Check-Mate

I had a new customer buy this focal from me a short while ago - Rita, but she does make up jewellery so she called upon her friend Katherine to do the honours.

Katherine makes superb jewellery and she soon got to work on this, but she had a fixed idea in mind for this. The focal has a copper heart inside it, so she knew that to match this Red Magma Swarovski's were called for. These have many many facets so the light really catches the cuts and sparkles like mad!

A super collaboration don't you agree!

Recycled Sapphire Fizz

Sapphire Fizz, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

I've wanted to have a go at melting down a glass bottle and making something with it! So when a Bombay Sapphire bottle was donated to me I couldn't wait - the blue in this glass is just gorgeous!

The bottle was thoroughly washed - and then smashed!! Good to go!

I had read that you need to pick up the glass with tongs to prevent flash back, so I gingerly picked up a large piece and warmed in the back of the flame ..... it soon became apparent that this was not going to work .... the glass was cracking before I could melt it!

So I put plan B into action - I warmed up a lump in the kiln first to help prevent the shocking! And yes it worked!!

This glass is quite stiff so it took me a while, but before too long I had a section melted and pulled into a rod and went into action making these beads which were rolled in fizz frit.

I still have quite a stash of the glass left, wonder what I'll make next!

Shallow Waters

Shallow Waters, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

I just love getting pictures of work back from my customers - it kind of completes the journey as it were.

These were made by the lovely Lesley of Gemonie Jewelery - she was born here in the UK before moving Statside - and you can see more of her work at www.gemoniejewelry.com

Just lovely!

Thanks for the picture Lesley!