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Creating a Pendant

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 December 2011 08:56 Written by John Atwell Rasmussen Saturday, 3 December 2011 08:52

For those who want to see the basic process for creating a piece of jewelry, here is a chronicle through the creation of a necklace pendant.

First a brass blank was selected to put my design on. I had an idea about a “drop” of metal with a stone inset at the bottom of the drop. I drew a stylized drop on paper and then cut a brass blank that would be larger than the drawing. The blank was 2 x 6 cm. I cleaned the blank of oxidation.

My next step was to “glue” my paper design onto the metal blank with a rubber type glue. This makes it easy to remove the paper after cutting the shape from the metal blank.

The next basic step is to cut the pattern from the metal. For this a jeweler’s saw with a 5-0 blade was used. Bur-Life applied to the blade, then the pattern was cut on my bench pin. Now we have a rough cut pattern and need to pierce the round hole at the end of the pattern for the stone to be set in. I selected a 9 mm 2.4 carat round rutilated quartz stone then cut a 7 mm hole in the bottom of the pendant.

Filing, a little dapping with an 8 mm punch, and hand polishing with red rouge completes the creation of the basic pendant. The stone is set into the hole that was pierced in the metal and the pendant is complete and ready to go to the shop.

Here is the piece with a glossy finish from the polishing that gives the metal a silvery tone. Of course, I started this project with abrass blank, so this is not marked or marketed as being silver. This entire project was completed with cold working of the metal.

The shop will be at a “fleamarket” next Saturday. Locally we have a bike trail that is rather long. The fleamarket will be at mile marker 31.5 at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery store (205 Cedar Lane Road, Greenville, SC). Anyone in the area is invited to drop by and say hello.

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Posted under Creative Breakroom, Handmade Artisans, Spread the Love | 2 Comments

Future Jewelry

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 November 2011 04:49 Written by John Atwell Rasmussen Saturday, 26 November 2011 04:49

In order to create my art, I first cut the stone that will go in the piece, then design around that. Here are two stones cut in the lapidary in the past week. The first is a piece of Lapis Lazuli about 2.5 inches long and it is very heavy. Will probably use it in a horizontal position in a necklace. Way too large for a ring.

The second is a free form cabochon made with “Pudding” jasper. Feel free to change the adjective ‘dding’ to anything that you think describes the stone.

I will wait, but am currently working on a mixed metal pendant (gold and silver) with a highly included rutilated quartz *16 mm round faceted stone. Another project is a ring to ask Debbie to marry me “again” next October on our anniversary. A friend is cutting this as I certainly can not do it in my shop. Any way, that is the news so far for the day after Thanksgiving.

John

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Tags: accessories, artist, beaded, cabochons, Chainmaille, Creative Handmade Artisans, gemstones, hand cut cabs, handcrafted, handmade, Handmade Artisans, handmade jewelry | Posted under Creative Breakroom, Handmade Artisans, Spread the Love | 1 Comment

Vintage Remix!

Last Updated on Thursday, 24 November 2011 07:27 Written by ZiLLAsQuEeN Friday, 25 November 2011 07:48

How do you do Vintage? The beauty in Vintage lies within the actual pieces’ ability to speak with you. Brooches are my favorite pieces to “Remix!” As I received these fascinating pieces Broochaliscious ideas took flight! Fabulous brooch finds placed together, offering total accessorization…just scrumpscious! Jewelry transformed with fantastic necklaces with the thinking “your neck is just too hungry to pass these up”! The brooches long lasting appeal doesn’t stop there…Broochaliscious designs from the Queen highlights Vintage-Inspired Handbags adorned with charming gloves, sparkling brooches, & handmade bib flower necklaces that can double as belts! One-of-a-kind pieces to reflect timeless style & design! Lovely accessory & keepsake!

So when the QuEeN wonders, “How do you do Vintage?” please reflect on the history, gift, and legacy behind such pieces as they reach our hands. The journey is what captivates me and sending these pieces on even further is the real gift! Beauty is truly within the eye of the beholder…so kindly BEHOLD THIS and share the love on your neck!

Charmed -ZiLLA’s QuEeN
As always, The Queen reminds you…”Never leave home without your charm!”

www.ZillasQuEeN.Etsy.com