YOJ 2008 Week 7

This weeks theme was Amore'. I've wanted to try my hand at a crocheted bezel around a stone for quite a while so thought I'd give it a try this week. I had this heart shape carnelian stone I got a couple of years ago and some 30ga fine silver wire that I'd had forever (it seems). I had no idea what size crochet hook to use so I just grabbed a number 5. The bezel does need a bit more stabilizing but turned out pretty good. This will be kept for a personal piece.

YOJ 2008 Week 6

Aquarius, the theme for this week kind of threw me a curve. I finally did a google search for clip art pertaining to the sign for Aquarius, the water bearer. In no way could I come up with something created in metal or wire. Been wanting to try my hand at creating polymer clay cabs with images so thought this was a good time to try it. Below is the result, not the greatest and has some problems. Has some rough edges and tiny bubbling in the image but not too bad for a first try. Used 21ga brass held together with copper HH HR for the setting.

Commissioned Piece

Along with the flower citrine shown in the week 5 YOJ post I had this beautiful 11.93 Trillion cut Madiera citrine to create a setting for. After studing the stone and musing over it several times I opted to set it in the shield position. Didn't do any fancy open work with this one even though I did think about it.

YOJ 2008 Week 5

The theme for week four was Mardi Gras. I definitely was not on theme this week because I was busy working on a custom order. One of these pieces was my showing this time. After all, the whole idea of Year Of Jewelry is to make a new piece of jewelry each week for a season or whole year and this is brand new.

The stone is a very large Madiera Citrine that was carved into a flower form. Since I've been wanting to try a prong style setting that was open on the sides I thought this stone was perfect. While it was a real challenge I think it turned out quite good.

YOJ 2008 Week 4

The theme for this week was Blustery. While going through my stash of stones I came across this beautifully patterned Wonderstone. The colors and pattern kind of reminded me of desert dunes and sands blowing about in the wind. I chose a combination of yellow and rose gold fill for the sculptured wire setting. Feeling a bit whimsical I fashioned waves in the longer wires to mimic the patterning on the stone.

YOJ 2008 Week 3

The theme for this week was Australian Culture. I did a bit of checking and was kind of stumped as to what to do. Lucky for me I had done a trade out with a gal and this stone was one I had chosen.

It's a Yowah Opal and comes from Australia. Yowah opals are a variety of Boulder Opal. These opals are rounded pebbles of sandstone impregnated with Precious Opal and come from Yowah opal field, Queensland, Australia. The Yowah opal field is only about 2 1/2 square miles in size. This is one opal you won't find in every jewelry store.

Since the stone is almost nugget shaped I opted to create a reversable pendant. One way, you have a pretty dark to light brown speckled stone and on the other side a fabulous large area of fine opal.

YOJ 2008 Week 2

The theme for this second week was Capricorn, the Zodiac symbol for January birthdays. As mentioned before, I was born in January so it's also my birth sign.

I opted to keep it fairly simple. Using 18ga Sterling Silver wire I fashioned the Capricorn symbol then hammered it flat creating strength and texture. I then took a 6mm silver jump ring and attached the pendant to a string of beautiful silver gray baroque pearls.