Newest Piece - Sterling Silver and Turquoise Pendant

 I am so incredibly excited to show you all my newest piece! I finished it last night at my metalsmithing class and I am very proud of it. I purchased a turquoise cabochon (a flat-backed stone without a hole), that has a rough face (not perfectly rounded on the top, it has some bumps and grooves that a natural stone should) for my first bezel setting piece. I sawed out the shape of the sterling silver back piece, filed and sanded it repeatedly to get it nice and smooth. There is a bit of Japanese influence here I think ;-)

 Then I created the bezel from a piece of wide fine silver bezel wire. I soldered the bezel together and then soldered the bezel onto the back piece, after I had soldered the bail (the tube that the chain goes through at the top). The bezel soldering part was a bit scary as it takes a while to get all of the little solder pieces to flow at the same time, without causing fire scale (a mottling of the sterling silver caused when you heat it for too long) or melting the bezel. I did it though, and then I had to set the stone.

Because the stone has a rough top, not all of the surfaces are the same height so I had to file and sand down my bezel to make it fit the contours of the stone. That took a while as I didn't want to scratch my piece or the stone. Finally it was ready; I popped the stone in and started to push the bezel into place over the stone, carefully fitting it all into place. Once the bezel wire was around the top of the stone, I had to smooth and burnish it, finally finishing the piece with polishing to get it to a mirror shine.

Lovely! I can't wait to wear this to the Farmers' Market this weekend!

Copper Lilac Leaf Brooch with a Fire Finish

 Well, I must say I am so excited to show you all this newest piece of jewelry that I just finished last night! About 5 weeks ago I started a metalsmithing class to learn some new techniques (and refine some old ones!) and, after taking last week off due to a stomach bug, I have now finished my first piece. This beautiful pin/brooch is made from a copper sheet which I traced my design onto (a lilac leaf in this case, with the veins in the center). I then used a fine jeweler's saw to hand saw the outline of the piece, and then punched a teeny hole in the  center so that I could saw out the veins, giving a bit more dimension to the piece. Then I used files to file the outer edges until they were nice and smooth. I then used 400, 600, 1000 and 1500 grits of wet/dry sandpaper to carefully sand in one direction, then the other, until all of the previous marks were gone. Once the marks were gone on one side, then I'd sand the other. Once both sides were done in 400 grit, I would then move onto 600 grit and so on, until it was smooth, even and soft.

I then used a spoon form to lightly hammer my leaf to give it the rounded shape and make it look more lifelike. I had to be VERY careful not to scratch my piece or I would have to start the sanding process all over again!

I then soldered sterling silver wire onto the back of the pin to make a pin and clasp section. That was the first joint I had ever soldered! The torch was a little scary (ok, it still is), as it makes a rather loud POP! when it turns on and off (it is acetylene), and I am always afraid of burning myself or the house down around me when the flames start to go, haha. I managed to do one practice solder joint, and then I did the second on the leaf. It turned out great!

Then I had a dilemma: should I go with a mirror (shiny) finish, or should I break out the torch and give it a more lifelike (though unpredictable) fire finish, using flux and the torch to burn the flux away, and then continuing to burn the copper until it makes the fire pattern you see on the pin. You then quench it in water and, once dry, lacquer it to a beautiful shine. I could have gone with the mirror finish, and perhaps in the next piece I will, but I went with the fire finish. I went with the fire finish partly as I like the more natural look of it on the leaf shape, but also because I wanted to get more comfortable with the torch in general.

I know I am probably biased, but I think it turned out incredibly well. I even signed the back of it with a flexshaft tool (like a Dremel, but thinner and with foot control). It is a pretty messy signature, but this pin, this first piece, is all MINE, and I don't mind if it looks like a 5-year-old Meghann signed the back, I know it was made by me, and I'm pretty proud of it, if I do say so myself. I would like to make more of these beautiful leaves, in copper and sterling silver, with both mirror finishes, and with the torch finish. I'll also do different types of leaves; oak, maple, birch, etc. Keep an eye out for those!

