Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Jewelry - Oui; Drilling - Non!

Yeah, so, the whole "learn to love power tools" experiment over the weekend was an expensive and dismal failure. I ruined about 10 pieces trying to drill holes in them. I should've known better, though, really. I mean, I'm an ex-sorority girl who wears pearls with everything, loves high heels and gets mani-pedis on a regular basis. Power tools are not my destiny.

The vise works well, though. I can now hold anything I want in place for however long I want.

Go, me.

I think I'll go back to regular jewelry-making where the worst injury I can suffer is arm-strain from holding my pliers too tightly.







I originally made these without the pink jade rounds, but they seemed kind of blah. I felt a jolt of color was in order.







Now, though, I'm afraid the pretty vermeil beads are too covered up. I tried moving the pink beads down to the bottom link but then the line of the earrings looked unbalanced. So, these are probably going to languish in the "to be revised" pile until I get this figured out. I like the color combo, though.







Then, it was time to use one of the many resin pendants I've created over the last couple of weeks. I just love this bird and fruit image and fortunately, it has the exact colors in it that a work friend is looking at using in her wedding - chocolate brown and tangerine. She wants me to design the bridesmaid jewelry so this was a chance to show her those colors in action.




Here's a closeup of the pendant. I want to do some research and find out what kind of bird this is. Yes, I know, I am a total dork, but whatever.






I found these Swaro crystals in a color called "Sun" and it worked just PERFECTLY with the chocolate brown pearls. Obviously, the wedding design would be a lot simpler and not have a pendant or chains, but I think it really helped the bride-to-be get an idea of how the colors would look together and she was able to get out her fabric swatches and everything matches like a dream - which is a miracle because that NEVER happens!




I am in love with this clasp. I wish I'd bought more of them when I was at the Pasadena bead show and of course, I can't remember the name of the vendor!




All in all...pretty happy with this one. Came together very easily and it was one of those "flash" ideas that just came into my head basically done.


Quite refreshing after the whole drilling disaster.
KJ

12 comments:

Marie Cramp said...

Your bird may be a Cliff Swallow. I can't be 100% sure but that is the closest thing that resembles it to me. Let me know if you find out differently :)

Spirited Earth said...

since i too have been wanting to attempt drilling, i'd like to hear more about your experimenting..
what type of drill, what kinds of things you were putting holes in and what happened to cause so many things to break..
for myself i know i will never ever attempt soldering but i had hoped to be able to drill

Unknown said...

what if you moved the pink beads up to the bottom loop of the green bead? I'm sorry to hear you don't like your power tool. I love my Dremmel, on my second one as a matter of fact( & when the bstteries won't charge any more for this one, I'm getting the flex shat model!!).

Steph said...

What did you try to drill?
If it was metal, it might help to punch the metal with a nail first. You can also dip the drill bit in wax ( basically drilling a tea candle) every so often.

Kathy said...

Try Star Clasps for that clasp - it looks like one of theirs.

TesoriTrovati said...

Yea. Power tools give me the willies (and not in a good way). I kind of like my fingers the way they are. I love love LOVE that birdie piece. Great design mixing in the chain. Enjoy the day! Erin

Gardanne said...

I love the design of that necklace, very clean looking. Sorry about the drilling experience.

Anonymous said...

I was going to suggest the same thing, that is to move up the bead to the bottom loop of the green bead.

Beatnheart said...

you will get the drilling bit in due time I am sure.

Michelle said...

I really like the necklace. The colors are lovely together. If you like sun colored swaros...get them while you can. They are a discontinued color and are getting harder to find in various sizes. Bummer since it's a true orange.

My thought was what Boot ~ C said...move the pink beads up to the bottom loop of the green beads. Great color combo!
Bead Happy!
Michelle

Pretty Things said...

I don't like power tools, either. I use a hand drill instead of a Dremel to get into metal, or a punch. Anything I can do to stay away from power tools!

chacha1 said...

I've never worked with resin so I don't know if this would work, but whatever release medium you apply to the molds might also be applied to a thin piece of brass tubing that could form the hole for you, maybe? Put the tubing in before you pour the resin? Could use an alligator clamp to hold upright? Just ideas. :-)

Query ... new reader here and your work is lovely btw ... do you find that prices on Etsy are better than at shows? You have picked up some beautiful ceramic and metal items on Etsy and the show prices I've seen on comparable items are frightening. The shibuichi bird toggle ... gorgeous.