On a recent shopping trip I found some gemstone beads in a shape that really caught my attention. I only got one string, the zebra jasper -- but now I wish I'd have snagged more. They are fun to work with. Today's project was a pair of earrings using the zebra jasper. When those were finished, I made a second pair of a different style, with matching pendant. Process-wise, the first pair seem like magic to me. I found a simple jeweler's tip about how to blast the wire with a torch (1763 degrees F) to melt the end and create a ball tip after adding the bead to the earring. Normally, heat cracks or shatters gemstones. I made these earrings to test the tip -- and it worked. Cool! The main wire is fine silver, hammered at the top. The decorative coiling above the bead and the handmade earring wire are both sterling silver. To see these in the store, click here. Next, I made more earrings and a matching pendant using the same beads and basic design, but different style. These are sleek and small; very good for business or every day wear. I don't make enough of that sort of thing. To view them in the shop click here; below are pics of the set and detail from the back. If you like these, I'd love to know which style you like better. Let me know!
Notes: > If you'd like to enter the One-a-day Giveaway, just post a comment on any One-a-day blog post during March, and tell me what you think of a piece and why. Read all about it here. > Come out and see me at CS Studios in Columbus 7-9 pm tomorrow, March 16. It's a Columbus Alive a-list event. Read about it here.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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
|