Okay...there are lots of reasons for my lack of jewelry making and "radio silence" on the blog here - and other social media. In my last post, I directed you to the Love My Art Jewelry blog spot (link here, if you feel like reading it) , where I talked about an online class that I began on December 26.
The class, entitled Boho Cuff, is a series of online videos by Leslie Kail Villareal. I had taken her class in the Fall for the Boho Saddle ring and fell in love with her teaching style.
This is a picture of Leslie's absolutely stunning cuff:
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| Source: Leslie Kail Villarreal |
The techniques involved in making this cuff were almost all new to me: etching on sterling silver, setting a faceted stone in a hand-cut cone style setting (hint: there is math involved, geometry to be specific!), filigree work, and granulation (that's those tiny silver balls you see in the picture).
Well, here is my completed cuff:
The only true "Oh my gosh - I cannot finish this" moment(s) occurred when I was attempting to solder the tiny balls (granulation) inside the filigree. (I can also assure you that Oh My Gosh were not the words I used)! Every single time the flame hit the metal - those little balls went flying. I kept thinking of popcorn kernels in a kettle of grease. Yes - it was just like that!
I managed to get the granulation soldered to one side of the cuff.
But the other side resulted in reticulated filigree (translation: the filigree melted and bubbled...just a tad!) You can see the beginning of the reticulation of the wire in the photo below. I even attempted to remove the filigree and start over - but that wire had other ideas and decided to stay put for the rest of its life. So, I buffed the metal as much as I could, and I called it a day.
I am so tickled pink with this cuff! I cannot believe I actually completed this baby - it was days - and I mean days - of work and so many soldering operations. But - an immense learning process! I see so many opportunities for additional projects using these new-to-me techniques!
Forever grateful to Leslie's vision and the opportunity to be involved in this process.
Thanks so much for stopping by today - hoping you all enjoy your weekend!
xo
Patti
Holy cow, Patti, that's fantastic! Bravo to you for conquering all the new skills (and the geometry) -- I'm seriously impressed. Now I can't wait to see where your new knowledge pops up in your other work!
ReplyDeleteWow that's awesome. Having taken some metal work classes this summer and learning new things just really makes for lots of fun. Can't wait to see where this journey takes you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Going to try soldering that granulation on some scraps - maybe some earrings. The bigger the piece...the harder it is! :)
DeleteBeautiful Patti, you make everything you do look so easy even though you tell us about all your trials and tribulations in the creating progress. Looking forward to seeing more of this technique.
ReplyDeleteTherese
Be proud you did GREAT!!! and its lovely!
ReplyDeleteAgain - thanks a million for all of your support! Your videos are so detailed - even just the tiny little tips I pick up are worth everything! :)
DeleteWow! Patti, this is really beautiful. I know how hard it is to get those little balls to say put, and the solder to stick! Isn't it so exciting to look at the finished piece and be like, Yeah, I rocked this!!! Great job!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally! It was rough there for a while....but in the end, I am pleased!
DeleteOMG! Patti that cuff is gorgeous! Only you will know what went wrong and what you thought and said when you were working on it!!! Great job and I can't wait to see how you use your new skills in other pieces!
ReplyDeleteLove this cuff! Bravo! Your talent and knowledge are showing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cuff and a great job! Thank you for saying that you also have to work hard, it seems like everything is so easy for you, everything becomes so beautiful and nice!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great week!
Wow - this is so awesome!! I can't even imagine taking on this task. Reading your jewelry adventures and seeing your accomplishments are always a highlight for me - thank you for sharing them!! They're always so beautiful and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Don't know that I have the stamina to do the exact same cuff again....but will definitely do "take offs" on the individual techniques! :)
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