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View Full Version : THEME CHALLENGE: Hearts and Flowers



MuranoSilver
14-01-2010, 09:16 PM
Here's the first monthly challenge and just in time for Valentines <3<3
So in that very open theme what can our talented folk make?
nic x

The Dragon
14-01-2010, 10:15 PM
Oooo I've had an idea!

Ominicci
15-01-2010, 10:40 AM
I also have given myself an extra Ring a Day weekly challenge - this week it is 'Copper, no solder' so I may incorporate it into this challenge too.

MuranoSilver
15-01-2010, 11:30 PM
Here's a Heart Ring I made today :)
http://www.muranosilver.com/images/pink.jpg
Come on Nicci I've seen that gorgeous heart ring you made
Nic x

Ominicci
16-01-2010, 04:50 PM
Ha ha ha I didn't know if that was cheating as I made it a few days before you started this thread! Here's a flower one too then.

MuranoSilver
16-01-2010, 04:57 PM
I so love that heart wire wrap - it's beautiful!
Nic x

Ominicci
16-01-2010, 05:16 PM
[]One that I may wear in the abscence of any other red rings in my jewellery box lol! But it will also go with me as an example for my 'ring making' classes!

caroleallen
17-01-2010, 01:11 PM
Nearly everything I make has hearts and/or flowers, so I wouldn't know where to start. Does it need to be something new?

amazingbabe
18-01-2010, 12:39 PM
both those rings are gorgeous xx

MuranoSilver
18-01-2010, 02:20 PM
No Carole it doesn't need to be new - it will be interesting for new folks to get a feel for what we currently make too :)
Your wonderful creations will brighten the thread up a treat!
Nic xx

The Dragon
27-01-2010, 02:31 PM
OK at Nicci's suggestion I'd like to enter my rose earrings, I've never submitted anything for a competition or challenge before so it's quite a novel thing for me.

I case anybody missed them here they are:

962

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is doing.

elliboo
29-01-2010, 04:52 PM
Can I join in? I've done a couple of heart pieces recently. Not sure how to post the pic, but hope this works

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4313579871_639fdcfac7_m.jpg

It's a silver clay hollow bead, with wood texture and LOS patination. I strung it with garnets.

daisychain
29-01-2010, 06:30 PM
Can I join in? I've done a couple of heart pieces recently. Not sure how to post the pic, but hope this works

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4313579871_639fdcfac7_m.jpg

It's a silver clay hollow bead, with wood texture and LOS patination. I strung it with garnets.

That is gorgeous!
I'm off to look through my photos to see what I can find to show you!

lynnm
29-01-2010, 06:44 PM
must join in this... might have made something today but I fell asleep for a couple of hours, put me right behind! :N:

Ominicci
29-01-2010, 07:02 PM
I've never submitted anything for a competition or challenge before so it's quite a novel thing for me.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is doing.

LOL Anne, not a competition, just for inspiration - to help each other along when we lose it! But if it was I'd give you a prize!!

Ominicci
29-01-2010, 07:02 PM
Elli, that bead is fab!!!

bob flemming
29-01-2010, 07:07 PM
Here's a fairly old creation:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k202/parpace/2949_80906911985_664581985_2211931_.jpg

MuranoSilver
30-01-2010, 12:42 AM
Anne I love your rose earrings especially the way the ear wire is such an integral part of them.
Elli your hollow form bead is gorgeous and garnets are one of my favourite stones (I'd wear that in a trice!) :Y:
Bob you missed your calling - you could make a fortune in sugarcraft. That rose is so realistic!

bob flemming
30-01-2010, 09:00 AM
Thank you Nic. It was actually my aunt, who is a sugarcraft and cakemaking genius, who inspired me to make the rose. She showed me how to make it in sugar, and I tried to recreate it in silver. The clasp is the rose itself, there is a hook on the leaf that fits over the rose.

caroleallen
30-01-2010, 01:31 PM
That rose is lovely and it does remind me of my sugarcraft days.

I also really like the hollow heart.

caroleallen
30-01-2010, 01:39 PM
This is something a bit different from my normal flowers.

