As some of you may know I am just learning to expand in the craft of metalsmithing after all these years of beading. I have been making and hand forging my own earwires for dangles, but recently, I actually made some post earrings! The key here for me, is learning how to set a cabochon in a tiny 6mm sterling silver bezel .
Okay well...this is tricky folks. I will tell you that this is not exactly what I thought it was. It is really much harder then it looks. You have to apply a tremendous amount of pressure with a rolling action onto this tiny tiny set up ...without bending the earring post in half. I have been using my vise to securely clamp the earring, but I feel like I am going to break the whole thing!
It does come with a bit of practice and I finally get how to do this. But, the trick is really how the cabochon fits. Even if it fits, it maybe too tall and the bezel wall will not secure itself around the cab correctly. It really makes you think in terms of architecture and structural engineering. So the bottom line is, not all 6mm cabochons are going to work in those pre-made commercial bezels. You simply have to make your own if your gonna want to use that particular cab.
So, I decide to try to make my own bezel. Now please don't laugh ..yet! I have no formal training and I only own one book here " The Complete MetalSmith". It took me literally four tries to make this bezel for this ring, and to me it still does not look right. Oh gosh, yes, I am so frustrated! The bezel wall is probably too high here and therefore it cinched around the stone! Although I must say, this baby is not going anywhere. That gemstone is firmly secured in this setting. ( I say this proudly, because a lot of my smaller practice settings have this tiny rock to them. It drives me crazy!)
Maybe I should have tried a more simpler round bezel, but instead since my patience is not my virtue and I assume that I can make this happen no matter what. I simply go for the harder piece in trying to set a antique cushion cut labradorite gemstone.
So, I show this thing ( the ring above) to my husband and he giggles..yes giggles. And, because I wasted so much silver and it's price is going up like crazy I really want to scream...yes scream! But instead, I just start laughing really hard! I guess its better then throwing a tantrum. Geez, have you ever felt this way? I tell you that I love a challenge, and learning to metalsmith has its moments. I hope I can do this, I do.
This ring is not complete yet. I just needed to blog about it, to relieve my stress! It actually wears really nice and it is quite pretty in its own unique way. It really appears handmade which I think is the beauty of this whole thing. I mean, why am I trying to make everything look machine made. Whats the point here?
But, back to the ring. I am contemplating if I should list this in my shop. It would make a pretty cocktail ring. The photo's of this are not that great. I am thinking of darkening the silver and polishing it after for that aged look. I will have to see after that.
And then I also recently made this prehnite simple ring. It will be added to one of my stacking ring sets soon. It came out nicely as planned.
Thanks for letting me share my work and ventures with metalsmithing. Any comments, advice or tips are highly appreciated. Have a great day!
Today the Random.org picked lucky entry #323 which is SoccerMom1! Yeah! Congratulations to Soccer Mom 1 ! I will be contacting her by email and congratulating her and requesting her ring size!
Fire Agate Chunky Sterling Silver Ring
Bezel Rocker - Nifty Tool
Faceted Labradorite Square Sterling Silver Ring
Labradorite Cabochon 12mm
Helenes Dreams Giveaway - Four Sterling Silver Stacking Rings
Take a look at one of my newest creations. This is my first chunky ring. A tree agate aka moss agate sits in my own handmade fine silver bezel. This ring was fun to make. It was nice especially because I had something of a real size to handle in my fingers. Its easy to see why some metalsmiths only like to make big pieces!
Okay and here is the next new ring...bling bling! A beautiful turquoise cabochon sized at 14 x 10mm sits in my very own handmade bezel as well. I have to say..this was fun too! I really like this size for myself. It is not a huge ring, but it isn't tiny either. Really a lot of deep color and pop to this sweetheart.
Okay so I just recieved these yesterday and I do have them listed in the shop! These are beautiful lavender jade 10 mm cabochons. Just a gorgeous color. My supplier states they are dyed, but most colored jade are. They really have a royal purple to them. I can't wait to set one of these somewhere!
Okay, so I have a lot in mind with these absolutely beautiful sea foam chalcedony faceted cabochons. The lapidarist cut these very nicely. The facets are precise and catch much light, not to mention the color is mesmerizing. I can see one of these in a gorgeous sterling silver ring myself. I am going to get my "b" tank for my acetylene torch...where I can soon start to work with wider thicker sterling silver. 
I will just post one more addition here today..not to bore you all to death! But these cherry quartz are fabulous! They measure a 10 x 8mm and have beautiful rich coloring to them. They have a peachy look to me..just pretty pretty. Yes, I can't wait to set these too! I wish I had more time.
Faceted Peruvian Pink Opal Sterling Silver Ring
Blue Chalceondy Sterling Silver Post Earrings
Smokey Quartz Sterling Silver Post Earrings
Green onyx also known as green chalcedony have arrived today! I can't wait to list them in the bead store. They are absolutely gorgeous. They reflect light with the many facets in their cut. They measure about 7mm if I remember correctly. I can see a few pretty designs made with these!
Smokey quartz always seem to be a Fall/ Winter favorite. These particular stones are very very pretty. They are not so dark and reflect light with a light warm brown. I can't wait to set a few of these myself. I have a few ideas just crawling to get out of my sleeve. If only I can find the time!
Beautiful carnelian..what a hot color! Brings any design alive. These are some pretty faceted carnelian cabs. As if the color was not enough..we add facets and waaalaaah! They certainly catch light and remind me of a sunset every time. They are 7mm as well.
I finally broke down and ordered some AAA amethyst smooth round cabs. Aren't they just beautiful? They really capture purple royalty perfectly. The color is so lively and they are really a nice color. They are not overly too dark, so once you set them you will not see sort of a black purple..NOPE, not these. They are just the right tint. I think these are 6 mm's too!
As some of you may know I am just learning to expand in the craft of metalsmithing after all these years of beading. I have been making and hand forging my own earwires for dangles, but recently, I actually made some post earrings! The key here for me, is learning how to set a cabochon in a tiny 6mm sterling silver bezel .
So, I decide to try to make my own bezel. Now please don't laugh ..yet! I have no formal training and I only own one book here " The Complete MetalSmith". It took me literally four tries to make this bezel for this ring, and to me it still does not look right. Oh gosh, yes, I am so frustrated! The bezel wall is probably too high here and therefore it cinched around the stone! Although I must say, this baby is not going anywhere. That gemstone is firmly secured in this setting. ( I say this proudly, because a lot of my smaller practice settings have this tiny rock to them. It drives me crazy!)
And then I also recently made this prehnite simple ring. It will be added to one of my stacking ring sets soon. It came out nicely as planned.
Yes, summer is slipping away here in Central Oregon. Honestly, feels like we never really get a real summer here. Just last night it was 32 degrees. Yes, freezing level. It makes me sad to see the cold weather come back so quickly. I guess I could reminisce and tell you some fun things we did this summer with the kids.
We somehow pulled a trip off to Disneyland and Sea World on the California coast! Thanks to a ton of airline miles and free hotel (donated by our kind parents timeshare) ....all we had to pay for was tickets and food. This photo above is Goofy's House...my dream home. I can relate to Goofy. I really wanted to go to D-Land just to see Goofy! Don't you think his house is just a work of art?
I think whats most important is having some fun memorable times while the kids are young. I have two children who are ten years apart..so I really feel how fast it goes by. Being nearly 40 now I just want to enjoy them and do what I love ... Most importantly I really want the kids to have fun and be happy. Summer always brings fun times.. for me. I hate to see it go by again.
Thanks for letting me share with you. I guess I better get going and get the kids ready for school tomorrow! Back to school...
