Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs

Tutorials by K S Jewellery Designs
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Tuesday, 10 November 2009

The last leaves of Autumn

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.

Posted by K S Jewellery Designs at 11:45
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14 comments:

  1. swisssidejewelleryetc10 November 2009 at 16:02

    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

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  2. Mel P10 November 2009 at 16:03

    OOOOOOOOOOO these are stunning, I love what you have done with the leaves xxx

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  3. Kathleen Krucoff10 November 2009 at 22:22

    Oh you definitely improved these. Great look...much better than their original state. Cool!

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  4. Mellisa11 November 2009 at 15:57

    What a transformation! They look so much nicer in the finished product :)

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  5. K S Jewellery Designs11 November 2009 at 21:33

    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 :)

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  6. Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter13 November 2009 at 21:50

    These are exquisite! I love the veins in the leaves.

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  7. A Beaded Affair15 November 2009 at 17:24

    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

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  8. K S Jewellery Designs16 November 2009 at 14:19

    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 :)

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  9. Erin Christie Powers22 November 2009 at 13:48

    All they needed was a little love... there soooo cute!

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  10. K S Jewellery Designs22 November 2009 at 20:13

    Hi MLD - you are so right, I definitely felt like I was taking care of them to make them better!
    Kristin :)

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  11. Hot Rocks23 November 2009 at 16:26

    Love what you did with the leaves! You improved those leaf charms immensely and turned them into fab earrings.

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  12. K S Jewellery Designs23 November 2009 at 17:30

    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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  13. Unknown1 December 2009 at 07:08

    Ohh.. really loved this earrings, very nice autumn collection.. looks so sweet just a small leaf of tree at earrings...

    r4 dsi

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  14. K S Jewellery Designs1 December 2009 at 23:40

    Thanks Jenny - I'm so glad you like them - thanks for visiting my blog
    Kristin :)

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