2014 Series Challenge : January

This past years challenge was a great success for me. Although you may have noticed I did not post the last 5 earring pairs. I have found it much easier to make things than to post and take pictures of them. I will include these last pairs in the album I am putting together, and they will also be featured in May at the Pullen Arts Center. 

I have been taking a small break, spending the Holidays with my family and friends. But February is about half over, and I guess it’s time I get back to work. This year I am working on a new challenge with Betty McKim. The plan is to make 3 pieces a month (earrings, ring, pendant, brooch, etc.) that work together as a series. I hope to make at the least 3 different lines of work over this year.

January series, Copper, Sterling silver and Rivets

Copper and Sterling Earrings with sterling silver rivets and ear wires

Copper and Sterling Pendant with sterling silver chain 

Copper and Sterling Earrings with sterling silver rivets ear posts and nuts

Week 47 of the Earring Challenge

Bubbles!  These fun earrings are made mostly of cut tubes. They are sterling silver with an oxidized finish and sterling silver posts and ear nuts.

Week 46 of the Earring Challenge

The end of the year is coming up fast. I have been working extra hours at my bench to get ready for the Boylan Art Walk on Sunday Dec. 8^th (More information on that to come).

With these earrings I pierced out little flowers then used the hydraulic press to form them. The copper and sterling are pressed together then fitted with rivets. The edges have a chased texture and oxidized finish that was polished to a nice shine. These earrings have handmade sterling silver ear wires.

Week 45 of the Earring Challenge

This past weekend I was in Amy Tavern’s Bezel Setting 101 and we had such a great time. What a great class. I learned so much and ended up with a pair of earrings I’m very proud of.
These earrings are sterling silver with a pierced flower on the back. They are set with carnelians and when the light hits the back you can see the flower pattern on the back through the carnelians. These earrings have handmade sterling silver ear wires.

Week 44 of the Earring Challenge

 This week I worked with more wire and came up with these fun dangles. These earrings are sterling silver wire with a green peridot set in the center. They also have handmade sterling silver ear wires.

Week 43 of the Earring Challenge

I really wanted to make more snowflakes this week and this is what I came up with. These earrings are made from sterling silver and fine silver wires. They have blue topaz centers and sterling silver ear posts and nuts.

Week 42 of the Earring Challenge

 Staying with an industrial look, these earrings use tube rivets to keep things together.  They are copper and brass with sterling silver and copper tube rivets in varying sizes. These earrings also have handmade sterling silver ear wires.