September Theme: Autumn

[LittleGem]

Hello everyone!

Well Autumn is officially here (sad to say goodbye to the summer!) but I thought this would be a good, broad theme to introduce this month. So post your design incorporating this theme within this thread with a little bit about the piece and the winner will be revealed at the end of the month! The Winner will "WIN THEIR ORDER" !!


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CREATIVITY!

A few legalities...

Terms & conditions

No purchase necessary. The closing date for the draw will be 30.09.2011. The first name drawn will win their order up to the monetary value of £100. This must be in one transaction. The draw will take place on 01.10.2011. Cookson Precious Metals Competition Secretary will make the draw.

The Draw is open to all Cookson Precious Metals customers who are UK residents and aged 18 years and over.

Only one entry per person.

There is no cash alternative. Cookson Precious Metals reserves the right to change the prize for one of equivalent value.

The winner will be notified on the forum within this thread by 03.10.2011. The winner's name and county will be available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: The Competition Secretary, Marketing Department Cookson Precious Metals, 59-83 Vittoria Street. Birmingham B1 3NZ.

Employees of Cookson Precious Metals, their agents and families are excluded from the draw together with any person connected to the draw.

Entry into the draw is deemed as acceptance of the rules. The winner agrees to participate in any publicity in connection with the draw.

No responsibility is accepted for prize draw coupons lost, damaged or mislaid.

To enter the Draw, simply publish your design/comment within this thread.

No correspondence will be entered into. The Competition Secretary's decision is final. The promoter is Cookson Precious Metals

Image shown is for display purposes only, prize comprises of any items selected from our website, cooksongold.com, to the monetary value of £100 in one transaction.

[medusa]

Bah! I'm way too caught up to even think about it at the moment. Maybe later in the month.

[caroleallen]

Do we know how this will be judged?

[medusa]

Tis a draw, I think. Which is good! means I have a chance of winning!


Hello everyone!

Well Autumn is officially here (sad to say goodbye to the summer!) but I thought this would be a good, broad theme to introduce this month. So post your design incorporating this theme within this thread with a little bit about the piece and the winner will be revealed at the end of the month! The Winner will "WIN THEIR ORDER" !!


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CREATIVITY!

A few legalities...

Terms & conditions

No purchase necessary. The closing date for the draw will be 30.09.2011. The first name drawn will win their order up to the monetary value of £100. This must be in one transaction. The draw will take place on 01.10.2011. Cookson Precious Metals Competition Secretary will make the draw.

The Draw is open to all Cookson Precious Metals customers who are UK residents and aged 18 years and over.

Only one entry per person.

There is no cash alternative. Cookson Precious Metals reserves the right to change the prize for one of equivalent value.

The winner will be notified on the forum within this thread by 03.10.2011. The winner's name and county will be available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: The Competition Secretary, Marketing Department Cookson Precious Metals, 59-83 Vittoria Street. Birmingham B1 3NZ.

Employees of Cookson Precious Metals, their agents and families are excluded from the draw together with any person connected to the draw.

Entry into the draw is deemed as acceptance of the rules. The winner agrees to participate in any publicity in connection with the draw.

No responsibility is accepted for prize draw coupons lost, damaged or mislaid.

To enter the Draw, simply publish your design/comment within this thread.

No correspondence will be entered into. The Competition Secretary's decision is final. The promoter is Cookson Precious Metals

Image shown is for display purposes only, prize comprises of any items selected from our website, cooksongold.com, to the monetary value of £100 in one transaction.

[LittleGem]

To clear some ambiguity.... the terms and conditions are a standard company template so perhaps I should have amended where appropriate! i am obviously conducting this competition for the members of this forum so your feedback is essential!
I personally believe, due to the nature of the competition requiring effort from the participants, it should be a professionally judged competition... any thoughts?

[Kwant]

Oh LittleGem might that also mean that those of us who live over the channel will also be able to enter?

[Lucy]

Sounds great, and judged would be most appropriate I think to get some effort going, Im quite excited and definitely going to enter :) One question though, do you have to make a purchase in order to enter? or can you enter and win the gift certificate?

