Wednesday 22 February 2012

A ring project with a happier ending

I loved reading all your comments and reactions to my Phoenix ring post. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave them. If you have not read that post have a quick detour as today's post title will make more sense. I really wanted to thank everyone for being so kind...you all seemed to share the disappointment I felt when it went pear shaped. I also felt though it is important to share successes and failures and I still  feel that I gained a lot by what happened to my ring. I am planning a trip up to Hatton Garden in the Spring and I will definitely look for a new stone, but it may be really tricky as the original stone is quite an unusual size. Don't worry if I ever replace it I will show you all and the Phoenix Ring will rise!

I wanted to share with you some more of my recent silversmithing projects from my class. This one was to make a set of stacking rings with at least one containing a "tube" set stone.
There is no need for me to place an alert at the beginning of this post as I had a happy outcome and  made a very sweet set of stacking rings. To prove it here they are!
They were so hard to photograph to show the purple colour of the lovely amethyst stone that I ended up resorting to using a bulb of garlic to put them on. I actually think they look quite good there but there was no clever thinking behind my use of a prop, more a case of "What can I grab that's near!"

This again was a very interesting project. I first had to make the tube setting for the amethyst.


Here are 2 amethysts I had sitting in my stash. I chose the one which had the most uniform oval shape. Next to it is the silver tubing. Yes it is round and you may think how can you make a setting that is oval with a round tubing?
Well, you need one of these....












A metal former.
I measured and sawed a small piece of tubing and placed it in the former. You can see the cut piece of tubing sitting in the number 10 oval. Using the large forming tool (seen on the right) you hammer  your way through the holes until the size is reached. I worked from size 10 down to size 6. Each time the metal was struck you needed to re anneal it to keep it from hardening. This process took some time to complete.










I then had to cut and form 3 ring blanks. Each one is made from round silver wire. Here they are rough cut before I had filed and soldered the joints shut. For the other 2 rings I decided that I would  use my silver metal clay flowers which I had spare from the course I attended last year.
I thought having one each side of the amethyst would balance the set of rings  well.






Next it was a case of carefully soldering the stone setting and the flowers to the centre of the ring blanks. The white you can see here is tippex which we use to stop the soldered joint melting whilst we solder other areas. Water based tippex works really well. You can see it was quite a balancing act and tricky to line everything up.











Next I put the setting for the amethyst  into a ring clamp. I then placed the stone inside and carefully pushed over the edges and then burnished to smooth everything. I soldered the 2 silver flowers to the other 2 ring blanks and there we have.....a stacking set of rings and a happy ever after project....................................












So how about continuing this "happy ever after" theme with my card challenge news. Unbelievable I found out on recently  that I am a winner again. Have a look here. There was more happy dancing going on in this house!
I also promised I would show you my prize winnings when they arrived...



A lovely Big Penny Black stamp




















A second big wood mounted Penny Black Stamp




















and this lovely stash from America. What a lucky girl I am.

You may have noticed recently that I have also taken off my Comment Verification, as requested by many of the card challege blogs. It makes it easier and quicker for them to visit the many blogs they need to.
The other point is that Blogger has changed comment verification to 2 (yes 2!) words which are actually really difficult to work out. I am struggling myself with people's blog who have this turned on. If you have any concerns you can have "moderation" on your settings and you can read any comments before they are posted. I seriously suggest you consider taking off comment verification as this really is a pest now with 2 unreadable words!
If any comments that are put on you do not like you can easily delete them.

Now finally for a very special card I made. This is actually a "fun" card for my darling son who is 23 on Friday. He has always loved giraffes so I had to use the fun Penny Black stamp I own.
It's actually an easel card, this is the card standing up.





Here is the cute image which I coloured with my trusty Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils.
I added some die cut glitter card balloons and tied ribbons to them.














