Field of Clovers

This is my final piece for the completion of my BTech degree. Based on 4 leaf clovers, like my Clover ring, I think this might be my best piece yet (she said modestly).


These were the various size templates I used to bend up the framework for the clovers.

Each clover was made from 4 individual leaves. Initially, my plan was to just have the leaves soldered to each other but it became necessary to have the rings in the center. Otherwise the shape of the clover looked wrong.

Power of a Woman Part Deux

Garnets are my birthstone and the colour red is often associated with passion and power. According to the website Squidoo, the colour red can increase enthusiasm, stimulate energy, encourage action and confidence, and offer a sense of protection from fears and anxiety.
This ties in so accurately with what I'm trying to achieve with my jewellery.

Power of a Woman

These images are of the completed filigree elements of my new piece, based on the Erickson Beamon neck piece.

Individual domed filigree elements

Triquetra Flower

It is made with sterling silver frame wire and fine silver filler wires. A wire, with a ball melted on the end, was threaded through the middle and soldered from the back as shown below.

This was then cut off and cleaned up. I used the following chains, with various round links, to echo the roundness of the string of the garnet beads I'm using.

Layered Chains

Coco Chanel may have been the first person to introduce layered chains as a trend. She was a fashion icon that influenced the use of mixing both real and faux jewels.
In the 1980's, a young singer by the name Madonna once again created interest in this trend.
And, once again, in the last few years, there has been a resurgence of this trend, shown in both the media and filtering down to fashion stores such as Truworths, Foschini, Edgars, Mr Price etc.

Ibo Silver

Off the coast of Northern Mozambique lies Ibo Island, which our lecturers visited. On their return, they taught us the technique which became known to our jewellery department as "Ibo Silver." The technique consists of fusing thin pieces of silver to jump rings, to create new links that can be joined to form various pieces of jewellery.The jump rings are usually arranged in 4's, to form a square but I decided to use 3. Worked out well for 2 reasons. Firstly, it echoed the 3-sided shape of the triquetra, and secondly, created an interesting pattern when linked to form the chain of the Hip-Hop Diva Neckpiece.

Triquetra Earrings

Of all the filigree pieces I've made, these have to have been the simplest. Based on the Triquetra symbol, for which my blog is named, they are bold, yet delicate and feminine.

Aspiring Apothecary?

On a trip to Singapore, I bought this stone pestle and mortar at Chinatown, purely for decorative purposes. Came in handy, though. My recent batch of flux was rougher than usual, so I now grind it down in this. I find that the finer the flux the better it mixes with the filed solder, which then flows better.

To Filigree Or Not To Filigree?

In my quest to define what filigree means I came across many pieces termed filigree that were actually either pierced or cast.

Bib-style gladiator filigree necklace

This piece was created by thehouseofhemp, and looks to be made up of cast elements. Compare the difference between it and a piece by Victoria Lansford.

Curves in the right places II

Erickson Beamon

Erickson Beamon is a collaboration between Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon. They create designer fashion jewellery which is, as Beamon states:"not designed to look real- we create fantasies."
The neck piece pictured here has a similar feel to the piece I'm working on at the moment. It has a definite costume jewellery look to it, with the chunky chains and the crystal detail. I think my piece needs to feel slightly more delicate to emphasise the nature of filigree.

Continuing with the "layered chains" trend, I'm using the flower element from my Hip-Hop Diva Neckpiece. I also intend on incorporating a string of garnet beads to add colour.

More About The Clover Ring

This was the modification I did to the appliqued clover design for the basket of the ring. It was pierced and domed and the final product is shown here.
I've been told this alone would make a pretty ring, with maybe a stone set in it.

Now Can I Have My luck?

It's been a long time in the making, but it's finally done! Woo-hoo! Learned a valuable lesson with this ring. Realised the setting needs to be added after all the filigree is completed. It was twice as difficult getting the solder to flow towards the center. Well, live and learn!

Vetkat Kruiper

Vetkat Kruiper was a contemporary artist who continued the tradition of Bushman rock paintings. At an exhibition at Bergtheil Museum in Westville, Durban a while back, jewellers were asked to create a line of jewellery based on his artworks.
Using 1 of his paintings as a reference (image unavailable), I created the following element:The idea was to make a long necklace with these set at intervals.

Clover Basket

I came to the realisation that, as it is, the piece will lie 2 flat on the hand, so I'm going to bend the petals downwards slightly. In doing so, the actual clover will need to sit higher on the shank, necessitating a basket. I want to pierce a modified version of the image above for the basket.

At last! The Nightmare is Over!

The filigree on this piece gave me endless problems. I have been using thinner wire for my recent projects and it's taking a while to get used to soldering it. As a result, I had a few melted mishaps and on 1 occasion, the entire piece was literally stuck to my soldering block and caused an entire section to yanked out! But now it's done and needs to be put on a shank.