MuranoSilver
30-01-2010, 01:44 PM
Bob I love clever clasps and love the rose even more now!
Carole that enamel is so gorgeous I hope you do more in that style
(I think it would be very successful)
nic xx

willow
30-01-2010, 03:14 PM
This is the first time that I have joined in on a challeng aswell, here goes

http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/1436561/P1140070.JPG

willow
30-01-2010, 03:15 PM
Whoops I didn't think I'd attached that pic. properly, never mind

MuranoSilver
30-01-2010, 03:26 PM
Willow - that's beautiful!
A clever way to add colour and a design accent at the same time *-:)
Nic x

lynnm
30-01-2010, 03:53 PM
Wow! lovely stuff there! I really must get my finger out and actually make something!

Di Sandland
30-01-2010, 04:04 PM
This is something a bit different from my normal flowers.

Carole, that's beautiful - I think a new range should be coming on :worthy::worthy:

caroleallen
30-01-2010, 04:17 PM
Trouble is Di, as we all know, having too many things in the range just makes life difficult. Every year I try to pare it down but I can never decide what should go.

caroleallen
30-01-2010, 04:17 PM
Loving that heart Willow. Most unusual.

elliboo
30-01-2010, 06:36 PM
I'm loving the pieces here. I love how everything is so different. Here's another couple of heart pieces - I need to work on my flowers!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4314316314_38ef2d049a_m.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4316191065_a7ae450bd5_m.jpg

bob flemming
31-01-2010, 12:55 AM
Willow, that is beautiful!

The thing I love most about my jewellery class is how everyone is given the same remit, yet everyone comes up with something completely different.

MuranoSilver
31-01-2010, 07:51 AM
Elli - love that bottom heart with the cut out. Is that a woven mesh behind or syringe work? It works really well with the texture on the top :<3:
nic x

MuranoSilver
31-01-2010, 07:57 AM
I'm making some more of these today - OMG I think I've found the first of a new range!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4269369677_186f7270ba.jpg
Flower set montage on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/muranosilver/4269369677/)
nic x

lynnm
31-01-2010, 08:52 AM
Wow Love those Nic!!!

elliboo
31-01-2010, 09:24 AM
Thanks Nic, the mesh is fine silver wire (I think it's 0.2 or 0.3mm), knitted on 0.8mm needles and sandwiched between 2 pieces of metal clay - my first attempt, so I'm pretty pleased - next time, I'll try a bigger cut out and hope the shrinkage won't warp the knitting too much.

I love the flowers, and especially the wrapped bail pendant - it almost looks like a flower tendril.

MuranoSilver
31-01-2010, 09:31 AM
Wow you knitted the mesh - KUDOS to you (I've never tried knitting wire but would love to try viking weave).
If you did a bigger cut out, do you think it would work if you made a puffed heart shape out of fimo -
baked it and then used it as a former to push the mesh into a slightly 3D shape?
Copper mesh might be an interesting variant too....
Your design has a lot of possibilities - LOVE it <3<3

Thank you Lynn & Sharon for the flower comments :)
Sharon I was trying for some kind of tendril bail, but would still like it to look more "part" of the pendant.
Maybe I'll need to do the bail in Silver Clay too (though that would add more to the work)

nic x

elliboo
31-01-2010, 10:45 AM
Hmm - maybe, the fab thing about knitting is that it gives. I might just try that tomorrow ;)
(my first day of peace in about 2 weeks!)

Sunnybank
01-02-2010, 12:27 PM
A little hammered heart!

I just polish the with micromesh so the white from the pickle is left in the hammer marks.

amazingbabe
01-02-2010, 12:36 PM
I'm making some more of these today - OMG I think I've found the first of a new range!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4269369677_186f7270ba.jpg
Flower set montage on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/muranosilver/4269369677/)
nic x

wow nic just love this new range fab :Y:

willow
01-02-2010, 12:37 PM
Thankyou for your lovely comments, all the other items are fab. isn't it fascinating all the different ideas on the same theme.
I love those flowers with tendrils Nic.

MuranoSilver
01-02-2010, 12:58 PM
That's really pretty & I like the selective sanding
nic x

lynnm
01-02-2010, 03:51 PM
Well... won't go into what happened today, boring but suffice to say I didn't get my day in the workshop. Only managed to make this which is my first so please be kind
969

MuranoSilver
01-02-2010, 08:29 PM
Thats beautiful I love calla lillies!

