The Lunch-Break Ring...

Finally got some spare time to update The Jeweller's File. It's Sunday and I've just done my end-of-financial-year stuff, so I deserve a bit of me-time, don't you think?

I have a couple of interesting things to show you this post, firstly (as the title suggests), The Lunch-Break Ring !

OK, it has nothing to do with food....here's the story behind it.

I work (as a jeweller) in a retail store a couple of days a week and a ring came in for repair which caught the eye of one of the sales people, Donna. She just loved the general design of the ring and asked me about making a similar one for her. Being a simple, no-solder design, I suggested she try making it herself and I set her the challenge of making it in her one hour lunch-break. Donna, being the fiesty chick she is, was definately up for it. So, lunch-breaks sychronised, we set to the task.... and so created The Lunch-Break Ring!

She took to the tools really quickly and had a great time making her own version of the ring (and yes, she did it with those nails!!). It looks fantastic and really suits her. OK, Donna, next step......the torch!!!

Another custom design order I recently made was for a snake neckpiece. I was contacted through my Snake Jewellery website and quickly realised that Jenelle and I were going to get along well. She had this fabulous idea of a snake neckpiece and I customised a design to suit her. The neckpiece was just stunning. Here are some photos of the process and the finished piece. The pictures, unfortunately, really don't do it the justice it deserves; it's a gorgeous piece.

I'm also putting together the projects for Grafton Artsfest....plenty of fun things to make! Don't forget, time is going fast so enrol now if you are planning to join us.

Hope to see you there !

Time Flies

Well, they say "time flies when you're having fun"..... or if you're a frog, "time's fun when you're having flies". (OK, I'll stop with the corny jokes)

But seriously, where has the year gone? Who can believe it's nearly July? And that wretched end-of-financial-year paperwork is looming......ugghhh !

It's almost Grafton Artsfest time again. This year, Artsfest runs from Tuesday October 6th to Sunday October 11th. If you are planning on booking in to any of the great courses available, I'd recommend you do it soon as time really is running out.




My class will cater for beginners and those with some experience. Most projects will be adaptable depending on the skill level of the student. If you have any enquiries about my "Precious Metal Skills" class, please feel free to contact me and if you would like a printed Artsfest guide, which lists all of the courses and events, just let me know and I'll pop one in the post for you. You can also visit the Grafton Artsfest website http://www.artsfestgrafton.com/ for an online version and, of course, to make your booking.


I've been busy, not only creating some great jewellery, but also designing. Now all I need is the time to make the designs a reality! Following the Lego ring, I was asked to make two Scrabble tile pendants. My client is giving them as a gift to two of her close 'scrabble-playing' friends overseas. I just love these.... I'm going to make a whole lot more of them when I get the time. The back is also silver to allow for a personal message to be engraved.

Aren't they great? These are made with the classic older style tiles. When you actually look into it, there were quite a few variations of the humble Scrabble tile. Who would have thought!

I have lots more to show you, but time is getting away from me again, so check back in a day or so when I'll post again......

Thanks for stopping by.

One-Day Workshop Coming Soon : Canberra

For those of you who are wishing to get some hands-on jewellery making experience, good news!

I will be holding one-day workshops in Canberra in the very near future. You can make a fully-finished sterling silver jewellery item in just one day.... One project is the Flower Ring pictured on the right side of this page. Set with a cabochon garnet, this delightful ring will certainly impress your friends. Why not enrol and make it for your Mum.....Mothers day is not too far away. Better still, enrol WITH your Mum and spend an enjoyable day of creativity together.

Other project options will include sterling silver pendant with cabochon Jasper, or two tone earrings using sterling silver and copper. If you have something particular in mind, let me know. Classes will run with minimum of four students, so why not get a few friends together and make a day of it.


More information will be coming soon, but if you are interested in attending a workshop, email me now and let me know your preferred day (weekday or weekend, day or evening) and any preference in terms of projects.

Stay tuned for more details..........

Turning over a Silver Leaf.....

It's been funny lately... seems I'm doing dribs and drabs of all sorts of things, but not getting anything finished. Don't you hate that feeling ?? So today, I sat down at my bench, determined to do something from start to finish without getting sidetracked.

A few weeks ago (maybe longer..) I made a few wax pieces. There was no urgency to get them cast, so I gave them to a friend of mine who has a casting set-up at home and whom I know does a good job. Last week, he returned my waxes in silver. Yayyy !

When the silver model comes back, there is still quite a bit of work left to do cleaning up and polishing, so I spent this afternoon doing just that.

Here's a picture of the waxes. The one on the left is the one I had cast.

The wax comes in thin sheets.

I heat the wax gently until it's just softened and then press a real leaf into it and allow the wax to reset. Then I carefully cut around the leaf with a scalpel. The leaf is then peeled away and some strengthening pieces are added to the back if needed. This leaf is actually a tomato leaf out of my garden.

When the cast leaf comes back, it needs a lot of work smoothing edges, shaping, adding a bail and polishing, but the end result is amazing.

I'm really happy with how this one turned out. It looks great on the leather necklace.

Another job I started and finished today was a sample for an upcoming workshop (see pic below). This class is specifically designed for beginners. It incorporates all of the basic silversmithing skills and comes together quickly once the components are made. By completing this project, students will have learned the basics of sawing, filing, soldering, shaping, texturing, polishing and design skills, in just one day....Phew!! Sorry the picture is not too good, I was running out of daylight by the time I was ready to photograph. All of the silver components of the bracelet are handmade, even the fancy silver bead!

If you're interested in paticipating in a beginners workshop, drop me a line. I'm also looking at holding some open day workshops (bring your own project, or something you're having trouble with) and also some set-project workshops in Canberra in the coming months, so once again, if you're interested, let me know and I'll send you details and dates once they're finalised.

Well, that's about it for this entry. Must be wine o'clock by now !!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back soon.