Perhaps not overly fitting given the weather lately but when venturing outside I've found a few small crop of green shoots pushing through the snow, and some buds, just waiting, on a plant . . .
This is the pendant after it's been soldered. Not particularly attractive but the shape I'm trying to achieve is emerging. The small 'veins' were not easy to solder.
Fool that I am, I decided on soldering another 'vein' in. I think it looks more balanced, perversely, and more natural and authentic with an odd number.
How the pendant looks after it's been pickled out, the dark oxidisation from soldering lifted away by the acidic pickle solution.
A couple of rings have been attached (for hanging on a chain necklace) and excess solder has been, carefully, filed away. I tumble polished the leaf to give it a bright shine and then lightly hammered it to impart some leafy-looking texture.
That's great to see the progression, although I'd probably stop in horror where it goes all blackened thinking I'd done it wrong! Love the result!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, it can be slightly unnerving when your nice piece of silver suddenly looks burnt and dull. The pendant here is actually an example of post-soldered silver that doesn't look too bad!
ReplyDeleteThis is so so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I need to make some more now, see how they all come out differently . . .
ReplyDeleteThat is really beautiful - you are very talented.I've always wanted to have a go at jewellry making - but think I'll stay away from hot things as I tend to get distracted (The times I've sewn myself to things, too many to count!)
ReplyDeleteKim xx
Thank you, Kim. I've only burned myself to the extent I ended up blistered once. *rushes away to touch lots of pieces of wood*
ReplyDeleteBut I'm always ultra careful and am still a bit nervous of the torch! I have a fire extinguisher on standby.
My tutor has been smithing since the sixties and he still managed to burn his wrist badly a while back.
Sewing machines strike me as a bit dangerous too, you know . . . That fast needle!
Hey, you won my bookmark giveaway!! :)Congratulations & thanks so much for taking part!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to email your address to this email... jewelz_star@hotmail.com
I will get that posted off asap :)
Julia xx
Am very happy! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by at my blog. Thought I'd pop over here and say hello :)
I love your leaf pendant, its beautiful.
x
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love your posts, especially your thoughts about slowness. So true! This little leave is just beautiful. I love the simplicity. Always wanted to have a go at silversmithing. Is it hard? Maybe one day....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen, for coming by and saying hello!
ReplyDeleteHi April, thanks for leaving a comment. Silversmithing is kind of hard, I have to say. It gets easier with practice but very rarely do I find it easy!
ReplyDeleteBut it is absorbing and can be satisfying and I'd recommend anyone to give it a go.
This is lovely, really nice to see the progress. Silver always looks so lovely.
ReplyDelete