and 23I'm working on multiple pieces at once these days. More efficient but often means I don't finish a piece every week and then have several all at once.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week 22</span><br />All sterling.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3675838292/" title="Cup ring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3675838292_2bde662a68.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Cup ring" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week 23</span><br />Sterling, with a mystery stone faceted cab.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3675027667/" title="Faceted stone ring by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3675027667_a0a5cf6dd8.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="Faceted stone ring" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-73540374146949962142009-06-20T18:37:00.002-06:002009-06-20T18:48:36.328-06:00Interesting Educational Experience<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3644769877/" title="Felted vessel by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/3644769877_efc2b7d332.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Felted vessel" /></a><br /><br />This mostly rectangular felted vessel got the name Interesting Educational Experience during the felting process. I learned quite a few things that I shall try not to repeat in the future. Purple and brown handmade felt embellished with seed beads.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3644769115/" title="Interesting Educational Experience all four sides by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3644769115_d0bfe14699.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Interesting Educational Experience all four sides" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-841624320662119152009-05-26T17:19:00.003-06:002009-05-26T17:48:12.635-06:00YOJ weeks 18 to 21 - more catchup<span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 18</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3568608774/" title="Experiment by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3568608774_d07c216857_m.jpg" width="109" height="240" alt="Experiment" /></a><br /><br />This needs cleaning up but I was sloppy while making it because I honestly didn't expect it to turn out this well. Prong set CZ in sterling silver. I have not used prongs before.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 19</span><br /><br />I cleverly dismantled my week 19 piece before I photographed it. I know that I did it which is good enough for my purposes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 20</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3567799231/" title="Simple little pearls by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3567799231_ecb5fc3659.jpg" width="395" height="500" alt="Simple little pearls" /></a><br /><br />These pretty little half drilled pearls are one of three pairs I got recently. I've not worked with half drilled anything before. I wanted these to look clean so I soldered tiny posts onto tiny rings rather than doing any wire wrapping. I might have to keep these.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 21</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3567798681/" title="Pearl earrings by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3567798681_3542cb7716.jpg" width="500" height="466" alt="Pearl earrings" /></a><br /><br />I am so pleased with these! I used my new disc cutter to make the sterling discs, dapped them, soldered on earring posts, soldered on posts for the pearls, polished, tumbled, patinaed and polished again before gluing on the pearls.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-64049170393479108082009-05-20T13:07:00.002-06:002009-05-20T13:45:13.479-06:00YOJ weeks 15 to 17 - playing catch upI've made a piece in each week but I got behind in the photography. Catching up with a number in one post seems neater to me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 15 - Grenadine and keshi earrings</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3548840741/" title="Grenadine keshi by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3548840741_9b4546d688.jpg" width="276" height="500" alt="Grenadine keshi" /></a><br /><br />I like the way the orderly cube shape in the ceramic beads contrasts with the flowing form of the keshi pearls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 16 - Fused fine silver earrings</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3548908185/" title="More fused fine silver by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3548908185_15bd75b331.jpg" width="322" height="500" alt="More fused fine silver" /></a><br /><br />This and the next pair are formed from fused and hammered fine silver links. I've made a number of variations on this recently.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Week 17 - More fused fine silver</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3549716706/" title="Fused fine silver earrings by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3549716706_5ca5b8d6fc.jpg" width="270" height="500" alt="Fused fine silver earrings" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-15496998906034343362009-05-12T20:05:00.005-06:002009-05-12T20:21:44.139-06:00YOJ wk 14 - Jess's wedding bracelet<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3422279881/" title="Wedding bracelet by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3422279881_b5bbd77f1f.jpg" width="500" height="343" alt="Wedding bracelet" /></a><br /><br />I was asked to make this bracelet for a family friend's wedding. Freshwater pearls, sapphires, and sterling silver. I think it turned out perfectly but you can judge for yourself.