YOJ 2012 - Week 4 Fine silver woven trinket box

 

 

 

I had intended this to be a long bottle shape, somewhat like the first one I did, only longer and narrower, with a pointy bottom. You can see the first one here: http://fleurviolettejewelry.blogspot.com/2010/07/message-in-bottle-necklace.html But I had forgotten how I had shaped it, or how I had woven it. So I ended up messing up the shape and the weaving. 

I knew this will not turn into a bottle...and I had to turn it into a lidded box.So I thought it was time to be brave and try the hinge and clasp shown in Mary's trinket box tutorial here: http://theangstyartist.blogspot.com/2010/08/trinket-box-101.html I was quite terrified, but this was going to be no bottle...and if I had to salvage my fine silver, I needed to get brave and try the hinge and clasp. So I did. Thank you Mary for your fantastic tutorial!! I made a lid, and when I started making the lid, I remembered how I had woven the first bottle. So the lid weaving is different from the bottom weaving. 

The hinge alignment is not perfect.The box and the lid don't fit too good.

Many mistakes, but I still love this tiny little shiny box. Just looking at it makes me happy. It has a very happy feeling about it. I will keep doing this till I do it better. Because I love vessels, doors and windows! :-D I don't know why. Maybe because each holds within or beyond it, the promise of something probably fun, exciting, beautiful?

The box is made entirely of fine silver (pure silver). The bead on the clasp is a Ruby. The chain is sterling silver. The clasp is handmade.

Prayer Box Pendant

This is a special pendant, made especially for me. :-) If you want something similar, let me know, and you and I can make one especially for you! :-).

This is made with sterling silver sheet. I have etched the inside of the box with a sacred Indian symbol called the "Sri Yantra". It is a symbol of manifestation, healings, and Divine blessings. The lid of the box has 7 petals sawed into it. I have hand made the prong basket, and set a 36 carat lemon yellow Topaz in it. Topaz is said to be a very powerful stone in aiding manifestation, healing, abundance and it is also said to bring much joy to the wearer. I have bezel set 7 small Lapis Lazuli cabochons around the Topaz.

The way I will use it is, I will write down my prayers for anyone in a small piece of paper, and will put it in inside my pendant. The length of the chain makes the pendant hang right at my heart. This way, anyone I pray for, will always be within the healing energies of the heart center.

The chain is a single viking knit, made in 24 gauge sterling silver wire.