Framed Flower Pendants

Regular followers of my blog will know how I love including flower designs in my jewellery and keep returning to this theme over and over again!  Over the years I have also created a lot of 'framed' jewellery.  I think originally I included a frame to add strength to a piece but I have grown to love the feeling of encircling shapes.  For me, it feels like a frame can 'complete' the design.  So... following those loves and principles, it seemed only natural to frame one of my flower designs.

I have started a 'Framed Flower' range of pendants and here are the first three I have created with variations of number of petals, double petals and different textures/finishes:

If you would like to see more photos and details about each pendant, please follow these links to my online shops:
Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KSJewelleryDesigns
Folksy: http://folksy.com/shops/KSJewelleryDesigns

I want a rolling mill

I want a rolling mill! However, I'm going to have to make a lot more sales until I can afford one!

The metal for these earrings was textured through the rolling mil at my silversmithing class using a material leaf (thanks Becky!). Then I cut out leaf shapes with a handsaw and soldered on stems/earwires.

 

 

Sterling Silver Textured Leaf Earrings

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/156607244/sterling-silver-textured-leaf-earrings
Folksy: http://folksy.com/items/4413965-Sterling-Silver-Textured-Leaf-Earrings-LEAVES-Handmade-Metalwork-Jewellery

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An urge to make some earrings

Yesterday I had an urge to make some earrings as I haven't made some for quite a while, mainly because I have struggled in the past with my new metalworking techniques to make a matching pair. This time I was very systematic with my approach to these earrings and tried to think each process through and where any non-matching problems might occur. I am pleased to say I think I've succeeded to make a matching pair of earrings. Hooray!

 

Amethyst Sterling Silver Teardrop Earrings

Just listed in my online shops:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/156523437/amethyst-sterling-silver-earrings
Folksy: http://folksy.com/items/4413268-TEARDROPS-Amethyst-Sterling-Silver-Earrings-Handmade-Metalwork-Jewellery

First ever ring

Every week when I attend my jewellery class, I have tried to challenge myself to learn a new technique or to learn how to use a new tool.  For the last three weeks I have mainly been working on a ring project and here is the result:

Labradorite Sterling Silver Double Band Ring

 

I made this completely from scratch and I know it is far from perfect (this is the best angle!) but I feel quite proud of the end product.  I wanted a challenge and I certainly gave myself a challenge, however I learnt so much during the process, mainly about controlling the heat of the torch so that previous soldered joints do not open up again.  Oh, that was so frustrating!  I was able to refill most of these with lower melting point solder but I couldn't manage to do that for the thin band around the outside of the bezel (see bottom left).  I had to leave it faulty, and those who know me well will know I am quite a perfectionist, so that is quite hard for me to admit.  I made this ring for me, so I will have to consider it a kind of 'war wound' and still love it in spite of its imperfections.

 

Lessons learnt, I was surprised how satisfying I found making a ring.  So much so, that I have just had delivered a ring mandrel (with sizing) so will probably be offering rings for sale some time in the future - watch this space!