Etched Bracelet

I love etching metal but often find it difficult to actually use the pieces of etched loveliness.

If I use it, it will be gone.

I know...it makes no sense.

I finally decided to do something with part of that lovely stockpile.

Bracelets.....

With my metal guillotine, I cut segments of different metals etched with different patterns, making what felt like my own strange form of currency.

I purposely varied the lengths and widths by a smidge because I'm not one to go for everything perfectly matched and logically coordinated.  

That's just a bit too predictable for my liking.

My collection of etched segments were filed and sanded on all edges and corners.

Using a previously made bezel feature with a resin set image from an old Biology textbook as my pattern, I marked the drill hole locations which were drilled with my flex shaft and then cleaned up with a bur.

I mixed pieces of copper, brass and nickel and joined them with 16 gauge copper jump rings.

While I liked how everything was coming together, I thought it looked too clean and bright.

Out came my old can of liver of sulfur.

After soaking in  a warm solution of liver of sulfur and a selective cleaning with a foam sanding block....

now it's done.

New Inventory

Some of my more recent etching efforts.....

 

etched, square brass bangles (with a few chisel textured bangles included)

 

etched silver nickel squares with wire wrapped stick pearls

 

will be included in the new inventory that I'm delivering to Woodmere Art Museum next week.

 

It's always nice to get a phone call telling me that inventory is running low and could I please deliver some more!

New Leaf Necklace

Some of the fold formed leaves that I recently made

 

have found a new purpose...

I chose to do a variation of an earlier necklace, making this one a tad more delicate in appearance.

The initial necklace sold quickly at the show where it debuted, but I did hear a number of comments that it was just a bit too dramatic for some of my potential customers.

I really do listen to input.

While I make what I want to make, I also want to make pieces that will sell and be worn.

Do I factor in all comments and suggestions?.....no, but I might if I think it's a good idea.

 

 

Like the initial necklace, this one also has a handmade clasp.

For some reason, making this clasp was a definite pain.

Maybe it was just too hot in my studio, but it took me 4 attempts to get the right curve to the hook portion of the clasp.

When things start to go awry with wire wrapping, I find that the only thing to do is cut off the offending piece and start fresh with a new piece of wire.

I gave myself a stern talking to when beginning my 4th attempt and was happy that I did not need to start a 5th.

Yes, in spite of all the wire wrapping I do, I can still flub things up.