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. 

Hipster Ring with Robin Egg Enamel Experiment

Little experiment!  

Do you like the result?  I kinda like the overall rustic look of this earthy ring.  The robin egg enamel color combined with copper is just gorgeous!

http://www.baysidewiredesigns.etsy.com

Comparing Pebeo Vitrail Greens

I’m running another test (you will notice I do this a lot):

I wanted to compare the differences between these green  Pebeo Vitrail paints and how they would look on metal.  I was looking for a beautiful leaf color.  The local art store only had these greens available in the opaque series and although the finishes are beautiful, it’s not going in the direction I want so I won’t be using these paints in my particular project.  

More money invested, but never wasted!!  I love these paints and although I will not be using them in my present project, I will be storing them for a future use; I have something in mind for using these little gem-like paints!

Enamel Leaf Pendant Test

Enameled Leaf Pendant Test: 

I’m working on a leaf pendant and wanted to run a test before enameling the actual leaf, so I made this little copper leaf and applied the enamel and it turned out pretty good! 

I'm loving the way the black formed all around the perimeter of the leaf, the center and the smaller crackles near the tip.  To some this might seem like a non-successful test because of the black.  But I’m the type of artist who most of the time prefers my results to be different!  If you’re like me and you would like to a achieve this look add less of the enameling powder before you fire it so that the copper will oxidize and will show up as black in any portion where there is less enamel (you gotta love copper!)

In order to make the center vein running through the leaf, I used a fine, stainless steel rod and dragged it through the molten enamel while holding my torch in the other hand… 

I loved this project!  So much fun!

Bayside Wire Designs

A Surprise in my Inbox

I received a beautiful surprise in my inbox yesterday:  a customer had purchased my “Black and White Newfoundland Dog” photograph and framed it to hang in their living room.  He took the time to send me a thank you and these appreciation pictures!  I must say my handsome puppy looks beautiful in this room!  

Beautiful Flowers From my Sweeties!

My little granddaughter and my daughter came in the door with a bouquet 

of these beautiful white Tulips! It made my day! 

The flowers opened up and I couldn't resist taking a picture to share with you!  

Have a lovely day!

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.

Copper Oak Leaf Pendant Progress

Another custom Oak leaf pendant in progress!  This one is a copper leaf

overlay on sterling silver plate.  I just added a bit of texture to

give the leaf a bit of depth.  I still have lots of work to do on

the pendant, but so far I'm quite happy with how it's looking.

I hope the customer will like it as well...  

This is what is left to do: 

* make a bail and solder it to the sterling silver plate;

*sweat solder the copper leaf to the plate;

*make a bezel, solder it to plate;

*prepare the stone (which will be super special with an awesome little story attached).

Stay tuned for the end results!!

Oak Leaf Pendant in Progress

I am working on another custom order necklace:  Oak leaf pendant on chain. 

I made a template of a leaf, traced it on copper sheet and cut it out, sanded and shaped it.

I love the look of the leaf as it is (the finish I mean).  I achieved this by annealing and lightly sanding the leaf.  Unfortunately, I will not be keeping the look for this project.  We're going for something much cleaner and shinier.  You'll need to stay tuned for the end results!

After doing all of this work, I realized I had to make the smaller version of the leaf... and I needed to cut down the size.  Not a big deal, but it gave me a bit more work.  

I'll have to post the smaller leaf so you can see the new, smaller version.

Happy Crafting all!

Progress on New Leaf Pendant

Progress on a pendant I'm working on for custom order.

Sterling Silver Leaf that I cutout.  I will be fusing the silver to the copper plate.

Next I'll need to to make and solder a bezel to the plate and prepare a bail.