tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65038885412330330952012-02-16T12:12:53.844Zbreezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.comBlogger1191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58508031179430594632008-07-18T20:52:00.000+01:002008-07-18T20:52:00.774+01:00

Some photos from my recent holiday on the Isle of Mull. The puffins were on Lunga, one of the Treshnish Isles.The photo mosaic was made here.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58225975208661013142008-07-12T10:24:00.000+01:002008-07-12T10:24:39.835+01:00

An alpaca at Woolfest 2008Two weeks ago I went to Woolfest 2008, held in Cockermouth in Cumbria. "Woolfest is an annual festival celebrating all aspects of natural fibres - their sources, uses and products." It was first run in 2005 and is organised by The Wool Clip, which is a co-operative of farming and craft workers. This was the second time I have attended. Last year I purchased the fibre

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-89386898829290361622008-07-05T13:00:00.007+01:002008-07-05T13:00:12.935+01:00

Eleanor Macdougall's work includes forming metals by raising, and enamelling to capture the colours of nature. (http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/artregeleanormacdougall.html). Jewellery from Aosdana is cast from the original pieces made by Iona's Alex Ritchie and then hand finished. (http://www.aosdanaiona.com/) The Isle of Mull Silver and Goldsmiths makes a range of celtic jewellery including gold

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-77273848788827147482008-07-02T18:54:00.005+01:002008-07-02T18:54:26.501+01:00

Image created using Picasa and the Hockneyizer.The third brief at Level 3 of my course was introduced in this post, with a follow up in this one. We were asked to produce a learning journal based on a theme, to design a suite of jewellery based on the materials in the journal and finally to make the jewellery we had designed. I chose "Coast" as my theme, and settled on the shape of a ripple in

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-68977290455533167412008-06-29T19:36:00.002+01:002008-06-29T19:36:00.706+01:00

I was really excited by the results of my first experiments with liver of sulphur (sulfur). Here's an update. The ring had a good thick layer on it. I rubbed it away in places when trying to make the non-black parts shinier, but I was happy with the effect. I sprayed the ring with acrylic spray coating (mine is made by Humbrol), applying a total of about 5 thin coats. The ring is shown

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-86448564205916912762008-06-25T18:28:00.002+01:002008-06-25T18:30:50.138+01:00

In my last post I explained how my three years of evening classes have now come to an end: the end of the beginning. Now I have to start a new phase, one that can perhaps be called the beginning of the middle! I've had a few thoughts about how to provide some structure to my jewellery making activity in the absence of a weekly class:* Prepare a list of techniques to try, and then select perhaps

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-75732925459504622892008-06-21T13:08:00.000+01:002008-06-21T13:09:03.233+01:00

Display cases at end of year exhibition for OCN jewellery classesMy contribution to the display.I have now attended the last class of the three year OCN (Open College Network) course. The time has gone very quickly. I have learned a great deal, and my approach to jewellery making has certainly matured - I shall be reflecting on this in a future post. The college I attended has had to respond

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-61747199375183439342008-06-18T19:35:00.003+01:002008-06-18T19:56:38.475+01:00

I love my double ripple earrings, but they are just a bit big and dangly for me to consider them for everyday wear. This latest pair is slightly less flamboyant, with only one, smaller ripple on each earring. The total drop is 4.5 cm (1.75"), and the ripples themselves measure about 25 mm by 12 mm ( 1" x 0.5"). The ripples are made from 1.3 mm diameter silver wire. Because this wire is

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-33535173196615835722008-06-16T19:10:00.001+01:002008-06-16T19:11:41.880+01:00

I've set up a new online poll - you can see it in the sidebar on the right of this blog, just below the introductory bit. Please vote in the poll to let me know which of the three Ripple pieces you like the best! There are full size pictures of each of the pieces in this post. The poll will be open until 11 August 2008, but please cast your vote soon. I take great delight in seeing the votes

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-65468889129765049202008-06-15T18:54:00.003+01:002008-06-18T10:42:09.254+01:00

This scrap of silver sheet carries echoes of previous work. The jigsaw bump (promontory? tab?) came from a very unsuccessful brooch. The silver from inside that polygon went on to be the back of my penannular bottle glass brooch. I've now used some of the remaining sheet for two bezel settings. The smaller one is for my puffin pendant. The other one is for a stone set ripple pendant. I

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-76605551407883823002008-06-13T19:18:00.001+01:002008-06-18T10:45:23.510+01:00

Double ripple earrings and braceletRipple band ring with liver of sulphur (sulfur) patina. It is 5 mm wide.Double ripple earrings (again)And the inspirational photo.The work in progress posts: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, The design posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-81223558945954928602008-06-12T19:19:00.000+01:002008-06-12T19:20:10.389+01:00

There's a little stick figure man in there (his head is where the two small ripples overlap) - see him? There's also a hint of two pregnant ladies, with tiny heads ...

