Work in Progress

This pendant in the picture to the left was a tad too large and since the bail did not turn out the way I envisioned I decided to re-do it. About the same time, a friend wanted a pendant from this piece along with some earrings and possibly a ring. The second picture on the right shows the pieces after cutting the original pendant.

Cutting a 6mm+ piece of glass is not easy. In order to get the smaller pieces, I finally wrapped the glass in a shop towel and put it in a workbench vice. I thought I'd never get it to break where it was scored. The piece in the upper right corner should be enough to fashion a cabochon for a ring. After grinding to shape the various pieces, I'll put them in the kiln, ramp up the temperature to about 1325 degrees to fire polish and smooth edges so the grinding will not show.

It has been several years since I've fabricated a ring but found some half-round, sterling silver ring wire in my stash of various materials. I will make an adjustable-size ring and solder on a silver pad mounting to which the glass cabochon can be attached. I am excited about the project because I very much enjoy fabricating jewelry. I'll post pictures of the completed projects, i.e., the finished pendant, the earrings, and the ring.

Here is ring I did when taking lost wax casting classes at Austin Community College. I love the ring but thought I'd never get the four tubes soldered inside the recessed area. I may enroll in another lost wax class in the Fall, 2009 session. The campus is about 40 to 45 miles from my house, so if gasoline is in the $3.50-4.00 per gallon range, I doubt I'll enroll. :D

Until next time, God bless.