<br /><br />The following photos were sent to me by the bride. She wore no other jewellery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5XBXI-V1VOPVjb9JOSUCIF5lbmv_f6D0_VSRYCLhgWLZ6P4Jgi6jgY5dmH2bbHHC1C4hULa2vh-jxOVaa2Gg70kO3c2fZmsX__0LPQZHq__DlTZUrAGmPvYTduRXCuoX858/s1600-h/3FP_3257_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5XBXI-V1VOPVjb9JOSUCIF5lbmv_f6D0_VSRYCLhgWLZ6P4Jgi6jgY5dmH2bbHHC1C4hULa2vh-jxOVaa2Gg70kO3c2fZmsX__0LPQZHq__DlTZUrAGmPvYTduRXCuoX858/s320/3FP_3257_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335126062901833970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4LO53OpBNG-mebS4bHH-q_dFSXRAQzR52dnlq__WyTFtUFmyTjDZKFKojJG-j_K499_wulp5X9Palue9WYRO2Z8GwXzRU1BsemKBQXsFaXlPI3U7oGwmmOD6yE4Cd7kRq38/s1600-h/3FP_3198_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4LO53OpBNG-mebS4bHH-q_dFSXRAQzR52dnlq__WyTFtUFmyTjDZKFKojJG-j_K499_wulp5X9Palue9WYRO2Z8GwXzRU1BsemKBQXsFaXlPI3U7oGwmmOD6yE4Cd7kRq38/s320/3FP_3198_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335127152495128530" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-48899098919911994612009-04-08T10:14:00.003-06:002009-04-08T10:22:29.568-06:00Felted vase<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3424412610/" title="Felted vase by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3424412610_d29ccde310.jpg" width="387" height="500" alt="Felted vase" /></a><br /><br />I actually have a cup that fits neatly inside this, making it a slightly useful vase-like object, but the original name stuck. This is mainly wet felted, with a bit of needle felting near the end, and then embellished with tiny blue and green seed beads.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-83922266233019599962009-04-07T13:17:00.002-06:002009-04-07T13:28:18.983-06:00YOJ week 11 - fused fine silver<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3422106886/" title="Fused loops by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3422106886_d322c1e29c.jpg" width="258" height="500" alt="Fused loops" /></a><br /><br />Fused and hammered fine silver links hang from sterling handmade earwires. I alternated oval and smaller round links in this pair.<br /><br />I will be skipping weeks 12 and 13 in the <a href="http://creativewirejewelryyoj.typepad.com/cwjs_year_of_jewelry_2009/">Year of Jewelry</a>. I was out of town for those two weeks and my personal goal with this is to work on my jewellery every week that I can, not to make up extra pieces for the weeks that I can't. Week 14 is coming next!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-89981935020815847602009-04-07T06:44:00.002-06:002009-04-07T06:53:26.118-06:00Wk 10 - small Montana hoopsSmall handmade sterling hoops accented with tiny blue Swarovski crystals. Simple little earrings in a stunning colour.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3421238466/" title="Small montana hoops by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3421238466_9f207f2a41.jpg" width="300" height="500" alt="Small montana hoops" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-9688336778617588242009-03-14T22:05:00.002-06:002009-03-14T22:18:45.899-06:00YOJ week 9 - Octopus pin<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3354824799/" title="Octopus pin by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3354824799_39fdc1baf6.jpg" width="500" height="461" alt="Octopus pin" /></a><br /><br />Copper, pencil crayons, resin. I still need to attach the pin back.<br /><br />This is very much an experiment. I love the colours I get with resin over pencil crayons but am not confident of the wearability. I thought riveting it might secure it, and a second layer of copper would add depth, but the drilling and riveting actually started to lift the resin off the pencil crayon layer. Also the way I did the drilling several of the holes got large enough that I'm not confident about the rivets holding the piece together.<br /><br />Pouring the resin over a flat piece had its challenges too. Without a lip to contain the resin it slightly overflowed in two places. I found it didn't coat evenly, added a second layer, and ended up with definate lines and dimples in the resin.<br /><br />Despite all its flaws I am very fond of this piece. I am looking forward to wearing it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22046155.post-35070471798748136862009-03-12T09:59:00.001-06:002009-03-12T10:10:14.377-06:00YOJ week 8 - hoops<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/3349529824/" title="Hoops by OSD, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3349529824_7ed9b04586.jpg" width="500" height="401" alt="Hoops" /></a><br /><br />Hand made sterling silver hoop earrings embellished with 3mm indicolite coloured Swarovski crystals.<br /><br />I am trying to take one good photo these days rather than snapping off a bunch in hopes of getting one that is great. The depth of field on this was a little shallow but I am not unhappy with it. I have a number of pieces waiting to be photographed so I'll be getting more practice soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3