Welcome to Stormflight Designs

www.StormFlightDesigns.com


If you've always wondered about how jewelry is made and fine craft is done, this is the blog for you! Our intent is to show you the step-by-step of creating jewelry from a silver-smith's and lampworker's point of view. We'll throw in some other interesting craft-work too. Consider this a "tutorial-light" blog in a way. You'll get to see the creative process from start to finish. Sometimes it may take a while to get to the finish, so please be patient! We often have to wait for the muse to strike--sometimes in the middle of a different project!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Finishing the Bracelet

So, I've got all my links woven into this awesome bracelet.  Now I have to work on the clasp and get a great stone to match the splendor of the silver weave.


This stone is a wonderful Ammonite that I found at a local gem and Mineral show.  I hesitated to purchase it at first because it was more than I usually pay for a stone...I even tried to haggle.. but it was so spectacular that I bit the bullet went ahead and got it.  I am so glad I did!  It has been waiting for just the right setting.  It is from Russia...it has yellow calcite, pyrite and opal. 



This is the setting I made for the stone.  I am experimenting with Argentium silver.  I made the large oval out of Argentium.  The bezel is fine silver and the clasp part is regular sterling.  I am starting to really like working with Argentium, but the verdict is still out.  I'll keep you posted...

So, after polishing all the pieces and checking the fit, it is time to set the stone.  This wasn't too difficult since the stone is quite large (almost an inch wide).    Then I put the bracelet in the loops I formed to hold it onto the clasp, and va'la~done!  I am so pleased with how it turned out!  It fits me perfectly and I feel like million bucks when I wear it.
 
What do you think?

Thursday, July 1, 2010

My Latest: Side Weave Mesh Bracelet -- The beginning

The bracelet I am making was originally created by Victoria Lansford.  I am following the directions in her book "All Chained Up". 

First of all, I have to make a bazillion fused fine silver loop...this is just a small pile of what I needed.

I can't tell you how many I blobbed up with the torch!  oh well :)

The next step is to form them all into links--hopefully they are all uniform!  So, when I was satisfied with that, I get to begin making the chain.




I am very happy with how this is progressing!  The links are going together pretty well.  I really have to tweak them so they are perfect (well, as perfect as I can get them since I'm not a machine!).    Once I get all the links done, I will begin to work on the clasp. 

So, stay tuned for the next blog that will show you the stone I've picked and the setting for it.   Of course, when it is all finished, I will show you that too!  So far I am loving it!