These are hollow too. I used sterling silver tubing for these so they are slightly easier to make than the other shaped ones.
Sterling Silver Hollow Charms
These are part of my Modern Talisman Component line which is different pieces that can be mixed and matched.
These are tiny, like less than 1/2 inch at the largest point. Except the last one. Not sure what I’m going to use that one for yet.
Tab Bead Necklace and Bracelet
What I started doing was try to figure out how silver glass works but in my lame attempt, I started making these tab beads. They looked cute and not knowing what to do at the time, I just put them into a container. Then I found out I had a gift certificate from Rings and Things from 2011!! Yippee!! I was able to get some silver beads to space the tab beads out. I was able to make a necklace and bracelet.
The beads do turn so they aren’t all lined up when worn. I like them moving around. Makes it more interesting.
New Kokeshi Doll Bead Necklaces
I just got these made up with sterling silver findings and pearl and crystal accents.
Kokeshi Doll Bead Necklaces
These beads are cursed. I’ve never had this much trouble with any bead except when I tried to encase yellow with clear. I usually have several made by this time of year but things keep happening to them. I flung two across the room when I picked up the towel they were laying on. While these beads can take a beating, hitting a hard floor and having them bounced around, well, I don’t need to say more.
This one I used sterling silver bail and chain.
I used brass chain and finding on this one. And I added dangles.
I’m hoping to make a few more kokeshi doll beads this weekend out of some different colors.
Three New Charm Necklaces
Since I made more than a few charms, I had to make up some more necklaces. Here’s the last three I finished:
They obviously are the same design but I used different charms in them. Sure wish I could figure out what I did to my camera. All my pictures are coming out blurry. Surely, it’s not user error. LOL!!
Charm Necklace
I put together three charms I made onto a sterling silver ball chain. I added the clasp as those connector things are too hard to take apart and put back together.
I stamped the little rectangle tag with a Kanji character – Happiness and made the bead that is cored with silver tubing. The triangle charm is made with scraps of silver that I’ve accumulated. I want to use some of the bronze clay pieces in necklaces like this.
Geometric Charms
I made a few more charms to go with the square charms.
I didn’t shine up the circle and triangle one and I’m thinking I like the matte look better so I might matte the squares up too. I’m not planning on using more than one charm per necklace so it probably doesn’t matter that much though. These are all hollow sterling silver and tiny. It’s on 2mm ball chain to give an idea of size.
Totally New To Me
I didn’t want to get started with a new medium but I broke down, the temptation was too great. I’ve been wanting to play with bronze and copper clays but I already doing so much that learning a new thing wasn’t in my plans. I wanted to make some rustic looking charms to use in my jewelry and couldn’t figure out a way to do that easily with a bronze sheet metal so I bought some bronze clay and tried it out. Now I remember why I don’t like metal clays. I don’t like working quickly and don’t like doing test pieces in my kiln to make sure the temperature and time is correct. But I was on a mission. My first batch was a total failure, my second batch took all night to fire because I realized the binder probably wasn’t going to be all burnt out so I turned off the kiln and let the whole thing cool and started the firing over again. Those two pieces turned out great. So, this morning I fired the rest of the pieces I made. Here’s the results:
I used Hadar’s Smart Bronze clay which is fired differently than all the other bronze clays. It’s a nice gold color. These have been cleaned and tumbled. The sterling silver square charms are what I did last night since I couldn’t make beads. I’m still not all that confident that all is well with these pieces. I guess wearing them and time will tell. The reason for this is when I drilled the hole in the charm to the right of the little square charm, I thought the drill bit when through kind of easily and I got out black powder. Also, the second charm from the left has a hairline crack in the back and I’ve tried to break the piece but couldn’t. I did make some thin pieces that came out warped and when I bent them they broke up into pieces. They were about 2 playing cards thick which I did read after I made them that for copper and bronze clay, the pieces have to be thicker than with silver metal clay. The second one from the right, I cored with sterling silver so I did hammer on it and it held up just fine.
Charm Necklace
Using one of the components from the This Is All I Got post, I made a necklace.
Well, kind of. I didn’t make the two other charms except add the jump rings so I could hang them from the ball chain. I don’t like those ball chain connector thingys. They are too hard to use so I soldered on some end caps and fabricated a clasp. Much easier to wear now. I’m planning on making some little charms, just have to get started on them after I buy the supplies. As long as I’ve been making things, you’d think I have everything. Well, I do, I have everything I need for the last project I just finished. Isn’t that they way it always is?
Mewkittie Creations 