Tina came to me with this most gorgeous chunk of moonstone that her husband had brought her back from Chile, to find out if it was possible to turn it into a pendant. We decided the best option was to set it very simply so that the beautiful stone was the focus, and I designed this claw setting for it.
The stone is gorgeously asymmetrical, both in shape and thickness!
It could almost be worn either way I think.
I love the way the moostone glows and glimmers – very magical!
Kathy contacted me to see if I could create a lion ring for her girlfriend, who’s last name is Lyons.
Using my jeweller’s saw, I hand-cut and overlaid this lion rampant onto the ring.
Kathy’s girlfriend was really chuffed with the ring, which makes me very happy!
I always love to see behind the scenes of manufacturing – maybe it all stems from that cool crayon factory clip that used to be on Sesame Street? One of my gorgeous clients, Natasha, asked me to use this charoite in a ring for her mum, and her mum was interested to see the work in progress. I have written before here, here and here about my processes, and I thought you might like to see some more!
It started with this luscious piece of charoite which Natasha spotted in my gemstone collection.
Using a strip of silver and my trusty half round pliers, I made a bezel for the stone.
I fitted the stone to a piece of sheet silver.
After sawing out the shape of the backing plate, I prepared to solder.
After soldering, the silver becomes oxidised and it seems far-fetched that this will ever turn into something beautiful!
Some careful measurement, and more bending with my half round pliers, and a ring shank is made.
A quick check that the stone fits properly, then I’m ready to solder the shank to the top.
The shank is lined up on the top, and soldered firmly in place.
Time for lots of filing and emerying to get the silver ready for the stone to be set.
After plenty of time with my engraving ball and chasing hammer, the finished product!
I was so pleased when my dear friend Judy asked if I could create another matching pendant and earrings set for her to donate to the ArtSound FM Radiothon fundraiser this year. (Last year I created this set).
I drew up a few quick ideas, incorporating the ArtSound logo, and Judy chose the one she wanted. She chose kyanite cabochons from my gemstone collection, which I think looks just lovely!
Thank you, Judy, what a pleasure to create for you!
Zoe has the most divine engagement ring from Tiffany’s, and as it is large and sits right on her finger, she needed a custom made wedding ring to go with it.
I designed Zoe this ring, which fits around her gorgeous engagement ring nicely. It’s a little bit like a medieval crown!
After the wedding, Zoe’s husband decided that although he doesn’t wear jewellery in general, he also wanted a nice simple wedding ring, so I was happy to create that too!
Thank you, Zoe and Matt, for choosing me to create such important pieces for you! Wishing you both a lifetime of joy and contentment.
One of my lovely clients asked if I could make simple wire earrings in the shape of initials, incorporating a bead.
What a cute idea! I don’t know if I can replicate every letter of the alphabet, but ‘L’ worked out pretty well I thought.
Thanks, Lithy! (Love your bead choice, too!)
Lenka Klikacova is a fashion designer, and she contacted me to see if I could make her some silver palm wrap bracelets for her Spring/Summer 2016 fashion show.
I hadn’t heard of palm wraps before, but they are a thing, and I was happy to create the ones that Lenka had in her mind!
Lenka’s designs are sleek and have great shape, so the simplicity of the silver band really worked well.
I’m looking forward to working with Lenka again!
My gorgeous and wonderful Granny celebrated her one hundredth birthday in October.
The family gathered for a lovely morning tea in her beautiful garden.
As part of the celebrations, I wanted to create something unique and special for her, and I decided on a box.
It was probably the most challenging piece I’ve ever worked on!
I love you, dearest Greatie, you are the best, most inspirational grandmother I could ask for, and I feel very lucky to have you!
Lovely Laura wondered if I would be able to create a similar piece to a costume ring which she and her friend both loved, as it was made in a plated base metal which had deteriorated.
It was a mercy dash to the finish line, as the ring was needed for a special birthday right away!
Although it’s not identical (the original would have been cast in a factory mould), I think it turned out ok – and I believe the birthday girl was very happy too!
Thanks Laura!
Occasionally I do stop long enough to make myself something! I confess it was over a year ago that I made this ring, and it’s taken me this long to post it.
As you can tell from its well worn appearance, I wear it all the time!