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-160692098321701232008-06-07T15:38:00.002+01:002008-06-18T10:44:42.797+01:00

I am amazed at my success with applying a liver of sulphur/sulfur patina to one of my fold formed earrings. I would have been happy with black, but getting lovely colours was quite a bonus! Whether I shall be able to repeat this is, of course, quite another thing. I started with the ripple band ring. I scrubbed it with soap and water, then applied pumice powder using a glass brush. I used

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-6995792031407346722008-06-04T18:21:00.001+01:002008-06-04T18:22:22.553+01:00

The bracelet has been tumble polished and is now completed. The main section is 16 cm (6.25") longThe double ripple earrings (in silver, based on this copper test piece) need more tumbling, and perhaps a little shape tweaking. The two shapes are arranged slightly differently from the prototype, as they look better that way in this case!The band ring is coming along. I have shaped the flat strip

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-38904053256802940242008-06-02T20:07:00.000+01:002008-06-02T20:07:01.338+01:00

The ripple band ring, which will be part of my Ripple suite (with earrings and bracelet), will be made from 1 mm thick silver sheet, decorated with little ripples made from 0.6 mm wire. I've made a start on this.Each mini-ripple was made from a 6 mm diameter ring of wire. These differ a little from my other ripples as there is no loop, and I cut off a little bit of wire after shaping each.I

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-4054823124967381912008-06-01T16:40:00.000+01:002008-06-01T16:41:07.360+01:00

In the course of my non-jewellery making life, I was given this steel block. It was one of several being used in a project, but they had some left over so I asked if I could have one. It measures 5 cm x 5 cm x 1.9 cm (2" x 2" x 0.75"). I think it will be very useful for hammering, but I'll need to polish the surface first.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-21615479486527395242008-05-29T20:32:00.002+01:002008-06-01T17:06:59.740+01:00

Dandelion, Leeds, 29 May 2008This link will take you to an article that appeared recently (and once before, in 2002) in the Independent newspaper. Enjoy!Miles Kington Remembered: Consider the lilies ... and the dandelions and nettles

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-60262067499525655952008-05-28T19:21:00.001+01:002008-05-28T19:21:01.428+01:00

Although I have been concentrating on the suite of items on the Ripple theme, I do still want to try and make one piece based on the shape of the puffin's beak. I have previously shown some preliminary sketches. These sketches are my latest thoughts.The shape still has a slight feel of the Starship Enterprise, but I think it is also puffin-like. Ideal for the sci-fi birdwatcher!

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-23757918960180702542008-05-25T11:09:00.000+01:002008-05-25T11:10:08.858+01:00

The next step in assembling my ripple necklace was to solder the loops on the links closed, leaving the main part of the link open so the links could be joined together.The soldering went well. After pickling, I was able to lay out the links to check the length of the finished piece.Making the second set of solder joins (to close the links) turned out to be harder than I'd expected, and this was

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-34425376940235279402008-05-23T20:29:00.001+01:002008-05-23T20:31:05.981+01:00

I came across a wonderful piece of jewellery featured in Coast magazine. The Coast ring by Hannah Louise Lamb has two interlocking parts, one part is polished and the other textured. The two parts represents the land and the sea, and the join is a wiggly line that represents a stretch of coastline. Purchasers can even specify which bit of coastline should be used.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-43692668842018836072008-05-18T17:50:00.001+01:002008-05-18T17:50:01.185+01:00

I've started to construct my ripple necklace in silver. Here are some of the links at three different stages in the shaping process. So that they can be joined together neatly, the loop for these links is perpendicular to the plane of the ripple. Each piece of wire is initially 6.25 cm long.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-15603365729049097452008-05-15T20:10:00.000+01:002008-05-15T20:10:56.328+01:00

These earrings, made from copper with the earwires in silver, are made using two ripples links with the relative sizes mentioned in this earlier post. The total drop is about 5 cm. I am happy with the way the two links hang together and will proceed to make a pair in silver.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-16579213890763803912008-05-13T17:47:00.000+01:002008-05-13T17:47:02.933+01:00

The publisher Lark Books often asks for submissions of work to be included in forthcoming art and craft books. Currently there are three calls for jewellery submissions, closing 16 June 2008, 1 July 2008 and 7 July 2008. The first is for projects for a book called Beading with Metal Beads. The second is for studio jewellery that prominently features plastic for the book 500 Plastic Jewelry.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-46444204417983211952008-05-11T19:25:00.003+01:002008-05-11T19:46:38.418+01:00

We've had some wonderful weather recently. I took these photos at Floors Castle in Kelso last week. Blue sky! I was rather taken with the black tulips. As far as jewellery making is concerned, I think the shape of the outline of the tulips is promising, and the brick wall might also have possibilities.As well as the lovely surroundings, they have great food at Floors. The baking is especially

