silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
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Post by silverjewellerygirl on Apr 20, 2021 11:59:24 GMT -6
Hi Everyone, I think I mentioned the show "All That Glitters" on another thread - it's a show that's started in the UK last week (new episode tonight! Hurray! Need to get my kids to bed on time...!) We also have another show in the UK called "The Great British Bake Off" - my other hobby is baking. In the last season, my friend and I challenged ourselves to make one bake from the programme every week. We ate a lot of baked goods... Anyhow, my husband thinks it's a great idea for me to try and make one of the challenges from "All That Glitters". I was a bit daunted because they're all professional jewellers, and frankly, I've got a little butane torch... Anyway, there were 2 challenges last week. One was to create a set of "bestselling bangles" - 3 bangles out of sterling silver, made to an 8 inch spec, in 3 hours. I wasn't even going to attempt that (it would be a waste of silver!), so I designed 3 bangles, but made 1 out of copper. It took me 2 days and a lot of bad language, 4 saw blades, 12 attempts to solder the thing and a (minor) burn. But I did succeed, and really happy to share it with you all Please do let me know what you think! I already want to go back and make it again, but in a much more practical way. Haha... live and learn! (The second photo was my original concept design). Sami x
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Post by caeterle on Apr 20, 2021 13:38:19 GMT -6
That's so pretty, Sami! Kudos to you for pulling it through and I'm glad the burn is just a minor one!
I always think it's amazing what some people can do in a few hours. I had confessed here before that I'm a fan of the American show "Forged in Fire" about bladesmiths. I don't know if there's anything at all I could manage in such a limited time. Last weekend I got hooked in the German version of the Bake Off, with VIPs. I don't bake, so I'm in awe about how people even come up with some recipes.
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Post by Irith-Rita on Apr 20, 2021 14:48:52 GMT -6
Beautiful work Sami. I am glad to know I am not the only one who uses bad language when something doesn't go as I wanted it! Ha!.. Very nice unique minimalistic design! I like this bracelet very much!
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 20, 2021 20:10:04 GMT -6
Oh, Sami...you did a great job on your bangle. Like Irith, I like the minimalist approach - less is often so much more. Lovely, sweet design - congratulations on sticking with it and ending up with such a pretty bangle! Dawn
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Post by michelle on Apr 21, 2021 19:01:47 GMT -6
Beautiful! Isn’t swearing part of the secret to successful jewelry making? 🤣
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Post by Irith-Rita on Apr 22, 2021 10:22:37 GMT -6
Ha ha Michelle. Right you are!!
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
|
Post by silverjewellerygirl on Apr 24, 2021 2:56:42 GMT -6
Haha, thank you, everyone! I'm pleased with it... When I get a bigger torch, I might try to size it down, as it's a little bit big. But for now, I'm too scared to attempt to resolder the thing!
A bit up against it this week, trying to make the next challenge. So many new techniques to try out... enamelling, sweat soldering, carving! But I hope to be able to share in a few days. Needless to say that I'm not following the time constraints for any of these challenges! Lol!
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
|
Post by silverjewellerygirl on Apr 28, 2021 2:23:13 GMT -6
Morning Everyone! Here is my latest All That Glitters challenge. In week 2, the jewellers were asked to make a bespoke "sweetheart brooch" for a client. They were given 5 hours, and asked to add an element of colour and use cuttlefish casting. I decided to make a sweetheart brooch for my 8 year old daughter... trying to combine all the things she loved proved challenging (unicorns, Taekwondo, Star Wars, Minecraft... to name a few). So I settled for a simple design of her favourite Star Wars character, and added 4 hearts to represent our family. I had planned to cuttlefish cast the lightsabers. But it went horribly wrong, so I cut them out of sheet metal and added the details with a saw. I wanted to add some enamel, but got nervous after I messed up the etching. Stupidly, I decided the etching wasn't good enough the first time, and decided to etch again after I'd assembled the whole piece. I will not do that again! As a result, I completely messed up the finish. Never mind. My daughter still loved it. Sami x
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 28, 2021 11:38:02 GMT -6
That is utterly and completely awesome, Sami! And, I have to be honest with you, I don't see any thing about the finish that's messed up. I love that earthy organic look. I understand why your daughter loves it; it's beautiful and something for her to treasure forever. Even though you made some mistakes (which probably only you can see), I'll bet this piece taught you a whole lot of things that you'll be able to use to improve your jewelry making and design skills. I'd call this piece one big success story - give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! Dawn
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Post by michelle on Apr 28, 2021 11:59:04 GMT -6
I’m with Dawn, the twice etched finished is awesome! But yeah, it’s a problem if it weakens your solder. (I just read your post.) 😜
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Post by caeterle on Apr 28, 2021 12:18:12 GMT -6
That's a very cool and unique piece, Sami! No wonder that your daughter loves it, such a special gift to her.
I had never heard of cuttlefish casting before and read up on it, how interesting!
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Post by Irith-Rita on Apr 28, 2021 14:28:00 GMT -6
Cute brooch! I love the organic look too. I remember when learning about cuttlefish casting. I walked along the Haifa beach and found a few small kind of smelly ones but I used them for small parts which I have kept. Here's a tap on your back from me:)
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
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Post by silverjewellerygirl on May 1, 2021 3:21:57 GMT -6
Thanks, everyone! It was definitely a challenge, but I learnt a lot. I'm finding I'm learning a lot about problem solving on these challenges. I suppose when it's all done, I will look back and find that I enjoyed working under a lot of stress! It's been a long time since I had to work to a deadline! Haha... I've already broken 10 saw blades on this week's challenge... really must stop listening to my husband when he says I should make Star Wars themed jewellery - they're not easy pieces!
Yes, cuttlefish casting smells terrible! But definitely a technique I will be coming back to!
Sami x
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silverjewellerygirl
Junior Member
Enthusiastic and keen-to-learn jeweller and crafter, sharing my learning journey.
Posts: 88
|
Post by silverjewellerygirl on May 5, 2021 1:04:31 GMT -6
Good Morning! Thought I would share my Week 3 All That Glitters challenge! Last week's episode was about alternative materials. The bespoke challenge was about making a bib necklace for a stage performer, using 2 alternative materials and within a 5 hour timeframe. Given yesterday was May the 4th, I did another Star Wars tribute piece and made a bib necklace for a cosplayer, in the style of Queen Amidala's necklace from Episode II (my husband has a big influence on what I make at the moment!). I only managed 1 alternative material (mother of pearl veneer) and it took me 6 days, 16 saw blades and a couple of grazed fingers, but I managed it (finally!). This week's episode was about gold... not sure I'm brave enough to use gold yet! Have a good rest of week, all! Sami
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Post by michelle on May 5, 2021 11:41:59 GMT -6
Oh Sami, that bib necklace is truly a work of art! Absolutely gorgeous!
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