Custom Designs

I love the challenge of creating custom designs for people as it forces me to stretch my creativity and try new things.  One of our latest requests was for a cross pendant (in brown or beige tones) on a brown suede cord with some sort of matching earrings.  I thought of the cross pendant we had made for a friend last year in a mokume gane but decided to try a few other techniques and then let her choose which pendant she liked the best.

This is the pendant she chose and so I made earrings to match.  Because she likes her earrings to dangle a fair bit, we added the sand opal Swarovski crystals which added a nice finishing touch.

The filigree cross pendants shown in the photo below were created by arranging tiny strands of clay to form a pattern.  These were a lot of fun to create as well as the mica shift ones shown in the bottom photo.  A mica shift is a technique where you create a ghost image in the clay.  The crosses appear textured but in fact they were sanded to a silky smooth finish and then buffed to create a satin sheen.

We decided to finish the crosses with some rich velvet ribbons to create an elegant look.

It's a Brooch and Pendant All in One!

I'm so excited about our new design.  I really like both brooches and pendants but sometimes wish they could be worn either way.  It would just make them more versatile.  I bought a pendant converter that slides onto a brooch pin which is okay but doesn't work on a lot of brooches since it depends on where the brooch pin is positioned, or it does not hang right.  And then, how can you make a pendant into a brooch?  Well you can, but it isn't that easy.  So, after a lot of brain stretching, I finally came up with a design to make a brooch and a pendant all in one! And yes, it coverts back and forth very quickly and easily.  Want to change it from a brooch to a pendant?  Just slide your cord or chain into the holders in the back and Voila!  Instant necklace!  The holder even "locks" the cord into place so the pendant will not fall off.  We have three designs we have made so far, one of which is shown here, which is for sale on Etsy.  

The technique used for this brooch-pendant is a faux cloisonne where I started with my own original drawing and sculpted a mould.  From that mould I make the design form by etching and using pure mica powder pigments for color and then antiquing and glazing with a polymer-resin type glaze.  The piece is fired between each application so by the time it is completed, it has been fired at least 4 times.  Then for a smooth and crystal clear, glassy finish a heat gun was used at the end.  As a matter of fact, the pieces are so glassy and shiny, it is very difficult to take good photos due to the reflection.  So if you see any "haziness", it is from the camera and not in the piece.

We also have optional cords in various colors for sale as well in case you don't have one of your own.  They are a "Softglass" rubber cord which have a silky feel to them and drape really nicely.  We have made them stronger by running 49 strand flexible wire through them and double securing at each end.  I have more drawings and ideas in my head yet so look for more designs coming soon!