Monday, November 7, 2011

The Many Steps of Jewellery Making

I have been very busy making bezels for pendants. They take a lot of work....



I start by cutting the metal, hammering it - trimming it - filing it and cleaning it


Until the pieces are ready for soldering.


I then solder together the pieces of metal. clean them, and then blacken them and clean them again. I seal them by rubbing in a thin layer of wax and then drill holes into them. I also decided to engrave my name into the back. From here they are ready for an image.



It takes me a long time to choose the images I want to put into the bezels. I then size them on the computer and print them out. These images are photographs I have taken.



These images are copies of paintings I have done.




and these are copywrite free images from The Graphic Fairy.


Once I cut the images they are coated with a few layers of gel medium trying to ensure the images are completely sealed, and then they are glued into the bezel. Everything needs to cure for at least 24 hours before I fill them with resin.


These bezels are much smaller in size.... and all of them are waiting to be filled with resin.



These two I made a few days ago, and filled with resin as tests, as I want to make sure everything is going to work okay with the pouring of the resin (no chemical reactions with the glueing and sealing of the image)


Now it is time to clean up the soldering, metal and cutting supplies for a while.

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8 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 7, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Wow Kim. They look amazing. Is there anything you can not do? :)
    Thanks for sharing your process. I always look forward to reading your posts, while having my morning coffee, to see what you come up with next.
    Kyles :D

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  2. Carrie MartinezNovember 7, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    These are so beautiful! Love to see the process and gain a greater appreciation for your craft. Great job!

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  3. windrock studioNovember 7, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Hey Kim, all your hard work and talent certainly pays off ~ I'm loving these pieces!

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  4. NuminosityNovember 7, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Those are so cool! Maybe you'd consider doing a class next summer on how to make these... hey would you? Perhaps by now my dear husband has met up with you on his way south. I hope so.
    xoxo Kim

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  5. robin cox walshNovember 7, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    Very cool! You have much more patience than I!

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  6. BrianaNovember 9, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    These look amazing, as always! Have a wonderful day!

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  7. smiles, SharonNovember 10, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    While I have been behind in all things related to the computer and blogs, you have been a busy bee, creating all sorts of fantastic jewelry. It is impressive the range of artistic jewelry you create!!! You have done a wonderful job of showing your skills via your blog. All so professional and enticing. I hope every last piece sells...and that you aren't 'giving' things away. I have no clue as to how to make jewelry, so stand in awe at your creativity and skill. Being a busy bee is GREAT!!!!

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  8. Jen xoNovember 12, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    i think these are wonderful, there is certainly a lot of work in them...

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