Welcome to Part Four of "A Love Story",

  On Valentine's Day, I shared part of Curt and Cherrie's  Love Story, their wedding.
What a joy to print a real live "Fairy Tail". In a world of trouble and turmoil, there are still
shining examples of love and beauty.

 In this segment, I am wanted you to see the the pendent all the way to the polish. Although, it does not yet have it's patina, and the stone is yet to be set. I have to say, this was a real challenge ! One I have truly enjoyed.

Here are the pictures of the final stages of the pendant . In the next Blog, you will see how I made  hand stamped, hand fabricated bench beads, and chain. But for now, take a peek below.


Here is the leaf. My objective was to turn it into a 3D sculpture.And when I saw the leaf's plain surface, it just didn't add up. Leaves have dimension and texture, this one needed to come to life!
I then used a straight line stamp. Next, annealing the metal so I can conform it to the pendant.

After annealing the leaf to soften the metal and start forming the 3D image, I then have to solder this baby to the pendant. Leaving plenty of room to set the stone later.

And here we have it! It's not pickled yet so the oxidation is still present. But you can see were the stone will slide
under the leaf when ready to set.

I have cleaned it up a bit, and decided the end or tip of the leaf, needed to be curled. It was a bit pointy, and I didn't want Cherrie to catch it on anything.



And here she is! I have given the leaf's edges have a more realistic shape. I made tiny textured impressions, like a leaf's natural surface. And have polished it until it gleams. It will be oxidized a gunmetal finish with lots of light polished highlights,and tumbled for strength when all is said and done. And that my friends, you will see in the end result.


Next time, we'll visit the handmade bench beads and chain...I can't believe we're coming to a close, but I can't wait to see it around Cherrie's neck! See you soon! God Bless, Jen


P.S.... I wanted you all to see my Valentine Gifts I made for my girls....of course when you have as many as I do, You have to add initials !!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! 

Today, I dedicate the entire Blog to anyone who thinks that true love has eluded them!

I thought about posting more pictures of the Pendant, and trust me you will see the progress in the coming days, I promise. But instead I asked Curt if he would share a little more about he and Cherrie's Love Story.

Curt and Cherrie "ELOPED",( yes you read it right) ,to New Orleans (and yes, we are all jealous now ),

and were married in front of the Fountain at "The Court Of Two Sister's". Sigh. Yes, I do believe my little Blog is no match for a book that must be written on "How to be the most romantic couple ...ever !! "

Curt wrote the most beautiful thing. His version of a wonderful song we all love... "God Blessed the Broken Road that led me straight to her." Are you all hugging your kleenex box now? How many times I have performed that song in weddings over the years. But I have to say, it now has a whole new meaning. 

Then Curt sent me one last picture with his own words attached.....

"Shortly thereafter we left for the City of Light and Love."

Now that's a Honeymoon! Can this story get any better.You will have to tune into the Blog to see.

I thank Curt and Cherrie for sharing their story.They inspire us all, especially today.I wish you all a 

Blessed Valentine's Day. And remember, sometimes we have to wait for our "Someone", 

but as you have read above, Miracles do happen.

God Bless, Jen

Welcome to Part Two of "A Love Story"...

   In the first segment I shared Curt & Cherrie's story,and the initial design process, that started with a Fabulous "Old Stock" Cabochon of Nevada "Blue Boy Mine"Candelaria Turquoise. In Second Segment ,  I start fabricating the metal into 3D! This is where Magic starts to happen.Please take a look!

In order to give the customer an idea of actual size, I make the sketches to scale with the actual stone.
I'm afraid I am probably still living in the dark ages by some jeweler's standards. Today, many use the CAD/CAM
computer program to design, and that's wonderful, but for me, I was a doodler first. As I say in many descriptions...my perfection is my imperfection. Meaning, I like things a bit, shall we say, off. That's where my esthetic and character come into play. I then place tracing paper over the rendering, trace, and then trim.

