Chrysocolla Pendant

At the local Rock and Mineral Show, I met a local rock hound.  He goes all over Idaho and the western states finding his own rocks, which he then slabs, cuts into cabs, and polishes.  He does beautiful work, and best of all, he'll except custom orders!

Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Cabochon with Czech Glass Beads

I have ordered several cabs from him, but every time I go I pick out from his stash of already made cabs, too.  I just can't help myself!  This cabochon, a chrysocolla, is related to turquoise but is naturally more stable.  I don't recall if he mined it in Idaho or not, but he does have a lot of it!

Chrysocolla Cabochon - wire wrapped in sterling silver with beads

This is my first setting of this sort, woven wire and beads.  All the wire is sterling silver.  I'm still debating on whether or not I should make my chain, or buy a sterling silver chain for it.  It's a lot of work to make a chain, but it also brings out the handmade uniqueness of the piece.

I'm not sure what next week will bring - hopefully another post!

Happy Creating,
PZ

Red Galaxy Earrings - Sterling Silver Wirework

Red Galaxy Earrings - Sterling Silver & Jasper Daggers

Between all my projects, I managed to squeeze a little time in to make some earrings!  I've finally delved into sterling silver jewelry - unless specifically requested, my jewelry will now be made with sterling silver and gold-filled metals (though I will probably bring in warm copper now and again).  No more plated base metals in my new designs!  YAY!

Jasper Daggers - deep red wit white and green inclusions

I've been watching a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation with my husband recently, and I think I was subconsciously inspired to create a design with clean, simple lines.  The jasper daggers really do look like red galaxies or Milky Ways spread across their surfaces.  Very pretty!

Red Galaxy Earrings - sterling silver and jasper daggers

There is a pendant in the works, too - one of my first with a wire weave and bead setting!  Photos coming next week.....

Happy Creating,

PZ

DnD Minis - Winter Dragon

By the end of July I hope to have another sneak peak of my large metal art piece that I'm working on....until then, here is another DnD mini!  My latest and last painted model, in fact!

Model by Reaper:  Fire Dragon.  Hand-painted by me (I don't have an airbrush so it's all done with tiny paintbrushes).  The base is a chunk of mica with "snow" added. 

I found the shadows particularly difficult in this model because I wanted him to look like snow, all white with blue shadows.....He also has rather stormy eyes with tones of gray, almost like he's blind....

Enjoy and Happy Creating,
PZ

DnD Minis: Fire Dragon

Since I'll be working on a commissioned piece for the month of July, and don't have any new jewelry  to show, I'm going back to my DnD Minis! 

Here is my 2nd dragon - a moderately sized pathfinder red dragon (by Reaper).  My goal was to break out of the mold a bit and bring in some other colors - I'm pretty happy with how that went!  He's mostly red with hints of orange and blue-ish teal highlights. 

He's so vicious!  Approximately 5" x 5" (tall and wide).

I think re-basing or changing the base really adds to the model, which is why I change my bases every time.  I LOVE how the basing turned out!  I cut out a giant head and inserted a polished quartz formation.  I managed to match the base pattern to the stone pretty well for a nice blended look.  Doesn't it look like he's protecting his treasure from some thief?!

As always, there is room for improvement.  This model was hand-painted because I still don't have or know how to use an airbrush.  I have another dragon in the works, then on to dwarf wizards and armored paladins!  Too bad we won't be playing with my characters anytime soon....summer is too busy to sit around playing indoors, I suppose....

Happy Creating!
PZ