Thursday, November 12, 2009

Practice makes perfect.

Sure this could be cuter. But I have to get through the practice to get to perfection! The plan is to continue to rework it until I get the bezel right. I usually show you finished work but I thought for a change of pace you'd enjoy seeing an almost there piece.

I don't like the lumpiness of it. I have been asking my metalsmithing peers for advice on how to fix it. I'll be working on it some more later but I have to work on orders right now.

My first handmade pin catch! Super excited. And I made it convertible so it can be worn as a necklace too.

"Bon Bini" means welcome in Papiamento, a language spoken on the island of Aruba. It means "welcome." When I saw this stone it reminded me of the island with its blue skies and desert. I added a Divi Divi tree to complete the landscape. :D It's where I went on my honeymoon. :D

Wish me luck on the re-work! Oh! And I'm keeping this one for me. :D

6 comments:

L.C said...

Miznyc-
I love it even if it is just rough draft...I would love to hear more about how you got started in jewelry making and where you find your stones. Keep up the great work.
LC

Kityikana said...

What did you use to push the bezel down? My teacher taught me to use a teaspoon, and in turn I've taught my students to use it.

You need a sturdy teaspoon (not a thin tin one). Put your thumb in the hollow of the spoon, and use a back and forth rocking motion to push the bezel down. Never push it down in the first go - you want to go around and around the item you're setting. Also, I'd suggest starting with lower bezel, 2 mms at most.

You might be able to smooth some of this piece down with the spoon technique.

Amy Nicole said...

i like the convertible concept!

susie said...

Thanks for showing a work in progress - I have not bezel set very many stones. Love the stone and the setting. Good look with that bezel, let me know how you work it out.

Jennifer said...

It's so pretty! I love that it can be a pin or necklace. I like the new look of the blog too... very bright :)

miznyc said...

Thanks everyone! I will let you all know with a blog post what went on with this piece once I've had time to work on it again!

Kity - thanks for the tip! I use a burnisher or sometimes a bone folder. After conversing with some more metalsmiths it seems my main problem is that I had too much silver. I need to take some away.