\n\t $\"sterling$ <\/a>\n\t

Sakura Blossom Necklace: sterling silver, copper, and andamooka opal cabochons set with ant hill garnets in the center.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I have used similar flower motifs for pendants, but I had never used them all strung into one necklace like this.\u00a0 The main difference is the cabs used in the center of the flowers.\u00a0 I used an Andamooka rainbow matrix opal with a green\/blue iridescent glow to them, and contrasted that with some very red ant hill garnets that were tube set in the center of each.\u00a0 This created a push-pull visual tension.<\/p>\n

To further add contrast and tension to the work, I used a combination of copper and sterling.\u00a0 I like to use lots of details, but I also like to leave lots of tool marks.\u00a0 To me, this leaves a record of the maker and adds to the handmade feel to the work.\u00a0 I very rarely ever use a high polish, because as soon as I get a high polish all of the elements of the world start to break down this finish, showing every scratch and nick.\u00a0 So, I just start with a texture, and allow the effects of the world to work in harmony with what I have created instead of working against it.<\/p>\n

\n\t $\"In$ <\/a>\n\t

In boiling cupric sulphate and rokusho patina<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

I also bring out all of these textures, marks, and record of having been made with patinas.\u00a0 I started with a combination of cupric sulphate and rokusho which acted only on the copper, by giving it a deep earthy brown color.\u00a0 Then I used a liver of sulfur patina to gray down the silver.\u00a0 To bring back out the some of the metal and give it a very surreal glow, I lightly buffed it with charcoal.\u00a0 Then, to seal it, I gave it a layer of Renaissance Wax.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/a>I have to give my daughter some credit for cutting out the shapes in metal for me.\u00a0 It keeps her busy, and better than TV.<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/a>I used a top from a Sharpie marker over one side of my mandrel pliers to make consistence circles for my bezels.<\/p>\n

The coolest part about facebook is that there are so many lapidaries and metalsmiths from Ganoksin and elsewhere on there that we can have a lot of fun on our fanpages<\/a>, posting pictures from the bench while we are working.\u00a0 Here are a few more that I posted while this was in project.\u00a0 It\u2019s always a lot of fun giving and getting feedback while I\u2019m at the bench.\u00a0 I already work behind a big glass wall where people can watch me work, like a studio in a fishbowl.\u00a0 So, having my iPhone at the bench takes the fun and puts it online.\u00a0 It\u2019s also great for generating interest in what I am doing.<\/p>\n

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I hope you enjoyed the post.\u00a0 Please feel free to comment, or just add me from my studio\u2019s facebook page<\/a>.\u00a0 Thanks!!!<\/p>\n

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