New Project in Progress

I thought I'd show you a bit of a work in progress. I was asked to do a custom bib-style necklace that I had to order some shell beads for, but while I'm waiting for those to arrive, I was inspired by that order to create something a little bit similar, but very different. Above is my little tray that I use quite a bit now - my husband has stolen my good desk chair from my office and is using it for his second desk (yeah, he has two "offices" in our house, don't get me started, lol). So I am stuck beading and making most of my jewelry here on my living room couch. Not that I totally mind - I can watch movies while tweeting to you all or making jewelry, so it isn't too bad.
Here are some of the tools I'm using for this necklace. It will be a bib-style, and in the bib part will start off with a chain mail type chain (a very simple chain mail weave though). To do this, I need my bent chain nose pliers - both pairs! I also need my jump ring opening ring - the little round silver thing in between two pairs of pliers. This little ring is a Godsend for chain mailers everywhere! Pop it on your finger with the correct-sized slot facing out to fit your jump rings and voila! your rings open SO quickly! I also have round nose pliers and my cutters for adding the beads after the chain part is done. In addition, I have some files just in case I need to smooth edges.
Here are my beads! Well, some of them I have also already added some onyx and lapis lazuli chips to the chain for dimension. Above are chips of amethyst, citrine and cherry quartz (which, incidentally, cherry quartz is NOT a gemstone, it is color-impregnated glass. Very pretty and colorfast, but NOT a gemstone!). I also have my headpins. When I start my metals mithing course next month, one of the things I absolutely HAVE to learn is to make my own headpins so that I never, ever, ever run out of these little buggers ever again!
Here is where you can see the stages of the necklace in progress, though I am deliberately keeping you fuzzy (pun intended) on the final necklace's details. Gotta leave something to your imaginations, right?? At the top of the photo above you can see the individual rings which I link one by one to create the simple double linked chain you see in the middle of the above photo. At the bottom you can (hazily) see the chain now has all sorts of bead chips added to it - what fun!! By the end, you'll have a hard time seeing the silver of the rings - it will be almost covered with gemstone chips, so pretty :)

Hope you are all doing well, and once again, thank you to everyone who reads this, even if you don't want to leave comments, or are just an occasional visitor, thank you. I really appreciate you visiting me here, and I hope you'll find the time to stop by my Etsy shop one day soon :)

Have a great day!

New Jewelry!

Gold and Lapis Lindsay Ring

Well, it is only 2 days until my first public jewelry show, Spencerville Sparkles, and I have been working like a busy bee getting more jewelry made. I thought I'd tempt you with a few goodies that I've just finished and photographed, let me know what you think! I am also looking to know what YOU would like to see in jewelry - silver, stamped jewelry, gold, bead weaving, silver smithing, etc. I would love to hear what you look for in jewelry so that I can continue to make you happy :)

Lapis and Gold Seed Bead Memory Wire Bracelet - Fits just about every wrist size!

Remember: even if you can't make it in person to the show, Mother's Day is on May 8, so maybe you'll find something you like here. I can mail with priority post for an additional fee, to make sure it gets to Mom on time ;)

Hand Painted Ceramic and Swarovski Pearl Memory Wire Bracelet - Adjustable to Nearly Every Wrist Size

I haven't listed these yet in my Etsy Store, though I do have new earrings listed there, please take a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels?ref=si_shop

Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Earrings - October

Many jewelry pieces are still 50% off, so you can get a great deal on jewelry for mom... and maybe get a little something for yourself as well!

Sterling Silver and Swarovski Pearl Birthstone Earrings - June

Also, many of my pieces are customizable, all you have to do is ask. I am more than happy to make something to suit your needs and tastes - I'm here for you!

Have a great day, I'm off to make matching birthstone necklaces to the Swarovski birthstone earrings, more details on those later!

Another New Bracelet!

