I’ve not posted anything here since we lost our dog, but if you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed the year-end wrap-up collage I made. I talked briefly about the crippling depression and black grief that pervaded 2018, that had me in a creative block for months on end. It wasn’t until I got a commission to make three awesome rings that the dark clouds lifted somewhat, and I’ve been smithing as often as possible since then.
Last week I sorted out six stones from my stash. I’ve got a lot of stones I bought before I really figured out what I want to make* and I wanted to use them in a collection, mostly to get practice working with multiple pieces at once. This is the work of a couple long days in the studio. I could not be prouder.
ETA: They’re in the shop!
Unusually for me, I actually managed to get pics of most of the stages! Enjoy this (mostly) step-by-step gallery ~
Bezels have been soldered 
Making sure I’ve got enough silver for the backplates 
Bezels soldered to backplates, now testing the fit of the stones 
I’ve added the decorative wire and silver balls, then cleaned up the edges 
Choosing ring bands 
Ring bands formed into circles 
Ring bands soldered to the backplates 
So shiny! 
Mmmm, textured bands 
I’ve dumped all six into a potion of Liver of Sulphur in distilled water, to add a gorgeous patina 
Blackened silver ~ 
After polishing up the highlights on each ring, I’m about to set the stones 
Purple Agate 
Labradorite, blue flash 
Larvikite 
Rhodonite 
Lapis Lazuli 
Snowflake Obsidian
I’ll have these in the shop this week, hurrah~
Here’s to a super-creative 2019!
*not that I 100% know now, but I’m getting there ~
