An Alternative To Jump Rings And Some New Enamel Pendants

Until recently I've always used jump rings to attach my enamel pendants to a chain. Enamel is great but some of the methods of attaching things to other things commonly used in jewellery, in other words cold connections and soldering can be a bit tricky when combined with it. It is possible to solder and rivet enamel pieces but not without some difficulty. So....I just used handmade jump rings and always felt vaguely dissatisfied with the final look.

Then I realized I could use my wirework experience and make my own bails! Why has it taken me so long to think of this? Who knows! I must have been thinking of "other things" (that means chocolate).

I made some new pendants last week, two with pierced out detail and finished them with a cold connected wire bail. 

Very simple in design - a length of 16g/1.2mm sterling round wire hammered at both ends and a hole drilled in the centre of the flattened areas. Tidy up the ends and bend into a loop then squeeze the ends gently so they sit close to the pendant on either side. Line up the holes then thread a balled up piece of 22g/0.6mm wire through and wrap around the loop to secure then trim and gently squeeze in the end. Oxidize and polish. Ta Dah! 

I think the bail makes the pendant look much more "finished" and is a vast improvement to a jump ring. You could also use this method to connect a smaller enamel piece to a large silver piece too. I'm also thinking that a small silver disc or decorative silver spacer would look nice sat between the ball and the front of the loop.

I'm just going to have to make some more enamel pendants and try!

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Pearls, Hoops And Stacking Rings

I'm slowly increasing my little collection of rings for sale. I made a set of three hammered sterling silver stacking rings which you can see in the photo above put together with a prehnite rose cab stacking ring. I made the plain band rings in the photo for me (for a change!) and find them so easy to wear.

 I photographed them in their bright shiny state then oxidized them and photographed them again. 

Etsy makes it easy to sell items with different variables like size or finish so the buyer can select when they pay. My website and Folksy shop don't have this option so I'll have to list the rings separately. I've learned that buyers don't always read everything in a listing ( something I'm also guilty of!) and I've had to contact a few to find out the size they want in the case of bangles bought from my website and Folksy. So expecting someone to remember to let me know the size, stone and finish they want in the case of my gemstone rings would be pushing it a bit! So when I get round to listing the gemstone rings on my website and Folksy shop they will all have to be listed separately with a large notice asking the buyer to let me know the size and finish they want in the hope they will actually do that and save my sanity! 

I spent the last couple of days making a pair of copper rose hoops and some silver disc earrings with pearls. The turn in the weather (it's sunny!) means I've been able to photograph them today.

I use copper bezel wire for the "roses" which makes life easier than having to cut thin strips of copper sheet myself. I solder the end closed then sand the bottom flat and solder to a flat piece of copper for a base. Having a flat base makes it easier to solder the rose to other things afterwards.

The pearls are beads I've had for years that are button shaped so most of them are ideal to turn into cabs. Sanding the bottom of the pearl makes it nice and level and lowers the holes so the bezel hides them when they are set. I like the look of pearls with oxidized silver. I have some bigger pearls on order which I'm really looking forward to using.

I'm hoping the pearls will arrive soon (tomorrow would be good!) so I can start thinking about what to do with them. 

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