[Tabby66]

FAB idea, but the intracises not thought out........................... the drawback of being an employee!! So if we go with the September /autumn theme and the £100 credit in one purchase with cooksons......regardless of the cost of your entry/ paper design?????? Will it be judged or a draw as indicated.....if judged...who will the judges be???? design cred?? if a draw, then I can give you my name to be entered..........does it have to be made or just drawn, will it make any difference to 'judging'? Obviously not to a draw. Would like to participate but would appreciate some clarity please!

[LittleGem]

FAB idea, but the intracises not thought out........................... the drawback of being an employee!! So if we go with the September /autumn theme and the £100 credit in one purchase with cooksons......regardless of the cost of your entry/ paper design?????? Will it be judged or a draw as indicated.....if judged...who will the judges be???? design cred?? if a draw, then I can give you my name to be entered..........does it have to be made or just drawn, will it make any difference to 'judging'? Obviously not to a draw. Would like to participate but would appreciate some clarity please!

It is to be judged.. and as I previously mentioned... I was going to go on general consensus as to whether the moderators/administrators judge the competition or whether our Cookson's Professional Jewellers here at the company judge it..? The cost of making is entirely up to you... I would have to have a standard prize otherwise it gets far too complicated in deciding the prize according to design cost. I don't think you can have a combination of drawn/made as, like you said. I am hoping for made pieces.

Hope this clears a few things up...?

Jess :)

[LittleGem]

Sounds great, and judged would be most appropriate I think to get some effort going, Im quite excited and definitely going to enter :) One question though, do you have to make a purchase in order to enter? or can you enter and win the gift certificate?

Hi Lucy, not quite sure what you mean...

You do not have to make a purchase prior to the competition, you win a future order of your choice to the value of £100... does that make sense/

Jess :)

[LittleGem]

Oh LittleGem might that also mean that those of us who live over the channel will also be able to enter?

Hi Kwant,

Yes you can

Jess :)

[Kwant]

Great! Thank you Jess, I have a piece which I am working on now that I think will fit the theme.

[LittleGem]

Great! Thank you Jess, I have a piece which I am working on now that I think will fit the theme.

Aw Fantastic, can't wait to see the finished piece!

[Kwant]

This is my Autumn piece, it is a stylised teasel.

It was going to be a brooch but I am unsure if people actually wear brooches anymore so I decided to make it into a pendant instead.

I initially was going to make it wholly in silver, sheet for the back-plate and the details in forged and soldered wire but I did not have the correct thicknesses of wire. I did not want to cut it from a sheet of sterling in one go as the wastage would have been too much so in the end opted for the copper sheet with a silver bezel, which I think works well with the colours of the stone and indeed with the motif.

The stone is a Tesoro Escondido Condor Agate, which was cut for me as a surprise gift.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6127055151_6da6d48729.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12340604@N02/6127055151/)
CondorAgateTeasel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12340604@N02/6127055151/) by kwant (http://www.flickr.com/people/12340604@N02/), on Flickr

[medusa]

That is gorgeous, kwant

[Dennis]

Here's one to keep Kwant company. Autumn Leaves Paperweight.

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/dennisheyde/AutumnLeavesPaperWeight.jpg

Copper foil, Steel Rods, Acrylic block.

[caroleallen]

I can't see it Dennis.

[Dennis]

Yes, apologies to all, I spent ages trying to re-size it on Photobucket, but got hopelessly lost doing it. What size should I have aimed for?

One of the problems is that when you move from Photobucket to the forum to view the result, the other gets deleted. I'm quite dizzy now. Dennis.

[caroleallen]

If you reply and then go advanced, you can click on the paperclip and then insert your image.

[Dennis]

Yes, I have done that for years, but I thought I'd have a change from thumbnails. Now I am offending someone by being in the wrong section, so I'll have to stop it.

[LittleGem]

That is gorgeous, kwant

Totally agree, the depth of colour is phenomenal!

[caroleallen]

Yes, I have done that for years, but I thought I'd have a change from thumbnails. Now I am offending someone by being in the wrong section, so I'll have to stop it.

