Metalsmithing 101 - Class Eight (finale)

For the 8th and final class I made this pretty turquoise pendant for my daughter's 30th birthday. The bead dangles represent my grandchildren's birthday stones. I strung it on a simple sterling silver box chain. I'm happy with how it turned out, but I sure have a long way to go before my pieces look anywhere close to the way I imagine they'll look......eventually. LOL

I got my torch, but it's giving me grief. I've assembled it three different times and all three times it has leaked. Very scary! I'll have to try using teflon tape on the threads next time. I've been sick for the past few days so I haven't bothered to try it again. Dealing with explosive propane is a little unnerving so it's not something one should do when they're feeling foggy brained.

Ronnie is the jewelry designer at RadianTrace Jewelry. She's also the graphic artist at Mable's Makings, and the author of Ronnie Unplugged.

Metalsmithing 101 - Class Seven

For the 7th class I made my Mom's charoite and amethyst pendant. I was rushed for time so the instructor Barrie was kind enough to solder the bail on for me so that I could give the piece to my Mom on her birthday the following Sunday. So many things are crooked on the pendant, but Mom seemed to love it anyway =)



I made her some matching purple calcite drops, and a sterling silver wire wrapped ring using one of the same little rough amethyst nuggets like the ones shown wire wrapped onto the pendant's chain. She was thrilled!

Ronnie is the jewelry designer at RadianTrace Jewelry. She's also the graphic artist at Mable's Makings, and the author of Ronnie Unplugged.