Wednesday, September 18, 2013

"Creating with Cabochons" Blog Hop Reveal!

When I saw that Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime was hosting a blog hop on "Creating with Cabochons," I'll admit that my attention was grabbed but my reaction torn. Should I run toward the fire or run away from it? I've been avoiding cabochons since I started making jewelry.  I'm thinking in particular of setting stones in silver bezels.   I see people who do it very well, and some who don't. I watched a video some months back where the instructor seemed to struggle a great deal with it. That didn't make me leap to try it.


I know I'm not ready for that,...but, I've had another idea I've wanted to try for a very long while now, and this gave me the perfect little push to try it out.  So I signed up and gave it a try!  

Not only have I had this idea in my head for nearly a year now, I've had the piece I wanted to use for almost as long. It's not a stone or ceramic piece though.  It's a wooden tile art piece from "More Skye Jewels" (temporarily closed) that I asked Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp NOT to drill a hole in.  This was a departure for me.  Typically I ask for holes in her art tiles, tell her how many, and the placement.  This time I was brave and daring!    (I hope you can envision me in a cape and mask with hands on hips!)

I should have thought to take a "before" photo, but alas...


I was finished with it before I thought to take a picture.   I was slow to join the "key" movement, but really liked the colors in this tile and the simplicity of the piece.  The placement of the key image on the wooden tile seemed perfect for my experiment in framing it with metal.  I cut it all freehand so as to hold the tile in place and avoid covering the main key image with my metal "flaps."

It looks pretty "rugged" and it is.

I had a sort of steampunk image in mind all along.   I cut the frame out of aluminum.   (I had planned to use copper, but this aluminum seemed just the right gauge.)  After filing all the edges, I gave it a worn, industrial look by beating the metal up with stamped letters and a ball pein hammer.   


There is a built-in bail which I made by leaving a longer piece of metal on top and rolling it from back to front.  I bent the sides to frame the tile, then bent back enough to remove the tile so I could paint the metal frame.   I mixed green and black patina to come up with this dark grayish color, and applied several coats, then a sealant.  



I wasn't using a torch to anneal the metal though, (don't even know if you can anneal aluminum like you can copper)...so although it remained fairly flexible, I didn't want to over bend and break it.  I had trouble getting the flaps to remain flat against the tile.

With the blackened brass chain, I like the overall look of this, but think it needs to be redone, and didn't have the time or heart to start over right after I finished this attempt.   Preferring not to damage the wooden tile, I did not continue trying to flatten the flaps once it seemed it wasn't going to work using the tools I currently have.  I did have plans for finishing the necklace using some miniature black keys and some jasper beads that nicely complement the colors of the tile.  


Forgive me for not completing my work.  I decided against finishing my piece as is.

I learned a lot from doing this, and want to try again, hopefully with better results the next time!  (In addition to doing a better job with the metal frame, I think it needs something at the bottom to hang dangles from, including the miniature key charms!) If anyone has other suggestions for me, please include in the comments.  This did not end up as a "masterpiece" to show off, but turned out to be a real learning experience and work-in-progress.  I'd like to learn more from you about how to improve it!  

Many thanks!

~Sharyl

You've seen my example that didn't work so well, be sure to visit the others in the "Creating with Cabochons" Blog Hop.  There are sure to be some excellent examples there. I'm eager to see them myself!  

Our Host:  Sally Russick

D Lynne  Bowland
Alicia Marinache           
Lynn  Jobber           
Jenny Davies-Reazor           
Jo-Ann  Woolverton           
Marde Lowe           
Dawn Doucette           
Mary K McGraw           
Gloria Allen           

Cheri  Reed           
Sonya Stille           
Elizabeth Owens Dwy           
Veralynne   Malone           
Tania Hagen           
Lynsey  Brooks           
Christina Miles           
Holly  Westfall           
Kathy  Lindemer           
Patti Vanderbloemen           

Therese Frank           
Adrienne Berry           
Liz   E 
Tanty  Sri Hartanti           
Ginger Bishop
Renetha Stanziano           
Marlene  Cupo           
Sandi Volpe           
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson           <---You are here!
Niky  Sayers

Mischelle Fanucchi           
Tracy  Stillman           
Skylar Bre'z           
Ann Schroeder           
Paula Kramer
Jess Green           
Susan Kennedy           
Stacie  Florer           
Cathie  Carroll           
Susan F.  


