CWJs...'Year of Jewelry' 2007

Not much time and inspiration for this piece, but a strong desire to go ahead and finish that YOJ even though it takes me another few weeks.  For this one, I decided to go digging into my box of unfinished bits and pieces in search of anything that would make me think of a canyon... or a song.  I found a series of little copper hearts in different sizes, and decided to hang them to a crazy wrapped bead (also from my box).  Some colour was needed and what better colour than turquoise to complement a canyon.  I added a few glass beads in that shade and hung everything from a black rubber cord. When you look at the colours, a canyon definitely comes to mind, but if you also consider the shapes, then a Canyon Love Song pops up into your head!

Johanne from Quebec
My web site  http://www.bijoudecameleon.com
My blog   http://4saisons.canalblog.com/

The closer Xmas gets, the more trees creep into your conciousness. This does look like a Xmas tree, but it was meant to be a prototype for a necklace cone finding. that didn't work out, but I like the effect. I'm having a good time with the LOS this year. Onyx drop, silver beads and 26, 28g wire.  Perri

A very simple one from me this week. The theme 'Bounty' made me think of bounty chocolate bars, so I had to make something chocolate coloured! A simple pendant made using a lampwork bead by Anna Richards, sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. I made and sold about a dozen pendants similar to this but in a variety of colours in the run up to Christmas.

Thanks for looking, Jo x www.daisychainjewellery.co.uk

I used a variety shapes and hues of Smoky Quartz. The rings and ovals were made with 16 and 18 gauge sterling silver.  I accented with Swarovski crystals. The necklace is 25 inches in length.
-Nancy

I am so pleased with how this ring turned out. There are quit a few mistakes, but I'm ok with that. It's part of the learning process. Eni Oken's tutorial is great, well written and with easy to follow pictures.

I truly appreciate everyone here at YOJ. You are all awesome jewelry artist and am grateful of this learning experience. You are a gift I am grateful for. Thank you for this extraordinary journey in jewelry making.

Sincerely,

Heather

"Abundance," is a message that fits the time of year so well. Domed silver stamped and treated with LOS. Hung on three fine cotton cords, knotted with silver beads.

Ok, this is a quickie, trying to get caught up.  I really liked making these, they look even better in person.  I'm guessing the person who stole them off my table agreed.  At least I hope if someone is risking fate by stealing, they really liked them.   The triangle pearls have 2 holes, so 1 hole is where the loop comes up to hang the earrings on, and the 2nd hole I used for the details.. I had to remake these a few times to get it to look like I wanted it to.  there is a matching watch, please see my blog for pictures.

http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/2007/12/yoj-week-48-49.html#links

This week I tried very hard to make something to do with the theme.  I made sketches and it may have been a nice pendant, but I was uninspired to actually make it. So instead I made a copper and silver ring. The copper is flattened copper tube soldered into a ring, and the silver is 1/2 round sterling silver wire hammered and then fit around the copper band. The photo makes the ring look more substantial than it looks in person.  It was a good lesson in preparing metal for good seams.  I like it, I may make another one maybe wider.

Ok, yeah, yeah yeah.... these are a sample for yet another class project! This will be a beginning solder class, where I review basic silver working techniques (texturing, filing, dapping, antiquing - not fabrication though), as well as basic soldering for the ear wires. I have a favorite pair similar to these that I've worn for years, and my students always ask how to make them... now they can find out!

Comments are always welcome... check out My Jewelry Blog for more on my FSOJ projects, and check out My Website for more of my jewelry.  Thanks,  Randi

That's the largest briolette I've ever seen (citrine measuring 45 by 22mm) and the largest wire woven bead cap I've ever made (25 coils in the spiral). It took me one whole day to complete this piece. It was commissioned and I hope the client and his wife will appreciate the effort ;)

More pictures in my gallery.

Thank you :)