25 February 2009
Geez, not beer. New jewellery and some production notes :)
You've probably seen oxidised sterling silver pieces that have been left fully black and the ones that have been buffed to show highlights. I'd keep the metal fully black if I want to play up colour contrasts with bright gems, but if I want to emphasise textures, I buff the pieces either with steel wool, fine-grit sandpaper or a brass-bristled brush. This lightens the surface as it physically removes the oxidation, while leaving recessed areas dark, so what I call the "dimensionality" of the piece is enhanced:
"Before" looks kind of flat, while "After" highlights the various wire layers
Anyway, I've been wanting to do these twisted wire hoops and seeing as the Eden Hoops have been quite well-received (in fact I have only 2 pairs left and it'll be some time before I restock those etched hoops), decided to make a similar design using (my precious!) large keishi pearls but with an added cross-cross weave of seed pearls. This also evolved into a bangle, formed with heavier wire. And now there is wire littered over my desk and floor.
Corona: from the Latin for "crown" or "wreath"
They're probably the last things you'll imagine when you think of "pearl earrings" and "pearl bracelet", but I think they're interesting :) Now listed in my Etsy shop.
I've been working with more wire today... need to oxidise later and take pics tomorrow morning :P
You've probably seen oxidised sterling silver pieces that have been left fully black and the ones that have been buffed to show highlights. I'd keep the metal fully black if I want to play up colour contrasts with bright gems, but if I want to emphasise textures, I buff the pieces either with steel wool, fine-grit sandpaper or a brass-bristled brush. This lightens the surface as it physically removes the oxidation, while leaving recessed areas dark, so what I call the "dimensionality" of the piece is enhanced:
"Before" looks kind of flat, while "After" highlights the various wire layers
Anyway, I've been wanting to do these twisted wire hoops and seeing as the Eden Hoops have been quite well-received (in fact I have only 2 pairs left and it'll be some time before I restock those etched hoops), decided to make a similar design using (my precious!) large keishi pearls but with an added cross-cross weave of seed pearls. This also evolved into a bangle, formed with heavier wire. And now there is wire littered over my desk and floor.
Corona: from the Latin for "crown" or "wreath"
They're probably the last things you'll imagine when you think of "pearl earrings" and "pearl bracelet", but I think they're interesting :) Now listed in my Etsy shop.
I've been working with more wire today... need to oxidise later and take pics tomorrow morning :P