Showing posts with label gems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gems. Show all posts

25.11.14

Art Charm Swap 2014


Welcome to the Art Charm Exchange Big Revel and Charity Auction. I have had so very much fun during this wonderful exchange, it has been fantastic and I would like to say a HUGE thank you to the Amazing Jennifer Cameron for doing all the hard work!


So our theme for this swap was "SOAR" which makes me think instantly of Eagles high over mountains. I tried to think of other ideas that were less obvious, feelings and emotions that the word  soar evoked but I kept coming back to birds, so I decided to just go with it!
I had a vague idea of the type of charm I wanted to make, Something involving my current obsession for coins, but I had to find the right coin....


Which lead me to this beauty, This coin was PERFECT for what I had decided to do (just look at the wonderfully soaring bird), but things were going way too smoothly! When I tried to purchase 22 plus a few extra coins incase of mishaps (which are surprisingly common) it turns out I had fallen for a rare and hard to get hold of coin (well hard to get hold of that many), so on to plan B, use a different coin.... 


Much easier to get hold of, a much smaller bird but still with the ability to soar I turned to my much loved old farthings, after doming, sanding and filing on to the hard part....


Making tiny silver bezels for the little treasures (these are 4x6mm tiny) and lots of jump rings


Then comes my favorite parts, lots of soldering, cleaning, setting, polishing and then there you have it, my charm....


All over half a century old, re purposed farthing coins....



Little coin treasure charms

With lovely little jewels hidden inside....



4x6mm pink rhodolite garnet

and beautiful 4x6mm iolite


See you don't have to be an eagle to soar, even the little wren is full of the potential to do great things!

I recived many beautiful charms but you will have to wait a couple of days to see what I got, but as I know you are diying to see all the other amazing charms that these fantastic artisans have made here are the links....



2014 Art Charm Exchange Participants

Niky Sayers



THE IMPORTANT PART.... if you see a charm that you would like the extras that these wonderfully talented artists have made are being auctioned off on ebay with the proceeds going to an amazingly deserving cause Beads Of Courage who do such wonderful work with sick children, so please take a moment to check out the auctions!














3.11.14

Earrings

Finally I have come up with a design that I like enough to use some of my most favourite hoarded lampwork beads in (and it was about time as I have long since run out of bead storage and have been shoving my little treasures in draws, the horror)....



These beautiful lampies are by Pinocean and I love them! I think to date these are my most favourite earrings that I have ever made and I'm so glad to say that they have gone to a wonderful home! The little charms are coin hammered copper inspired by one of my very favorite designers Keirsten Giles  and have tiny set rhodolite garnets.




Shooting stars
More Pinocean beads this time with hammered copper stars set with tiny iolite cabs (6x4mm tiny and so cute) now I have to wait for more supplies (no not beads) before I can make some more!

14.9.14

Ancient Jewellery, The British Museum, third and final part

So I saved the best till last (well in my opinion)! The third and final photo's of The British Museum are all about the Jewellery (again please excuse the poor quality photos once again I have broken my camera again and am having to use my iphone).


Starting with one of the most beautiful pieces of gold work ever, I can not even imagine the work that went into this one!


I have already shown this pic but I really do love it! 
'Gold ring with the name Thutmose III'


Selection of beautiful gold rings with seals on them (owning a beautiful old seal one day is on my to do list) Oh and you can even see my phone in this one (you would not belive how many photo I ruine with my own reflection!


Lion heads, More amazing gold.


I love the design of these rings! 


Stunning supper fine gold chain, I love the beautiful clasp  on this piece!


Such beautiful gold and gem necklaces





Such a fancy clasp on this one....


Lovely links on this green one....



Beautiful set stones







This one looks like an amazing amount of work....



I totally love these....


 Beautiful Egyptian Faience melon beads.

I do wish I had time to get all of the information about the pieces, the where and when they were made and found but any visit we have to a museum with a two year old has to be a fast moving one, while he likes to look at the lovely shiny things he dose not like to linger!!!!


While in London we were lucky enough to fine the sweetest little Antiquity shop just across the road from the British Museum and we picked up these little beauties. I wanted to leave with at least half of the stuff in there but settled for just these (this time but we will go back)! I think I might prong set them with an open back so you can see both sides of the coin and use them in a bracelet or two!

Have a great day you lovely lot!









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