A chronicle of the meanderings, false starts (which in retrospect, while sort of embarrassing turned out to be highly instructive), epiphanies, selective apathy (still evolving), wild mood swings, opinions (subject to frequent change), and life lessons of an inveterate dabbler (and her latest dabblings).

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Red Planet 2.0

Red Planet 2.0
(sold)
I liked a good friend's suggestion to add some turquoise to my "Red Planet" bracelet (see previous post), and so tossed some in--love it! I loved it so much, I couldn't help but create a necklace with the same feel and most of the same materials.

For the focal, I used a ring of copper I made several months ago as an experiment, and a heart-shaped raku bead from Spinning Star Studio. The raku bead has a hole in the upper left, but I felt when it was hanging sideways that way, it didn't resemble a heart so much as a mystery polygon. I decided to fill the hole with some turquoise on a headpin, and then created a bail for it with some wire. I like it this way much better!

Here is the revised "Red Planet" bracelet with a dash of turquoise added in:

I liked it before, but I think I like it better now.

Ta for now! Off to the gym. Yuck.
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8 comments:

  1. CarolynPhiJuly 17, 2016 at 9:25 AM

    Love this necklace!

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  2. CarolynPhiJuly 17, 2016 at 9:26 AM

    Love this necklace!

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  3. Audrey FetterhoffJuly 17, 2016 at 9:37 AM

    I love the bracelet !!!

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  4. kristelJuly 17, 2016 at 12:38 PM

    Hello Keirsten how nice this wonderful turquoise "touch"! And how a perfect match for the bracelet the beautiful necklace! The raku heart shaped bead is very unique and you hanged it in a very clever way. I am always amazed by your special jewelry! A lot of love

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  5. https://pattimillerbeads.blogspot.com/July 18, 2016 at 7:10 AM

    I am so in love with your style and your work. It is unique which is so refreshing! I was wondering if you would share where you found those fabulous spacers on either side of the amber tone teardrop just below the turquoise nuggets. It looks like the hole is bit larger than usual which would be so handy. Love ya.
    P

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    Replies
    1. lunedreamsJuly 18, 2016 at 8:09 AM

      Hi Patty, thank you! Those are Tierra Cast spacers, and I believe I got them from Monsterslayer. There are some other great styles of spacers as well. They are probably available at Fusion Beads too. They are copper plated pewter, and also available in silver and brass finishes. I have always found Tierra Cast to be superior quality.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJuly 27, 2016 at 9:47 PM

    I love your work! Your copper jewelry has a wonderful glow. Do you mind sharing how you get the wonderful color? What kind of patina do you use?

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    Replies
    1. lunedreamsJuly 28, 2016 at 8:32 AM

      Hello Evia, thank you for your kind words! Mostly I use dry liver of sulfur, mixed up fresh each time with super hot water. (I prefer Midas brand from Rio Grande). I typically let the metal blacken, then buff up the high spots with steel wool, and tumble it for a couple hours in the jewelry tumbler and it comes out a nice orangey-rosey color. You can also do quick dips between a very hot, weak liver of sulfur solution and cold water--back and forth--until you get a nice warm color. I like to tumble it after to really set the finish.

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