Novus Jewellery Design Studio

Project 11 - Something for the Bride

2011-06-17T12:21:00.009+02:00

Fine silver and brass hair ornament 13cm long, 3cm wide

I just quickly want to publish these pics of the hair ornament that has been on my bench now for 2 weeks already. Each time I am thinking of taking a photo to post on the blog something happens...

the phone rings, or I cant find the camera, or the cameras batteries are dead, or... you know what I mean.

So there she is, finally on the blog - something for a bride I think in a fabulous "up"style hairdo.

This flower is only one of many fold forming techniques. We have a workshop on it this Saturday again with Fransa Cole, and I think I will have to stick around a bit longer to learn another new technique. It truly is fascinating how easy it is to make a 3dimensional shape from a flat sheet of metal. A type of origami for metal if you will.

This is project number 11 - only 41 to go.

Playing around with granulation at the moment - will let you know if I had any success.

Project 7,8,9,10Cheating (just a bit)

2011-05-23T10:28:00.013+02:00

So we all new it was going to happen. . . I am so far behind that instead of concentrating on the project of the moment, I am stressed out about the 14 that first needs to get done. I know it sounds silly to think about it in that way, but that is just the way my brain is wired.

So I am going to cheat a bit to get ahead.

I am going to add some projects done for magazines to my 52 project list.

Just to recap, after these 4 "new" projects I am now10 projects behind (I know, I know, it sounds really bad when you say it out loud)

During the first weeks of April, I did this project for the craftwise magazine. It is for the May/June issue currently on the shelves.

Sterling silver chain with Letter and number punched sterling and 9ct yellow disk, Swarovski Crystal Briolette, Chalcedony Marquise cab, Chrysoprase Bullet Cab.

aka Project 7

I have had a few teardrop shaped stones in my drawer since last year, and I had an idea for a project that was simple to make.

This toggle style necklace is made with snake chain,

with a tapered cone "cap" that fits on top of the stone.

A ring of any size or shape can be made for the

stone to slip through.

The weight of the stone keeps the whole thing secure around your neck.

Sterling silver and Rose Quartz teardrop pendant

aka Project 8

Mid April, we got a new kiln (Yheay!) and immediately wanted to use it to make something, and to check that everything works.

We then started playing around with Mokume Gane (a Japanese term describing the look of the metal. It literally means "wood eye metal"). This technique is about 300 to 400 years old.

You fuse layers of different colour metals to each other using uniform heat. You then pattern the metal in different ways to get the effect you want. We got in a Metallurgy expert Bertie le Roux, and he had success almost immediately.

Mokume Gane and Sterling silver pendant, constructed, oxidized.

aka Project 9

Here is a sneak peak of our project for the July/August issue of the craftwise mag. Just finished last week. The design was done by myself and Suvette (confusing isn't it) Geldenhuys - my new assistant since March. It is much in line with the current craze of Steam Punk. Mixed metal combinations, found objects, textured surfaces and resin.

Sterling silver and Brass, Copper ring, vintage watch parts, clear resin, rivets, constructed

aka Project 10

Fransa Cole who is the course facilitator for our fold forming workshops, showed me how to do a star aniseed shape (I don't know the proper name for the shape). I am going to make a hair ornament from it(I think it would be perfect for a bride). I will post the pictures soon.

Project 6

2011-03-19T08:45:00.005+02:00

I do see that I have made quite a few rings and earrings so far, so I will try and focus on a few pendants, brooches or maybe bangles.This ring was made with a vintage brooch given to me by my Granny Emma. I think the stone is actually glass, but it does have a lovely warm colour that looks quite a lot like a brandy topaz.The ring on the bottom is just a wide silver dome ring, and the brooch is riveted on the top. I used rivets as I was unsure of the stone and didn't want to remove it just to solder, so I left it in situ.

The "stone" has quite a few chips and scratches, but because it was given to me by my gran I wont be selling it (and I quite like the chips and scratches, it's a reminder that it had its own kind of history before you)

Sterling silver ring with vintage brooch finding, riveted

Project 5

2011-03-07T12:11:00.004+02:00

I have to remind myself that this challenge is just that, a challenge. Life is what happens while you are trying to do other things. These last few weeks have been quite tricky for me, so I am 2 (plus original 2) projects behind. So without further re due here is the latest one, as promised done with a cut off piece of wood from my husbands knife making.

