Showing posts with label red. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red. Show all posts

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Challenge No.3 - Fancy Jasper

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.

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Challenge No.3 - Gemstone Reveal

Fancy Jasper



I've been really looking forward to working with this gemstone.  They are absolutely beautiful and everyone of them is different with gorgeous markings.


So watch this space ....

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).

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......