Family, friends and bouts of creativity? Sounds like a plan. My parents were so sweet to get me jewelry tools for Hanukah (including a torch!), and I'm hoping to experiment with them a bunch.
The tools are partially a result from my desire to expand my skill set into the metalsmithing arena. I took a metalworking class at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn in November and learned how to saw, solder, sandblast and finish copper, brass and sterling silver. While I don't yet have photos of the Morning Glory I formed from copper and sterling silver, I do have a pic of a piece I made from a prior etching class at the same venue:
It's Papaya in copper... still waiting at my workstation to be incorporated into a necklace.
In related gifting news, I worked this past month with a fellow artisan on a pair earrings for myself: a rare treat indeed.
Being a jewelry designer with an ever-changing stash of necklaces and earrings, I rarely purchase baubles to wear. But recently, the work of Jill at JillPopowichDesigns caught my eye. I really admire how her silversmith techniques combine with unique gems and vintage glass cabs to create lovely jewelry.
Jill tweaked a pair of Amethyst earrings from dangles into hoops for me, and I am just thrilled with the end result:
(Photo via Jill's shop)
It was a really fun experience working on a custom order with Jill, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special treat for themselves or others.
