CWJ's Year of Jewelry 2008

Fun with Disks and Stamps - Serpentine and Sterling Earrings

I created some space for my work in our basement and decided to pull out some tools and equipment that I haven't been able to use on my kitchen counter.  So, here is one of my 1st attempts (that I am willing to show publicly) of stamping and dapping sterling sheet.

It took me quite a number of tries to get the stamped swirl impressions deep enough, then when I used my small punch to make the little dots, those went too deep!  I cheated, I bought pre-cut disks to play with and these are a bit thin, so I'll know what to expect next time.

The herringbone-wrapped faceted serpentines were left over from another project, as were the earwires, so rather than just tossing these into the cool experiment pile, I went ahead and finished them...The up-side...I get a new pair of earrings!  I'm wearing them as we speak.   

Another first, I actually used my tumbler and they came out so super shiny!  Fun...I am definitely going to be working on some more of these.  ~M

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etsy

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Week 25 - Cambodia Culture

As usual, I put the words cambodia culture in google images and got a ton of cambodia pics. I loved the Apsara and Khmer Dancers... these beautiful women dressed up in gorgeous clothes and amazing gold jewelry. So I knew I should do something all gold, and I saw that they had these pretty bracelets made with gold balls. I didn't have goldfilled balls as big as that, so i took the largest ones I had and then it came to me, the idea for these hoops. They are very small and simple, but I love them and I want to keep them! They measure around 3 cm. All goldfilled.

pink zebra jasper

This is the necklace I will be sending  for  Pat, I hope I will help.  I plan on making matching matching earrings. C&C always welcome Thank you in advance Linda my web site

Pat's News Letter http://pinkandblackzebra.blogspot.com/

Week 25 Sheila

This pendant reminds me of something you might find hanging in a temple a an ornament. Hammered copper 14 Ga and polymer bead.

MOMMAKAT: Amethyst Cab

I'm behind, so it's time to get caught up. The amethyst cab in this pendant is very special, my friend Anne's Dad cut and polished it. She gave it to me last year, and it's taken til now to wrap it. This is a pattern from Step by Step Jewelry, by Liza Niven Kelly. This first picture is pre- LOS, I usually prefer bright silver, but in this case it looks very nice with the patina.

The Miracle of the Mekong

Madness reigns up and down the banks of the Mekong River as Cambodia's annual Retreat of the Waters Festival celebrates the miracle of the Mekong, which spends half the year pouring into the Tonle Sap, making the puddle on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital the largest lake in Southeast Asia.  When the monsoons end, the river reverses its flow, and the natural reservoir sends water back into the rice fields that feed the entire region.  This is according to Ron Gluckman/Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The gemstones I have used in this necklace are Peruvian Opal and Amazonite reminding me of the colors, shades and swirls of a great lake.  Ammonites are found throughout of earth, fossils of sea creatures from the squid and octopus family.  I have interpreted the Ammonite in the pendant in silver wire.20 ga. and 21 ga.  The Peruvian Opal rondelles are hugged with silver dapped saucers that were very tiny to cut and dap and drill.  Holding the silver bead caps apart are 3 mm. Amazonite faceted beads.  The clasp is an S clasp holding onto silver rings.  Please share with me the celebration of the Cambodian culture and also the God Who Provides.

Carolyn   aka Lily and Iris

Cambodian Culture-Silks-Week 25

I came across an interesting aspect of Cambodian Culture and that is Silk Weaving.  From the different colors to weaving of patterns, there is a revival of old silk weaving traditions taking place. 

Although I cannot weave silk, I did do a piece this week...weaving wire.

Kitty

Week 25 - PMC, Copper + - Randi/Dax58

This is a piece I am very proud of... it has a real variety of techniques, and I think they all pull together for the overall look. The chain is handmade consisting of silver rings (16g) and soldered, formed, and hammered copper wire links (also 16g). The pendant is textured layers of PMC, and the center has a patina to give it a bronze look. The copper washer in the center has been textured, dapped, and oxidized, and then resin was filled in the center to give it some depth and to protect the patina. The clasp on the chain is made from a smaller copper washer and a silver hammered bar. The chain can be removed (there are 2 tube bails on the back of the pendant), and you can add a nice silver snake chain or a leather cord for different looks.

All in all, I am happy with the outcome (and I'll be teaching a class on the chain soon too!). This was entered in a contest last month, so I had to wait for the judging before posting here... there were many great entries, and I didn't place, but I always love a challenge!

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

Week 25 - Off Topic - Phalaenopsis

Was unable to get inspiration from this week's theme so I pulled from my favorite flower, the orchid. The most beautiful color combinations can be found looking at the thousands of different varieties of orchids. My color choice was inspired from my handmade glass beads is deep rich amethyst purple with sparkles of dichroic glass dispursed about the beads.

Wrapped around each bead is a double row of tiny freshwater pearls in creamy white and another row on top with tiny sterling silver thai beads. Cascading below are larger freshwater pearls in creamy white, deep purple faceted amethyst briolettes and sparkling faceted ametrine rondelles and briolettes. Very rich and elegant, as the orchid flower.

For more picture visit my shop online: http://www.jewelsbyldesigns.etsy.com

Pardon my late arrival!

Hi everyone.  I'm only 25 weeks late and my profuse apologies.  I thought, 25 pieces all at once.  Maybe not.  You would all be looking at my creations for yonks.  I hope it is ok for me to jump in again here.  I haven't looked at themes either sorry.  These earrings from Carol Ladines tutorial Victoria Earrings.  Really easy to make and I needed this pale blue to go with my work uniform.  Sterling Silver and Blue Lace Agate.

Cas xxx