Recently I got down to my studio and had no idea what to make. I stared at my sketchbook a bit and melted a few bits of wire, but still nothing was coming to me. So I decided to make something for me! I remembered seeing a tutorial in a magazine to make this really fun ring so I gave it a shot. I LOVE IT!
I started out with five bits of wire a little longer than I wanted the ring to be Then I laid them out next to each other and made some random kinks and curves. It was pretty organic and flowy. Then I soldered the ends together and using a jewelers saw cut the ends flush while taking care to make it the length I needed to get a (mostly) correct size. After bending it using my ring mandrel I soldered the ends together. Then I got some metal tubing and cut two pieces to set a small 3mm stone and placed it into my design. I did a little bit of manipulation of the bends and curves to get a shape I liked and then made some “river rocks” out of small bits of silver and soldered the balls onto the ring. I then polished it up and set two little lavender 3mm cubic zircons that I had and tumbled it for a bit to burnish the metal. This helps harden the metal to keep its shape and it also gives it a bit of shine. Once it was finished the piece reminded me of rocks in the ripples of a river, the stones are the bit of sparkle where the sun hits the water and radiates back to you.
I would love to make a few more of these. They are really fun to make, but it was hard to get the sizing right. Maybe I can do a few and list them. After a bit of practice I might be able to get the sizing down 🙂
I have watched this artist evolve into someone quite amazing! Self taught and seems so devoted to her craft! I love her style and ambition.