Pendant for m

I finally completed this pendant for my friend, m. Just in time, since I will be heading up to Sydney tonight! I hope she likes it.

Hollowform snowflake pendant

Some new winter (for those in the northern hemisphere) bling- this snowflake pendant is a hollowform silver pebble which has had a snowflake etched on the front. The brushed satin finish gives it a wonderful cool glow. It hangs on a 40 cm (16 in) snake chain and is light and comfortable to wear. I really enjoyed making this pendant, lots of positive energy was spent making it! Naturally, it is hallmarked as a Nephilim original.

Aquarium annihilation

I took some time out last week to attended a conference, which I really enjoyed. I thought I couldn't ask for a better weekend.

I woke up on Monday morning to get ready to return home, when I found out that the thermostat in my aquarium malfunctioned, and essentially wiped out my entire collection of fish. I've had these fish for some time now (maybe 6 or 7 years?) and was pretty devastated to lose them.

I'm running a little behind schedule right now because of this unexpected and unfortunate event, so my apologies for the delay in replying messages and so forth.

I guess on the plus side, my lettuce garden which I left to fend for itself over the last week, has surprisingly survived, and is doing quite well...

Work in progress

I've had these router cufflinks floating around inside my head for some time, which is no surprise since I often dream of routers and switches.

I've finally made them a reality, and I thought I would share - they aren't finished yet, but you get the idea.

What networking geek could resist?

Spring Offering

A new piece, requested by a friend. We have been discussing this piece for some time, so it is satisfying to finally create it. Sakuras are always a perfect spring offering.

I am back at my bench, and will be starting up my etching baths again...

I couldn't stay away

Although I still haven't completed my studies, I still can't help myself when it comes to silversmithing. I couldn't stay away!

Here is a ring that I completed for a customer recently -

Nephilim on hold

Just a quick update. I'll keep it short and [bitter]sweet. As of today, I've decided to no longer take on custom orders, but to instead invest my time into my engineering studies. My intention is to continue silversmithing, but for the time being, Nephilim will be in pseudo-hibernation.

This means that custom sizing and personalised etches will no longer be available as of today. For those of you who have already put forward enquiries about custom items, please do not worry, I will continue working with you on your requests to completion.

I've thought about this a lot, and although it makes me sad, I'll be happy with my studies and I also think it's the best thing to do right now.

Of course, please don't feel that this blog will be dead. I'll still be silversmithing and still be blogging on occasion. I promise.


P.

Flower etch bracelet

I finally got around to making a bracelet / cuff! This one has an etched flower pattern. I've accentuated the pattern with a dark patina and also included a chain with this cuff so that it can be worn securely and without worry. I like it so much, I think I might keep this one!

Starflower pendant

I love star gems, and when I can find them, I like to create settings for them that can really show them off. I've been saving this delicious 3.45 ct pink star ruby for something special, and here it is - Star flower pendant. I'll add photos on a sunnier day to show the beautiful asterism of this stone.

Delicious winter days

I've been inspired of late to create some winteresque jewellery due to the early and swift arrival of the cold.
I love cold mornings for their delicious and crisp morning air kisses that wake me up.
I love cold nights for the hot cocoa whilst sitting front of a wood fire.

The first of a number of snowflake inspired pieces is this etched snowstorm necklace, complete with freshwater pearls, moonstone rondelles and briolettes, and handfabricated clasps. Keep your eye out for more snowflakes as winter approaches!

I <3 geek

If there's anything I love more than a good proof by induction, it's a good geek accessory.
I love this magic {number} ring from my new range of geek goodies: The Pi Ring.

It's unisex, so it's perfect for the geek or geekette.
The only drawback to this ring is that I can't stop taking off this ring to admire the magic number inside!

... since I started ...

As I finished flush setting a diamond in a Koi Portrait Pendant today, I realised how far I've come since I started silversmithing a year ago. Aside from learning so many new 'smithing skills. I've gained a burning passion for metal and for life! I love it!

To celebrate my 'smithing anniversary, I thought I would treat myself to some goodies from an artist from Etsy - Christine from Bloom Studios makes gorgeous jewellery. I look forward to receiving my Lotus Petal Necklace - yum!

New bracelet mandrel

My new bracelet mandrel arrived the other day! Looking more like the arm of a killing machine sent back in time, I have no doubt that this hefty baby will deliver the goods. Expect some exciting new bracelets in my store soon!

Tutorial - How to make a silver ring

The first piece of jewellery I ever made was a silver band. It is a great project to learn basic silversmithing skills such as annealing, soldering and forming with a mandrel. The ring below was made from sterling silver sheet.

** Important! As with all silversmithing, please be aware of the hazards of this project such as hot metal, chemicals and loose metal. I recommend the employment of safety equipment at all times, such as a pair of goggles, a face mask and gloves. I also recommend the reading of the relevant MSDS for each chemical in use before undertaking this project. And remember, hot metal looks like cool metal! **

Equipment you will need

• propane/butane torch
• sheet silver
• saw
• silver solder
• flux
• nylon or rawhide mallet
• steel ring mandrel
• pickle and pickle pot
• copper tongs
  
• rinse bath
• file
• sandpaper
• polishing wheel
• polishing compound

Method


1. Saw the silver sheet to the desired size. Remember that if you are making a thick band, size it 1/2 to 1 size larger than usual.
2. Anneal your sheet by heating the silver evenly until it glows a light salmon pink. Be careful not to melt your silver sheet - continually move the flame so that the heat is not concentrated in one spot of the silver for a long period of time.

3. Pick up the ring with tongs and drop it in your pickle pot to remove firescale.
4. Pull your item out of your pickle pot with some copper tongs and rinse in a rinse bath.
5. File the ends of the sheet so they will align with each other neatly.

6. Begin forming the ring by bending the sheet around the steel mandrel with a nylon or rawhide mallet, lining up the ring ends so they butt up closely.

7. Apply flux to the joint and place some silver solder on the joint.

8. Heat the ring evenly with the torch flame until the solder melts and wicks into the joint.
9. Pick up the ring with tongs and drop it into the pickle pot to remove the firescale and rinse in the rinsing bath.

10. Dry the ring and slide it onto the steel mandrel. Shape and size the ring evenly using a nylon or rawhide mallet.
11. Inspect the joint and file it neatly until the joint cannot be seen.

12. Take the ring off mandrel and finish the ring with some sandpaper.

13. To finish, polish the ring on a buffing wheel using polishing compound of your choice, or leave with a brushed finish.

Blossom etch pillow pendant

I love creating tangible, tactile jewellery - work that you can appreciate not only with your eyes, but also with your fingertips, which is why I love etching so much.
Lately, I have developed an interest in hollow form jewellery - adding yet another dimension to my pieces. Not only can you create 3D pieces with this technique, but they are also light and comfortable to wear.

My latest baby is the Blossom etch pillow pendant. I fell in love with this piece during its fabrication, and I knew I had to adopt it. Hangs on a brown cotton cord and is accompanied by a lovingly hand fabricated clasp.

Bonsai Etch Ring

I finished a new piece today - Bonsai Etch Ring.
This is the newest addition to my current collection - a collection which draws inspiration from Japanese imagery and wood block prints. This is the second etched ring in my porfolio. Sweet!

Brand spankin' new blog

The start of a new day, the start of a new blog. It's brand spanking new, just out of the wrapper.

I hope to be able to track my progress with my newfound love of silversmithing via this blog.