Riveted Ring with Chalcedony Druzy II

This is my second Icy Lake Druzy Ring, a little bigger than the first!

Except for the beautiful druzy chalcedony stone, the main feature of this ring is the use of rivets. I am very impressed with riveting, because it has so much potential both as an element of design and as a technical solution. Also I found the riveting procedure relaxing (after practicing a lot of times to find my pace)!

I want to use this technique in more rings and other kinds of jewelry.

- You cal also visit my shop to find more photos and info on this ring.

To make it, I traced the druzy on a piece of paper and drew freeform shapes around it, for the base and the «cover» of the stone. When I was happy with the shapes, I sawed them from sterling silver sheet. I also sawed the ring shank and the bezel.

Next I filed and sanded everything. I prefer to file and sand the different parts before soldering, as it is much more easier to reach all the spots that afterwards may be hidden in narrow or awkward places.

After that I soldered the different parts together except the cover. I put the stone in the bezel and finally I riveted the cover on the top. This way the stone is protected and secured. Also it lets the light to reach the druzy from the sides.

If you make jewelry, what is your experience of riveting? What kind of pieces have you made? I'm sure the variety of riveted pieces is enormous!

Holy Geometry

This is an etsy treasury featuring some really beautiful geometrical objects, and I'm very happy my earrings are among them! I like the mix of manmade and nature-made forms, the calm grey tones throughout the collection and the organic feel. You can click on any of the items to learn more about it.
The treasury is curated by tuliManna, the maker of some very pretty, colourful, fluffy pillows.

New Geometric Earrings

Brand new listing in my Etsy shop!
I made a pair of geometric earrings with a form rendered from a folded piece of paper. It is a simple design but it is 3 dimensional. This makes it's shape look different depending on the angle from which you look at it. The light reflects on its faceted surface making some sides look dark while others shine.

HERE is the full listing with more photos and information. Let me know what you think : )

Etsy Lush May Treasury

These objects, all from Etsylush website, were my inspiration for a spring treasury! I love the blue-green-yellow-grey color variations of these objects, I think they manage to be playful and calm at the same time! Unusual combination, don't you think?


Click on any of the photos above if you want more information about an object!

Silver + Copper = Love For Ever

The love affair of silver and copper leads to a happy marriage:
Marriage of metals is a technique that can produce some really interesting and beautiful results (look at this, this and this).

Two or more different types of metal are sawed and filed so that they fit perfectly one into (or, in an easier version, next to) the other, like the pieces of a puzzle. Then you solder them and finally sand them until no sign of solder remains on the surface of the piece and a beautiful contrast is achieved.

I made a bracelet with this technique about 5 years ago, while studying at my teacher's studio. Now, trying to refresh what I learned, I made a simple design based on my Triangle Geometric Earrings.

I am very happy with the result, but I spent considerable time sanding both sides of the earrings to get rid of every sign of solder. I hope that the amount of time will be reduced as I obtain more experience and control on this method... I'll have to make some more to find out!

Comments and questions are welcome : )

If you are a maker, what is your experience with this technique? 

I'd really like to know what you think and share ideas and information!

Blue Chalcedony Drusy Riveted Ring

This is one of my most recent pieces that I really enjoyed making, and it was one of my first attempts to use rivets. I learned the procedure many years ago, but I never used this technique for my pieces until know. I made it for a challenge of the Aspiring Metalsmiths etsy team that I participate in. The stone is a chalcedony drusy that my sister brought me from a trip to Turkey. The sparkling surface of this stone reminds me of frozen waters and icebergs, so I'll call it the «Icy Lake Ring». Now my sister swims in this lake, because I gave it to her as a present! I have one more beautiful chalcedony stone, and I'm in the process of making a new Icy Lake Ring. I'll post the finished ring on the following days...

And here are some more views of this ring

Hello World : )

This blog is a journal of my explorations in silversmithing and jewelry making. I want to document things, experiences and stuff that I find interesting or inspirational. And I wish to connect with people who make or appreciate handmade jewelry and with people that we share common interests!
I'm really curious to see where will it lead me and I'm sure there's a lot to learn on the way...

Jewelry making and me: I started making jewelry about 7 years ago, when I attended part time lessons in a jeweler's studio for about 3 years. There, I practiced a lot on design, fabrication techniques, soldering and finishing. I have also taken a course in «Experimental Jewelry» at Central Saint Martin's College in London. Little by little I set up my own workshop.
I love the way silversmithing combines creativity and technical skills to transform a flat piece of metal into a 3d object. And I'm always amazed by the fact -looking at the works of so many great jewelers- that the possibilities for creation are endless!