This shows the inside where I shall write our birthday greeetings on these tags.










and this side view shows how the card stands up. These take a long time to make but are really fun for those extra special cards.
I would like to enter my card into the following card challenges.
Paper Sundaes #108 Happy Birthday
Papercrafting Journey #3 cute
Ladybirds craft Ink Spring is in the air
Penny Black Allsorts Bingo my line is Turquoise, cream, brown
Stamping for the weekend colour theme



Although he never reads my blog I am sending my dear son special birthday wishes for Friday. Despite his age and size (he stands 6'2" tall) he will always be my "baby"...now that would make him blush ;0) Happy birthday fella!
Thanks as always for your lovely visits to my little part of blogland. I so enjoy reading all your comments and I thank you for taking the time to leave them. Happy Wednesday everyone. We are promised the dizzy heights of 14c over the next few days......fingers crossed as it's wet and dull today.

Bye for now,

Jane x

47 comments:

  1. Dear Jane,

    How beautiful rings! They're simply adorable and just perfect together. I loved reading about the process to get them done, how fascinating! And that giraffe card is simply the cutest also, your son will be so happy to get it Friday. All the best for him, happy celebrating!

    I was little (just!) green with envy when I heard about your wonderful weather but hey, we're following. Not just yet but... Enjoy the beautiful and sunny days!

    Yours,
    Mia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mia, they are fun to wear and sit really well as a stack. Thanks for those bday wishes too.I do hope this pre spring weather arrives...fingers crossed.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! Am I impressed! Your rings are fabulous!!!! Your card is darling, too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. First I'd like to congratulate you on your awesome prize package! You are one lucky girl!!

    I love your PB card you created. The colors are amazing and it's beautifully put together! Beautiful rings too! You are so talented!!

    So glad you shared with us at penny black and more!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much Ellie, I really enjoyed my prizes :0)
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous card Jane, the image is really fun and I love your choice of colours. Great silver work too - I'm well impressed!
    Thanks for joining the Ladybugs for the spring Is in the air and good luck with the challenge
    Hugs Laurie x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous, gorgeous rings Jane and really interesting seeing the making process. It does all sound very technical!!
    You won again!!! Have you tried the Lottery?? :)
    Lots of lovely goodies too, you lucky girl!
    Love the card, especially the smiley cat!! I hope your son has a fantastic birthday (and yes they're always your babies)!
    Weather is looking good. :)
    V x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Laurie for visiting me!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Vivienne they were fidly but fun. No luck with the lottery yet but I can dream. Our boys are rather special babies aren't they! Roll on this promised weather...
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Jane! Congratulations to you for winning again so lovely presents! And Happy Birthday to your son - I love his card!
    Your new rings are really beautiful! I love silver and their simple design!
    x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Jane.. I'm *SO* very impressed with your rings! I just told hubby that I need to take another jewelry class. I did so years ago and made some really wonderful things.. I'd love to do it again... you've inspired me! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi lucky Jane! You're very multitalented, gorgeous ring and the card is very happy, love the way you've made the balloons!

    Thanks for sharing this with us at Penny Black and More;-))m

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is such a fun card Jane. You have put a lot of thought into it and I am sure your son loved it. I really like the birdie background paper and your colour combination is perfect. It is so nice to see you back with us once more at Penny Black and more and we hope you will join us next month too.

    Shirley

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Teje, they are fun to and easy to wear. Thanks for your birthday wishes...1 more day.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Teresa, there are just not enough hours in the day are there ;0)
    Glad I have inspired you,have a great Thursday,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks so much Leikkaan for your kind comments and your visit
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks Shirley the birdie paper was none less than a free download! I loved it as it works for many types of cards,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  18. really sweet card love that image thanks so much for joining us at paper sundaes this week
    hugs sara x x

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's a cute stamp isn't it Sara,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love stacking rings, Jane and yours look lovely! So does the giraffe card, with all the special details and little tags. Wishing your son a Happy Birthday!
    The new doubly difficult to read word verification is certainly making blogging very time consuming!! What an effort it is to make out those letters...
    Hope you have a happy sunny weekend.
    Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Stacking rings are so comfy to wear Helen. We have just enjoyed a pre birthday party....great fun.. there is nothing like a family get together . Have a great weekend the weather is looking fab .
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  22. OH! Your silversmithing is gorgeous, Jane! The rings are beautiful...and you are quite the craftsperson. I admire this so much! Happiest of birthdays to your baby. : ) I love the giraffe card and congratulations on your win..you are on a roll!! Always so wonderful to see your visit. : )

