This cuff bracelet was a one-off remodelling job I did for a lovely client using an old cuff which was precious to her but unfortunately broken. It’s a good reminder to be careful when putting on your cuff bangles not to squeeze or stretch them and over-stress the metal!
The existing stones were (probably) turquoise, and the addition of chrysocolla adds interest and texture to the piece.
It was great working with Juliet, and we discovered quite a few uncanny coincidences that made the experience even more special! Thanks!
The Condamine Campdraft Assocation commissioned me to create a custom Condamine bell pendant for their Ladies Draft winner. These bells were traditionally made out of old worn-out sawblades and were worn by cattle. You can read a little more more about them here.
My lovely client Natasha saw these charoite gemstones in my gemstone collection, and asked me to create a pair of stud earrings to match a ring I made her previously for her mum.
Small and sweet, and a little bit matching. I love them.
A client came to me with two old bracelets made from old threepenny bits. They ranged in date from 1897 to 1940. The bracelets had seen better days, and my client asked if I could take two of the 1917 coins off and create cuff links as a gift for her husband.
It was slightly daunting to be working with 100 year old coins, but the cuff links turned out ok!
These stacking rings were a custom build for a client who has three children named after gemstones. She chose the correct coloured stone for each child from my gemstone collection.
These remind me of the lovely old style acrostic jewellery. What a gorgeous way to honour your loved ones!
If you’d like a set (or just one!) of your own, let me know – I’d love to make you some.
Lots of people like to know the process behind the creations I produce, and I sometimes forget – just because I know how I do this, doesn’t mean everyone does! These lovely dangly gemstone earrings were a wedding gift from my friend and client Natasha to a dear friend of hers.
Natasha found these sparkly amethyst, Rose de France and aquamarine rose cut cabochons in my gemstone collection.
First I shaped the bezels. A bezel is the part that goes around the stone and holds it in place on the piece. I take a strip of silver, bend it into shape with my half round pliers, and solder the join. Once the bezels have been immersed in pickle (an acid solution) to remove the buildup of borax and the oxidisation, I rinse and dry them and hammer them into shape with a mallet on my ring mandrel.
I solder the bezels onto a silver backing plate. After I pickle, file and emery the bezel settings, I check that the stones all fit nicely into their little housings.
Then it’s time to add some links to join the bezels together. I create the links, line them up and solder them on.
I add the ear wires. As always, I am amazed that something that looks so unappealing will soon become something beautiful!
After some more cleaning up, I mount the earrings in sealing wax to hold them still while I set the stones with my engraving ball and chasing hammer.
After yet more emerying and finishing, the earrings are ready to go off to their new home!
In case you want more, I have written before here, herehere and here about my processes. Happy reading!
It was nice to be invited to participate in the Mount Eliza Art and Design Show again for 2016. I sent down a selection of pieces to the show, including my new shadow box pendants.
It looked as if there were some gorgeous exhibits there. My lovely friend Donna from Little Boubba Designs, is part of the Mt Eliza team, and very kindly took the time to send me some photos of my pieces on display. Thank you Donna, such a thoughtful person!
