Ring a Month 2019 - June

Here is my ring for the Ring A Month 2019 challenge.

The theme for this month was...

Once Upon a Time. 

With such an open theme it should of been easy to think of something to make but my mind was a bit blank on it. Eventually I settled on Somewhere Over the Rainbow as my theme. 

I started out with a part made ring shank that I'd made earlier in the month as a demo. 

For the rainbow I made a solid semi circle...

...and a couple of textured sides. The printed design on the back of my business card is so handy for cutting things like this 😉

Once dry I joined the pieces and carved it into an arch shape. I could of cut out more of the arch shape in the wet clay stage but I wanted to try to line up with the texture as accurately as I could so decided to go with this method. 

Then I refined it. 

My original plan had been to have the arc of the rainbow the way up it is in the picture above on the top of the ring, but as I was working I realised I preferred the look of it the other way up 😀 What the heck -  go with the flow 😉

To add the rainbow colours I decided to set 2mm stones onto each side of the rainbow. First I drilled out each setting ready...

Then I attached it to the ring band.... and of course added some birds!!! 😀

I also added a couple of other things!! 

Every rainbow needs a pot of gold at the end of it...

...and a little silver stone at the other end???....read on... 😂

With the stones all set it was ready for the kiln.

After firing and polishing I added the 24k gold into the pot with keum boo method. Then I patinated and repolished it :D 

I was going to add some blue patina onto the birds but having tried it I preferred them silver. 

So my Somewhere Over the Rainbow turned into...

Somewhere Over a Down Under Rainbow!!! 😉
😂😉😂

But what about that silver stone I hear you ask...

...well every metal clayer needs an unlimited stash of silver clay at the other end of their rainbow don't they??!! 😄😄

And for those of you who are wondering - the leprechauns ran away after putting the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!! 😉

Until next time...

Have fun!!

Joy x

45/52 Joyful Parrot Fob

I couldn't post this one before Christmas as it was a present! :D

It is made in fine silver and about 4cm high. The colour is all enamel. It is a fob...designed to be attached to a pocket watch chain, hence the style of clasp on it. 

It's double sided and both sides are enamelled so it doesn't matter if it turns while it is being worn. 

It's quite thick to make it nice and strong.

I've been promising to make this piece for several years! Somehow each time I tried to start it I just couldn't come up with a design or style that I liked.

Parrots are very special in our family (my maiden name is Parrott ;) ), so any old parrot just wouldn't do - it had to be right!! It also had to be very bright and colourful (of course!)!! This is based on a macaw.

This year I've been making a lot more enamelled pieces in this sort of style and when I thought about it I realised, at last, it was perfect way to make the parrot. 

 I now have one very happy brother ;)

Have fun!

Joy x 

Bird a Month 9/12 - On Rainbow Shores

 

And now for something a bit different!! Bird a Month for September - well 4 birds actually :)

 

I am quite enjoying playing with small sculptures. The seashells and starfish on this are fine silver made using Art Clay Silver and enamelled. The birds are made using Goldie Bronze.

 

The overall size of the sculpture is 165mm x 85mm x100mm, The enamelled seashells are 4mm - 7mm in diameter and the bronze birds are about 40mm long.

 

I had fun making this! Each little seashell has a small pin in the back to fix it into the wood.  

 

Watch out for the second mask coming tomorrow!!

 

Joy x

Challenging Times!

 

Just in the nick of time here are my challenge pieces for August! My Four A Month pieces are called Enamelling Fun (for obvious reasons!!). Bright and colourful, I have enjoyed making these.

 

The first one is called Japanese Sunset. This is a piece I have had in the back of my mind for a long time and I was pleased with the result when I finally made it! OK, so here is a bit of cheating as this is also my Bird A Month for August. Apologises, I have tried not to be sneaky like this but this month got a bit busy!

 

The next piece is called Rainbow Sprite's Flower. A while ago someone called me a Rainbow Sprite, (thank you Terry Kovalcik!) and, well I do like my colours and I was wearing my rainbow waistcoat! I kind of liked the name so I thought I would use it for this piece.

 

The next one I called Serenity. It is a simple pendant with peaceful green and blue songbirds.

 

Finally I have called this one Summer Blackbird. This is the third piece I have made with a blackbird on, each one different. This time I thought I would add a few bright colourful flowers and a bright shining sun to the pendant.

 

I do realise that with everyone I have had going on my blog has been a bit neglected this past month. Sorry for that.

 

I have lots of things to tell you and pieces to post so blogging is about to become a lot more frequent!!

 

This weekend I shall be at the RAFA Shoreham Airshow in the Craft Marquee. Do come along and say hello. It is always a great show :)

 

Have fun!

 

Joy