Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Deryn's Challenge








Here are my entries for Deryn's summer challenge. I started with #3. Don't know why, but that one really called to me. In fact, I did two different ones.






I etched both brass pieces first. Then hammered the "shelf" so it would have texture when I folded them over. The shorter piece has some Swarovski crystals and Lapis Lazuli. I "repurposed" some beads from jewelry that I had in the 80's. Days of big hair and chunky earrings. Looking back I can't believe that I ever thought that looked good.

The other longer piece has glass pearls, FW pearls and a stick pearl. The circle hanging at the bottom is a textured copper washer. Both neck chains are made of annealed steel wire.


Here are Paige and Suzi one evening on our deck after catching lightening bugs to use as a night light. After Suzi's visit, I'll recover a bit first, then I plan on doing more pieces for Deryn's challenge.
















10 comments:

Diane said...

I love these, especially the top one is my favorite. I luv, luv your etching. Can you share your technique/pointers. Have you been doing it long? I have Stephanie Lee's turorial/book but haven't tried again since I bummed the first try~good thing I know what I did wrong.
These are great =)

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful work Carolyn. I'm so glad you joined in the fun!

beautifullybrokenme said...

Carolyn -

What beautiful pieces - great job! I love your interpretation of the challenge! I can't wait to see what you have coming up next!

Deborah Truesdell said...

Carolyn,

I love the etched brass you used. I just recently started etching, also and am happy to have a stash on hand for this jewelry challenge. I can understand why you started with the third project, it is so appealing and adaptable to our own personal taste. I am happy you have jumped in to play with us.

~Melissa Merrill~ said...

I love the etched brass your did for these pieces. I have just started getting into etching.
By the way do you live in the mid west. You talked about catching lighting bugs. As kids growing up in the midwest we loved doing that during the summer months. Oh, what memories.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow!!!! These are amazing pieces of jewellery - inspiring me to get out my copper and saw soon...

Jen Crossley said...

How awesome is this piece STUNNING
Jen

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Hi Carolyn,

I'll echo what Diane said - I love love love the etching! It's a completely different look from the book and makes it your own. Gorgeous! I'm a little behind everyone else with the project, just posted mine today. I made a small wall ornament for Ornament Thursday. You can see it here: http://tinyurl.com/5hw27r

Are you working your way through the book and doing other projects? I'm working on the pod right now. Can't wait to see what everyone does!

Happy Ornament Thursday!
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful work. I notice your lovely chains. I'm just a beginner - could you suggest a book or resource to get me started? I've just started working on some of the pieces in Deryn's challenge (like I said, I'm new!) Does making the chain require soldering?

Fanciful Expressions said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you. There are quite a few good books available. Several that come to mind are "Making Wire Jewelry" by Helen Clegg & Mary Larom.
"Silver Wire Fusing" by Liz Jones."Semiprecious Salvage" by Stephanie Lee. Tim McCreight has several wonderful jewelry books.
To answer your question about soldering~~~I do solder larger links for strength. However, I find that smaller links and S shaped links don't need to be soldered.
If I can help you with anything else feel free to ask.

Carolyn