NOOOOO! Don't give up Dennis, I want to see your paperweight.

[LittleGem]

I agree! I am intrigued to see it now Dennis!

[Kwant]

Dennis I spent getting on for an hour trying to get my link to work and it turns out I needed to use the BBCode form for the picture URL, which you then just cut and paste into your reply. Not sure if Photobucket have the facility to give you that code but it is certainly worth a try to look for it.

[lesley]

Oh, I'm glad you did that in copper, Kwant - very rich and autumnal.

Dennis, you need to copy and paste the IMG code for your picture. I was going to say *simples* but then I'd hate myself. :)

[ps_bond]

Oh, I'm glad you did that in copper, Kwant - very rich and autumnal.

It's a gorgeous stone, too.


Dennis, you need to copy and paste the IMG code for your picture. I was going to say *simples* but then I'd hate myself. :)

Aww, but meerkats are cute... Sorry Dennis, I did try to fix it for you, but the Photobucket site isn't showing your picture.

[Dennis]

Quote: NOOOOO! Don't give up Dennis, I want to see your paperweight.

Carole, I really thought you were doing a bit of innuendo, as it was much too large. Can you see it now? It is still large, because while I was painstakingly reducing it to 70% in Photobucket the original downloaded to the empty space at once. So... if this is still no good I shall go back to thumbnails. It's a real wallbanger, Dennis.

[LittleGem]

Wow Dennis, that is a truely stunning piece and definitely worth the weight! (ha!)

[Kathryn Harrison]

Is it ok to enter something you've already made?

[mizgeorge]

Worth waiting for Dennis :)

[Kwant]

Dennis have you posted a pic? I don't seem to be able to see it.

[susieq]

Dennis have you posted a pic? I don't seem to be able to see it.

Its on page 2 in Dennis's original post - I couldn't see the pic when it was first posted but I can see it now.

Love both the pieces - hoping to work on mine over the weekend.

[caroleallen]

I can see it now. They're both very lovely. I wouldn't want to judge this one.

[Kwant]

Yes I see it now Susie, I just needed to refresh the page and now it is there. Another great piece from Dennis.

[medusa]

I can see it now. They're both very lovely. I wouldn't want to judge this one.

I second this.

Both beautiful pieces.

[Barky]

When does this competition actually close? What's the deadline?

[LittleGem]

Hello everyone!

Well Autumn is officially here (sad to say goodbye to the summer!) but I thought this would be a good, broad theme to introduce this month. So post your design incorporating this theme within this thread with a little bit about the piece and the winner will be revealed at the end of the month! The Winner will "WIN THEIR ORDER" !!


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE AND HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CREATIVITY!

A few legalities...

Terms & conditions

No purchase necessary. The closing date for the draw will be 30.09.2011. The first name drawn will win their order up to the monetary value of £100. This must be in one transaction. The draw will take place on 01.10.2011. Cookson Precious Metals Competition Secretary will make the draw.

The Draw is open to all Cookson Precious Metals customers who are UK residents and aged 18 years and over.

Only one entry per person.

There is no cash alternative. Cookson Precious Metals reserves the right to change the prize for one of equivalent value.

The winner will be notified on the forum within this thread by 03.10.2011. The winner's name and county will be available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: The Competition Secretary, Marketing Department Cookson Precious Metals, 59-83 Vittoria Street. Birmingham B1 3NZ.

Employees of Cookson Precious Metals, their agents and families are excluded from the draw together with any person connected to the draw.

Entry into the draw is deemed as acceptance of the rules. The winner agrees to participate in any publicity in connection with the draw.

No responsibility is accepted for prize draw coupons lost, damaged or mislaid.

To enter the Draw, simply publish your design/comment within this thread.

No correspondence will be entered into. The Competition Secretary's decision is final. The promoter is Cookson Precious Metals

Image shown is for display purposes only, prize comprises of any items selected from our website, cooksongold.com, to the monetary value of £100 in one transaction.

The closing date is in the t's and c's....30th of September :)

[Kimkie]

Since it's autumn I felt inspired to make an acorn ring. I waited untill I found the right stone, which I did at IJL. So here it is:

Acorn ring with faceted bullet Citrine. The ring is entirely handmade and the organic feel is intentional!

