{create} Diary of a Design

I received an order for a sterling silver pendant, that the customer wants to go with a chain.

She likes medallions, and being a big fan of personalizing jewellery, I suggested that we stamp the names of her family on it.

I sent off some sketches for her approval, with a couple of different design ideas in round and rectangular pendants.

She decided to go with the round version and asked that her pendant be about the size of a 50 cent piece.

The pendant is to be created from sterling silver sheet that is 1.5 millimetres (.05 of an inch) thick.  It will also have a sterling silver heart feature riveted to the top right corner with a handmade copper rivet.

To ensure I had the size right, I had to raid my Small Boy’s piggy bank!!  Would you believe that I didn’t have a 50 cent piece in my wallet!!  Always the way when you need one…

I find the easiest way to etch my shape is to colour my silver with black permanent marker, and then scribe my shape.  In this case, I found a small round container the same size as the coin, and used it as my template.

The marker is easy to remove – usually with your fingers as you’re working it!  It makes your fingertips look like they are bruised.

I haven’t worked with this thickness of silver before, and was surprised at just how long it took me to cut the circle.  That, and I broke 3 saw blades as well… gggrrrrrr.

However, there is something quite relaxing about this work – once you get in the groove, it really is calming.

Once I had the cut the shape, I filed the edges of the pendant smooth.  I’m going to do a brushed silver look on the body of the pendant as well – to help the name-stamping stand out and to contrast with the small silver heart which I have also cut.

Stayed tuned for more to come.

: : : : : : : : : : :