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-61856531802066601282008-05-10T10:33:00.000+01:002008-05-10T10:33:00.585+01:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that I wanted to make some earrings with more than one ripple link. Obviously there are lots of possibilities here, but I started by deciding that the curvatures on the links would be the same, even though their overall sizes would differ. It took only a couple of sketches to decide that making the smaller link fit in the top, wide part of the larger link worked

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-33334531802621412192008-05-07T19:40:00.001+01:002008-05-07T19:40:00.686+01:00

Image created using the Hockneyizer.We are not going to receive a Brief Number 4. Instead, Number 3 has been extended to include making a piece based on the research undertaken in that brief. We had earlier been told that our final brief (1) would involve making a suite of pieces with a common theme, and (2) should be something that it would be practical to make for sale, in terms of both

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-57625619479995203142008-05-03T10:46:00.000+01:002008-05-03T10:46:00.522+01:00

There's an exhibition of work by Nigel Hall currently on at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I haven't seen all of it yet, but I enjoyed the parts I saw very much. Work from 1965 to 2008 is included, and there is a great variety from drawings to huge sculptures. There is a geometrical theme that appeals to me."Slow motion" is a 5 m tall sculpture featuring several ellipses arranged in a 3D shape.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-91410832597609350562008-05-02T18:25:00.000+01:002008-05-02T18:26:04.936+01:00

Further to this post, I've been working on making the basic ripple link from copper wire. Have made good progress, but the bottom needs to be just a bit more pointed. Toyed with the idea of hanging more than one link from each ear wire. They looked good laid out on the bench, but disappointing when hung. They will need to be differently sized links for this to work.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-17433104549565766012008-04-30T18:14:00.000+01:002008-04-30T18:14:56.899+01:00

Shelby Fitzpatrick (http://www.shelbyfitzpatrick.com). This lovely example has 22ct gold inlaid in sterling silver.Will Evans has a range of inlaid pieces, these rings are 18ct white gold inlaid with fine gold. Also at Dazzle. Beccy Gillat. My interest in metal inlay was aroused by seeing pieces by Beccy Gillat at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park shop. She uses stainless steel inlaid with 18ct gold

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-34314209407259896182008-04-27T10:37:00.000+01:002008-04-27T10:37:29.717+01:00

I need a bit more practice with making bezel settings. I am getting much better at the first steps, but am not happy with the results of using the pusher and burnisher. The final result looks crinkly and unprofessional. So I'm setting another polymer clay cabochon that I made a year or so ago.The cabochon is identical in shape and size to the one featured before because I used the same mould to

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-72815164137990589492008-04-26T20:27:00.000+01:002008-04-26T20:27:46.669+01:00

I made a little pendant to go with the earrings I made earlier. This shape is the baseball design on p81 of Creative Silver Chains by Chantal Lise Saunders, but with one of the loops removed. The circles are about 1 cm across.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-34205808050686771882008-04-23T21:41:00.000+01:002008-04-23T21:41:28.279+01:00

I made my first ripple! Based on one of the sketches shown in this post. It is about 4 cm long. I was reasonably pleased with it, so I've taken a few steps back and am now working out how to make them properly.The first step was to get some copper wire to experiment with. I wanted to make a set of shapes at different sizes to decide which aspect ratio (shape size to wire thickness) I liked

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-1815408021220599162008-04-18T19:29:00.000+01:002008-04-18T19:30:07.200+01:00

There's a whole series of videos on bezel setting at the Art Jewelry magazine website. I'm sure there were just three the other day and now there are eight! Making a Bezel comes in five parts: Measuring, Soldering, Shaping, Adjusting Size and Soldering to a Backplate. Setting a Cabochon in a Bezel has three parts: Ajusting Bezel Height, Using a Bezel Pusher and Using a Burnisher.I've only viewed

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-23986976135991962692008-04-14T18:43:00.000+01:002008-04-14T18:43:50.827+01:00

I have started to makes some preliminary sketches for jewellery designs based on the photos collected as part of my Coast theme design project. So far I have extracted some pleasing shapes from photos of ripples in the sand (left) and puffins (below). I have already got some promising shapes, but I do need to go through the process of trying variations on the shapes, and also to think about

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-38703616193781414732008-04-12T11:32:00.001+01:002008-04-12T11:33:15.624+01:00

Image created using Picasa and the Hockneyizer.The second brief at Level 3 of my course was introduced in this post. A list of seven techniques was given, and we were asked to design a piece of jewellery that used at least two of the techniques. I had to exclude two because I hadn't been very successful with them in previous efforts (repousse and enamelling) and two because I hadn't yet tried

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58888771252518891022008-04-10T22:00:00.001+01:002008-04-12T10:13:27.876+01:00

