Week 2 YOJ 2008 - Capricorn Astrological Sign

This weeks theme is the Capricorn Astrological sign, which is the Ram. I fashioned a rams head symbol out of 16 gauge brass wire around which I had coiled some 20 gauge black steel wire. I twisted three wires together to make the neck piece (two lengths of black steel and one length of brass wire - all 20gauge), coiled some black steel wire to make the hanger for the pendant and added some really pretty, sunny looking gold Czech crackled glass beads for color and balance. I like the impact this piece has - it's choker length and really looks good on.

There has been a lot of discussion lately about twisting wire - tomorrow I will share some pictures and my technique for doing this.

Week 45 - Inter-Connection

Using some (of my MOST favorite) black steel and some 8mm vintage (glass) pearls, I created single swirled components out of the 19gauge steel using a hand-concocted jig (simply a 3/8" metal rod in a piece of pre-drilled teflon) and my needle nosed pliers. That satisfied my desire for symmetry in each unit and made it much easier to form each swirl.
Before I added the loop at the end, I slipped on an 8mm vintage pearl and then connected them so the necklace resembles a sort of vine curling around itself and up and around the neck, and the pearls seem to float on the vine.
I added a hand formed "S" clasp and an extender chain (for added length), but once it was on it seemed too plain, so I added three lengths of curved, hammered steel, staggered in length, each with a pearl, to the center unit. When on, the necklace sits on the collarbone and the center dangle rests just at breast level.

you can see more of my jewelry on my web site.