Class notes: Silver and Faux Bone Pendant
This post is the first in a couple that in more detail describe the project and follow the materials and supply list in order to give extra information on some items in the list. A photo of the class models in this post show elements to be included in the design. Enjoy!
Left: Front side of pendant
I included the original faux bone pendant I made for this class, showing your friendly neighborhood owl (front and back sides). This pendant features the “cap” referred to in the class description on the Two Loose Beads website. This is categorized as an intermediate to advanced level feature; however, it is not required. I decided there was enough to do in making the wrap-around-riveted collar/bail piece (in the second piece I made, the flower pendant). Shown below is the silver backpiece on this new one. If you love the cap like I do, though–I’ll be there to assist! I don’t think it takes any more time, but it does take soldering.
The texture was made with my beautiful, wonderful Fretz texturing hammer. Another tool used was Fretz’s Maker embossing tool. You can see the small little dappled texture on the bail that was rendered with that lovely assistant. I then flattened it a little with my Dad’s ball peen hammer. So fun.
So: everyone will make the same thing, but the owl piece still had to be included for the many decorative techniques applied to it from which you can choose. On the front you will see:
-A cabochon set in a cup bezel
-An irregularly-shaped stone with handmade bezel
-Drilled holes (on the closed eye)
-Beads “sewn” into the faux bone
-Notches down both sides
-Notches also under the closed eye
-Many scratches and marks made with a few different sharp tools
-Alcohol inks in two colors, applied then sanded down significantly
On the back:
-More alcohol ink combined with scratching in the background
-A reddish mark colored with Prismacolor ending with a yellow CZ
-Bead cord from the front (looks like a kite!) is sealed with Hypo cement
-Rivets are a must for this piece. At left is a rivet in the top cap–which unexpectedly took an unbelievable patina!
-The yellow in the deep cut beside the kite is filled with crushed Prismacolor that I tried blending with mineral spirits. It isn’t falling out, but epoxy might be a better choice, or at least it needs a full fill of yellow. I might go in, dig it out and inject some acrylic paint in there.
Other things to consider in making your creation is edge treatment to the faux bone. The owl piece is a vertical cut with smoothed edges, but the white flower piece has a wide sloping edge. Bring your big files for sloping and curving, and sandpaper burs are great for taking off material quickly. I used a separating disk to make the cuts in the slope almost all around the piece. You don’t want to neglect a vertical edge; in the photos here you cannot see the flat edges on the owl pendant, but with all the ink splashing around, they were a mess. I sanded them down a little and re-washed them.
Another thing I wanted to include was a silver shot plate nugget, placed in the centerpiece of the flower.
I used my liner tool to make the marks in the bezel’s wrap-around. Also loads of fun–seriously.
I’m still scratching my head over that patina. I have an idea that my tweezers were contaminated with flux, pickle, or something else. The pickle was very hot, as was the cap. The patina appeared instantly. It’s very thin, and as I said earlier, it darkened significantly with treatment. See the original colors below–gorgeous before I added the patina. I knew that would happen, but I didn’t want to let it get away. If you love something, set it free, right? Sorry, patina, I diminished your beauty!
You must be logged in to post a comment.