Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New Wire

Yesterday I finished 3 smaller pieces in the last of my sterling silver wire - and with amazing timing my new order arrived this morning!

So now I have a few ounces of silver wire to play with. Picture me rubbing my hands together and chortling with glee :)

Here are yesterday's creations:

Letitia's Lament/ Letitia's Joy

On the left is Lament, with a top heavy weave representing the weight of grief bearing down
On the right, the the giddy curlicues of joy when grief is gone




Dark Temptations: also a double sided piece

The front is plain to show off the natural beauty of the stone.
The back has a dark section representing temptation encroaching on the bright fire with a 'serpent' detail.



Fuchsia Bud

A simple piece meant to keep the wire at a minimum to let the stone stand on it's own merits. It's a large 4.5cm amethyst. A fuchsia bud with a fluorite dew drop clinging tenaciously to the bottom.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Bone Carvings

Today I have started a new project: 3 bone carvings. One is for my son, and the other 2 are a gift for someone very kind and who I feel deserves a special thank you. At this stage I won't be posting pictures as I want the recipients of my thank you carvings to be the first to see them.

Today I went to a professional carver to get the bones and the basic shape cut out with a band saw since I don't have one and this saves a huge amount of work on the initial shaping. The next stage of shaping would be easier done with a grinder, but as I don't have one of those either I have chosen an older method. This afternoon I spent about an hour and a half filing the rough edges, before starting some of the intricate shaping with my dremel and some brand-new dentists drill bits. My fingers are cramping as I type, but it's a satisfying feeling as I haven't done a bone carving in years. The last being one for my husband about 6 years ago.

Keep posted to see how this project progresses!