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.

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.

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.

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.

Change Is Constant

I knew I wanted a use a stone for this piece and this stone is perfect! It is a colour changing obsidian. On the left, the obsidian is a pinky-brown in natural light, whereas under fluorescent light, it is quite green, as seen on the right!
For me, this stone aptly symbolises the transience of life: ever changing, never stagnant, surprises at every turn! While my 4 leaf clover is meant to bring good luck, luck also moves in cycles and is unpredictable! Change,truly, is the only constant!

Fortuitous Valentine

Quite unexpectedly, this year, I received a bouquet of red roses for Valentines Day. The arrangement came in a metre tall black vase and on the side of the vase was stuck these 3 mirror hearts. (Sadly, it was an empty gesture, so I didn't take a photo of the arrangement!) Didn't think much of the hearts at the time until...
When I began manufacture of my 4 leaf clover, I realised the hearts were the perfect template to bend the wire around, to create each leaf! Looked like I was off to a lucky start!

The Best Is Yet To Come?

4 Leaf Clover

There's been quite a bit of turmoil in my life recently and I began thinking of signs or symbols representative of the way forward for me. I thought of the 4 leaf clover, which is commonly associated with luck (and Lord knows I need some!), and started thinking about how I could translate it into a piece of jewellery. Still working on design ideas!

I further found out that each leaflet represents faith, love, hope and luck respectively! Things that everyone could use in abundance! Can"t wait to see what develops!

Iron-on Badge

I find this iron-on badge somewhat reminiscent of filigree and has put some definite ideas into my head! Stay tuned!

I Have Jewellery (Almost)!!

I had actually forgotten to post about these earrings. They were started in March, and have been finished for a while, but I hadn't gotten around to taking the photos.

This bangle is still a work in progress. I like the overall impression, but I had problems with solder joins while bending it up. I decided to cast the frameworks for the elements to overcome this. The perspex is a bit stark against the delicate elements, and needs to be filed and, maybe, made thinner.

Funny story! I was in my bathroom the other day, when I realised that this is part of a tile! I guess it manifested itself in my subconscious, and voila!, it's found its way into my jewellery.

Stacey Lee Webber

Just when I thought I had seen every possible variation of filigree, I came across Stacey Lee Webber's work. OMG!

The FancyWork Series: Jeweler’s Tools
2006-2007

Historically, filigree was commissioned by the wealthy from places such as China and India, where labour costs were lower and the idea behind the jeweler's tools is to return "the fruits of the labour back to the labourer."

South African Flowers

I recently came across these flowers, native to South Africa, that I find quite similar to the element I am currently working with.

ROMULEAS

The Romulea Cruciata grows on sandstone and granite slopes and rocks.

The ixia is often given as a gift on happy occasions.

My element consists of two identical pieces riveted together. There's potential for so many different pieces that I still to need to translate to paper. First, though, I'm making a pair of drop earrings. Should be finished tomorrow, so stay tuned!

AMARYLLIS

The Amaryllis is also known as the Belladonna Lily or naked ladies because of it's tall stems and precious flowers.
I'm wondering how to use this flower in my jewellery because I think it's gorgeous!

TRIQUETRA

I thought, as a point of interest, I should explain my blog's name. I first encountered this symbol on the TV series "Charmed" and initially just liked how it looked, but after a little research, I realised that it was representative of my life in many ways. Triquetra (TRY-KWET-RA) symbolises trinities and I am the youngest of 3 sisters (though I often feel like the eldest!) and in Wicca, it is symbolic of the 3 stages of women (viz. maid,mother and crone) or the Triple Goddess. It is also symbolic of Mind, Body and Soul. To learn more, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triquetra