Showing posts with label metal work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metal work. Show all posts

Monday, June 6, 2016

Finished White Oak Leaf Pendant with Acorn



Sometimes, you come up with an idea in your head, transfer it to paper and the actual piece doesn’t always come out exactly as you first imagined it.  But this piece is pretty much what I designed it to be.  
I purposely added the dark, vein-like lines in the leaf by dragging a piece of metal through the molten enamel. Because the copper was slightly exposed, it created oxidization which led to the lines turning black.  It really gives the piece a more rustic look!  I just love playing with oxidization!!  
The Oak Acorn I made from a piece of white oak piece which I carved into a ball which I drilled like a bead.  I made the cap part out of sheet copper, formed, textured and soldered.  I covered the wood with epoxy.
The Acorn lays flat so that it can sit properly when worn.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Finished, White Oak Leaf Pendant with Cab


Here is the final result of the White Oak Leaf Pendant I was working on.  I made a cab from a piece of White Oak which I formed and covered in epoxy to protect it from water.  
I made the leaf out of copper sheet and sweat soldered it to a plate of sterling silver.  
The pendant measures 1-1/2″ x 1/2″.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Acorn Pendant With Oak Tree Remnant



I designed this little acorn to dangle along with an Oak Leaf Pendant I made.  
I made it so that it sits flat.  The whole thing is made of copper sheet which
was cut, formed, textured and soldered together.  
The best way to form a ball shape is with a dapping punch, a block and a hammer.

The wooden bead I made from a piece of an Old Oak Tree.  
I drilled a whole through the wood and through the copper cap (this step is not in the photographs).

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Oak Leaf Pendant Almost Finished


I am almost done this pendant.  I'm working on the wood cab you see
on the pendant.  it will be a bit smaller than you see.  

Here is what I'll be doing next:
- Covering the cab with epoxy (the reason for this is because this piece of 
oak comes from old wood pieces salvaged from a dead oak tree and they're
quite fragile.  By completely covering them with epoxy, I figured they 
would be protected from wear and tear).  

2.  Adding a bezel (a strip of silver soldered to the plate to hold the wood cab 
into place).

3.  Finish the bail (to hang to the chain).

4.  Polish it up and add a bit of darkening solution to make the leaf pop out.

5.  Package it and send it on its way to my customer!


Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Enameled Oak Leaf Pendant Progress


Here is an update of the Oak Leaf that I am working on.  I finally finished prepping the leaf itself and  after rounding out the tips a bit, I finally was able to do the exciting part of this project:  enameling!
I used my jewelry torch to enamel glass powder over the top; so basically you end up with a lovely glass layer fused to the metal.  This is something I just love to do!  

The green I used is Jungle green;  it's a vibrant green which I find looks great for leaves! 
 I am very  pleased with how it turned out.  

I am now working on the acorn part of the pendant which will dangle freely on 
the necklace along the leaf. 



Friday, May 6, 2016

Metal Forming White Oak Leaf Pendant


This project is coming along wonderfully!  Overall I really love the Oak leaf so far!
It still needs a few finishing touches such as rounding out the tips and a couple of 
inside corners before adding the enamel finish.

I will soon be starting the copper Acorn dangle.  

Factoid, White Oak:  The White Oak tree is a large tree than can reach up to 100 feet tall.  
The trunk can span up to 4-feet across.