Tree of Life hair clip.

The challenge should I choose to accept it was to make a Tree of Life hair clip for a customer in the USA.

Well the challenge was on. There was many possible problems with this, I was not sure if I could actually do it.

First things first, 

choose the glass, 

the customer had already requested streaky green so that was the easy bit.

The idea was to make the approximate shape by using a fibre kiln material

Here is a piece!

Then, cut the desired shape out, as the next picture shows.

Sorry about this but I seem to have a few picture missing. But basically I cut the glass in fit inside them shape. One long strip and two half moons pieces. I then repeated this with the top glass. Fitted all the pieces into the cut out and fired for the first time.

Once the firing cycles had been completed, I removed the glass from the fibre material, cleaned up the edges to reduce de-vitrification on the glass for the second firing. Like I said, I fired this cleaned glass again for the second time.

I now had a flat, streaky correct shaped glass cabochon.

The next stage was to bend the glass.

With a 4" square sheet of copper, curved to fit the curvature of the hair clip. See the following picture, although the picture does not show the 5 coats of kiln wash to stop the glass sticking to the copper.

I then fired the cabochon on a slumping cycle, not as hot as fusing the glass but enough to let the glass fall into to right shape over the copper

Once this had cooled,

 I applied the entwined Tree of Life decal onto the center of the cabochon.And fired it once again.

After leaving the new creation to cool completely. 

The cabochon was glued to the curved hair clip with E6000 glue.

Then totally left alone for 48 hours (glue drying time). 

I presented it in a beautiful heart shaped box, all ready to be posted over to the USA.

Then a few weeks later I receive this picture.

I was so please it all worked out in the end. I have missed a few points out as an alchemist can't give away all his secrets.

A massive thank you to my customer for letting me accept this challenge and for ordering my hand made jewellery.

Thanks for reading.

Steve

PS. if you have an idea of a piece of jewellery made from glass, please contact me via stevesmithjewellery@yahoo.co.uk and I will see what I can do, but no promises LOL.......

Panda Picture Pendant.

Recently I designed and made a few fired decal pendants. 

The images ranged from the Tree of Life to a Phoenix silhouette. One was a Panda walking through long grass fired into a beautiful earthy green streaky glass. It measure about 1"3/4" x 3/4". 

Panda on streaky green glass pendant

When I had finished the pendant it reminded me so much of the WWF logo. This was not done on purpose but just one of those happy accidents.

Can you see the similarity 

Maybe it's just me! lol

Anyway, you can adopt this Panda Picture Pendant for £15 plus £3 p&p.

Contact me via my Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/SteveSmithJewellery

or via email:

stevesmithjewellery@yahoo.co.uk

Small Dichroic Glass Stud Earring Jewellery

As mentioned in a previous post, 

here are the Small Dichroic Glass Stud Earring Jewellery. 

These pictures were taken straight after firing in the kiln. To keep the cabochons on the small side I fired them without top glass. This gives a new dimension to the colours and designs. With blue's, green's, red's and multi-colours, they are going to look stunning when worn.

 These last four pairs are my favourites, although I really like them all. Its just how the colour and crinkled affect they have. Cant wait to see these on display at a show and see what other people think of them.

Don't forget to look at my website for my other designs www.stevesmithjewellery.co.uk

and dont forget to drop in and see us at the studio in Northallerton or my next show at Darlingtons Sunday Peoples Market on the 7th October 2012.

https://www.facebook.com/dspmsundays

Where you will find all those special gifts. Price's to suit all and great people to chat to.

Green Dragons Eye Bracelet. A unique gift!

One of my latest creations is this Green Dragons Eye Bracelet. The Dichroic Cabochon measure about 1" and is set on a silver plated bracelet.

I have included lots of pictures from different angles to try and show the different colours and design. The pictures were taken on a mirror to increase light so dont get confused, it is only one eye. lol

This Green Dragons Eye Bracelet is £15 plus £3 p&p

This bracelet can be bought by simply emailing me at stevesmithjewellery@yahoo.co.uk alternatively you can take a look at my other work on my web site at www.stevesmithjewellery.co.uk.

Really looking forward to getting the kiln started again to make some more.