A Much Needed Break!

India! Stories go that you either love it or hate it! and I LOVED it! It's unlike any place I've ever been before. My only regret is that I couldn't have stayed longer! Needless to say, I'm already planning my next trip. It was a bit of a whirlwind vacation, visiting 5 cities in 11 days, and Dubai on the 12th day but it was fabulous! It was my first time visiting the land of my ancestors and I was struck by the contrasts I encountered, between wealth and poverty, beauty and neglect, the rural and the urban.

Our first stop was in Delhi, where I had my first experience of Indian driving and traffic! OMG! It was astounding! Traffic lanes and traffic lights are nothing more than guidelines! I can say for certain that I never saw a single car without a ding! This video is merely a taste of it, and take note that there were only 4 lanes:

The main reason for my visit to Delhi was to see the Swaminaryan Akshardham Temple. I had seen pictures of this amazing structure but the reality was truly beyond belief!

Created without the use of steel, the complex took 11 000 artisans and volunteers 5 years to complete. You are taken on a journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. Exhibitions include an audio-animatronic and light show illustrating the life of Bhagwan Swaminaryan, a 40 minute film on an 85 x 65 foot screen, a 12min boat ride through 10 000 years of Indian history, as well as a musical fountain. Photography, unfortunately, is not permitted but further images can be viewed on their website. The intricacy and ornateness of the carving of every wall is simply mind blowing! Well worth a visit!

Mum and I at the Iskon Temple

Sarojini Nagar Market

Next on our itinerary was Jaipur, the Pink City. I loved it here but our time was way too short so I didn't get much opportunity to experience the city. The architecture was stunning and the Old City was just so full of character.

Bais Godam Circle

View from the hotel roof

On to Mumbai, which is very busy and very crowded! But the shopping was divine ! Unfortunately was a bit ill for a while, but still managed to buy gorgeous stationery and clothing! (Pictures to follow soon. Watch this space!)

The Arabian Sea

Mottah Market

On the streets of Mumbai

Then it was off to Bangalore!

Weaving of silk sarees on looms

Watched the manufacturing of silk sarees and then got to purchase them at wholesale prices!

Getting my shoe fixed

With all the walking we had done, my shoe eventually had had enough! The sole had all but fallen off, so we stopped at a roadside cobbler who fixed it in a matter of minutes!

K. Rangaswamy and his autorickshaw (Tuc-tuc)

Kanthan Rangaswamy was our tuc-tuc driver and guide for the duration of our stay. If you're lucky enough, it's possible to find a good driver who's not looking to take advantage of you and really will take to to good, cheap stores, all at a very reasonable rate!

Outside Sai Baba's ashram in Putta Pathi

Our final day in India was spent at Putta Pathi in Andra Pradesh, the site of Sai Baba's ashram (temple). Again photography was not allowed within the ashram. Devotees from all over the world flock here in the hopes of catching just a glimpse of Sai Baba. For a fellow Durbanite, that we spoke to, it was a dream, 20 years in the making, come true! Putta Pathi is also home to a technologically advanced hospital that administers treatment to anyone free of charge, which I think is truly fantastic!

Underwater zoo at the Dubai Mall

Literally, the final hours of our trip was spent in Dubai. We arrived there at 3pm, freshened up, and hit the ground running! Aside from the amazing architecture, the malls drew me like a fly to honey! The Dubai Mall is the newest and largest to date, boasting 1 500 stores, a mini gold "soukh" and an aquarium. Walking in, I felt like I was home: Louis Vuitton to the left of me, Manolo Blahnik to the right, Jimmy Choo to the front! A design-diva's dream come true!

Even more awesome was the ski arena the Mall of Emirates, where you could ski, snowboard, or just play in the snow!

Ski area at the Mall of Emirates

All-in-all, it was a wonderful experience and has given me just a small taste of what India is like. I would encourage anyone to go at least once in their lifetime, but a bit of advice: Learn your Hindi and book any internal flights for the morning. We experienced 2 - 3 hour delays on every flight, which was the main reason for me being ill. Keep an open mind but, most of all, just drink it all in and enjoy !

Flavours Exhibition

Have just now realised that I haven't posted any pictures of the jewellery I created for the Flavours Exhibition.Completed this bangle eventually. Was a bit of nightmare to manufacture, as the individual squares kept coming apart as I was bending it up. Worked it all out in the end! The little flowers on the sides are actually screws, the idea being that the perspex could be interchangeable, perhaps in different colours!
This is, by far, my favourite piece to date! I based it on the trend of wearing layered chains, but, of course, with a filigree twist!
The flowers on either side are identical. They're actually larger versions of my earrings. I call this my Hip-Hop Diva Neckpiece! Definitely Diva-licious!