12 September 2008

Project Three-Shelf Earrings


I didn't care much for the Shelf Pendant in Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet, but I could see earrings quite clearly, so that is what I did. I love how these turned out! I did a strange thing when applying a heat patina to the copper: I applied the butane torch flame horizontally to the copper sheet (as opposed to perpendicular) and then I quenched the metal in the nearest source of water, my cat's water dish. I suspect the organic material in the water caused the interesting green flashes of color. I don't really know if that is true, but I do know that the coloring on this pair of earrings is more interesting than for Project Two! I could actually read about applying a heat patina, but so far just playing with it is kind of fun!

The silver is Argentium, so no fire scale or need for flux when balling the ends of the wire. The twisted wires at the top are scraps from other projects which I pulled out of the refining bin.

Working through the projects in this book is distracting me from getting ready for my Oct-Nov show schedule! Must pace myself.....but it is so fun to explore new techniques!!!

4 comments:

Meleenia said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog, your new experiments are very cool. I love Mary's work, met her at a beading seminar we attended together and while she was planning her book. I love her and her work! And now I love your work too. Best of luck as the busy show season progresses. It's a crazy time of year for me with shows too.
Dianne
Check out my blog candy!
www.artbydianne.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love that you used the shelf technique for earrings. These are lovely!

beautifullybrokenme said...

How creative to make earrings instead of a pendant - these turned out great! I love how beautifully the silver stands out against the patinaed copper.

Beautiful!

Molly

Jan-Ra said...

I have worn these several times in the past week, and adore them. The spirals stay put, but move just enough to make a little "tinkling" sound. I love jewelry that makes sounds.