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.

Leaf litter?

 

Well not quite leaf litter; but rather a shiny gathering (see above) of leaf form earrings with drops ranging in size from 25mm to 60mm.

Some images of individual pairs follow. You will note that the left and right leaf forms curve in opposite directions!!!

Following are a few progress-process photos including opening a 25mm leaf form on a brass weight.

And finally another photo of the leaf gathering!!

 

New life- new memories

 

I was given a small stash of old and neglected silver-plated metal in case I could use it. I always ask to see if the person gifting the metal wanted to retain some connection with the pieces. In this case I agreed to make earrings for three family members if I could find metal that was still ok to use.

As you can see from the opening photo I have made five pair of earrings - I always like to give myself choice. I have made these earrings with the texture of the tray to the front.

The process photos start with blanks cut out of one of the trays. I also gave a piece of the metal the bend test to see that it could handle being folded - which it did - it was silver-plated brass. The photos also show that there are quite a number of steps involved in making leaf earrings.

The following photo is after I had added jump rings and earwigs to the ground, drilled and polished leaves.

And I took time to give my 'love' and 'joy' stamped earrings (see below) for Scotland a final grind and polish on the wheel.

I get a good vibe when I can gift back to people who give me material in a way that gives them a piece of their history but with a new purpose to create new memories.

Tiny love and joy leaf earrings in the making

 

It was a bit of a rush job - but I managed to cut, stamp, form, grind and polish 8 pair of small leaves (25mm -60mm) for 8 pair of earrings. Four pair of love and four pair of joy - although they could be mixed.

The 16 leaves are in the opening photo - still need to be given a twist and earwigs added. Process photos follow. The metal was cut from two good quality Strachan drink coasters. The strips of metal were about 8-10mm wide.

Making tiny leaves has the added challenge of being a bit hard to hold when cutting and grinding-polishing. These earrings are destined for Scotland. The finished earrings will be shiny, light and strong.

Three more metal workers

 

I spent about 4 hours today working with a mother and two daughters testing out their skills at metal work. They had seen my work in the DEP gallery-shop and were keen to have a go themselves. We decided to make a pair of leaf earrings, a leaf pendant each and a small bowl for sacred bits each.

As you can see from the photo above the earring and pendant outcomes were great. I added the jump rings, ear wires and rubber necklace thingy. One pair of earrings has clips as the youngest young woman didn't have pierced ears.  

A few process shots follow - not a lot as it takes quite a bit of attention when working with three novices with tools and metal that can do harm. Each decided on the length and shape of their leaf forms. The youngest decided to make the smallest leaves - quite a challenge but she was up to the challenge.

I didn't get photos of the finished three bowls but you can see one being hammered and polished below.

A very satisfactory day - giving time and seeing joy when people achieve beyond what they think is possible.

A whole lot of earrings

 

I have managed to complete my leaf earrings and a few buffalo horn earrings. Not much time for art today as people came first.

The leaf forms vary in length from about 2.5cm to 6cm. Some have words stampede on them; and others are plain. All with the pattern from the silver-plated placemats and the rear side. Photos of earrings with differing ear wires.

I cut enough buffalo for 8 pair of earrings with metal rivets; but only got time to complete 4 pair.

Good to complete the earrings I started about 4 weeks ago.