3140

[LittleGem]

Since it's autumn I felt inspired to make an acorn ring. I waited untill I found the right stone, which I did at IJL. So here it is:

Acorn ring with faceted bullet Citrine. The ring is entirely handmade and the organic feel is intentional!

3140

This is lovely :)

[caroleallen]

Love that ring.

[ShinyLauren]

Oooh, very pretty!

[Dennis]

That's really beautiful and a faceted bullet is a rare find Dennis.

[Kathryn Harrison]

In the spirit of joining in I'll post these but I didn't make it specially for this and I made it earlier in the year so it might not be eligible which is fair enough. I actually used a guide to making your own brooch pin that one of the forum members posted on their blog so thanks to them!

31413142

[Kathryn Harrison]

3140

Lovely! Acorns are such nice things too :D

[Petal]

In the spirit of joining in I'll post these but I didn't make it specially for this and I made it earlier in the year so it might not be eligible which is fair enough. I actually used a guide to making your own brooch pin that one of the forum members posted on their blog so thanks to them!

31413142

I was admiring your brooch earlier on Kathryn, tis lovely.

Would you mind saying who blogged with the how to make the brooch pin please? You can PM me if you'd rather not say in public.

[Kimkie]

Thank you for all the nice comments :-)

[Kathryn Harrison]

I didn't say because I can't remember off the top of my head but I will search for it as I'd like to say thanks properly.

Edit: It was the wonderful MuranoSilver, here is the forum link that I used to find the blog post http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/tutorials-bench-tips-step-steps/1795-making-your-own-brooch-findings.html

[Kwant]

Beautifully conceived and executed ring Kimkie.

Kathryn, you have done a first class job on that brooch. I have not as yet attempted my own brooch fitting, you have inspired me to try.

[Kathryn Harrison]

Kathryn, you have done a first class job on that brooch. I have not as yet attempted my own brooch fitting, you have inspired me to try.

Thanks so much! It was for my gran so I stressed over it a fair amount, it was my first go at electro etching and my first brooch. I was so relieved to find Murano's guide which is amazingly clear even to a novice like me.

Also I didn't say yet how much I like your pendant, I love the surround.

[Kimkie]

I love the Autumn Leaves Dennis. Beautiful.

[Lucy]

3143

Well this is my entry for now, again a piece made earlier this year, although it is still a work in progress as I need to make the chain clasp for this, but the initial inspiration was deffiniately "fall". Its made from silver and copper Mokume gane, which was made by me and sapphires, zircon, amethyst and garnet.

[caroleallen]

That's spectacular Lucy.

[medusa]

wow, just what Carole said...

[Lucy]

Thank you guys :) I hope I can finish the chain and clasp to post that also as I think the finished piece will look so much better, but with just starting Uni, this may be all I get chance to do.

[Dennis]

Its like an autumn bouquet.

[LittleGem]

Wow Lucy, that's gorgeous!

[Pauline]

Lucy - I love it. It would be great to see another pic on a future date if you do more work on it.

[Adrienne]

31463147

Earrings & necklace inspired by designs from "The Night Circus". The cz's represent droplets of water running off the leaves.
The leaves were all filed to shape by hand and the larger leaves were slightly textured and then formed by repousse (my first try at this technique)

The total drop of the earrings is 3.5cm and the pendant is just under 4.5cm.
The little leaf dangle on the pendant is 0.7cm long

Sorry about the quality of the photographs - I'm moving my studio around and all my regular photography equipment is in boxes!

[Kathryn Harrison]

Lucy the mokume gane is lovely!

Adrienne, those are really pretty I bet they look nice on.

[surfergirl]

Great entries from everyone so far! What talent :) Any more news on how this will be judged, please?

Indi :cool:

[LittleGem]

Great entries from everyone so far! What talent :) Any more news on how this will be judged, please?

Indi :cool:
I absolutely agree with Indi, the designs that are being entered are STUNNING!


It will be judged by our in-house jewellery makers here at cooksons.. I'm sure the decision is going to be tough though!

