Victorian Swirl Padlocks

Once again the copiers are out, something that drives me to distraction, but in the end what can you do. And once again it has just made me determined to combat the feeling by trying to do something new. This is my new range, it ties in with the tear drop rings in design, but compliments rather than matches. The two pendants on the right are made totally in pure fine silver, forged, hammered, polished, shined and fussed over to the enth degree!! The one on the far right is a little twee, however in person it looks quite eye catching. I particularly like the central one and this led me on to make earrings that match. I prefer long danglies, so I have also made these hanging on double rings that are caught up with a single ring hanging on an ear hook.
The earrings on the left are the simple version. I call them Victorian swirl padlocks. Back to that oh so fancy pretty yet uptight time.

Silver starburst pom poms!

I have these crystals and I have the silver and I love my designs!! But what on earth can I call them? starburst? explosions? fireworks? sea anemones? Dahlias? No idea. If any one can think of anything better please let me know cos I am at a loss, and am in the process of making tons more, but don't know how to describe them. They are solid fine silver, some have crystals embedded in them, and are quite chunky. (nearly 2 inches long). But what are they??? ;-)

Closeness

I am so happy with this piece and it means a lot to me personally.
'Closeness' was inspired by the beautiful painting by Alan Daysh which depicts an adult (father?) and child (son) fishing. I just adore this picture and wanted to recreate it in a 3D form that could be worn. It is made in fine silver and hangs on two chains (to symbolise the relationship - a fine chain and a bolder chain).

Patinas for pmc

I am by no means going to claim to be an expert here, but have been delighted with the results I have been getting with liver of sulphur of late. Just thought I'd share a few ideas.
A lot of the how to's say you should mix the liver of sulphur (LOS) with boiling hot water and keep dunking. Well all of the tutorials on youtube that I've watched show their items turning dark then brown then black, which when you want colour isn't really that helpful so... here's what I've found.
You'll need, bicarb of soda, LOS, ammonia, and plenty of kitchen towl.

Yes, start with hottish water, but have a bowl of very cold water close by plus a solution of bicarb of soda and water to hand. (about two or three heaped tea spoons in a cup of cold water).
First make sure the silver is ready to go. By that I mean that it is finished and polished. Then clean it with a dab of bicarbwith a drop of water to make sure there's no greasy residue.
Now you are ready to start.
A cup of hot water (from the kettle), a drop of ammonia and a drop of LOS. (I use liquid). Stir it up.
Dunk quickly then dunk in cold water. Dry it off with paper towel, and then wait. To get colour it is time consuming. Now slow down and watch, let the water cool a bit,dunking in LOS solution and then cold water and waiting for the colour to emerge. If the solution gets too cold, you apparently can heat it in a microwave - which I do - don't know if that's dangerous, but I read you could and I'm still here. As soon as you have the colour you want dunk it straight in the bicarb solution to neutralise it.
If you have gone too far, and it has started to turn black, I dunk it in silver dip - works for me -as long as you clean with bicarb again it works a treat.
Good colouring!

My challenge piece - Tree of Love

I've just entered my very first challenge. The theme is Summer Romance, so I made this little tree of love! It is listed in my Etsy shop but mostly what I would hugely appreciate is a vote, which you can do just by clicking the pics or title and click a button - simple!

Thank you so much - I'm so excited!! (I'm not last at the moment ;-)

Featured in a lovely treasury

My summer blue flower - midnight daisy appeared in this lovely treasury.

Luscious Limeberry

So delighted that my summers day passion flower was featured here.

More pea pods!!

Just a little addendum, have also just introduced pea pod charms for bracelets, or the tinyiest little pendants.






Cute eh!!