PitstopX Jewellery Blog

PitstopX Jewellery - Learn to make your own jewellery in London UK

July 2011

Gemstone Challenge - Week 6

Penny: Posted on 24 July 2011 21:07

This bracelet is one of my new teaching projects, but i made this sample as part of my gemstone a week challenge - using Jasper and Marble gemstones strung on a mixture of polyester, cotton and hemp cords, with decorative knotting creating an adjustable closure.

I love the patterns within these gemstones, but they aren't a colour i'd normally use, so have sat in my store for a while, waiting for the right project to come along. The colours of the gemstones and the cords work well together for a summery, natural look, and i've had fun mixing around and deciding the best arrangement of bead sizes and knotted sections. This bracelet uses a simple half hitch knot (in the dark brown) and a square knot (in the beige) made in just one direction to create the twisting effect that i think works nicely.

This bracelet now forms part of my Knotted and Braided Jewellery Day - next running on August 16th.

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Gemstone Challenge - Week 5

Penny: Posted on 23 July 2011 08:07

Ok, so i've got a bit behind with my blog posts and my gemstone a week challenge to myself, so here goes for a delayed week 5 of my challenge!

This time i decided to use a cute little 8mm round snowflake obsidian cabochon. I matched the mottled colouring of the stone with a mottled texture on the silver to make this pendant.

I used paper cutouts made using a craft stamp to add details to the texture as a trial of this method, which worked nicely i think. I think if i did it again however i would use thicker paper to get a more defined shape.

This silver pendant uses a ready made bezel cup for the gemstone and a ready made bail attached to the back. I cut a hole the size of the bezel cup in the flat clay, then cut a disc slightly larger than the hole and stuck this over the back to give support to the gemstone area, which worked well.

Lots more gemstones and blog updates to come!!

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