Learning new skills

One of my favourite things is learning new skills and techniques.

I recently started researching some Arts and Crafts period jewellery for a possible commission and realised that I may well have to create a necklace with knots between all the beads.

I did a trawl and found a useful tutorial at Crystal Flair which got me started. There are so many really generous skilled people around the world who share their expertise. It isn't always possible to find everything you need to know but generally enough to get you started.

I decided to do a few practice pieces in preparation and chose some lovely little Czech pressed oval/rice beads in a wonderful rosy colour with gold and green highlights.

It took the better part of 4 hours work to knot all the beads but the result is a wonderfully fluid necklace.

It was slow work but quite satisfying and now if I'm asked to repair a necklace that is knotted I can confidently say 'yes, but it will cost you . . .'.

I'm planning on making a little bracelet to go with this necklace and I'll list it on one of my sites in the next week or so.

If you are interested in this little (18 inch) necklace contact me via email or leave a comment.


Metalwork

It is tremendously exciting to find out that an idea you've had gestating in the background actually works! This was the case with an idea I had to use lengths of glass rod to make pendants. First though I had to see whether my skills with sterling strip and solder were up to the challenge and then whether the design would be attractive. Of course, not everyone likes this sort of pendant but I certainly do.

I'm sure I can improve my technique but the results have been very encouraging and so I introduce to you 'Pure Colour' Pendants. I don't think there are any like it anywhere else at the moment at any rate.


Designing to verse . . . update

I would like to share with you a pic of a necklace 'Deceitful Waters' I made using some of my most favourite materials. Firstly, artisan made glass beads by Tania Grey. Tan is Cornish through and through. I love her beads and cabs and these particular beads are wonderful using raku glass where the skill of the lampworker is brought to bear on the colour effects. I've also used dichroic seed beads as spacers between the Czech 'montana' rounds. I think by weight these little beads are the most expensive I have ever bought at nearly £6 per gram! My thanks to 'mishari' for providing me with translations to several poems - Thread!

I have really enjoyed this personal challenge to design to verse. It has lead in a few instances to some very nice designs. I am currently working on 'brown impeturbable faces' from Joyce's 'The Dubliners' (suggested by 'obooki'). I will of course be brown and house shaped (sort of) but I think it will be quite wearable.

Next challenge . . . for me will be to design some artglass panels. I do have one based on one of my existing large rounds on the bench (Ikea three tiered hall table) at the moment. This one is a mini panel 6x4 inches. Once that is completed I can jump into designing a few panels with the same poetic origins as the jewellery pieces. I will be interested to see how the medium influences the outcome.

I would like to thank 'mishari' for his help in translating the verse of several French poets which have added an extra layer of pleasure for me in creating this piece of jewellery.