Reticulation

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above: silver, aquamarine / below: silver, cubics

My jewellery student (Margi, 52) has been experimenting with reticulation. This is a process wereby "the metal is made to draw itself into ridges or valleys" (Tim McCreight). So I thought I'd give it a try (above).. the melting is done with a small bench torch. Unpredictable but you can kinda control where the metal moves.. .. quite fun.

Rendezvous

Silver, Diamond, resin, perspex, rubber

I was recently commissioned to make set of jewellery for Joburg band, 'Rendezvous'.
It was, admittedly, a nightmare job! Everything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong.
It bruised my little ole heart.. some items are just not very casting-friendly. But it is done. And I have learnt some valuable lessons.

Angelwings

This is a pendant that I designed and made for a client. His wife has a gold winged pendant and he wanted his own, more masculine wings. Silver and black resin, strung onto rubber. I really like the way it turned out and, thank God, so did they.

Face

I was thinking to make a two tone ring and found some brass...
I like to use alternative materials with silver, but I rarely mix silver with copper or brass.
Usually this is because the brass/copper discolours (oxidises) . I decided, however, that I don't mind how the brass in this ring changes, as the combination is more about having 2 tones rather than maintaing the colour of the brass. I stamped the silver stamp on the outside bottom of the ring so as not to 'call brass silver'. The garnet could have been bigger with a bolder frame, but hey, next time.

Pink

I love it when a client leaves the design up to me. She wanted something bold but girly for her daughter's 21st birthday. I got a stone cut and made her this ring. Another friend saw it and wants the same, but with her triangular aquamarine.... which is going to look beautiful!

Aqua

I was polishing my Neckpiece Matrix and it flew out of my hands and around the polishing mop.... my heart stopped for a moment! It broke and I tried to salvage what I could... this part (above) of the piece was still fine... thank God as it is an expensive Aquamarine! I strung it onto nylon to give the appearance of floating on the chest.

Labby

Silver, Labradorite, cable.

I kept this one simple, the stone is so pretty. Okay, admittedly I was feeling rather uninspired!

River

I love Peridot. So luminous.
I used brown copper resin in the silver to create this earthy river pendant.

One Earth

I found this piece of green glass cut into a gemstone shape and couldn't resist using it.
The pendant doubles up as a clasp, one that I designed.

River of Love

This pendant I made is silver and rose Quartz.

Industry

This is a pendant I made out of silver and Haematite. Actually its probably Magnetite.

Rhythm

A client asked me to make this silver pendant for him.

Lady

Silver Lady

Lady and the Moon

These pendants are made using the figure of a woman that I carved out of jewellery wax.

Contrast

Three rings I made while experimenting with surface contrast.
Some of the parts move around the finger.

Moon

I was experimenting with ways of creating texture and a sense of depth and came up with this little ring. It makes me think of the surface of a planet, like the craters on the moon.

Spin little one

A spin Ring made of silver. The little amethyst is set into a band that spins around. I used texture to compliment shape the little round gem.

Crystal

Two rings I made with crystal and silver.
An experimentation into different ways of holding the stone.

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Silver and Garnet. A ring I made while studying. Big and Bold, with the finger showing through the semi circles. I made a bangle version as well. The inlay is wood and the gemstones are citrine.

Ultraviolet

Thsi ring was quite a challenge. Its is hollo, constructed out of many walls.
Texture on the top for contrast and an offset amethyst.

Yellow

Oh so yellow - yummy Citrine set into silver.
I thought I'd keep the ring simple and let the stone speak.