earring finding

The other day I got a phone call from Penny to find out if I knew where she could buy a silver screw on earring finding. I didnt know but managed to convince her that she could make her own. I like a challenge and thought it would be a good learning experience for me too. So here is my (unfinished) version.

Bead setting

So in keeping with my resolution to practice other methods of stone setting.
When I saw Janices work, I decided to try bead setting again.
Setting the stone isnt that difficult. Its the cleaning up with the gravers afterwards that is really hard. I have been reading a little and I see that I am going to have to invest in another graver.
YAY more tools!
This was practice it wasnt supposed to turn into anything.

Just a pendant

This was a spur of the moment pendant.

It is made with 2 tumbled stones and 5 faceted stones.

I think the tumbled stones are sodalite. Just because they are blue and Sodalite is on my list of African Gemstones.

I bought them in Pilgrims rest which is an old gold mining town in Mapumalanga (used to be the eastern transvaal) in South Africa.

I love tumbled stones because of their uneveness.

The faceted stones came in a mixed bag of gems. I presume they are smoky quartz because smoky quartz was on the list of stones included in the parcel and the colour fits. I flush set them because I always think that this is the least fussy way of setting a small stone but I did wonder at my sanity when 2 of the stones would not stay there.

Garnet earrings

Here is my next stone setting attempt.

The little stones are spessarite garnets. 6x5mm.

I hate the way photos always show up all your mistakes.

These look a lot better in reality.

Play date

I went to Pennys house yesterday. We are trying to get together once a month just to swap ideas and practice skills. It was great! Penny has a fantastic studio which she shares with her husband.(if she didnt live an hour and a half away she would be sharing it with me too!)When I arrived Penny made me coffee - I need coffee! Then We selected a stone for Penny to make a setting for. Penny has a stone collection that turns me emerald green.I then drew down a bit of wire for the settings I was going to make and made 4 jump rings. Then it was time to go home can you believe it 4 hours later and it was time to go home. I hadnt even got warmed up yet. Thank you for a fantastic day Penny.

woven earring

Melissa from JAN made a pendant like this. Ireally liked the pendant -as a pair of earrings. I dont usually copy but I had to have a pair of earrings like that.

So here is my attempt.

Ametrine ring

A year ago Penny and I did a stone setting course.When we were discussing taking another course I realised that I havent done much with stone setting. So my next few pieces are going to focus on refining these skills - I have a way to go still. This is a little Ametrine (about 6mm X 4mm).