silver claw setting

I have successfully finished this and it will be ready for my customer tomorrow.

It was tricky but I am pleased with it!

Tomorrow will be very busy. I am at the Craft Fair in Troon but need to go over to the Racecourse in Ayr to set up my table for the Clic Sargent Ladies night tomorrow night. I am also going to the dinner so I will need to get dressed up. I am looking forward to it as it is for a good cause.

On Sunday I am on the road again - to East Kilbride Country Fair from 1 pm till 5 pm. Hoping it is a good day as it's outside but the stalls are covered.

Will post after Sunday for updates on these various exhibitions.

This week's challenge!

I am currently working on a claw setting for a client. This is to set a larger crystal pendant which has been damaged but has sentimental value. It has really presented a challenge - in order to set a stone it it is necessary to 'press' the claws up against it. However, this stone is delicate as it has been chipped. I have come up with an ingenious method so as not to damage the crystal further. I have created a 'cross' shaped setting which comprises of two lengths which cross over each other at the back of the stone. I will then solder on a link so that the stone can be suspended from a chain.

I was busy doing this when the phone rang - must go back to my workshop to continue . . . .

Cufflinks

It has been a hectic week between one thing and another. I have been busy polishing and burnishing the cufflinks as they need to be ready for Tuesday. Tomorrow I am starting at 8.00 am at College so will need to leave about 6.30 am - only 6 hours sleep approx.

Yesterday I did a Craft Fair in Glasgow run by the Glasgow Craft Mafia. I enjoyed meeting new people and made some interesting contacts. Did sell from my table but not a great deal. The weather was fabulous and so no one wanted to come indoors. Don't blame them.

Must go to sleep.

Goodnight

Workshop

I have been doing some silver work recently. I have a commission for cufflinks for a golfer and so I will complete these tomorrow. I will post a photo to the website once complete.

I have just completed a commission for a 'church crown'. This is for a crowning ceremony which is usually part of a panomime which the church holds annually. This is for someone in England and they will collect my creation tomorrow. I must take some photographs before it is collected. These will also be posted to the site.

I also am working on an unusual request. A client had a large Swarovski crystal which had belonged to her mother. Unfortunately it had gone through the washing machine and the drilled hole part had sheared off. I have designed a sterling silver claw setting to hold the crystal and I will solder a half ring in order that this may be worn as a pendant. I will put some 'before' and after photos on my commissions page.

Must go to bed as it's ten past twelve midnight. Last night was 3.00 am so I suppose I'm early!

Goodnight

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Design Ideas

I have been making jewellery today but I have also been thinking of some new designs. I have a brooch idea as well as cufflinks.

I have also recorded some video clips to be used on my website as well as myspace, facebook and bebo.

I am having a major problem with my website reports - they are not working and it is the fault of my webhost - the server is not working as it should. I have reported this but basically I can't see who has visited and what it working best and what I can do to change this.

I have signed up for Google Analytics which allows me to track visitors - will need to check how this is working.

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Oxidised Silver

I have a number of commissions which I am working on. However, I will be using a technique which oxidises the silver and creates many different colour hues.

This is done by dipping the silver into liver of sulphur and leaving it in the liquid until the required shade is achieved. If left long enough the silver will be blackened and this gives an aged look.

This fine patina can be used with a contrast of highly polished and gives a 3d effect to the piece.

I will use this in a commission and when finished will publish this to my website.

Watch this space!

Craft Fair at Troon yesterday

It was a great day yesterday. The sun was shining and although the wind was cold it was really beautiful at Troon. As usual I was running a bit late but still managed to have my display ready for the public at 11.00 am. I had a busy day and received orders for jewellery and also sold some pieces from my display. Thanks to those who admired my work and also ordered from me.

Today I have had a day off from jewellery making but tomorrow I will need to get started.

Time for bed.

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