I am pleased to report the completion of this piece! Things I like about it: The holder for the felt. I like the way it looks. The felt slice was easy to insert, fits snugly and looks smart. The shape of the rings. That it is the first thing I’ve made that really was inspired by a photo. Things I would change: The rings should be thicker. The flattening of the square wire was necessary to

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-73324449638594725482008-04-08T17:00:00.002+01:002008-04-08T16:49:20.406+01:00

Diane Archer (www.dianearcher.com). Jewelry, featuring etched maps and found objects, which explores emotional and physical aspects of place.Anna Lindsay Macdonald (www.annalindsay.com/work). Striking, lacelike metalwork based on the grid street patterns from maps of Toronto and Halifax.Caroline Branchu Jewellery designs that incorporate tiny photographs taken in Glasgow and around Scotland. (

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-26649941111822064662008-04-05T09:16:00.004+01:002008-04-05T09:29:57.747+01:00

I am making good progress with this piece. I made my usual mistakes, and melted the wire when soldering. A little work is still required to neaten the shape up after this, and I shall texture the wire further to hide the mishaps. The holder for the felt seems to have worked well.It was originally going to be a brooch, but is now going to be a pendant. This is partly because of practical issues

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58231756800159032382008-04-04T20:21:00.001+01:002008-04-04T20:25:22.590+01:00

Made following instructions in Creative Silver Chains by Chantal Lise Saunders.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-16339669528070700482008-03-30T21:26:00.004+01:002008-03-30T21:35:43.189+01:00

I've made good progress with the silver holder for my felt spiral. I am now a little further on than the pictures show, and have cut off the excess base plate shown in the last picture.For earlier WIP posts about this piece, see here and here

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-56144475569698825962008-03-28T19:23:00.000Z2008-03-28T19:23:20.125Z

Puffins in the Farne Islands, June 2007I've had these photos in the back of my mind since deciding on the Coast theme for this design project. I think I'd like to use shapes from the puffins, particularly that glorious beak, in a jewellery design. The end result probably wouldn't be puffin-shaped.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-73305424622918417542008-03-27T18:00:00.003Z2008-03-27T17:57:21.866Z

Both rings made from square wire have now been bent and soldered. The bezel is soldered to the back/front plate and the plate has been pierced close to the bezel, but more filing is required to neaten the edge.The previous work in progress post on this piece is here.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-66497504504807243682008-03-25T18:11:00.001Z2008-03-25T19:25:59.191Z

A photo for my Coast theme design project, taken in La Jolla, California in February this year. More lovely blues, and a whole range of wave shapes. Even a tiny bird silhouette!

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-49149610718107915842008-03-22T13:24:00.000Z2008-03-22T13:24:33.845Z

These silver earrings were seen as work in progress here. They were made using the project instructions on p68-69 in Creative Silver Chains by Chantal Lise Saunders.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-75808525092954139672008-03-21T18:22:00.000Z2008-03-21T18:22:29.644Z

The necklace is finished - for now anyway. I am still unsure about this, and may divide it into two necklaces in the future - (i) the chain and (ii) the pendant on a black cord, or on several coloured strands. I'm also toying with the idea of seeing what liver of sulphur does to the silver fold-formed pieces.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-52781798434100817762008-03-18T21:32:00.000Z2008-03-18T21:32:29.172Z

The fold-formed necklace is nearly finished. I decided that 5 links of the oval chain on each side was adequate; there was a danger I'd produce a mayoral chain by adding more. Instead a purchased silver chain with oval links was used to add length. I made an S clasp from 1 mm wire for fastening.The necklace is now ready to tumble polish.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-14684327452910493152008-03-16T18:25:00.001Z2008-03-16T18:25:18.259Z

I made these following the project on p68-69 in Creative Silver Chains by Chantal Lise Saunders. They still need to be tumble polished, but I think they look pretty good already. Each one has two curved pieces of wire, and the fish shape is not fixed because each curved bit of wire can move independently where it hangs from the ear wire. I made these because I was looking for rather quicker

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-65255805153004491142008-03-15T15:45:00.000Z2008-03-15T15:45:56.869Z

This ring of mine gets about a bit! It was last seen posing in North Yorkshire in this post. Now here it is in La Jolla, California. Click on the picture to enlarge. The ring has a rather splendid shadow in this picture.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-56484791293896719662008-03-14T18:10:00.000Z2008-03-14T18:12:12.532Z

It seems as if I've been working on this for months, probably because I have, but I'm pleased to say that I have at last started to make my tree ring design brooch. The design has been discussed previously in 1, 2, 3 and 4.So far I've soldered the bezel, and have bent the first of the two wire shapes, though it hasn't been soldered yet. The design was discussed with a different tutor this week,

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58251090219163627902008-03-12T18:53:00.000Z2008-03-12T18:55:34.844Z

Like many of my fellow students I order my silver and other jewellery supplies online from a company based in Birmingham. It is always fun ordering and as the items are usually delivered the next day, the fun of the parcel follows quickly. Each item in the parcel is separately labelled. The labels carry your own name. This can be useful at the evening class as it helps us stop getting stuff

