.....and just a few more of yesterdays creations.

New Makes, now I have to decide what to keep!

I had a rather nice commission order to create yesterday, the lady in question is off to Ascot for ladies day. Whilst busy making her jewellery I managed to knock a few more out beside......a thoroughly creative day in all!

I expect at least one pair of earring will stay with me......but which ones???

A few more of my holiday snaps...

I can not wait to return to France and am already considering my retirement there.....although that is a few years off yet!

Ma Nouvelle Maison française dans Grande Madieu. ...Heaven

A week in rural France, was just what I needed to recharge my creative batteries. A week of sun, baguette's, cheese, and my wonderful family. As with my life in general, it was far from boring, what with a snake attack (OK I may be being slightly dramatic) a poor frightened snake (possibly grass, possibly a aesculapian snake) tried to cross mine and my daughters path....not sure who was more frightened!!
I also had a cheeky capuchin monkey pull my hair at www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr, a naughty spider monkey also tried very hard to pee on my daughter. Needless to say we had many laughs, a few tears and a thoroughly wonderful time. The adventure did not end on our arrival home, where I found out my credit card has been used in Spain and some one thought they would take over £4000.......hopefully the nice people at the credit card company will sort this out in the next week or so.
So now back to school runs, rain and house work, also back into my work room, where I hope to use all my french inspiration and create some goodies over the next few weeks.

Copper and Silver Brooches.

I have been having fun trying my hand at making new items to add to my collection. Here are two brooches that I have created from silver and copper.

Floral Inspiration

I always try to take my camera with me where ever I may go. That way I can always capture images that may inspire future collections.
I also get to take a lot of pictures of my beautiful family!

Raglan Earings

...and here they are.

Raglan Earings Step 3

Step 3.

Assemble, all parts. I have used three links to attach the beads, then eight links to the earwire.

As I have used an open link chain I did not use jump rings, the same method applies to both. Gently open the link/jump ring using both the needle nose and flat nose piers just enough to link to the head pin/ eye pin loop, then using the same motion carfully close, making the joint as flush as possible. Finally add the earwire, and thats it.

You can experiment with the length of the chains, the colours of the beads, and earwires, to produce a wide variety of looks from the same basic pattern.

Raglan Earings Step 2

Step 2.

This time thread your bead selection onto the eye pins, then finish in the same way as the head pins, by creating a loop and winding excess wire around (I have had to trim my wires as they were a little to long, be careful of winding to much wire as this can put pressure onto your bead and the loop of the eye pin).

Raglan Earings Step by Step

Raglan Earrings.
These are a variation of a pair of earring inspired by a visit to Raglan Castle.
They are incredibly easy to make in only a few steps, they are however very comfortable to wear and will be noticed.

Materials
A length of Antiqued copper chain (I have used one with open links so ther is no need for jump rings).
A selection of beads of your choosing.
2 x head pins
2 x eye pins
2x earwires (bought or handmade)

Tools
Round nose, flat nose & needle nose pliers
Wire cutters/snips.

Step 1.

Thread chosen beads onto head pin, using round nose pliers create a loop and wind reaining wire around, making sure this is pushed in neatly with the needle nose pliers. Reapeat with second head pin.

Wire Earring Variations.

The finished earrings.

This basic pattern can be used and by altering the length of the wire, the number of wires, the size or shape of the jump ring, the tools used for texturing, and polishing methods you can create numerous variations.

I hope that this will be the first of many step by step projects.
Have fun creating and let me know what your finished earrings are like..x

Wire Earring Step 5

Step 5.
Polish, this can be done in a variety of ways, tumbler, dremel, polishing motor, with rouge, or my chosen method for these earrings by hand. Hand polishing leaves a subtle shine and gives you complete control of which part you want to gleem more than others.

Wire Earring Step 4

Step 4.
Once oxidised lengths are cooled, hammer with the ball pein hammer, this not only hardens the wire and creates a pattern, but also gives a lovely sheen to the metal.

All pieces are now ready to be assembled, using the round nose pliers, create loops (like an eye pin) in one end of each length. These are the placed on to the hammered jump ring and carefully adjusted with the round & flat nose pliers.

Finally, add an earwire to each hammered jumpring. ( I will also to a step to step on creating your own interesting earwires)

Wire Earring Step 3

Step 3.
Oxidisation.
This step may be skipped, I have added it for contrast.
Take 2 of the lengths, I have used the 1.5mm wire, gently heat with torch (I have my used hand held kitchen type torch as these are more accessible for everyone, but any blow torch will do) until it reaches a dull glow, at this point remove heat. Leave to cool, but do not pickle.

Wire Earring Step 2

Step 2.
Cut 6 lengths of wire, two of each length. I have used 1mm & 1.5mm wire to add interest, but you can use a gauge of your choice, and even alter the amount of lengths used.
These need to have sharp ends and burrs filed away, ready to be lightly hammered.
Don't over hammer, as this will result in flimsy and split lengths.