Back in March, I blogged about casting in the jewellery studio when I recycled some rings for a couple who wanted to make one new wedding band reusing the metal. To make the ring even more special, the couples family visited my jewellery making studio and all had a hand in applying a finished texture. Here are some images of the family all adding their individual mark!
Checking the wedding ring to make sure it is a good fit.
Applying a planished finish to the wedding ring.
Again, applying a planished finish to the wedding ring.
And again, applying a planished finish.
Watching the work take place.
The finished wedding ring.
The weather has been lovely, and a few days ago it was hay making time here…
My Dad checking out if the grass is ready to cut.
The grass has been cut and left for a few days in the sunshine.
Baling the hay into small square bales, though some large round ones too.
Today I have put another of my popular silver and diamond rings in my online jewellery shop. Last year I began to make several of my designs a little more delicate which has been very successful. I am now looking at ways of putting them together to create interesting sets… more on the way…
Silver and Diamond Ring
Two rings, one set with the diamond in yellow gold and one set in white gold.
One diamond and silver ring with a silver and aquamarine ring.
The weather has just been beautful, here is the view from my work bench across the veggie plot.
View from my bench.
Today I have had some help in the workshop, my little nephew James. Perhaps I didn’t get as much done as usual, but it was certainly good fun!
James helping me at the bench!
It was a lovely evening tonight and I made the most of it and had a walk through the fields. A great way to finish a day in the studio.
This field is just a beautiful colour at the moment, full of buttercups. In a few days the tractor and mower will come along...
I have been hearing the distant rumble of a tractor this afternoon, and now I have found where it was coming from. Our neighbours mowing their fields.
The view through the fields.
Looking out to the Clee Hill.
Well, time is just flying by at the moment. This week I have been at the bench doing lots of making. Here is a peek at just a few things I have been working on; some finshed, some half way through.
Working at the bench this week making a ring.
Half way through a sapphire and platinum ring commission.
Silver, 18k gold and diamond ring commission.
Silver, 18k gold and diamond ring.
A customer commission using her own stone which has sentimental value.
How I love going to the beach, and on Saturday we did! Glorious sunshine, an almost desserted beach, a picnic, an ice cream (or two) and great company! This is one of our favourites spots at Ynyslas.
Ynyslas Beach
Dunes and blue sky!
The beach
Me and my husband!
I have been asked to teach jewellery making skills to students on the jewellery degree course at Hereford College of Arts. I thought I would share some of the textures I did as examples for the session last week. We used copper, as we wanted to make lots of sample pieces, and used the rolling mill to press texture into the surface of the annealled metal.
Samples: Holes drilled in copper, then rolled with copper, silver oval links rolled with copper, feather rolled with copper.
Rolling mill texture samples; linen and copper, netting and copper, shapes cut in paper and rolled with copper.
This technique is so simple and makes lovely textures. I am always amazed that something as soft as a feather can press into copper.
A closer look at the texture created from putting linen through the rolling mill with copper.
We then used textured sheet to press form shapes and solder together by sweat soldering to avoid solder running onto the textured surface.
The blossom in the garden is just fantastic at the moment, and it also means we will have lots of fruit – hopefully! Trees make perfect gifts, and all the trees below have been gifts over the past three years. Today I have been working on a new ring along the lines of my leaf folded bangle, and it is simple to see where my inspiration comes from…
Crab apple tree; a wedding present - always in flower on our anniversary!
Cherry tree; a wedding present from my husband! When the wind blows it remind me of confetti.
Apple tree; A Christmas present the first year we moved into the house.
Pear tree; my Dad's 65th birthday present, planted in our garden!
We love walking in the Malvern Hills, it is very easy and leasurely. Plus, the idea of tea and cake in town when you make it down always helps to keep you going! Take a look at this video to inspire you to walk to the British Camp on the Malvern Hills!
Here are a few of my images from last October on the hills…
Malvern Hills
Malvern Hills
Wonderful Autumn colours on the hills
I am a contemporary jewellery designer maker based in rural Herefordshire. My collection is subtle and pure incorporating clean lines and a soft finish. I pass on my skills through teaching jewellery workshops from my jewellery making studio.