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58468004710609502022008-03-08T10:10:00.001Z2008-03-08T10:13:00.517Z

Results of online poll: an experiment in democratic jewellery makingThe pie chart shows the result of my online poll that finished on 4 March. I had suspected that the poll might receive no votes at all, so I was pleasantly surprised that there were six votes cast in addition to my own. The poll concerned possible configurations of a necklace made up of a fold-formed pendant and chain of oval

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-32311422375397326182008-03-06T20:29:00.001Z2008-03-08T10:14:40.565Z

The picture shows some tulips and the chain for my fold-formed pendant. The chain is gradually taking shape - the oval links are now joined with soldered 6 mm rings made from 0.8 mm round wire. The rings have been stretched slightly from round to oval to make the chain more flexible.The online poll in which people could vote for their favourite arrangement of the components of my necklace has

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-87865227452197008052008-03-02T18:46:00.005Z2008-03-02T19:40:54.226Z

A view from a plane over Utah 10 days ago. I love the pattern and the lack of scale. Unfortunately it doesn't fit my Coast theme at all!

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-91324146249792448532008-02-25T22:03:00.001Z2008-02-25T22:04:45.868Z

This tutorial by Ali Friedman is called Convertible Beach Glass Bezel and shows you how to solder silver bezel settings for pieces of beach glass, which may then be joined together to make a necklace.See also my earlier posts about sea, beach and tumbled glass jewelry: three websites and a tutorial on tumbling bottle glass.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-36883364417122724622008-02-22T20:02:00.001Z2008-02-22T20:03:46.680Z

Sheila Fleet's jewellery is inspired by the sky and seascape around Orkney, and in the case of this collection by a photograph of a wave (http://www.sheilafleet.co.uk/NewWave1.asp). Wonderful shapes and enamel colours.Shoreline by Emma Thomson With textures inspired by cockle and limpet shells. (http://www.aurora-jewellery.co.uk/shoreline.asp). Machair range from Ola Gorie. Delightful designs

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-21627146852763924232008-02-20T07:38:00.000Z2008-02-20T15:38:53.204Z

In order to get a wider silver border around the felt circle, I have decided on another change to my tree ring design (seen previously in 1, 2, 3)I squeezed one of the felt beads through the holes in my circle template, and found that it would go through a hole of diameter 3 mm smaller than its own diameter. So the new plan is to make a little silver cylinder with a hole of that size (or perhaps

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-85631368864624020092008-02-16T18:41:00.001Z2008-02-17T02:41:23.653Z

Photos for my Coast theme design project. I like the cold blue colours here, the shape of the breaking wave and the textural patterns of the shells. The photos were taken in February a few years ago at Gullane, East Lothian.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-46973332224442629852008-02-12T19:19:00.000Z2008-02-13T03:19:55.215Z

I finished the ring that I previously mentioned in this post. My ring and I then went off to do a location shoot at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden (North Yorkshire), and you can see the results above! I made some mistakes while setting the cabochon, primarily by using a burnisher rather than a pusher for the first step. This led to a corrugated setting, and the end result is

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-67251087408007569152008-02-09T16:10:00.000Z2008-02-09T16:11:48.215Z

To help me decide on how to assemble the necklace, I took some photos of different arrangements of my fold-formed pendant and the first few oval links. I've set up an online poll so that people can vote for their favourite layout. The poll appears in the sidebar on the right of this blog, just below the introductory bit. Go on - cast a vote! The poll will be open until 4 March 2008.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-60580414025160240142008-02-06T20:59:00.000Z2008-02-06T21:00:15.873Z

Patterns in the sand, Gullane, East LothianBrief number three is a project to be done outside college hours. Here's the start of the brief "You need to create a Learning Journal based on a theme ...".My chosen theme is CoastI've decided to organise my material in two parts. There will be thematic entries in this blog and I shall also build up a book of pictures and other material which, for

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-20523591611519858102008-02-01T18:17:00.000Z2008-02-01T18:18:01.911Z

I got slightly diverted from my tree ring design plans, when I came across this cabochon the other day. I made it myself from polymer clay a year or so ago. I usually prefer the clay polished, but not varnished. However this is an exception, as it is varnished, and I love it! I have made a setting for it, and now just need to fix the setting to the ring. The thread in the picture is to help

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-70067538489583293412008-01-30T18:55:00.000Z2008-01-30T18:56:16.441Z

I am starting to make a bespoke chain for my fold-formed pendant. The chain will have a few large oval links, and I have started to make these following the method on p110 of Elizabeth Olver's Jewellery Making Techniques BookI was delighted to discover how easy this was, assuming access to the necessary tools, as I had been worried I'd have to pierce the ovals. In fact they are made using

