by k.obrien jewelry on May 15, 2012
The other day I needed a little pick me up. It had been raining for a while and I had a party to go to for my Arts in RI team. I decided to ditch my usual uniform of jeans and get out a vintage frock that I hadn't worn yet. If the spring weather wasn't co-operating I was bringing the good cheer of spring with me.
It turned out that I had the most perfect clogs to match my party dress. I love happy accidents.
These shots are pre accessories.
And it may look like a lot of sun is shining in, but the day quickly turned grey.
I've had these earrings for about six years now. I bought them at a RISD alumni sale and have since forgotten the artist's name. They couldn't have been more perfect to accent my frock!
This lapis ring is an early design of mine. I made this as a third year jewelry/metals student. Only a few family members have a similar ring. I still love its simplicity. You can't see it here but the back of the band gets thinner so you can bend your finger. Big + functional!
I also dug out one of my first pieces of enamelwork. This was my very first champlevé. The design is inspired by iron work. I put some elements from different pieces together to create my own design.
With some help from my professor I came up with a bail that mimicked the design I had pierced out of the metal by hand. It is one of my favorite details.
It isn't easy to capture this piece, it is ever so shiny. Ten years later, I am still in love with it.
happy tuesday!
xo, kim
by k.obrien jewelry on May 14, 2012
I am starting to find my groove again in the studio. Slowly but surely, I am getting back into the swing of things. My next order of business is to get myself working earlier but for now I will take what I can get.
This week I worked on making some box earrings. I realized how simple they look yet there is a lot that goes into them. Sharing these steps seemed in order. I start with measuring and cutting silver wire...
..smoothing the ends of the wires so they don't snag when putting these lovely earrings on. And not shown is the time they spend in the tumbler giving the silver wire some spring and a little strength.
After the dirty work is done I took these home to work on. It's cozier in my little office/craft room with the records playing and my pup wandering in to say hello. I start out making eye hooks for the catch on the back of the earrings. Then I put some brightly colored beads on and get bending. For those of you who have made earrings, you know it isn't easy getting two earrings the same length. Needless to say this step takes some fiddling and tweaking.
Now they are neatly packaged on my business cards. I use an awl and a hammer to make tiny holes to fit the wires through. Being the detail oriented jeweler I am I try and package them on cards to compliment the color of the beads.
There are some sweet new beads in my box collection. Every time I go to reorder my standard beads I discover some new ones I love. Right now they are only sold at the wonderful Craftland which has been restocked with other goodies! So, Providence peeps, get your shop on.
happy, happy monday!
xo, kim
