Many steps

 

I set out to make 5-6 pairs of silver-plated leaf earrings to take to Scotland for the Pop Up Art Show; but as you can see from the photo above I ended up making 8 pairs.

Four pairs are longer and slender  - ranging from about 4-6cm.

Four pairs are smaller and some are wider - ranging from about 2.5-3.5cm

The photo below highlights the difference size between the smallest and largest.

Following are some process photos that show some of the many steps that go into the making of a pair of leaf earrings - from cutting metal through to adding the jump-rings and earring hooks seen in the completed earrings.

Opening the leaf forms in three stages on three different tools.

The other thing about making leaf earrings is that the cutting and grinding is quite fiddlybut the outcome is worth it.

Repurposing a bracelet

 

I was given a bracelet that was made from Mexican silver. I had been acquired many years ago; had some memories attached to it; but was not being used; and was also broken in some parts.

After a quick on the spot assessment I indicated to the giftee that I would deconstruct the bracelet and use parts to make earrings and maybe a pendant. I indicated that I would gift a pair or two of the earrings back to the giftee if she wanted to pass the history and memory of the bracelet on.

The opening photo and the two following photos show the 'dismantling' process.

I set aside pieces that would come together as pairs or earrings and a pendant - again in the opening photo. Sharp edges of pieces were filed off and the pieces given a polish. Photos of the assembled pendant and earring appear below.

The earrings and pendant will be for sale. The bracelet has been repurposed and given a new life.

Slight new direction

 

Given we are in the cottage I have been inspired to try to make some solid silver wee cottage earrings - see the initial designs in the sketches below. This work will include quite a bit of delicate sawing with a jewellers saw. Two hand cut cottages on slate are in the opening photo - bit of filing and sanding yet to be done. The wee cottages are about 10-11mm wide.

I needed to mark up the silver with a very fine pen but was not sure what would work - needs to be permanent and not smudge when cutting. I tested a range of pens on one of our stainless steel kitchen knives as you can see below.

In the end I thought Fiona's Uni pin .05 pen below would work best. It did mark up ok but did also smudge a bit. The cutting this time was done at the kitchen table - cutting vee clamped to the table. I think I will try a Copic pen next.

Fiona asked if our kitchen knife would ever be the same - after a bit of a scrub with stainless steel cleaner it was as good as.

Over the next while I will make some stamps out of nails to use to create the windows, doors and texture on the roof - all part of a work in progress????

Mostly antler

 

I grabbed some time over the last couple of days to cut up a piece of antler to make a few pair of antler earrings; and one pair of bone earrings.

As you can see from the opening photo and the following one they have turned out well.

Some process photos follow. As you can see from the first photo the antler looks pretty rough before it is ground and polished.

Fiona and I had a discussion about which side of the antler material should face the front. In the main I have gone with the external section of the antler facing forward. But check out the photos below to see what you think - the first is with the external section forward and the second is the internal section of the antler.

These earrings will be heading to Scotland.