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks Shirley I so enjoy my crafts. The birthday boy is 23 today......hoorah ! He is off to Wales this morning for a climbing trip. Always lovely to see you here .
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh such a cute card Jane! Thank you for joining our challenge at Penny Black and More this month.
    Clare x

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a great haul of goodies Jane, lucky girl.

    And what super work you are sharing on this post, your so versatile.

    Thank you so much for joining in our Bingo theme at Penny Black and More this month, good luck and look forward to seeing you again next month.

    B x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love the papers you have used on this... Thanks for joining us this fortnight at LCI...

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am indeed a very lucky girl Brenda. Thanks for your kind visit,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's a cute free paper download Catherine, the best type of papers in my book!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  29. Good morning Jane!..Just called back to say I left a comment for you yesterday...(or I thought I did)...I had lots of problems trying to leave my comments all day and now I can't see it and I know you always reply!
    Anyway, just want you to know that it may be here somewhere as I may have left it on the wrong post or it my be floating in the blogasphere...I'm not sure!
    Anyway, hope you have a lovely weekend,
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow Jane that is one gorgeous ring! Happy birthday to your son, 23 *sigh* those were the days! Right off to enjoy this sunshine and garage clean! Lx

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Susan how sweet of you to come back and thank you so much for your kind comment. I hope the sun is shining on you today as it has been glorious here! Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks Laney. I hope you have uncovered lots of treasure in your garage? It has been such a sunny day :0) Enjoy the rest of the weekend,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  33. You have been a busy girl! I love the rings, and I really like the garlic as a stand to show them off. Wonderful step-by-step read and the photos are great. I really like the way the card makes its own easel too. So clever! Congrats and good luck with your card entries!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gorgeous rings Jane...what a lovely talent to have! I'm sure you'll find a stone for the Phoenix ring one day :-D Not sure if I've ever mentioned that my daughter took a silversmithing course for 2 years. She did some lovely pieces. Unfortunately she doesn't have much time to play as she works full time in a jewellers...selling not creating
    :-( Perhaps one day

    Love the PB stamps...PB was my first love ... don't tell my hubby that lol. Fab card...love those animals xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your stacking rings are absolutely beautiful! I love the colour of the amethyst (and it looks rather good sitting on the garlic) and with the flowers either side, it's perfect. Well done on the card win also. Beth (the linen cat)x

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your rings are stunning,what a clever girlie you are! and a great card too! Thanks for joining our TLT Spring themed challenge this time,hope to see you again tommorow for our new challenge, Julie.x

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks Linda. Silversmithing is such an interesting craft and absorbing hobby. The easel cards are fun to make as something different. Both keep me busy!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am sure your daughter will come to Silversmithing one day Kerry it really is a craft that never leaves you. I smiled at your PB stamp confession!
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Beth it is funny how random props sometimes work isn't it? Thanks for your kind comments.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you Jane for sharing this "happy" ring making process. I love how you have combined the silver with the PMC flowers.

    Happy belated birthday to your son!! Time flies....My son was 20 years old on 6 February.

    ((Thank you for turning off the word verification. I have had an awful time trying to leave comments since the beginning of Jan.2012))

    best wishes
    Anne
    PlumCreek22
    etsy

    ReplyDelete
  41. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Anne, I'm glad you found the process interesting. Yes our children grow up so quickly don't they? Thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  43. WOW! I'm speechless. So much talent and what a wonderful project!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for leaving a comment; I really enjoy reading every single one of them.

To comply with the new Data Protection legislation (GDPR) May 2018 I wish to state that any comments left here are with your consent that your name & comment are visible to anyone who visits my blog and that you accept that your personal information is being used for that specific purpose.

Jane x