S.C. Whimsies

S.C. Whimsies

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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Custom Sterling Silver Pendant


I made this pendant from sterling silver discs.  I hand stamped the names and then oxidized the discs to blacken the letters. I added a fresh water pearl, gently cupped the discs to frame the pearl, and hung it from a sterling silver chain.  I made this necklace for a friend of mine for her grandmother's birthday.  The pendant has the names of all of her grandchildren.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Custom Monograms


I have been receiving quite a few orders for custom charms/necklaces with names and monograms.  These have been really fun to make.  I cut shapes using my jewelers saw and then use steel letter stamps to monogram and then blacken the letters using a patina.  After extensive filing and polishing, voila!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Nickel, Brass, and Sterling Earrings

I used a disc cutter to cut the nickel discs and inserted several brass eyelets to embellish the discs.  The other components are steel and brass with handmade sterling earring loops.

Volá Paris




Volá Paris. My latest creation. I designed the pendant shape freehand from nickel and cut with a jewelers saw. I then stamped and etched it and then used a black patina for the background to highlight the raised image. I cut the acrylic (layer beneath the nickel) and copper (bottom layer) with the saw as well. I designed the inside using antique french script, handmade paper, and a butterfly from an antique greeting card. It is held together with tube rivets. (I especially love the art of cold connecting, which is using metal parts (screws, rivets, eyelets, etc. to connect parts and layers rather than solder and heat). I used hand dyed ribbon to embellish.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Wednesday, April 13, 2011


Bee Still



I soldered this little brass bee to a metal blank (actually a scrapbooking corner plate) using sterling solder. I then added two antique watch jewels, one above and one below, the bee. I used a black patina to highlight the imperfections in the solder.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

My Studio

I have found myself doing all of my creating on the floor (for the exceptions of sawing, drilling, cutting, hammering, soldering, and etching) where I can spread everything out. Despite the chaos, it is still a place of magic for me.  I love my crazy space!!

Wildflowers







I made this nickel pendant using a disc cutter, dapping block, textured metal stamp and a torch and solder. I cut the discs using the disc cutter and then used a metal stamp to texture the top layer and the dapping block to create the dome. I soldered the top dome to the flat bottom layer. I then inserted the image and small pearl and then filled it with a Diamond Glaze (sets similar to resin). I built the chain using brushed silver links, gun metal and steel washers. The stone is one I got in Virginia City, NV, but I am not sure what it is.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Somerset Studios Belle Armoire Jewelry Submission


I recently decided to take the plunge and attempt to get some of my jewelry published in my favorite jewelry publication.  I submitted three necklaces and some bottle charms that I made.  I carefully packaged each piece in an organza bag that I embellished with brass safety pins, old buttons and silk ribbons.  I hope they like it. 

Love old watch parts


I absolutely love old watch parts.  I have collected many old watches over the years that I have enjoyed disassembling and reinventing.  For this piece I removed the insides of an old watch charm and added an image of a tree in a field and a brass bird.  I darkened the charm to highlight the original design on the watch frame.  I then created the chain using a faux brass chain with antique rosary beads and stone beads.

Filigree Bliss

The copper I cut with the jewelry saw and then etched it and added a black patina. I then added the filigrees using a brass rivet. I created the chain using copper chain and brass and steel links.  My father recently sent me a huge grab bag of old filigrees that he found for me at a flea market.  I have thoroughly enjoyed finding unique ways to incorporate them in to my jewelry.   

I Heart You




This pendant was a soldering mishap that I had, but in the end, it kind of worked as something unique. I cut and textured a circle of nickel and then tried to solder a bezel on a brass disc with sterling solder. The solder started to ooze off the disc, which actually created the top of the pendant in this exact form. I hastily sprayed it with water before it set which caused all of the dimples in the solder. I was about to throw it out when I decided to try and add a patina and attach it to the nickel disc and voila! The pendant came alive and I decided to add it to this crazy chain I made. Many of the beads on this chain came from antique rosaries.   It is kind of a funky piece, but I love it.  It is wonderful when you happen upon new techniques by mistake.