Finally I've finished my third challenge. Unfortunately this one took much longer than the others. The biggest hold up was that I ran out of some essentials and then once they had arrived my cat, Maple, sadly passed away. Although a large part of me wants to wallow I know the best medicine, to take my mind off things, is to focus on something creative, so I threw myself back into the challenge.
Challenge number 3 was inspired by Laura Binding, one of Jewellery Maker's guest designers. Whilst browsing youtube I came across a Designer Inspiration show with Laura Binding doing a tutorial of a wire wrapped pendant. You can find it here. She made it look so easy I decided to give it a go with a bead I received in one of JM's bead scoops. It was so much fun and I was so impressed with my finished pendant that I've kinda become a bit addicted to creating them. I did it with five beads on this challenge!!
I hope you like my creations....
This pendant was made with Vintage Bronze coloured Artistic Wire bought from The Bead Shop website. The chain is Viking knit using the same wire. Unfortunately, I don't have a proper Viking knit tool (will definitely be getting my hands on one soon), instead I use a thick cardboard tube that came wrapped in yarn. I have, of course, used the yarn and I've drilled 8 holes in the top.
This one was made using the same techniques but with silver plated copper wire from wires.co.uk and Jewellery Maker. The following two were also made using the same techniques but using black coloured copper wire and gold coloured copper wire from the aforementioned shops.
I also made a ring using the same technique with the Vintage Bronze wire.
In addition to these pieces I also made another necklace and a bracelet.
I used gold coloured wire to create the links between each bead. I also used the same wire to create my own clasp. I've really been enjoying making my own clasps lately. In my opinion, if you're creating wire work pieces then using the same wire to create a clasp makes the piece look seamless and more professional.
For the fifth necklace I decided that the bead had such interesting markings on it that it should be left as it is. So I created a simple bail using a headpin and attached the bead to some waxed cotton cord.
So there's another 7 pieces added to my collection. I hope you've enjoyed reading this posts and seeing my latest designs.
Showing posts with label black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Challenge No.3 - Fancy Jasper
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Thursday, 16 October 2014
Challenge No.2 - Green Magnesite
Challenge No.2 - Green Magnesite
My second challenge is complete and yet again I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I was working with plain rounds I wanted to make sure I used them in a way that made them look like something special and I really think I achieved that. Since they are such a lovely bright turquoise I decided early on that I needed to team them with black to make them stand out. I hope you agree that the contrast between the black and the turquoise is really eye catching. This time I managed to created a staggering 8 pieces, so that's a total of 13 pieces made for this challenge, so far!!
Here they are ......
Again, I started with a sketch......
The idea was to use black wire coils, made with the coiling gizmo, to separate the green magnesite. However, I couldn't get them all exactly the same length and being a bit of a perfectionist I just wasn't happy with the finished product. So I dug into my stash of gemstones and found some faceted black agate beads for the job.
Along with the agate and green magnesite, I also used black coloured copper wire and gunmetal coloured findings. The gemstones and wire are both from Jewellery Maker. The findings are from elsewhere, unfortunately, again, I can't remember where.
I also made matching earrings, ring, headband, bangle and bracelet using the same materials.
After finishing these I only had single figures of the magnesite left so I decided to try out some chainmaille and use the gemstones just to add a touch of colour. I made a bracelet and matching earrings using gunmetal coloured jump rings.
I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at the results of my challenge. I apologise it took so long this time. I've managed to get a bit of teaching work so I've been busy. Over the weekend I'll reveal the next gemstone and hopefully it won't take me so long to get the pieces finished. Watch this space ...
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Monday, 29 September 2014
Challenge No.1 - Black Agate Nuggets
I have completed my challenge!!! Yay! I won't lie to you, it was a little bit difficult at first. The nuggets weren't a favourite of mine (they still aren't) so I was stumped at what to do with them. I think the process of making the jewellery took less time than figuring out what on earth to make with them, but I persevered and I now have 5 pieces of gemstone jewellery for my Christmas craft stall.
Here they are .......
I started by taking the beads off the strand and laying them out. I then put them in groups according to size/shape.
I played about with them in their groups hoping I could make some symmetrical pieces or a graduating necklace. I quickly decided to scrap both those ideas opting, instead, for the random sequence approach. I took to my scrap book and sketched this awfully drawn design below.
Here they are .......
I started by taking the beads off the strand and laying them out. I then put them in groups according to size/shape.
I played about with them in their groups hoping I could make some symmetrical pieces or a graduating necklace. I quickly decided to scrap both those ideas opting, instead, for the random sequence approach. I took to my scrap book and sketched this awfully drawn design below.
But now it's been brought to life, it looks like this .....
I teamed the nuggets with Hematite stars, black beading thread and dark silver coloured copper findings. The nuggets and beading thread are both from Jewellery Maker. The rest were purchased from other jewellery making websites but unfortunately I can't remember which, sorry.
The bracelet then inspired me to make a matching necklace and earrings. Here are the results....
I only had a small amount of nuggets left after making these three pieces and I hoped to make a ring to match the pieces above. Unfortunately, after playing about for what felt like forever I concluded that the nuggets I had left just wouldn't sit right on a ring. I was back to the drawing board again. I tried to make a few different bracelets and earrings but with the inconsistent sizes and shapes it was difficult to get things to sit right. Finally I made these earrings....
They were made with faceted Hematite beads bought from Jewellery Maker (which I NEED more of) and the same findings as the pieces above. Using the last of my Hematite beads I made a matching bracelet ....