Then it's Good Old "Elmer's Rubber Cement". I apply it directly on a very clean sheet of Sterling Silver Sheet. When it dries it will keep the drawing in place. Then I  will pierce and saw around the drawing.And now we have a back plate.

I decided to give Curt and Cherrie a gift of my own. On the back I pierced another leaf . A Tree and it's Leaves , are a sign of growth. Cherrie will wear this close to her heart, a secret if you will. Love Grows.

And here we have the bezel sitting on the back plate,ready to be soldered.

I will leave you with the leaf. Cut out, but not yet a 3 dimensional piece...watch for Segment 3 and see it come to life!
Thanks for stopping by today. Check back for the latest installment of "A Love Story" ... and don't forget to look in the store below for new items. Blessings Everyone! Jennifer
www.turquoiserayn.etsy.com

Happy Valentine's Everyone,

  It's just a week and a half away, didn't we just celebrate Christmas? I am posting a very special blog today, just one in a series that I will bring to life over the next few days. It is dedicated to some new friends mine.Who you say? Well, that's an interesting question,  let me now present a Love Story to inspire you.

    At our last Show of 2012, also our Christmas Show, we met a lovely couple... Curt & Cherrie. Cherrie is an Artist in her own right, and had a lovely booth in that same show. Like my husband, Curt was there for moral support,and to help set up her booth for her. Then we all get a chance to wonder around and view each others booths.I was truly blessed when they dropped by ours. The nicest people one could meet.

  Cherrie spotted a necklace of mine in our booth. Later, Curt came by and secretly purchased that necklace. And in turn we started to have some great conversations throughout the show. It was a 2 day show, so lots of time to talk of stones. You can tell right off the bat, that Curt new his stones well, and the quality.  He also mentioned that he lived in New Mexico at one time, and missed it so. As many of you know, it is my favorite place too.
  
  To enjoy this story more... on the second day of the show, I brought a display of Fossils I am currently using in a new line I am creating. Bison,Walrus, Equus (horse) all from the USA. etc.(and a whole different Blog) and last but not least, my very best Nevada "Candelaria" Turquoise! Cut by my dear friend Terry Williams,who owns Lost Sierra Stones on Etsy,about 99% of my stones are hand cut,and mined by Terry.This is exquisite Old Stock Turquoise, some that will never be seen again! It was mined in the 50's-60's. Curt came by the booth later that day and eyed that turquoise... without words, I could see he knew it was very special. Then the show was over, a success, and we all parted and headed home.

  Remember the necklace Curt bought at the beginning of this story? I believe it was to be a Christmas present for Cherrie.Well... it didn't make it to Christmas. Curt just couldn't wait, and so a few days after the show he ended up giving it to her! They both called me individually to thank me, and to tell how much they loved it! As you can imagine, I was beaming. It's a wonderful thing when someone loves your work. During that same conversation, Curt asked if I still had the Turquoise stone he liked so much. Yes, I did ! And from there he commissioned another surprise for Cherrie.

  I sent 3 sketches to Curt.He love them all, but felt Cherrie should be the one to pick.Yes, the secret was to be, no more. Cherrie called me a day later and made her decision. I have to say, other than my folks, I have never seen a man so smitten and adoring as Curt. Did I mention they have only been married eight years? She is just as smitten as he is! One can only hope for a love like this. They are an inspiration to us all. Bravo!

  Starting today I will document the stages of the necklace in a series of Blogs.
  Hoping this love story will inspire my fellow artists & friends. Here starts the Journey....

Here are the three original sketches with the actual stone.I made the sketches to scale,which makes it so much easier when actually making the pendant.

And here is Cherrie's Pic !! 

The first step is building the bezel for the stone. The back plate is going to be fairly plain, so Cherrie and I decided on Hand Wrought & Stamped Bench beads (in a future Blog) that will be on the chain itself. I added the same stamping design to the bezel. The beads and the bezel will compliment each other nicely. Oh, and meet My Very Favorite Hammer... a Fretz "Janus" Chasing hammer.God Bless You Bill Fretz!

 

Tune in next time to watch the transformation!! See you soon!