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Post by brad on Mar 9, 2024 9:50:25 GMT -6
I am in to the early stages of a pendent for myself. It’s 1-3/4” round fine silver. (I did not know it was .999 silver until I annealed it and had already stamped it .925, oh well.). The etched graphic is in homage to the pottery of the Membres-Pueblo of the American southwest. The holes are punched and sanded down smooth. Today, I hope to put a very slight dome to it, and make a bail to solder on the holes gap. Meanwhile, I am pondering beaded “hangs-downy” things attached to the bottom. No hurry, I need to order the wire to do the wrap. Brad
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 9, 2024 12:35:55 GMT -6
You are off to a great start, Brad. I really like the etching you've done. Dangles from the bottom would be a nice touch. The nice thing is, if you add them and don't care for them, you can always remove them. I'm pretty sure Cat will give two thumbs up to dangles. Dawn
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Post by caeterle on Mar 9, 2024 13:49:39 GMT -6
*absolutely doing the dangle dance*
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 9, 2024 14:50:49 GMT -6
Ha! I knew it! Dawn
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Post by brad on Mar 9, 2024 15:50:05 GMT -6
A bit of progress, before going outside for the afternoon to scrap our aging porch swing. One more paint job and we are likely swinging elsewhere. ☹️ I have done some polishing. Formed a subtle dome, and made my first bail. The bail is stamped with a NA geometric design. brad
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Post by brad on Mar 10, 2024 18:39:45 GMT -6
Today, I soldered to the silver pendent a thick silver jump ring. Then I attached the bail and soldered it together. After which, I ran it through the tumbler for a while. Now I am just waiting for the gold filled wire. (After that, hopefully I will have some design for dangle things) Again, it’s dark out and I still have not purchased a light box. Argghhh). Brad
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 11, 2024 15:01:05 GMT -6
Lookin' good, Brad! That polished up really nicely and I like the bail you've chosen. I also like seeing your notes and sketches of this piece included in the photo. Since I usually figure out things as I go, it's interesting to me to see how much thought and planning goes into your work. When I think about it, it's really quite strange that I don't spend more time planning my work as I an an obsessive planner in other areas of my life. Dawn
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Post by Irith-Rita on Mar 11, 2024 16:25:35 GMT -6
I like it as is. Not sure about the dangles.
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Post by brad on Mar 11, 2024 18:54:20 GMT -6
About the dangles. I have seen SW Native Americans of contemporary times with silver round or oval pendents, some with various bead dangles. I am assuming there is some significance to the bead colors and patterns? I estimate they are 7-8 mm beads. When I was a Boy Scout, I had special interest in NA culture and activities. I had earned a ceremonial NA name along with beads and a fake eagle claw in reward for years or achievement. All meant to add to a pendent. My pendent was leather where I burned in my Indian name. The beads and claw hung below. I hope in this piece will combine elements of arts and crafts period and Native American. That said, the dangles (3) element is not set in stone, though it offers me more new to me construction and design. Presently considering round silver and greenish grade b or so turqouise beads??? Thank you, all for following and commenting.
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Post by brad on Mar 11, 2024 19:00:51 GMT -6
I will go to Tandy and buy some cheap plastic beads in different sizes to better gauge bead size in proportion to 1-3/4” pendent+the wire wrap. And how long to make dangles if added. After that Fire Mountain seems to have the variety I would consider.Brad
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 11, 2024 21:13:17 GMT -6
Brad, 7-8 mm beads are going to be pretty large for your pendant. Personally, I'd go with something like 3-4mm. You'll be able to tell better when you see the beads for yourself. Regarding Fire Mountain, the quality of their beads aren't the worst nor are they the best. I've had issues with irregular holes, chipped beads and the occasional broken bead. If you want some really nice beads, I highly recommend Lima Beads. Beautiful quality and top notch customer service - I'll qualify that statement by saying it's been a while since I've bought anything from them because I haven't been in the market for beads. Turquoise would be a good choice. Others to consider would be red feldspar, agates and jasper. There are many types of jasper and they are often overlooked in favor of more familiar stones, but they are really beautiful and come in many colors and patterns. I love the stories of your time studying Indian culture. I've always had a fascination with native peoples and their ability to live off the land while also being in perfect harmony with nature. Dawn
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Post by brad on Mar 12, 2024 7:38:28 GMT -6
Brad, 7-8 mm beads are going to be pretty large for your pendant. Personally, I'd go with something like 3-4mm. You'll be able to tell better when you see the beads for yourself. Regarding Fire Mountain, the quality of their beads aren't the worst nor are they the best. I've had issues with irregular holes, chipped beads and the occasional broken bead. If you want some really nice beads, I highly recommend Lima Beads. Beautiful quality and top notch customer service - I'll qualify that statement by saying it's been a while since I've bought anything from them because I haven't been in the market for beads. Turquoise would be a good choice. Others to consider would be red feldspar, agates and jasper. There are many types of jasper and they are often overlooked in favor of more familiar stones, but they are really beautiful and come in many colors and patterns. I love the stories of your time studying Indian culture. I've always had a fascination with native peoples and their ability to live off the land while also being in perfect harmony with nature. Dawn Thank you, for bead size suggestion. I will definitely go online to check out Lima Beads. BTW, Marilyn thinks I have been considering too large a beads, as well. As I continue to refine my thoughts (and I am no designer for sure) is, that if I do add dangles, I want them to be: proportional with pendent, keep them it fairly formal, part of the piece-not just dressing, and remain an homage to the NA culture-while looking like something the Arts and Crafts crafters might have done. And in summary feel good wearing it. Looking down the road, I will be able to take this prototype and create a variety of pieces with various changes. This sharing of ideas indeed helps me toward the final piece of jewelry. Brad
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Post by caeterle on Mar 12, 2024 8:52:46 GMT -6
I'm with Dawn on the size suggestion. Even if you get some beads and then decide not to use them, it's also a great size to use on all kinds of pieces. A classic color combo would be turquoise, red, and white. I have often seen turquoise and coral together, but also black onyx, mother of pearl, paua shell, and others.
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Post by brad on Mar 12, 2024 9:49:46 GMT -6
Here is a pic of bead sizes to the pendent. While the pic may not be seen in actual, you can see proportions of the beads to the 2-3/4” pendent. Brad
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 12, 2024 11:33:29 GMT -6
Brad, I like seeing your drawings. I have always found that no matter how I try to envision the size of beads through the use of size charts or my own measurements, there is nothing quite like seeing them with your own eyes. I've worked with beads so much over the years, that I no longer need those guides, but in the beginning I was always surprised at the size of a 6-7mm bead. They were always larger than I thought they were going to be. Experimenting with different sizes, like you are doing, is the best way to learn what works best with your designs. Another thing you might want to consider is purchasing some spacer beads. They are small beads that go between the gemstone beads giving a nice degree of separation and an additional design element. In your case, silver spacers would be most appropriate. I'm posting a photo of a pair of earrings I made not long ago with turquoise dangles. You can see the copper spacers between each bead. They give the piece a nice polished look. Click on the photo to enlarge. Please also keep in mind, all of these things that have been posted are suggestions. In the end, make the piece you want to make. Dawn
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