Tag Archives: necklace

Cuttlefish Casting

As part of the goldmithing course I did in 2012 I attended a weekend casting workshop. We did some lost wax casting (more on that later), and also some cuttlefish casting. Yes, really using cuttlefish! Or more correctly, their little (or not so little) cuttlebones.  I hasten to add no actual cuttlefish were harmed in the making of this jewellery – their life expectancy is around one to two years, they die soon after mating, and you can quite often find their cuttlebones washed up on the beach.

The procedure for cuttlefish casting is to cut the ends off the cuttlebone and cut it in half.  Grind down the two surfaces until they are flush.  Carve a funnel in one end of the two halves, and carve your design just below that.  Bind the sides together to form a mould, smelt your silver and pour it in!

Malachite and Sterling Silver Cuttlefish Cast Pendant

I cuttlefish-cast the bottoms of these two pieces, then set bezels with bails attached into the cast pieces to create pendants. One is set with malachite, the other with paua shell.

Paua Shell and Sterling Silver Cuttlefish Cast Pendant

I had to hand these pieces in as part of my final presentation, and then they were sold from my online shop.

Pharaoh Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish are members of the cephalopod family, like ocotpus, squid and nautilus.  They emit a brown ink to help them evade predators.  This ink, known as sepia, was once prized as a dye. Cuttlefish have green blood, due to haemocyanin, which carries oxygen and contains copper, unlike humans who have iron-containing haemoglobin filled red blood.  Cuttlefish have beaks.  Cuttlefish have chromatophoric cells, which enable them to change the colour of their skin instantaneously.  Aren’t they wonderful!  And coincidentally in keeping with my (unplanned) marine themed year!!! Thanks, little guys!!

Nostalgia – Part Two

 

Banded Agate and Sterling Silver PendantThe second thing I ever made was a pendant, using a banded agate cabochon.  I learned (belately!) one of the very important lessons goldsmithing teaches you, which is not to cut corners; near enough is NOT good enough.  I made the pendant well, and was pleased with the quality and the way it looked, but when I made the bail, I did not take enough time over it and so was never happy with it.  Of course that one element of the piece which was substandard meant that the whole piece was not satisfactory!

Banded Agate and Sterling Silver Pendant

I came very close to getting rid of the piece all together, but at the last minute, my husband helped me look at it through fresh eyes, and I realised that all that it needed to be a quality piece was a well-made bail! (Surprise, surprise…) I removed the old one, designed this new spiral one, and now the pendant is in my shop waiting for a new home!

Green Seaglass and Sterling Silver Initial Pendant

Liam commissioned me to make this green seaglass pendant for his one year anniversary with his lovely girlfriend Gracie.

Green Seaglass and Sterling Silver Initial Pendant

It’s part of a ‘twelve days of’ series of gifties. What a sweetheart!!

Green Seaglass and Sterling Silver Initial Pendant 2

Sterling Silver Seashell

She sells seashells…

Sterling Silver Seashell

Ok, so this piece is not for sale – but I did create it! This seashell is the physical component of my latest goldsmithing course project brief. Lots of wire bending and soldering made this an interesting and challenging piece to create.

Sterling Silver Seashell

It started life as a sketch from my mind, and went through some incarnations on paper, as a freehand art drawing:

Seashell Freehand Art Drawing

Also as a technical drawing:

Seashell Tech Drawing

One of my very favourite creations!

Two Hearts Pendant

This two heart pendant was the second one I made for my sister.

Two Hearts Sterling Silver Pendant

She and I designed it together.

Two Hearts Sterling Silver Pendant

 

So cute!!

Spiral and Ball Garnet Set Statement Pendant Necklace

Nemo’s Nautilus

In keeping with the nautical theme I seem to have going, a diving bell a la Jules Verne is another piece that I made. Ok, so it’s not really a diving bell. But close one eye and it could be!!

Garnet Ball Pendant

I created this pendant for the goldsmithing training course that I am presently undertaking. The brief was fairly simple – make something incorporating a hollow ball! Great fun.

Garnet Ball Pendant

Garnet and Sterling Silver Art Deco Pendant

The first time I ever set a teardrop shaped stone was when I made this garnet and silver pendant for my oldest dearest friend.

Teardrop Garnet and Sterling Silver Pendant

My teacher helped with the design, and although one of the stones is not very well set, after four years I’m still pleased with the art deco look of this piece!

Teardrop Garnet and Sterling Silver Pendant

Eudialyte and Sterling Silver Pendant

I created this pendant for my dear friend Morgan some years ago. It was my first foray into creating schnörkels (my teachers have a German heritage, and at school that’s what are these things sometimes known as curlicues!) The gemstone is a piece of eudialyte from North Russia.

Eudialyte and Sterling Silver Pendant

Looking back at it, I can see many imperfections. I think we’re all hypercritical of our own work, but this one in particular is very homemade to me. However, Morgan claims to love it still, and imperfections are all part of the learning curve, after all!!

Eudialyte and Sterling Silver Pendant

I wonder if everyone looks back on their earlier work with a certain amount of cringeworthiness.  Authors, actors, artists, musicians – we’re all putting ourselves out there in some way! Still, I created this with my own two hands (and some metal and stone 🙂 ), and that must be something to be proud of.