YOJ 2012 - Week 5 Romero fold form leaf

 

 

To buy this set, go to:

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/fleurviolettejewelry/4351743 

In keeping with my resolution to complete all unfinished projects, I fished out this Romero fold form leaf I had made in 2009. Yes...that long back! I was in school, doing a semester of metalsmithing. I had done some metalsmithing before. Most other students were very new to it, so I was making these leaves and showing off :-P. Hey, its only sometimes that I get to show off, so I did :-D. After that I did nothing with those leaves. Last year I made an ear cuff that had these three hanging things made with garnets, pearls and copper. I knew I wouldn't really ever wear an ear cuff. So I took that apart. Used the cuff part to make the bail for the leaf pendant. I hung one "hanging thing" (for the lack of a better phrase..LOL!!) to the leaf, and used the other two to make earrings. 

The earrings look really good actually. The pictures suck -- they look dull. My daughter has been drooling over all of this and is trying to lay claim over it all...the necklace and the earrings. I was hesitant to make the earwires in this design, because I know someone (forgetting who now...but I know I love her work) uses this design as her signature design for earwires. But then I saw this earwire taught in the "Visually Teach Yourself Jewelry..." book. So I am guessing its ok to make this kind of earwires.

The leaf is copper, and is flame colored. I'm quite proud of this leaf actually (hence the showing off in class).

Turning over a new leaf in 2012

I haven't been making jewelry for the longest time. And when I would try to, I would end up leaving projects incomplete. I have a whole graveyard full of stuff that need to be completed. So I decided to turn over a new leaf this year...and decided to get back to making jewelry again, and completing all my past projects. So I joined YOJ to motivate me. I had made this leaf with PMC, and then did nothing with it. It was made from a leaf from a tree just outside my home. So I fished out the leaf, and added a Ruby brio, and several Peridots to it. Added a chain, and made a clasp for my first piece for YOJ 2012.

Click on the picture to see it enlarged and clearer.

Two handmade jewelry gifts I cherish with all my heart!

I cherish all gifts given to me, but here I will talk of two handmade jewelry pieces I got from two friends who are very special to me. They are both amazingly creative jewelry artists. Both make totally unique pieces...that are their very own style. And they both are huge inspirations to me.

1) AMETHYST PENDANT
Last year....in 2010, Shay made, what in my opinion was her VERY best piece until then. I really loved it, but knew I could not afford it. And guess what Shay did? She sent it to me as my birthday gift. I was speechless. Her work is so different from most, and yet her style is very her. I can recognize her work anywhere! I will not speak more about what she made...let her piece speak for herself. It a lovely silver and Amethyst pendant. She hasn't made jewelry for the longest time due to pain in her hands. But now her hands are getting better, and we will soon see beautiful pieces being created by her once again. And here are her links:

http://www.ShayStone.blogspot.com
http://www.AllThatIAm.etsy.com
https://www.facebook.com/ShaysBook

2) LEAFY BROOCH
This year I was blessed again with another beautiful gift! This was from Mary. I often just go to her blog when I am feeling sad, low, uninspired, or plain and simple just to drool over eye-candy. She is very dedicated to the wire arts, and is always challenging herself to make something different, better. I love everything she makes, especially the vessels! Various shapes, sizes of vessels made entirely of wire weaving. You have just got to see her work! And I often wondered what should I buy from her, because I always wanted to own one of her pieces. I had never said this to her, but one day she just emailed me and asked me if she could send me a piece she made!! I was once again left speechless! Here is the piece she sent me...one I had looked at for many consecutive days, marvelling at the simplicity, elegance, beauty and craftsmanship...a leaf brooch. And here are her links:

http://www.theangstyartist.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wired-Elements/127714920578975?ref=ts
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wiredelements

If you aren't already familiar with the work of these two jewelry artists, I will suggest you head off to their blogs as soon as you get the chance! :-)))

Fine silver leaf

Oh if I could make and post flowers, then I think its time to make and post a leaf as well. :-) This leaf is made with PMC...which is 99.9% silver. The stone is a Blue Zircon. The little blossom on the leaf is the one Jennifer (my PMC teacher) made when she was showing me how to sculpt flowers like the ones she made in one of her famous necklaces. The leaf is from one of the trees near my house. I had always been wanting to make a leaf with PMC...ever since I first heard of it years back. Finally gott he nerve to try it out. I have 2 more leaves I need to finish.