Sometimes my Muse takes me on a scavenger hunt. Dropping little clues in front of me until I piece it all together. This happened recently at Bead Fest spring - let me take you through the process.
It started with these delicious enameled discs by Anne L. of
Gardanne Beads. She had posted them in her
FB sales group and I loved them - but what to do with them? So at
Bead Fest I go to see them in person...
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| enamel discs by Anne of Gardanne beads |
In my travel jewelry tote - because OF COURSE you pack really cool stuff to wear when vending (or attending) a bead show - I had these earrings by
Melissa Manley. I met Melissa as I took her classes at Art Bliss a few years back. We have been friends and kindred spirits since that night! (Note to self - do not stay up too late drinking wine with your new friend when you have to be hammering in her class the next morning...) I adore her sense of color, and use of translucent enamels.You may have seen her book,
Jewelry Lab?
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| Inspiration earrings by Melissa Manley |
Hey - Muse lights the light bulb! THIS style earring construction with THOSE enamel discs. OK! And it suits me - I like the inside of the discs where there are subtle color variations. You could use these discs facing either way... hang on. I will show you what I did. Its simple and ingenious!
(Thanks Melissa!)
Materials:
20 gauge sterling wire
torch/green scrubby/polishing pad
miscellaneous beads: spacers and gems
size 8 seed beads (matte black)
size 2 crimps/pliers
bur cup tool thingee
chasing hammer/bench block
marker
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| To engineer the earring.... |
1. Cut 6" lengths of wire. Ball the ends. Pickle and or polish as you normally do...
2. Play with possible arrangements. I wanted to have a pop of interest inside the disc, but not take the attention away from the enamel. And not cover too much either...
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| Endless opportunities: (from top left) copper flower spacer, vintage Lucite flower, turquoise, hematite flat rondelle, sterling bead cap, copper and mother of pearl heist bead. |
I have a motley collection of leather bits and pieces - from Lindsay and other friends that work in leather. I love a little piece as a contrast, and a new texture. Now - using this amount at a time I have enough to last me a dozen life times...
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| Leather scraps |
3. Decide on your combinations and thread them all together on your balled wire.
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| first batch ready to go |
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| scraps of leather for a visual contrast |
4. Slide on an 8 and a crimp, snug against the disc. Squeeze it flat with pliers. Hard. This secures your pieces against the head pin.
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| ingenious! |
5. Shape your ear wire. Hammer/ work harden the ear wire at the bend with your chasing hammer. Now your ear wire will maintain its shape during wear.
6. Trim wire to desired length - leaving a bit long as the counter balance to the earring. Smooth wire end with bur cup so it will be gentle on you ear.
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| Form the ear wire shape. Get a manicure! |
Now - my local gallery had been asking me for more enameled earrings... so this is very timely. These pretties are off to
The Palette and the Page this week! Its a pleasure to work with such gorgeous components and I hope you find this informative and/or inspirational. Until next time...
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| Ready to deliver to the gallery |
such a great idea of using leather - it would act as a buffer between the metal and the glass thereby reducing friction and noise produced as a result
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove your earrings, very ingenious way to make everything tight with the crimp.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a brilliant idea to make use of some leather scraps I unearthed in my stash last winter! Thanks, Jenny, for the great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThese are way cool.
ReplyDelete