I have a new blog post up today over at the
Love My Art Jewelry blog. We are in the middle of a Boot Camp and the subject is using fiber in our designs. Not exactly up my alley, but I am always willing to at least try! I had a batch of this lovely hand-dyed silk from
Marsha Neal to practice.
My first thoughts drew me to necklaces. But, what would I use as a focal? As a bail? I wanted to make my own bail and finally decided on copper sheet. Well, if there is one thing that I CANNOT do... it is drawing or sketching. I truly believe it has to do with how I hold my pen/pencil. I blame the nuns in school- they never corrected me and to this day, I cannot read my own handwriting. So, I turned to the computer to help me draw. In my previous work-life, I wrote proposals for architects and general contractors - graphic design was critical in this work. One of the various computer programs I used was Power Point. It is a very user-friendly program - important, as I have not used Power Point in 5 years!
So, I just drew some basic geometric shapes in Power Point and estimated a completed length for the bails between 2 and 3 inches. Remember - the bail has a curve in the center. Anyway, these are the templates I created.
I cut out the templates and attached them to my copper sheet (24 gauge) using Rubber Cement.
I then cut out the templates, sanded the edges, and textured the heck out of them. I then tried a new-to-me technique of adding tube rivets. I have used commercially made rivets, but I cut my own from copper tubing. Then I stared at them for a while and wondered how in the world I would set the rivet! I used a combination of dapping punches, the ball end of my Goldsmith Hammer and Embossing Hammers and was so happy that it worked! The picture below is before patina.
And, after patina! I used my
Wubbers Bail Making Pliers to fold the copper in its center - but even a Sharpie would have worked. The silk fits beautifully through the center.
My personal favorite, this awesome focal bead by
Susan Kennedy. The silk matches perfectly! I added two of my copper beads with the precious metal clay - these are the beads in which I left off the tops/bottoms - they are more or less a large hole bead.
The second necklace features another beautiful lampwork bead by
Donna Millard. I swear, the flower on this bead looks like it is just floating on water!
I have so enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone in using fiber. Both necklaces are lighter than air - perfect to wear on a hot Summer Day! Personally, I love how the silk softens the look of the metal.
On another note, STILL NO KILN and it has been over 30 days. I wrote an email last week inquiring a status and they responded quickly saying I stating the kiln should have been shipped out last week. Hmm...it wasn't. I sent another email - this time, they have not yet replied.
Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful week!!
xo
Patti
