During a recent clear out and tidy up of my work area, I found these sterling silver leaf charms in my collection. I have had them for quite a while and when they arrived from my supplier, I thought they were a bit uninspiring (flat-shaped, cut-out charms with rough edges).So I got out my sanding pads and started to sand and polish them to a lovely shine... they started looking better already. Then I decided to give them a more realistic 3D shape by creasing them in the centre and curling the edges a little.... yes, much better. (This photo shows the before and after.)
Feeling much happier with them, I think they are now worthy to be included in my jewellery for sale (Etsy and Folksy). I have teamed them with beautiful deep orange carnelian nugget beads to make these delicate, dangly earrings. They remind me of the last leaves of autumn waiting to fall.
13 comments:
Those are gorgeous, Kristin. The leaves look so much better after your "treatment". What are sanding pads? Like fine sanding paper? They have certainly added a lovely shine.
Vicky
OOOOOOOOOOO these are stunning, I love what you have done with the leaves xxx
Oh you definitely improved these. Great look...much better than their original state. Cool!
What a transformation! They look so much nicer in the finished product :)
Beautiful!
Thank you ladies - the leaf charms were certainly improved and this experience has given me the confidence to look at other charms and findings I have in my stock and see how I could change them to suit my style. I have just hammered some little plain heart charms and they look much more interesting.
Vicky - the sanding pads I use are foam backed sandpaper in 3 different grades. I got them from my supplier of Art Clay Silver but I find they also work fantastically on sterling silver. Not only do they remove tool marks but using the 3 grades followed by my polishing cloth, brings the silver up to an excellent shiny finish. Here's a link for more information: http://www.silverclay.co.uk/shto.htm#afte (scroll down 'Sanding Pads').
Kristin :)
These are exquisite! I love the veins in the leaves.
Wow, I think I have those same cut outs in my stash and was equally uninspired. Off to the studio to play with them a bit. Thanks!!!
Lois
http://www.abeadedaffair.com
Thanks Deborah - these leaves are lovely (now!)
Hi Lois - thanks for reading my blog - I would love to see how you use the same leaves in your designs - please share.
Kristin :)
All they needed was a little love... there soooo cute!
Hi MLD - you are so right, I definitely felt like I was taking care of them to make them better!
Kristin :)
Love what you did with the leaves! You improved those leaf charms immensely and turned them into fab earrings.
Thank you HR - when I made these earrings they were aptly named but now the autumn leaves have all gone and winter is setting in!
Kristin :)
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