Despite banging my head against a brick wall for the first few hours after drawing the Agate nuggets, I've really enjoyed this challenge. It forced me to work with a shape I would usually avoid. The jewellery doesn't really represent my usual style or taste but I like each piece, my favourite being the first bracelet I made.
Agate, is one of my favourite gemstones. It comes in such a variety of colours and it is never just a plain bead. There's always different tones and textures to be found. You can see, above, that some of the beads have specks of white, grey and brown. In some of the stones there are bands of brown or translucent areas that really catch the light. Beautiful.
Brief Description of Agate.
The majority of Agate developed in ancient volcanic lava. It is a form of Chalcedony which develops when water, containing silica, enters a cavity inside a host rock . The minerals in the water then crystallize, forming layer upon layer of silicon dioxide.
In crystal healing, Agate is believed to enhance mental functioning, such as concentration and analytical abilities. It is also believed to be a calming stone that builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Challenge No.1 - Gemstone Reveal
Black Agate Nuggets
Instead of using the whole names in a hat thing, I decided to computerise it and take a print screen of the result.
I promise this was the first result. I definitely didn't cheat because, after the obsidian squares, this is my least favourite strand. Again, it's the shape. I just don't know what to do with them.
Ideally I would like to enter one of the pieces I make into the JM Wall of Fame on Wednesday, so I have roughly 4 days to complete this challenge. Best I get the strand out of my stash and start playing around with some ideas. Wish me luck.
Friday, 26 September 2014
Treasure Trove Challenge
I recently wrote a blog for a Jewellery Maker competition, where I
confessed that I had many strands in my collection that were completely
unused and still in their packets. I promised that I would dig them
out, create something with them and blog about it. So, here's my
introduction blog where I show you all the strands. After this I'm
going to put the names in a hat, pull one out and make a piece of
jewellery. I'm kinda setting myself my own 'Designer Challenge', as
they do on JM.
So here we go.....18 strands of gemstones all purchased from Jewellery Maker.
(Apologies for the photos. I really need to work on my photography skills).
These could easily be mistaken for turquoise. In fact, I thought they were turquoise until I took a look at the authenticity certificate. So although it says green on the certificate I'm more inclined to call them blue.
So here we go.....18 strands of gemstones all purchased from Jewellery Maker.
(Apologies for the photos. I really need to work on my photography skills).
Black Onyx Cubes
Gemstone: Onyx
Shape: Cubes
Origin: India
Size: 7 x 7 mm
Carat Weight: 140cts
I'm
hoping these are not the first out of the hat as I am completely
stumped with what to do with them. Where they've put the drill hole is
so unusual that I'm struggling to think of a design that would do
justice to the stone. If anyone has any ideas feel free to comment
below.
Red Agate Hearts
Gemstone: Agate
Shape: Hearts
Origin: Brazil
Size: 6 x 6 mm
Carat Weight: 55cts
Green Magnesite
Gemstone: Magnesite
Shape: Round
Origin: China
Size: 8 x 8 mm
Carat Weight: 185cts
These could easily be mistaken for turquoise. In fact, I thought they were turquoise until I took a look at the authenticity certificate. So although it says green on the certificate I'm more inclined to call them blue.
Pyrite Rounds
Gemstone: Pyrite
Shape: Round
Origin: China
Size: 12 mm
Carat Weight: 650cts
Abalone Squares
Gemstone: Abalone
Shape: Square
Origin: China
Size: 8 x 8 mm
Carat Weight: N/A
Multi-Colour Quartz
Gemstone: Quartz
Shape: Oval
Origin: Brazil
Size: 12 x 16 mm
Carat Weight: 220cts
Multi-Colour Agate
Gemstone: Agate
Shape: Oval
Origin: Brazil
Size: 12 x 20 mm
Carat Weight: 340cts
Multi-Colour Quartzite
Gemstone: Quartzite
Shape: Faceted Round
Origin: China
Size: 8 x 8 mm
Carat Weight: 150cts
Black Faceted Obsidian
Gemstone: Obsidian
Shape: Round
Origin: Mexico
Size: 14 x 14 mm
Carat Weight: 410cts
Black Obsidian
Gemstone: Obsidian
Shape: Round
Origin: Brazil
Size: 10 x 10 mm
Carat Weight: 220cts
Fancy Jasper
Gemstone: Fancy Jasper
Shape: Oval
Origin: India
Size: 19 x 29 mm
Carat Weight: 330cts
Red Tigers Eye
Gemstone: Tigers Eye
Shape: Round
Origin: Africa
Size: 10 x 10 mm
Carat Weight: 240cts
Rose Quartz
Gemstone: Rose Quartz
Shape: Oval
Origin: China
Size: 10 x 14 mm
Carat Weight: 150cts
Blue Quartzite
Gemstone: Quartzite
Shape: Marquise
Origin: China
Size: 9 x 18 mm
Carat Weight: 50cts
Faceted Pyrite
Gemstone: Pyrite
Shape: Round Flat
Origin: China
Size: 10 mm
Carat Weight: 220cts
Lapis Lazuli
Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli
Shape: Round
Origin: Unknown
Size: 10 mm
Carat Weight: 280cts
Red Shell
Gemstone: Red Shell
Shape: Round Flat
Origin: China
Size: 29 mm
Carat Weight: N/A
Black Agate Nuggets
Gemstone: Agate
Shape: Nugget
Origin: Brazil
Size: Varying
Carat Weight: 250cts
Right, now I'm off to put the names in a hat, draw one out and start creating some jewellery.
Watch this space......
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