Here is another new bracelet with rainbow fluorite beads dangling from a sterling silver chain. Rainbow fluorite is hard to find in good quality, so it is expensive to use, but the results speak for themselves - gorgeous jewelry that no-one else will have!
I created a custom hook and "S" clasp from sterling silver wire, and then hammered it for strength and durability.
The drape on this piece is really fantastic - it isn't very heavy, but flows nicely on your wrist, as you can see here. This is now available on my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/51503481/flora-sterling-silver-and-rainbow
Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: New Bracelet!

Boudicca Sterling Silver Hearts Bracelet with Amethyst, available in my Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/51423235/boudicca-sterling-silver-hearts-bracelet

Thank you for stopping by, have a great day!

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: New Rings!

~NeoAmour Elizabeth Nest Ring~

~Custom Sterling Silver Nest Ring with Rainbow Fluorite~

I'm taking back my blog for a day - it's been raining so the roads are still wet so I can't walk Arwen until I find her some boots or the roads dry out.

Here are some new rings I made - one is for a client and made with rainbow fluorite, the other uses a Swarovski crystal in Emerald shade. I am making it a part of my NeoAmour collection for Queen Elizabeth1 and it will be for sale on my Etsy store at some point today. Both are made with sterling silver wire and Czech glass silver lined beads. Please check it out!

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THE CONTEST!! Sign up for my newsletter to try and win a pair of magnificent earrings from my NeoAmour Marie Antoinette collection (You have to sign up for the newsletter first to be eligible to win!!), see the full contest details here.

Wordless Wednesday: a Few New Items!

~Melissa Citrine and Glass Earrings~

~Turquoise Saturn Silver Ring~

~Summer Skies Silver Ring~

~Heather Gold Hammered Drop Earrings~

~Jessica Gold Filled Celtic Swirl Earrings A Favorite~

Here are a few new goodies in my Etsy shop! Please click on the images to go and read more about that particular item.

I must apologize for my unexplained absence. I have been very ill with my fibromyalgia and unable to do much more than reply to the most urgent emails and sit on the couch or sleep. I am feeling ab it better now and will try my best to keep you all up to date on everything going on here. Thank you all for your many kinds words and well-wishes, you are all truly a blessing to me.

Arwen sends you her best also, and says that this weekend we are going into town to purchase some boots for her so that we can walk on days when it is rainy or icy. We've had so much rain lately she hasn't gone out very often and I feel terrible about it. I just hate to see her after a walk on wet gravel roads - her paws get very irritated and she'll spend hours licking them. We are also looking for a nice (and affordable as I am very tight financially) sweater or rain jacket that will keep her belly from getting muddy when we walk...if you have any suggestions (or know someone who needs lots of advertising in exchange for a coat) please let me know!

and Arwen

Sweet Saturday: New Rings!!

Sweet Saturday indeed! Here are some new rings I've been working on lately: the first is a ring that is sweet, yet sort of Steam Punk. I used sterling silver wire to make a comfortable shank, adding a teal Swarovski crystal to the center. I then coiled more sterling silver wire around the base wire and added 2 clear Swarovski crystals to the outside of the teal bead, coiling the remainder of the wire on the sides.
The result is a coiled ring that is pretty, yet different. You could keep it shiny, or allow it to patina and darken naturally, giving it a worn look for a more "Steam Punk" style.
The second ring I am calling my Turquoise Saturn ring. I took a real turquoise bead and surrounded it with a nest of sterling silver wire and creating a comfortable shank in the process.
It looks like a planet surrounded by rings (or a Robin's egg in a nest, whichever suits your fancy). I will be listing these rings on my Etsy store this weekend, so please do stop by and have a gander... I have even more cool items to come, please keep checking back!

Time is Running out!! Sign up for my newsletter to try and win a pair of magnificent earrings from my NeoAmour Marie Antoinette collection (You have to sign up for the newsletter first to be eligible to win!!), see the full contest details here.