Can you tell what it is yet...?

[ShinyLauren]

Okay, obvs you can't actually tell what it is (or even what it's going to be) yet, but I have two commissions I'm starting today so I thought it would be fun to post pictures as I work on them.

One will be carved from wax, one pierced from sheet silver.

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[Gemsetterchris]

Some kind of pendant me thinks.

[ShinyLauren]

You would be correct Chris!

Progress so far...

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[Gemsetterchris]

Looks like something from monsters university :D
Which is worth a trip to the cinema.

[ps_bond]

Upper curve looks like it could be lips?

[Anna Wales]

Father Christmas beard!

[ShinyLauren]

It is indeed a beard! A slightly odd request from a customer, but I thought it was a fun project.

I think this is as far as I can get with it before I get it cast into silver, as it's a bit fragile now and I've already snapped off a sideburn!

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The bit of silver sheet has remained just a bit of silver sheet. It's glaring balefully at me from the workbench, but I've decided it's wine o'clock so it'll have to wait to tomorrow now.

[Dennis]

Are you sure it's not a double spouted tea pot, Lauren?

[medusa]

It is indeed a beard! A slightly odd request from a customer, but I thought it was a fun project.

I think this is as far as I can get with it before I get it cast into silver, as it's a bit fragile now and I've already snapped off a sideburn!

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The bit of silver sheet has remained just a bit of silver sheet. It's glaring balefully at me from the workbench, but I've decided it's wine o'clock so it'll have to wait to tomorrow now.

Bizarre! :D

[Petal]

Looking forward to seeing how it comes out Lauren, as your designs are always different. :)

[Tabby66]

Oooh, will be interesting!!.......and to see what becomes of the sheet ;)

[Wallace]

what fun - it looks like the Lorax moustache and beard.

love your work Lauren, always inspires and in awe of your talent.

[ShinyLauren]

Finally had time to download the pictures from my camera.

Beard necklace ready for hallmarking:

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And the silver sheet became a large initial M pendant, as the customer wanted one inspired by Miley Cyrus' necklace in her new video. I had to watch the video in order to get a look at it. Painful.

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Anyway, they've both been polished up now and been sent off for hallmarking this morning. Will try and take some decent photos when they've got the chains attached and the M has been gold plated.

The guys in West One had a good laugh about the beard. They said it's certainly not the weirdest thing they've ever cast, but it's definitely different!

[ShinyLauren]

Finished!

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The M necklace is with Elliot Fitzpatrick for gold plating, but that's all that needs to be done now.

Fun custom stuff over for now, and back to shiny rollerskates and sanding/polishing a million tiny wheels.

[JonLendrum]

Love the beard! Lauren I just checked out your website, absolutely lovely work!

[ShinyLauren]

Aw, thanks Jon :o

[Petal]

Gorgeous, as ever Lauren.
What type of gold plating did you go for Lauren..?

[ShinyLauren]

Not sure actually Jules - I just asked them for 4 microns gold plating, they gave me a quote and that was that. Are there more options I should have thought about? I should get it back this week - hope it looks okay!

[Petal]

I haven't a clue Lauren, I just wondered if you sent them off with a particular layer of plating, or whether there was a standard quote! I guess there is. :Y: It will be interesting to see what it looks like when you get it back and I'm sure it will be absolutely fine.