Today I was focused on spring. I lost a battle with squirrels last fall and gave up all but one bird feeder, but I'm getting ready to put a couple back up. I like squirrels; I just want them to quit knocking down the bird feeders. This necklace is in honor of the birds that I hope return to my window. The nest is wire-wrapped with sterling silver wire and contains three freshwater pearl eggs. The bird is hand-cut and hammered, then buffed to a soft glow. The two pieces hang separately like charms. You can see more details here. Wouldn't it make a great Mother's Day gift?
I'm so glad you stopped by and hope to see you tomorrow. Note: If you'd like to enter the One-a-day Giveaway, just post a comment on any One-a-day blog post (current or previous day) during March, and tell me what you think of a piece and why. Read all about it here.
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Today's piece is my second version of the Tree of Life pendant; the first is pictured on day 1 of this challenge. This one has amber leaves, garnet apples, a small knot hole in the trunk, and the branches are more visible. You can see more details here. I'll do one or two more versions of these trees during March and I'd love to know which ones you like or don't like. Wouldn't these be memorable gifts for Mother's Day or graduation? Well, maybe you can win one...! April 1 Giveaway
As a thank you for visiting, we'll do a One-a-day challenge giveaway on April 1. My best version of the Tree of Life pendant will be the prize. To enter, just post a comment on any One-a-day blog post (current or previous day) during March. Tell me what you think of a piece and why, and you're automatically entered. Be sure to include your email address when you post. On April 1, I'll draw a random name from among those who posted. Your name will be assigned a number (chronologically, based on the first blog post you commented on), and the winning number will be generated from http://www.random.org. Entries are limited to the continental U.S. due to shipping considerations. Hi, and welcome to day 10! Today's piece is framed with up-cycled copper. Specifically, it's plumbing pipe -- cut, drilled, and sanded until it's positively glowing, with edges smooth like a ring. Inside the copper frame is a hand-coiled sterling silver bead. At the bottom, a torch-balled wire holds a pretty amethyst gemstone. The clasp is a handmade swan style. You can see more details here in the shop. Just a quick note about green jewelry materials. I send my scrap silver to Rio Grande, an environmentally responsible company, and buy most of my new supply from their stock. I often use scrap silver, copper, re-purposed leather, up-cycled vintage beads, etc., in my pieces. To see my blog posts about recycled materials in jewelry, scroll down and choose the category "Recycling" in the right panel.
I may have a new version of the Tree of Life pendant tomorrow. Hope to see you then! Today I made a bangle bracelet with a dangling heart charm. Ever since Valentine's Day I've been in the mood for hearts. All three components are hammered and shaped from sterling silver wire, and have a smooth surface (not textured.) The inside diameter of the bangle bracelet is 2.5". If you want more details, click here. Sizing a bangle - A bangle should fit so that to get it on, you must gently push your hand through it. A good way to choose the right size is to make a fist, then measure the distance between the middle of the first and fourth knuckles. That length is approximately the right inside diameter of a bangle bracelet. My fist measures 2.5" so this one fits me. I'm glad you stopped by for day 9 of the challenge.
It took awhile to decide on this bracelet today. I'm out of 18 gauge sterling silver wire, which is a perfect weight for light components like this. Instead of coming up with another idea, I dug into my fine silver wire. It does make a sweet bracelet. Fine silver is .999 pure silver, and virtually tarnish proof. I didn't have any fine silver jump rings in my stash, so my first task was making a bunch of jump rings. Next came the links, which are shaped with pliers and hammered on their circular edges for a rich effect.
The link design is simple but unusual enough to be noticed. The bracelet is approx. 8" long and 1/2" wide. Each link pair is 1", so it could be shortened to 7" (or in between with an extender chain.) If you'd like to see more details, click here. As usual, I have no idea what tomorrow's project will be :) [Oh -- if you have an extra minute and you're interested in the Columbus arts scene, take a look at this morning's post too. It talks about a new web site worth visiting, with a great local events calendar.] Looking for something to do? Interested in the arts here in Columbus, or wondering what kind of local talent we have? The Greater Columbus Arts Council recently re-launched their web site and it's worth book marking: http://www.columbusarts.com .
Events, Orgs, and Artists are the entry links on the page. They are packed with information about what's happening on the Columbus arts scene. The events page contains a great calendar that covers 33 categories and hundreds of events, including things like child friendly, music, sports, theatre, and workshops / classes. The Orgs page lists local Columbus organizations sorted by the same categories, and Artists provides a wonderful and detailed profile page for each participating artist (mine is under Visual Arts), complete with artist statements and portfolio photos. Artists have just begun applying in the past few weeks, but there are quite a few out there already. If you're looking for a great photographer, artwork for your home, a new spring clutch, or want to see an amazing dance performance, browse the local talent on this site. You'll be impressed. Kudos to the Greater Columbus Arts Council for giving us this great portal to the arts in Columbus! Day SEVEN! A week of the challenge is finished. Today's piece is a collection of sterling silver and copper charms hanging from a long silk cord. The heart was hand cut, hammered, and imprinted in a rolling mill. The charms are wire-wrapped or hammered. One of the charms is hand-stamped TRUTH, and the single black bead is onyx. All metal edges are sanded smooth. This is a playful, jingly necklace that will be fun to wear. For more details, check it out in my Etsy shop. 24 days and 24 pieces to go in March. I hate to post and run, but it's time to tuck my daughter into bed. See you tomorrow! I have some fun little fringed earrings made of sterling silver and copper for day six. I think they would look great with the necklace from day three. Components are cut, shaped, and hammered. Simple and sweet. If you'd like more detail, check them out here.
I heard from some of you about yesterday's design -- thanks for your comments and email! It makes this so much more fun. See you tomorrow! I've spent the afternoon on my piece for day 5. The family is out and I have the house to myself. The rain sounds nice outside, and... it's not snow :) This is a design that I've been thinking about for awhile. I'm sure there will be some other variations on the theme coming up. The copper is hand forged and hangs over a shimmery paua shell slice. The pieces hang a bit like dog tags on a high quality 18" sterling silver chain. The clasp is a hand crafted swan style.
You almost have to hold this one in your hand. I've imagined there is life in the pendant, as though the copper has burst open to reveal the colorful paua shell behind. It has depth, texture, and sound... the pieces will make a light, joyful clinking sound (almost a jingle) when you play with them around your neck. The pendant is about 1.25" tall and 1" wide. Only the front of the copper is dark with a patina created by flame. The back side is the true copper color with a soft shine that shows in front where the metal is curled. The paua shell is also hand cut to match the size of the copper piece, and filed for smooth edges. Check here to see details and more views of the piece. Let me know what you think. Signing out for today-- back tomorrow with #6. Just a quick post today. I have a strand of the most gorgeous natural turquoise beads; flat disks with varying shades of rich color just begging for a project. I haven't figured out what to do with them yet, but snatched two of them for these earrings. It was very satisfying to use at least a couple, and now I'll be thinking more seriously about a design for them. The sterling silver disks in these earrings are cut from sheet metal and formed to this shape. They are 5/8" wide and have a light hammered texture. Not including the hand made earring wires, the earrings are just over 1.5" long. They are here in the online store. Thanks for coming -- stop by again tomorrow to see what day 5 brings!
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Sue Lacy WiredThis began as a hobbyist's blog. Over time it became a quest to support & connect metalsmiths around the globe who use foldforming techniques in their work. See how it all turned out: www.foldforming.org Archives
July 2016
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