Anything else you need to know?

Jess :)

[Josiejo]

3156

Hmmm, I hope I added the picture correctly!

Anyway, here is my entry. It's my representation of a conker in the shell.

The conker bit in the middle is a domed piece of copper, and the rest is silver. I had lots of fun with my bitumen, some new hammers and a couple of nails!

Hope you like it

Jo

[Tabby66]

Beautiful pieces!!

[Petal]

Its been fun looking through everyone's pieces. With a bit of luck, I'll post something of mine before the deadline.

[LittleGem]

Its been fun looking through everyone's pieces. With a bit of luck, I'll post something of mine before the deadline.

4 days to go :)

[Petal]

I know, its a tough one, but I've got a Cookies order on the go, =:-O then some finishing to do.:-"

[Adrienne]

Wow - looks really lifelike :)

What thickness is the silver? I'm experimenting with some ground-down mini screwdrivers and rounded off nails (no spare cash for real tools!) but don't know if the silver I'm using is too thick/thin. I'm using wood instead of bitumen - is the bitumen easy to work with?

regards
Adrienne

[Dennis]

The main trouble with bitumen is that it is messy to get off the back, so unless you have a place to burn it away, here are some alternatives:
The end grain of a log of wood, as you mentioned,
Some thick rubber as in shoe heels,
James miller has described a lead cake melted into a tin. he says there is no need to protect the silver from it. Just re melt it when it gets uneven.
The metal to use can be what you want, up to about 0.8mm thick. Dennis.

[Kwant]

Great tip about the end grain wood Dennis. I have been putting off trying out work like that because of the pitch.

[Josiejo]

Good question Adrienne! The silver was some I had in my box, I think it may have been as much as 1mm thick, probably 0.75mm.

You have to be careful with the nails if they are sharp because you might go through!

I've never had a problem with bitumen. My dad made a wooden box for me and I melted some in so that it was about an inch deep. I warm it up with a soft, large flame for a minute or two to soften the top and then press the piece in and try to get a tiny bit of overlap so that the silver doesn't come out. I do the same to move the piece about.

When it is done, I soften the bitumen and pull the silver out, warm the silver so that most the bitumen drips off it and then burn off the bitumen with a large flame.

Whenever I'm using bitumen I take the whole lot outside and use a fan to blow the fumes away because burnt bitumen stinks (and isn't too good for you)!

With the wood method, how do you keep the silver still?

Jo

[Dennis]

Quote: With the wood method, how do you keep the silver still?

With the heads of a few nails or screws around the edge.

[Kathryn Harrison]

3156

Anyway, here is my entry. It's my representation of a conker in the shell.

The conker bit in the middle is a domed piece of copper, and the rest is silver. I had lots of fun with my bitumen, some new hammers and a couple of nails!


I really like it! I'd love to try out some forming. I domed something on a wooden handle I borrowed off a chest of draws but not sure that counts.

[Josiejo]

I hadn't thought of that.

thanks, I 'll have to have a go.

[lesley]

OK, my original idea is nowhere near finished so I'd like to submit these chainmaille earrings. They're called Blackberry, hopefully for obvious plump and juicy reasons.........although they have been referred to as flying bats. :) Anodized Niobium rings and Sterling Silver earwires.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6195105187_3a895338ca.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eleljewellery/6195105187/)
Blackberry Earrings (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eleljewellery/6195105187/) by Elel Jewellery (http://www.flickr.com/people/eleljewellery/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6195104187_c1b0ac00d6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eleljewellery/6195104187/)
Blackberry Earrings (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eleljewellery/6195104187/) by Elel Jewellery (http://www.flickr.com/people/eleljewellery/), on Flickr

[surfergirl]

Oohh...I love the purple on those, Lesley :Y:

[surfergirl]

my original idea is nowhere near finished

I hope we get to see this at some point, too :)

[surfergirl]

You may have seen this on 'the other side...' My Autumn entry is a ring which, although wasn't intended, I think suits the theme.

Made from 2.5mm brass rod and .45mm sheet, 2mm and 5mm cz's.