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-63094633078561817832008-01-25T21:45:00.000Z2008-01-25T21:47:45.023Z

This tutorial describes how I converted glass from a sherry bottle into pieces resembling sea or beach glass, to be used for jewellery making. The bottle was a blue Harveys Bristol Cream sherry bottle. I used this rock tumbler, which I usually use for sanding polymer clay beads. (You'll find advice on that application, from Desiree McCrorey, here). The tumbler is sold as a child’s rock

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-59068559348629468582008-01-23T18:10:00.000Z2008-01-23T18:11:12.645Z

I have finished the earrings shown as work in progress in this post. The silver came from an old bracelet, and the design of the earrings is based on a necklace project in the January 2008 Art Jewelry magazine. The total drop is 4 cm.These close-up photos are so unforgiving! I think I may not have finished after all; there is still some filing and polishing to be done! Space was tight on the

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-65596919070613897932008-01-19T18:39:00.000Z2008-01-19T18:39:52.668Z

The other day, the square wire that I ordered for making my brooch arrived. It was finer than I had thought, and this will have an effect not only on the appearance of the finished item, but also on the practical issue of fastening the brooch. The original plan had been to attach a little bit of fine tubing, on the back at the top of the brooch, and fix a wire pin through this. The pin would

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-84896253519701215682008-01-16T18:37:00.000Z2008-01-16T18:37:57.188Z

The January 2008 Art Jewelry magazine has a project called Pounds Sterling. It is a necklace made up of links of hammered sterling silver. Each link is a slightly domed semicircle made by cutting a disk of silver in half. The bracelet that I am recycling (see 1, 2, 3) offers a source of silver ovals. So I have adapted the project slightly and am making a pair of earrings.The straight wires,

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-66261284363534067582008-01-12T11:54:00.000Z2008-01-12T11:55:24.012Z

Further to my previous post, I have continued to modify my design inspired by the cut-off-tree-branch photo. The variation I liked best was one generated using the computer (rectangular to polar coordinate conversion in the Effects | Distortion | Polar coordinates menu of Paint Shop Pro). The shape is now much smoother than the original, but still has the same rings within rings format. I

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-10655722612635990792008-01-09T20:45:00.000Z2008-01-09T20:49:14.885Z

Image created using Picasa and the Hockneyizer.I introduced the first brief at Level 3 of my course in this post entitled Brief number 1: Origami with metal. At that time I didn't really think that what I'd be doing would bear much resemblance to origami. However, the technique that caught my enthusiasm was fold-forming, and the first few steps in creating a fold-formed piece involve folding

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-27470634000295744182008-01-05T12:58:00.000Z2008-01-05T12:59:17.899Z

I have started to work on a new jewellery design inspired by the photo of a cut-off tree branch shown in a previous post. These scans (left and below) from my sketchbook are my first attempts to follow the suggestions in Designing and Making Jewellery by Sarah Macrae about refining a shape by making repeated drawings. These would include for example a series of increasingly fatter versions,

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-1273241002920612602008-01-04T18:59:00.000Z2008-01-04T19:00:30.472Z

Michele A Friedman's work includes natural shapes with a strong graphic elements and beautiful, bright wool felt (www.showofhandsdenver.com/ gallery/jewelry/artist_michele_friedman/catalog_friedman.htm). Shana Astrachan has incorporated metal pieces into the felt in the rings shown on the home page of her website (http://www.shanaastrachan.com/).Jewellery with felt and fur from Michaela Binder.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-13726041369006131682008-01-02T17:48:00.000Z2008-01-02T17:48:34.999Z

The book that I won in the whiplash competition has arrived! Thank you again to whipup and to the prize donor, the author of this lovely book, Kaari Meng.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-41707325817129971512007-12-30T11:26:00.000Z2007-12-30T11:27:44.906Z

We were given our latest brief at the last evening class before the break. The brief title is Combining materials and advanced techniques. This is the second brief at Level 3.Here's an extract: ... Think about designing a piece of jewellery that uses at least two of the following techniques: repousse, forming, casting, enamelling, working with mixed media, a variety of metals or stone setting .

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-37124895324414116912007-12-24T11:45:00.000Z2007-12-24T11:45:57.905Z

These photos were taken about 10 days ago at another of my favourite haunts, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. There had been a heavy overnight frost, but it was melting a little by the afternoon. I very much like the shapes of the leaves, and the way they are arranged on the plants (especially the red ones). However, I suspect the picture that will lead to the first

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-62839933215406895702007-12-22T20:13:00.000Z2007-12-22T20:13:57.047Z

The basis for this ring is 3 mm round wire. I wasn't too keen on the plain round profile, so decided to hammer the surface with a ball hammer. The result is quite pleasing. It is in wearable condition at present, but I will finish off the inside more neatly.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-57187910982694464572007-12-19T18:06:00.000Z2007-12-19T18:06:20.226Z

