Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you'll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
This weeks winner is Jamie, Congratulations!
You have won 20-piece storage container from Erin Siegel and Ornamentea.com.
You have won 20-piece storage container from Erin Siegel and Ornamentea.com.
Note: Ignore the black borders. Not sure what the technical issue was upon export.
I had a lovely lady contact me to put together jewelry that was purchased as a kit.
Keep in mind there were no directions or illustrations as to the finished look of the jewelry.
She had asked other artists to make her jewelry, she did not have the skills, only to be turned down.
Her now deceased husband had purchased these kits for her at a show. He was under the impressions he was buying finished jewelry. Having been widowed myself, I understood and agreed to make her jewelry.
Above is my interpretation of the necklace.
The kit came with 3 strands of gemstones, 1 top drilled agate, memory wire and a few findings.
I glued Vintaj filigree to both sides of the agate. I felt the the piece would look best with raw brass.
Strung the strands of gemstones in graduated lengths with memory wire, covered the connection with crimp covers and connected with brass jump rings. Unfortunately the one thing I didn't have was a clasp in brass. Fortunately Vintaj findings are sold at Hobby Lobby where I could buy a clasp.
I was really happy with the results.
Rummaging through my studio, I found a forgotten stash of brass necklaces I bought years ago from Rishashay.
It was simply hung with a jump ring.
You might recognize the filigree from the necklace above. I took the same filigree and cut off the outer frame, filed down the edges, formed and glued to the back.
Attached Vintaj earwires and voila. A pair of earrings that look as pretty from the front as the back.
My question today is:
Have you helped someone with a jewelry predicament before?
Leave a comment answering the question and you could win Coin Buttons.
Have a great day!!
Feeling Sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
18 comments:
So kind if you!
And a lovely jib you did of it too.
And yes. I've done more than a few repairs for people.
I have really only helped out family with broken pieces.. I did have one friend who wanted me to repurpose a pair of earrings. But that is probably the extent of it.. lol I love the earrings..
I am known around work as someone who can fix jewelry, and I'm glad to help out. It's particularly rewarding when I fix something for a co-worker's granddaughter and get a cute little hand-drawn thank you note!
Thanks for the chance to win those gorgeous coin buttons!
I often repair/re-purpose as I am the only person in my neck of the woods who dabbles in jewelry. Most times it is a very doable, simple process, but occasionally I get that request to "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear".
I love the designs you came up with, Tari, and I'm sure your customer must have thought so, too!
When people know you design jewelry, you get asked to fix a lot of broken things. Sometimes it's something very easy like re-attach something with a jump ring. Sometimes it's out of my league if it involves soldering, etc.
Thank you Naomi!
Thanks so much Mischelle
Ann, I am the fix it person at work also. Repair jewelry, take links out of watches, fix the clocks, glue things, etc.
Thanks for stopping by!
Monique, she loved all of it. I get asked to make all sorts of things too.
Thanks for your comments!
Erin, I know that one. I haven't soldered in a while and I don't want to practice on someone else's treasure.
Thanks for visiting!!
I enjoy fixing jewelry for friends and coworkers. I don't charge much but people often give me more for my trouble so they appreciate it. I like how you used the filigree pieces.
I tend to repair jewelry for close friends who I don't tend to charge. Of course, these are the same folks that tend to purchase my jewelry.
I decided to try my first booth at a small event hosted by a local woman's group to which I belong. One of the attendees asked if I might be able to fix a necklace. She retrieved the necklace and return to the event. I was glad I had brought my pliers with as I was able to make the repaid.
I should add that I used to take mini pliers to court with me because it seemed like someone was always having jumpring issues. Unfortunately the security guards will no longer let me take my pliers into the courthouse. Now I take the projects home and repair.
I have restrung a handmade bracelet for a coworker who loves artisan jewelry. I enjoyed seeing the construction of the bracelet and the satisfaction of seeing her wear it to work.
I've done many repairs for a couple of customers who have collections of old costume/antique jewelry. Sometime it's a quick repair, other times it's a total redo.
Your kits turned out great, and love the coin buttons.
Besides repairs, I have one customer who has come to appreciate my jewelry and design skills. She has asked me to design necklaces to go with earrings she owns, redesign several other pieces she didn't quite like as is.
It's fun for me to collaborate with her.
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