Ominicci
01-02-2010, 10:44 PM
Oh not been around much over past few days but what a fantastic selection!!!

Carole - that is a beautiful pendant, almost abstract but not quite.

Willow - Your pendant is fabulous! I love the stitching with the little rings down the side with the beads, reminds me of a punk's pierced ear (in a very good way! Hope that doesn't offend :confused:)

Eliboo - I love both your pendants especially the first one with the 2 hearts!

Nic - what a fantastic range! The integrated swirly bail on the pendant is superb, and the earrings are a lovely match.

Jane - that is a lovely effect, almost the reverse of oxidising! I have a feeling that the white will wear off eventually, though perhaps not too quickly as it is in the recessed hammer marks.

Lynn - the lily is wonderful! I love them too. Is that silver or copper? Either way it is just lovely!

lynnm
02-02-2010, 06:15 AM
Thats beautiful I love calla lillies!

Thanks Nic, I love lilies to!



Lynn - the lily is wonderful! I love them too. Is that silver or copper? Either way it is just lovely!

Thanks! It's copper... have some silver standing by for one but as I have never made anything like it before in metal though I should use something a little cheaper. lol

agent_44
02-02-2010, 08:07 AM
I'm not as thorough as Nicci I am afraid, bust some lovely work! Carole I especially love your enamelling on that pendant , but all the pieces are great :)

I have aqn idea for soemthing, but wether I get it done in time is another story...

willow
02-02-2010, 11:43 AM
Hi. Nicci, no it didn't offend me at all, I hadn't looked at it like that but know you come to mention it.
That cala lily is wonderful.

Sunnybank
03-02-2010, 09:52 AM
Well it is a flower and it can have been made before, so here goes!

Well you can't blame a 'girl' for trying!

AlexandraBuckle
03-02-2010, 10:05 AM
Appologies for my disappearance lately - my computer had a fit and none of the USB is working! I am sharing an internet cable with hubby who needs it more than I do!! sob sob! Need to get it fixed - i can't cope without constant internet...

Anyway, I just want to say I love the work that has been put up in this thread so far, its all so unique and different!

I've been wanting to put my contribution up for days and I've finally got the internet cable and the chance... They are not new designs but they are new colour combinations. Hope you like them...

MuranoSilver
03-02-2010, 10:58 AM
Jane - I still love that set. Did you sell it or did you keep it for yourself?
(I don't think I could've let that one go, lol)

Alexandra - that's really pretty wirewrapping and I love the colours
Do you have any problems using a split ring as the attachment?
I've tried them in that position in the past and have had them open...
Maybe I'm opening them too wide to slip chain etc in or the customer has caught the attachments
(they dont look like a ring at all when they come back,lol)
nic x

Di Sandland
03-02-2010, 11:10 AM
Jane, that's always been one of my very fave pieces ;)

AlexandraBuckle
03-02-2010, 01:35 PM
Alexandra - that's really pretty wirewrapping and I love the colours
Do you have any problems using a split ring as the attachment?
I've tried them in that position in the past and have had them open...
Maybe I'm opening them too wide to slip chain etc in or the customer has caught the attachments
(they dont look like a ring at all when they come back,lol)
nic x

no I haven't had any issues with the split rings as yet. I do open them as little as possible to attach them. Also I doubt the hearts get snagged very often cos they are on 16/18inch chains. If they were on a longer chain I could see it being a problem.

I use them because I don't like the look of bought in bails, they always seem to overpower the design.

I'd be very happy to hear suggestions as to alternatives as I agree the split rings aren't a perfect solution.

Sunnybank
03-02-2010, 01:37 PM
Jane - I still love that set. Did you sell it or did you keep it for yourself?
(I don't think I could've let that one go, lol)

I kept it and am wearing it now, couldn't part with it!

There are some lovely items on show, obviously this flower entry was tongue in cheek, but it is great to see the breadth of work of forum members.

May the best flower or heart win, wouldn't like to be the judge!

agent_44
03-02-2010, 01:38 PM
no I haven't had any issues with the split rings as yet. I do open them as little as possible to attach them. Also I doubt the hearts get snagged very often cos they are on 16/18inch chains. If they were on a longer chain I could see it being a problem.