These little boxes are made from old Christmas cards. The middle-sized one is about 55 mm x 55 mm x 25 mm. There are many online tutorials for making boxes like these. The one I used is here. I made a few minor adjustments:I used old cards instead of paper. These are thicker than paper and you need a folding tool to help you make reasonably sharp creases. I used the case of an old pen. For

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-44976917307279049622007-12-16T18:22:00.000Z2007-12-16T18:23:48.109Z

These are the earrings that appeared in two previous posts (1, 2). They have now been completed by soldering the wire hoop inside the fold formed shape, which wasn't too difficult. The easy solder melted very quickly and the main hazard was melting the wire hoop or the fold-formed piece itself.The earring at the front of the photo turned out very well and I am pleased with it. The one

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-81770498959222599802007-12-13T18:04:00.000Z2007-12-13T18:05:11.166Z

Here's the follow up to my post about putting a patterned surface inside a concave shape. Method A is my preference. The sample attached to the ring on the right of these photos is the Method A result. Each sample is about 25 mm long. Method A involved hammering with a ball hammer inside the shape. This has given a stronger pattern than the inside-out planishing from Method B. The

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-33566495130579723192007-12-09T18:27:00.000Z2007-12-13T18:05:51.923Z

These are the pieces of silver that I recycled from an old bracelet. I sought advice about how to get an attractive planished surface on the inside of the form and tried two different approaches. The results are shown here, but as they haven't been polished yet, it isn't clear which one is the winner.Method A. Protect the planished outside of the piece with masking tape. Place convex side down

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-53047297700599083122007-12-07T18:05:00.000Z2007-12-07T18:06:16.535Z

I took these inspirational photos today at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Harlow Carr, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-26070971751429069262007-12-05T12:36:00.000Z2007-12-05T12:37:13.504Z

Here is the silver fold-formed shape previously seen in planning and during forming. I had some rather unambitious ideas about hanging it as a pendant from a cord of some sort, but my tutor has persuaded me that it deserves to be hung from a bespoke silver wire. It is the last class before the Christmas break next week, so I'll need to plan ahead to get it neatly finished.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-87130837606705896292007-12-02T19:09:00.000Z2007-12-02T19:09:44.544Z

Pretty, isn't it?!

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-83568293179843084092007-11-30T19:00:00.000Z2007-11-30T19:02:07.966Z

It seems to be working! In a previous post I described my plan to fold-form a, very slightly, different shape. Each of the pictures above was taken after a hammering stint, before annealing. Click on the image to enlarge. I've done all the hammering now. Next step will be to open the shape up a bit.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-69886291482025840972007-11-28T18:30:00.000Z2007-11-30T10:08:34.352Z

Until recently I had thought that the only way to reuse the silver in this old bracelet (at the back of the picture) would be to melt it down and use it for casting. However, with my recent experience in forming, it occurred to me that the components could be recycled by forming techniques, which would also wipe out the surface pattern. The two shiny bits of silver in the front of the picture

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-69854191876998707002007-11-27T17:30:00.000Z2007-11-30T19:03:58.509Z

This (you can click on the image for a larger view) is my idea for converting the fold formed earring project into a pendant. Instead of cutting two separate tapered pieces, I'll keep them joined together. I am planning to try option (a) rather than (b), as the wider part of the fold is then available for drilling holes for hanging the pendant. My main concern is that the curve will form quite

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-67821437154387367472007-11-24T13:00:00.000Z2007-12-15T12:26:55.113Z

John S Brana's Sea Cliff collection includes several dramatic and beautiful fold formed items. Use the menu link to the shop to see more. (www.johnsbrana.com/collections/sea-cliff.php) Charles Lewton-Brain is the pioneer of fold-forming. This page shows the incredible range of shapes that can be achieved. (http://brainpress.com/Foldforming.html)An image of a stunning fold-formed ring from

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-83386233488957517842007-11-23T18:55:00.000Z2007-11-23T18:57:19.484Z

These silver earrings are being made in exactly the same way as the first copper pair (I followed the project on p60 of Elizabeth Olver's Jewellery Making Techniques Book). In this picture they have just been opened out a little, after annealing and pickling. Next step will be polishing. It is more difficult working with silver than with copper, but I'm still finding this technique appealing.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-81627645900964676472007-11-21T18:10:00.000Z2007-11-21T18:10:20.732Z

This shallow copper bowl was previously seen as a work in progress (in this post and in this post). I have now completed it by soldering a copper ring on the base so that it stands up properly. The bowl is about 6 cm long and stands about 1 cm high.The idea is to use it to hold pallions of solder so that they are easy to pick up when soldering.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-84704403371742496932007-11-19T18:53:00.000Z2007-11-19T19:20:41.859Z

My entry was one of the winners in the Whiplash Challenge! Thank you! I'm really excited about this. Do go and see all the entries, via this link.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-90446564506228636082007-11-18T12:23:00.000Z2007-11-18T12:23:54.639Z