Sterling Silver Ring with Wild Olive wood, and Sterling Silver tube rivets.

29 x 26 x 9mm

I must say I was very tempted to put some sparkly stones in somewhere, but alas, time is not on my side and I have to get on with the other projects already jockeying for position in my head.

Coming up next: Something made with a piece of vintage brooch from my grandmother.

Project 4

2011-02-17T11:57:00.007+02:00

This is last weeks project that I only got to finish today.

This can be attributed to all the small stone tube settings. I will be the first to admit that my setting skills leave much to be desired, but this project gave me an opportunity to practice x 18.

The pic on the right shows the tiny (1.5mm)stones set on the side of the tubes.

For the cabs on the ends I used Iolites, I love their deep blue violet colour. (and its not green - I had to stop myself as I originally wanted to use peridot. If you didnt know, I have a thing for green stones...)

Sterling Silver Earrings, constructed 25 x 12 mm each, Black and while cubic zirconia, Square cabochon Iolite.

The design has quite an art deco feel to it, as well as reminding me of wings for some reason.

Like a vintage aviators badge or something like it.

Speaking of Art Deco, I was asked to be part of an exhibition in May with an Art Deco/Art Noveau theme. I did the design before I knew about the exhibit - so I was tuned in to what the universe was saying :) collective conscience an all that...

My husband gave me some amazing wood off-cuts from his knife making, so I am going to do this weeks project with wood and silver - I hope to finish it by the weekend.

FIY the Show me How show times given to us were incorrect, people phoned me this week saying that they saw me on TV. So it has been showing all week this week. Repeats x 3 on Sunday, check your DSTV guide for times.

Project 3

2011-02-07T19:10:00.005+02:00

I have been wanting to make these earrings for a while now, ever since one of my students from Brazil - Bianca - brought a similar pair to me for repair. I borrowed the idea of the spirals in earring form, and decided to add some deep hammer texture and a bit of drama in the form of fine gold plating with black oxidization.

Sterling Silver Earrings, fine gold plating, texture, patina.

FYI - See Novus in action on DSTV, Channel 182, the Home channel from the 21st - 27th of March 2011

Mon- 7pm
Tues- 10:30pm
Wed- 11am
Thurs- 3pm
Sat- 2pm, 9pm
Sunday- 8am, 4pm and 11pm

Project 2

2011-01-31T10:11:00.003+02:00

My second project is done! I have had this square lilac Chalcedony for a while now, and was just waiting for the right design. I almost didn't make it as busy weekend plans gave me very little time to finish the ring. And I literally almost didn't make it as my top dome exploded while soldering. So here is a lesson. I always teach my students to make a small hole somewhere in a closed dome or bead to help the hot air escape. I didn't want to make a hole under the stone as the stone is clear and would show the shape of the hole. The pressure builds inside a closed area while you are heating it the hot air inside expands, and it needs to go somewhere. So it will either blow open a weak solder join, or literally blow the thinnest part of metal sky high. In unlucky situations it may explode right in your face or eyes. I thought I was safe as the thickness in the metal was almost 1mm. But it did, thank goodness no one else was close by or hurt, except my poor apprentice who had a heart attack while melting silver - sorry Farryl!. Even if you have a hole, turn it away from you while soldering as the hot air comes out with quite a bit of pressure (not unlike a whistling kettle). As is often said "practice what you preach". Lesson learnt.

I did make a hole under the stone by the way, and it actually adds to the whole square circle repeat of the design.

Sterling Silver and 9ct Yellow gold Ring with Square pyramid shape Chalcedony

Project 1

2011-01-20T15:28:00.002+02:00

This is my first project, and I must confess, I have had it on my bench for a while now, never being able to finish it. The challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that. So in a way I cheated not starting entirely from scratch, but anyway... there she is!