I use them because I don't like the look of bought in bails, they always seem to overpower the design.

I'd be very happy to hear suggestions as to alternatives as I agree the split rings aren't a perfect solution.

A soldered jump ring?

AlexandraBuckle
03-02-2010, 01:43 PM
A soldered jump ring?

I don't have any soldering equipment/space at the moment, else that would be an ideal solution, I agree!

...probably should have mentioned that!

When I have a bigger space to work I intend to start soldering.

agent_44
03-02-2010, 01:51 PM
Ah, I did think it was an obvious alternative, lol!

I'm sure you can buy soldered jump rings though.

AlexandraBuckle
03-02-2010, 01:52 PM
really? ah, now that would be an obvious solution! thaks for that, I'll look into it :)

Di Sandland
03-02-2010, 01:55 PM
You can, Alexandra. Not sure if Cookies sell them or not but they are available cos I've used em ;)

AlexandraBuckle
03-02-2010, 01:59 PM
You can, Alexandra. Not sure if Cookies sell them or not but they are available cos I've used em ;)

Thats great! I shall hunt them down! They will make my work sooo much easier!

Emerald
03-02-2010, 05:34 PM
May the best flower or heart win, wouldn't like to be the judge!

I dident think this was a comp Jane just an inspiration thread

MuranoSilver
03-02-2010, 06:47 PM
yep it's an inspiration thread and we'll have another one as of the 15th of Feb
If anyones got any suggestions then the suggestion thread that Nicci started is here http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/suggestions/1914-monthly-challenges-2.html
nic x

Sunnybank
03-02-2010, 07:13 PM
Lol .............. at my age the lack of short term memory means I can't remember as far back as the start of the thread.

Lindyloo
03-02-2010, 08:27 PM
Just looked through this whole thread, and it is indeed inspirational. Such lovely work everyone. :Y:

Gemma
04-02-2010, 10:01 AM
I've been gone a while. All I can say is WOW!! Great inspiration from everyone. I <3<3 everything Creative juices bubbling!!

Life taking over a bit at the moment but was determined to join in before the new topic starts. Just a simple little pendant from me (I had something more complex on the go but its gone a bit wrong :'( I really should practice my celtic weaves in copper first!)

Its made from scrap 2mm round wire- lots of filing to remove the plier marks! Its far from perfect but I like it and thats all that matters seen as though its for me ;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4329351651_465e048952_m.jpg

Ominicci
04-02-2010, 11:51 AM
Ooh that is lovely Gem!

Alexandra - those hearts are sooo pretty!

MuranoSilver
04-02-2010, 01:03 PM
Gemma
I really love that it's beautiful!
Nic x

AlexandraBuckle
04-02-2010, 02:44 PM
Ooh that is lovely Gem!

Alexandra - those hearts are sooo pretty!

Thank you :<3:

I just sold ALL my heart earrings to a shop in Winslow this morning! Yay! She wanted to take the pendants too but she was watching her pennies...

She also bought all of my cheaper glass cube pieces too :D


Gemma that is lovely!

elliboo
11-02-2010, 01:45 PM
I think I've jumped the gun a bit but I'm going to sneak these in here since it is a heart after all. One of the new techniques I wanted to try was keum boo, so I've had a go and this is the result

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4348198055_0675e4c231_m.jpg

I oxidised it afterwards, and managed to get s lovely pattern on the back (well, at least I think so! :"> ) Why does that never happen on the front of a piece?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4348942644_b84318be26_m.jpg

Now I have to think of something else for the 15th if the next challenge is new techniques!

MuranoSilver
11-02-2010, 02:20 PM
Wow love the Keum Boo & beautiful oxidisation pattern on the rear -
Did you use Liver of Sulphur & have you tried replicating it?
Nic xx

elliboo
11-02-2010, 03:43 PM
Thanks, it was a really weak liver of sulphur - one of the gels. I've only done this this afternoon but was so excited I wanted to share it! (My DH thinks I've gone mad)
I have the house to myself tomorrow, so I can try experimenting once I've done some more work on my website!

Gemma
11-02-2010, 05:12 PM
Oooh, lovely Sharon :D

AlexandraBuckle
12-02-2010, 09:21 AM
I love that heart elliboo - very pretty!