In my last post I mentioned the thrill of seeing my first attempts at fold forming taking shape. This set of photos was taken at various points along the way. I had my mind on the hammering and annealing and not the photography, so my apologies for the deficiencies in exposure and the inconsistencies in layout and scale. Click on the image for a larger version.1. Just starting to hammer the

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-58760535186562712732007-11-15T20:31:00.000Z2007-11-18T12:25:57.723Z

These earrings are my very first attempt at fold forming and I am thrilled with the result. I followed the project on p60 of Elizabeth Olver's Jewellery Making Techniques Book. It was very satisfying when the tapered, folded metal began to form the promised curve! I shall include photos taken at different stages of the process in a later post. I used 0.5 mm copper sheet (instead of 0.4 mm)

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-11807244181805699922007-11-13T21:32:00.000Z2007-11-13T21:32:54.804Z

I found these seed heads by the roadside in East Lothian at the weekend. Of course they don't look quite like this in real life, as I had some fun tinting the picture to go with the blog! I think these would be good for casting. They are open at the top and I love the little crown around the edge.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-50626322368978611132007-11-11T17:45:00.000Z2007-11-11T17:45:34.155Z

A quote from the Ganoskin article on repoussé:"If [the tool] tilts too much it will hop along leaving spaces between points of contact and making a dotted line."In this image (click for a larger view) you can see that I have managed to make not just one but several dotted lines that overlap! Ah, the learning process ...

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-82746515052155906512007-11-09T17:58:00.000Z2008-01-25T21:52:03.696Z

The idea for this necklace had its origins earlier this year. At my jewellery making evening class we were given the opportunity to have an object cast in silver. The object had to be one that would be burned away in the lost wax casting method, and I took along a cluster of three empty acorn cups.The resulting silver piece was attractive, and I toyed with the idea of adding felt balls to the

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-32505290076334098112007-11-08T18:21:00.000Z2007-11-08T18:26:16.725Z

These are the planished earrings previously posted in their unpolished state. Now, after tumble polishing, they are nice and shiny. It has been pointed out that they are not quite square, so I'll need to take a file to them. The side length is about 15 mm. The planishing effect is subtle - I probably appreciate the appearance of these more now than I would have done before I knew about the

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-66241308565656914872007-11-05T19:35:00.000Z2007-11-09T17:49:05.766Z

This repoussé hammer was on special offer, and I couldn't resist it. I think it will be suitable for planishing too. There is a shortage of undamaged tools at the class, so it will be great to have my own. And the challenge? I've decided to enter the latest whiplash from whip up. The theme is fibre and mixed media inspired jewellery. You enter by posting a photo and a story or tutorial on

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-43230203396283421532007-11-03T16:29:00.000Z2007-11-03T16:29:47.113Z

Carried on planishing the shallow copper bowl at the class this week. It is looking OK, but there are a few dents from the edge of the hammer. The two smaller pieces in the photo are also planished, from 0.5 mm copper sheet, but they'll need a stint in the tumble polisher to bring the finish back up again after pickling.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-33392788314079836342007-10-31T18:30:00.000Z2007-10-31T18:33:03.469Z

These are the silver rings previously seen as work in progress. The plain one came up nicely after tumble polishing, and I'm now motivated to make one or two more to wear with it. The cross hatched texture on the other was done by hammering, and I'm delighted to have rescued something from the horrible mess I'd made with earlier melting disasters!

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-66726110424617315892007-10-28T20:00:00.000Z2007-10-29T15:01:10.529Z

I visited the Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan exhibition at the British Museum about ten days ago. There was no jewellery, but there were some large metalworked items incorporating inlay and hammered finishes. The item that inspired me most however was one of the kimonos. From a distance the pattern looked a bit like an array of CDs catching the light. Close up though, you could see that these

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-80076219410094667462007-10-25T18:05:00.000+01:002007-10-25T18:05:16.744+01:00

I love all the tutorials that are available in blogs! I followed this one, from designverb to make these neat little holders for Moo mini-cards. The one at the back of the picture, like those in the tutorial, is made from a couple of the cardboard colour swatches you can get in the DIY superstore to help you decide on paint colours. The other one is an original breezily watercolour swatch.

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503888541233033095.post-26382219850304914802007-10-23T20:35:00.000+01:002007-10-29T14:19:56.160Z

Lulu Smith (www.lulusmith.com). Beautiful, simple shapes and strong colour. Gorgeous!Anne Schilk's Swirl range features dramatic concentric circles, and fine colour combinations. (www.anneschilk.com/page13.html)Miriam Arentz Stunning, striking pieces with coloured resin behind graphic flower-shaped windows in silver. (http://www.miriamarentz.de/eng/schmuck.html).

breezilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14705279258623569867noreply@blogger.com0