Peridot, typically the stone of August but also that of Libra (me :Y:) I just started setting stones and am more pleased with the way I did that than the design of the ring :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/6195766583_dacd5ee0bb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57829121@N08/6195766583/)
Peridot Ring 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57829121@N08/6195766583/) by Indi Khedun (http://www.flickr.com/people/57829121@N08/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/6196279046_1cd4165ebc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57829121@N08/6196279046/)
Peridot Ring 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57829121@N08/6196279046/) by Indi Khedun (http://www.flickr.com/people/57829121@N08/), on Flickr

I was trying out different (photography) techniques and have posted two here. Taken in a lightbox (old kettle box, cut out sides, kitchen towel blu-tacked to the sides to provide diffused light) with one daylight bulb outside left and one daylight lamp straight on to try and capture the sparkle of the stones. The only Photoshopping was auto levels, curves and contrast (and resizing). Camera was nothing special - Samsung V700. It goes without saying that further practice is essential.

[susieq]

Trying to upload a photo of my runner bean earrings - no idea if you will be able to see it or not as all I can see is a code!
Hopefully someone will let me know!

Anyway, on the offchance you can see them, apologies for the photo.

Susie


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[medusa]

all fabulous work! I'm glad I don't have to judge!

[caroleallen]

Will the next theme be summer as autumn has gone?

[Dennis]

Good idea, Carole, I wouldn't miss the winter one bit.

[medusa]

what? no snowflakes and holly? Ivy trails and ... and...

[MeadMoon]

I wasn't going to enter since the quality has been so high, but I just finished this so...

31753176

The leaf and seed are both from my Acer palmatum "Sango Kaku". This is only the second year that it has produced seeds and they are tiny compared to Sycamore seeds. The chain is JPL with a (purchased) leaf clasp.

[LittleGem]

Thank you for all your beautiful entries! The pictures are currently with the judges therefore the winner will be revealed by the end of today.

Good Luck Everyone!

Any ideas for October's theme?

[caroleallen]

Good idea, Carole, I wouldn't miss the winter one bit.

I spoke too soon. I think autumn will resume later this week!

[LittleGem]

Well the results are in and I am pleased to announce that the winning entry is the autumn leaves paperweight!! It perfectly reflects the theme and the intricacy of the leaves are brilliant!

So congratulations to DENNIS for winning his order!

Thank you for all your entries, the panel said it was extremely hard to judge as all the entries were of such high standards. It has been great to see all your amazing work. I hope you all manage to get involved with October's theme competition which is now in the Theme Competitions section.

(Dennis if you could message me your account number with your requested order up to the monetary value of £100 that can only be used in one transaction)

[mizgeorge]

Congratulations Dennis - both on this win, and on being such a consistently lovely forum member :)

[ps_bond]

Congratulations Dennis!

[MeadMoon]

Well done Dennis on your much deserved win!

[lesley]

Congratulations, Dennis!

[Lucy]

Congratulations Dennis! Let us know what you buy :)

[caroleallen]

Well done Dennis.

[surfergirl]

Well done Dennis! Yes, let us know what you get :) What will happen to your gorgeous paperweight, now?

[Dennis]

Thank you members and thank you Cooksons. I feel a bit sad now because some of the other entries were equally deserving. As I am well supplied with tools, I shall ask to have it in silver bullion, which will keep me working for some time ahead, regards, Dennis.

[Tabby66]

Good for you Dennis, enjoy your silver a very well deserved winner!!

[ShinyLauren]

Well done Dennis - the leaves were gorgeous!

[sonia]

Well done Dennis!

Sonia
x

[lorraineflee]

Congratulations Dennis, well deserved!!

[Kathryn Harrison]

Woo! Congratulations, the leads are really gorgeous and you deserve it.

[teatowell]

Well done Dennis, a very deserving winner.

[medusa]

well done Dennis!

[snow_imp]

Congratulations Dennis - the winning piece was beautiful work.

[Adrienne]

Only just checked back on this thread, so, sorry that I'm late with the ... "Congratulations, Dennis!"

Adrienne
(Gothglitz Designs)