Michelle Caballero       
Sabine Dittrich           
Kristina Johansson           
Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts           
Melissa  Meman           
Cheryl McCloud         
Michelle  Timms           
Cindy  Pack           
Lynda  Carson

Cynthia  Machata           
Julia  Harris           
Karin  Slaton
Ingrid  Anderson           
Karin Grosset Grange
Jasvanti  Patel  
Inge  von Roos
Molly Alexander


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24 comments:

aneri_masi said...

I LOVE it!!!!!!

Karin G said...

This is a great cabochon and a great way of bezeling it.
I think it is a perfect match!

Paula, Chief Bead Officer said...

Hi Sharyl, I really like your piece and so enjoy hearing about the creative process. I don't work much with metal and am awed by those who do. I think your idea of finishing it with some small black keys and jasper would be great. Sorry I don't have any more suggestions other than keep on with your flow - I think it is working well!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

You cannot say "it did not work" - this is awesome -right down to the blackened color of the aluminum! Love Marie's tiles, and the idea of setting it with metal tabs is so cool! This is not a failure - it is your first attempt and I cannot wait to see you perfect this technique - the possibilities are now endless!

AntiquityTravelers said...

oh I think that is done! it is hard sometimes to let a design be a little rough and tumble, but it suits this piece quite well! love it

Karin Slaton said...

I think your metalwork complements the strong colors of the tile beautifully. I love this piece!

Anonymous said...

I think it is great as is. I love the rugged/rustic look!

Michelle said...

Very nice! I have yet to try this technique...

SueBeads said...

Very pretty Sharyl! Love that tab setting! I think it's great!

Jo-Ann said...

For you first attempt at a new technique I think that you did a wonderful job.

Ann Schroeder said...

I really like this. Love the colors and how it's a bit rustic. But I also like the other ideas you've mentioned about changing it. If you do decide on an updated version, I'd love to see a post about it! Good on you for trying something new.

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

I think it's great that you tried something new regardless of whether you're 100% satisfied with the results. Your design works well with Marie's tile and I'm guessing that a second attempt will have the finesse that you're wanting.

Tip: Measure where the bends should occur in the metal and score them with a triangular file to remove a very small amount of metal in order to get a more "crisp" bend.

Anonymous said...

It looks finished to me. I like it. I have also used wood tiles made by Kari Asbury www.etsy.com/shop/HippieChickDesign She calls them ephemera.

Tracy said...

I love it...I'm a big fan of the rustic / steampunk mixed media art look and you've done it brilliantly. I would so wear this necklace!

Jenny said...

Great job! The nice thing about aluminum is its softness. Making it easier for you to work with the tabs. And its not too deal in price - so do more!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Sharyl,

I think your design is awesome and beautiful just the way it is. I love how the tabbed bezel show cases the key tile beautifully.
Therese

Mary K. McGraw said...

I like what you did. It always seems we are most critical of our own work,

Unknown said...

That is a perfect way to bezel that tile, and I totally see you dressed as a super hero tackling this challenge.

Becky Pancake said...

Great job trying something new. I like how your pendant turned out. If you want to hang something below I would have drilled holes in the bottom tab and attached the key etc. with headpins. You might be able to drill from the bottom and sneak a headpin in below Marie's tile without removing it.

Cathie Carroll said...

Don't change a thing- it's perfect! Clean lines, modern and simple. Beautiful piece.

Bits of Learning said...

Sharyl, the piece looks great! I love the tabs and I think that the aluminum is the perfect color to really make the cab pop! Beautiful work!!

Sharyl, thank you so much for taking time to participate in the challenge.

TJewellicious by tanti said...

love your tab setting..!
simply gorgeous..! :)

lamplight crafts said...

Well thought out piece and pretty tile cab. Nice work on the bezel.

Empty nester at last said...

Wow...I really love the pendant! I really like the tab idea! I may have to check it out. Great Job. Thanks for sharing!