I've had a gloriously self indulgent morning at Spoilt Rotten Beads in Haddenham, taking a workshop in art clay silver ring making. I booked it at the last minute, having intended to try and make rings myself for aaaaages - I've made sterling wirework and hammered rings, but the potential for shrinkage and thus difficulties in sizing had held me back from silver clay ones.
Our lovely tutor, Juliet, took five of us through from sizing through rolling and embellishing, drying, filing, firing and finally polishing. She was very calm, most of us were a bit twitchy but at the end of three hours, we had all produced gorgeous rings that fit and sparkled.
I had a tense moment when my band cracked, but with a goodly dollop of silver paste all was well.
I love my new ring. It fits, and thanks to the edges I spent ages bevelling, it is really, really comfortable. I'd like to make another one straight away, but I have a secret squirrel project I need to finish for tomorrow so I'd better get on with it.
Slightly horrified by my wrinkly hands - just be glad I didn't zoom in!
You are so so clever. Silver clay and I do not have a harmonious realtionship. To be honest, it scares me.
ReplyDeleteI will stick to chain and beads.
And your hands do not look wrinkly, think they look rather elegant.
Well done clever lady, Ax
That is so clever and so pretty!(and hands are not wrinkly)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ring! Would make a lovely wedding band. So, when can we expect to see the dottycookie jewellery collection on the shelves...? :b
ReplyDeleteOh it is really pretty Val - I love the texture. And I know what you mean about hands (though yours do not look bad) - I caught a glimpse of mine on the steering wheel the other day and was appalled. Lets blame it on the still-wintry weather shall we?
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely ring. Don't worry about your hands its all the cold wet weather, nothing a dollop of hand cream can't fix.
ReplyDeleteits beautiful, well done.
ReplyDeletexxx
Totally awesomesauce...of course you are chuffed!o
ReplyDeleteproper lovely you proper clever lady!
ReplyDeleteMore photos of your lovely ring - I'm even greener with envy now. I made a ring once or more accurately my silversmithing teacher made it and so I know how very tricky they are to make. Very, very impressed. x
ReplyDeleteoh Val it's just gorgeous!!
ReplyDeletewow. Seriously. Beautiful.
You *made* that?! Holy smokes that's so incredibly wonderful! Beautiful, beautiful, and I think the hands look lovely, too. :0)
ReplyDeleteI love it! I have wanted to learn how to use silver paste too, was it tricky?
ReplyDeleteI've missed so much here, I will love catching up with you.
Jx
Oh, so pretty. I love it : )
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely Val! You are right to be proud of it! Lucy xxx
ReplyDeleteOh How FUN! I'd love to learn some silver clay work. Your ring is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh my -- I'm impressed! Your ring is beautiful (and so are your hands ;)!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
G
Thanks Gigi! I have scientist's rather than artist's hands, but that's OK ;-)
DeleteA gorgeous ring, really interesting texture. , the hands, I wash mine so often and then expect a nightly application of cream to cure everything. Surprisingly doesn't work!!
ReplyDeleteOh great, predictive text has mucked up my message! I meant to say "ditto thte hands" etc
ReplyDeleteGrrr!
ReplyDelete;)
Wow Val, that is beautiful - you definitely have a knack for jewellery. Your hands are like mine, a little weathered by the years of caring for a family; wiping noses and bottoms means a lot of handwashing and maybe like me you have a few cooker burn scars too - but I guess it's a badge of honour for a job well done!
ReplyDeleteThe ring is wonderful, you are very clever Val. And as for the hands, well mine look exactly the same so they must be normal ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ring! And as for your hands - I think you just need a glass of water. It's not age, it's dehydration.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is all
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Val! That's gorgeous and so clever! I think silver clay is quite amazing stuff, especially if you can make rings out of it.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the hands thing. I try to avoid looking at mine - which can make knitting a challenge!
xxx
What a gorgeous ring!
ReplyDelete-Kim
Lovely ring. But boy isn't silver clay expensive?
ReplyDeleteLove that ring! As for hands, I recently remarked to the husband about the veins on the backs of mine. He responded with "Urgh, it's like you're an alien or something".
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous and you made it all by yourself.
ReplyDeleteI have a real soft spot for silver.
Nina xxx
You know I think it's beautiful - and so good to wear.
ReplyDeleteAwesomesauce? I may have to half inch that word off Jodie.
Gorgeous! I love silver.
ReplyDelete