A busy week with some firsts!

There have been many new pieces this week from moonstone and sterling silver, to labradorite and my first ever attempt at titanium anodizing. The moonstone is a nice big cab measuring 5cm (2 inches) long! It has beautiful schiller, but I just can't seem to capture it faithfully on camera.

The titanium is always fiddly to weave, but I love that it is so lightweight, and of course being able to anodise it is just so much fun. This particular piece was actually anodized without using any chemicals: it was done with a current applied to a coca cola bath. I had heard it was possible and just had to try it. The colours are nowhere near as vivid, but I like that there are no acids or chemicals used.

This week I also had my very first try and fusing silver. I kept it basic, but am pleased with the result. I added a small pink tourmaline with wire to complete the piece. This lovely little number is 3cm (1.25 inches) long.

I need to practice more with soldering, but for now the fusing is a simple and gratifying way of getting more comfortable with my new torch

Cleaning time, and some new creations

As always, with new creations comes another spectacular mess on the work bench. Today is dedicated to cleaning it up and sorting left over beads. Yesterday I made a new sterling silver donut wrap using a gorgeous sodalite donut accented with kyanite and cobalt blue pearls. The donut measures 5cm (2 inches).

I thought about adding a patina to the silver, but I think the shiny finish accents the white veining in the stone nicely - and it will eventually age to the patina anyway.

I'm Back!

I had all but forgotten my blog, and it's time to get back into it again. I'll start with my latest creation today using a big 16.92 carat amethyst and sterling wire. It measures a total of 5cm (2 inches) long. I don't have a name for it yet, but the flow of the wires makes me think of draped couture gowns. I am tempted to keep this one, but it IS possible to have too much bling and if I am not past that point, I am not far from it!

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.

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!

whooooo!

Oh boy, it has been way too long since I got on here. I have a number of new creations, but life has been so busy. I am working on a tutorial for the octopus design, but with so much going on it may be a while before it is ready to go. This is a popular little number and I have made a few, though they are all different in little ways. Here's the original and largest of the lot...

Back from holidays!

What a wonderful holiday! We got fed sooooo many fantastic home cooked meals by my mum, aunt and sister, and also an incredible spit roast that is the best I have ever had. Considering my family's Southern European origins, this is a big boast! My cousin has the art of the spit roast perfected.

It was great to see my family again after so long and to check out all the old stomping grounds. Sydney is so big, and I have got used to quieter living! The little man had a blast checking out so many people and all the huge skyscrapers. Most especially he loved getting to ride on the trains (he's just turned 3 and LOVES Thomas the tank engine).

It was great to see new jewellery designs in a different place, and though some were so-so, some were fantastic and have inspired some new ideas I am just dying to try out. Today is catching up with everything post-holiday, and tomorrow I am working, but after that I am back in the creating groove - can't wait!