Sterling Silver and Copper (etched) earrings with Chrysoprase Marquise shaped Cabochons. Size 30x 13mm each

The 52 pieces of jewellery challenge

2011-01-19T14:04:00.003+02:00

If there where such a thing as the blogger police for not blogging regularly, I would be in jail by now. So to remedy the situation I have decided to challenge myself to make a piece of jewellery for every week of this year.
The rules:
These pieces are going to be additional to any other everyday jewellery that has to be made or repaired for customers. It will also not include any articles or projects for magazines.
Problem nr 1. (oh damn already)
Before I have even started I am already 2 weeks behind - deciding only now that the challenge would be a good idea. Thank goodness I didn't have this idea in May or September. The whole idea is to keep the creative juices flowing and not to drown in day to day admin, running a business and being a mom and never getting around to making fun jewellery.
Some weeks are going to be harder than others, but that is what a challenge is all about. The going is going to be fun, tough, frustrating etc. watch this space...

Magazine projects

2010-05-11T13:27:00.013+02:00

A lot has happened in the last 6 months, here is a condensed version.

Magazine projects from October 2009 to current:

Beadbook 21

Japanese fan pendant and earrings:

Techniques: Basic sawing, filing and drilling of holes, and working with perspex.

Craftwise 71 Jan/Feb 2010

Fused wire chain

Techniques: Wire fusing, sanding, polishing , bending

Beadbook issue 23

Autumn Leaf earrings

Techniques: Sawing, filing, soldering, fusing and bending wire, texturing metal

Craftwise 72 March/April

Pierced Hearts Dome ring

Techniques: Sawing, Piercing, doming, sweat soldering, polishing, antiquing

Craftwise 73 May/June

Forged Ring

Techniques: Hammering, Shaping of metal, finishing

Old and New

2010-05-11T13:22:00.004+02:00

Time surely flies when you are busy having fun! Out with the old and in with the new. We have moved into our new studio and what an amazing space. We can also accommodate more students at a time, so no more waiting lists.

Also be sure to have a look at our new website.

Studio in JHB

2009-10-19T10:33:00.004+02:00

We've sure been busy these last few months! Launching our new studio in Linden, JHB and preparing everything for the brand new Correspondence Jewellery Course has kept us running around plenty! We have also added an Intermediate Jewellery Level 1 and 2 to our short course list - keep checking the website for more info on those. All the Joburgers now have no more excuses for not joining in on Saturday workshops. As always, here is a sneak peak pic of the latest project for Craftwise Dec/Jan 2009. Will also publish the latest beadbook project shortly.....

Sneak Peak Filigree Earrings Project

2009-06-15T14:01:00.003+02:00

Here is a sneak peak of our fantastic project in the Craftwise mag July/ August 2009 issue.

Beginner Goldsmithing Articles Beadbook

2009-06-15T13:48:00.004+02:00

We have started a series of articles in the Beadbook magazine (Issue 18) on Goldsmithing. The first article starts with the fundamental techniques involved in jewellery making.

Alongside the article we also did a project using one of the first techniques learnt : Sawing.

Also learn how to make your own buffsticks (essential to all jewellery makers).

Novus In The Media

2009-03-16T14:00:00.005+02:00

Just finished our latest project for the Craftwise Mag. May/June 2009 issue.

This project uses mainly silver wire in different shapes and thicknesses.

It also demonstrates the use of black patina to "age" your jewellery.

The difficulty level of this project is Intermediate. So anyone with a bit of wire experience can give it a try, as long as you have access to all the correct materials and tools, and it is not the first time you are picking up pliers.

Here is a pic for a sneak peak!

Feel free to browse around

2009-03-04T13:10:00.000+02:00

Please feel free to browse around and do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or queries related to our classes, workshops, products or anything else found on our site.

Welcome

2009-03-04T10:52:00.002+02:00

Hi All,

Welcome to the now official Novus Jewellery Design Studio Blog.

Jewellery Design & Manufacturing Classes

The main focus of our business is to teach you how to make your own copper, fine silver, sterling silver and gold jewellery. Absolutely NO experience required! Have a look at what our students have created by visiting the student gallery. Remember that ALL of these students are hobby jewellers, not professional jewellers!