Thursday, November 15, 2012

Prong Set Challenge Reveal- Artisan Whimsy

Artisan Whimsy had a prong set challenge, given by the Metal Team.  I was asked to write the tutorial for it, and anyone who wanted to try it, could sign up for a blog hop, to show off what they made.  Today, is the big day! 
 
I decided to try some new things, since I am always learning more and more.  I wanted to make a piece that used at least two prong settings, attached in a necklace. On the main piece, I decided to layer two contrasting metals, using the prongs to hold them together, as well as sandwiching a swirl in between them, so that I could it to attach my second piece. 
 
The second piece, I simply prong set my cab, but I also soldered a bezel cup to the bottom so I could add a little cab that I thought this piece really needed.
 
Here she is.........................


It consists of copper sheet, with nickle silver sheet, a sterling silver swirl, lavender mica, an ammonite fossil and an iolite cab.  The beaded portion is pearls and amethyst with a couple silver beads along the way.

 
Here is a close up of the prong settings.  I am getting better at cutting them to size and filing the edges if needed, without damaging my cabs!


I am really happy with it, love the rustic elements, the fossil and the raw mica contrasted with the shiny pearls and perfect iolite cab.
 
Now, please hop on over and see what everyone else made.  I know they worked hard on these!

The Beading Yogini, http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Carolyn Dewison, Blue Berri Beads, http://blueberribeads.co.uk/
Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry, http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments, http://northernadornments.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett, Freestyle Elements, http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy, http://mybeadtherapy.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things, http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Melissa Muir, Melissa Muir Jewelry, http://design.kcjewelbox.com/
Melinda Orr, Melinda Orr Designs, http://orrtec.blogspot.com/
Staci Louise Smith, Staci Louise Originals, http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/
Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame, www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Jo Tinley, Daisy Chain Designs Jewellery, http://www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
Francesca Watson, Francesca Watson Designs, http://www.francescawatson.com
Linda Younkman,
Lindy’s Designs, http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

26 comments:

  1. Such a pretty necklace! Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial with us - it's so well written & photographed that even a metal novice like myself can follow.

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    1. Your piece didn't look like a metal novice- you did great!!!! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  2. Very earthy and still feminine. I'd wear that. Thanks for the excellent tut.

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  3. Stunning necklace Staci. Your tut is great and this challenge rocks.

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    1. Thanks! You rocked this challenge too! loved the cuff!

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  4. I love the boldness of your design! I never would have seen the potential for that substantial piece of lavender mica. Beautiful!

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    1. Thanks! My hubs thinks I am too over the top big with my jewelry, but I have trouble going small;)

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  5. I adore this piece. Was awesome work. Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us. It was very well written. I didn't get to play along with time but started gathering supplies so that I can try this in the future. I so want to give it a go. All your work is gorgeous. I love your style.

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    1. Be sure to let us know when you do make something! We love to see it, and thanks for hopping along anyway:)

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  6. Your designs are always you, always inspiring, Miss Staci! I will have to try this technique sometime. I love the way you incorporated all the different colors and shapes. The pearls are what attracted me. The swirl at the bottom is so very you. The rustic shapes of the cabs is beautiful. Lovely! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. Us pearl lovers!!!! Pearls always draw me in, I am such pearl fanatic! I would love to see what you do with this!

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  7. That necklace is inspired! It is beautiful. I am also impressed that you secure with only 3 prongs. I tried that, but didn't feel like I was securing the button enough but I really like the look of 3 rather than 4 prongs. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and some beautiful and thoughtfully creative work came from it. Great job!

    Jean

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    1. 3 prongs only works with certain cabs. I find round ones do ok, as long as they are domed uniformly, and normally, this would have needed one on the top too, but there was a groove in the side, just deep enough, that it can't move up with the rivet there. Its all about placement. Also, if you have to use an even number, and don't want it to look so clock like- don't line them up across from each other, do one side towards the top, and the opposite side towards the bottom, to create a more "artsy" effect.

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  8. Oh, and one more thing! Thank you, thank you for sharing your tutorial with us. It was a generous gesture. You have helped me learn a new technique and I appreciate that. Thank you.

    Jean

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  9. Staci, you just did such an amazing job on this whole challenge - your tutorial was superb (just look at all the people who were encouraged enough to try something new!!), this piece is stunning, and you wrote a couple of terrific blog posts for Artisan Whimsy along the way. Thank you so much for making this such a pleasure - I can't wait to see how this technique develops for you! :-)

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    1. Thank you!!! I am going to try your way next. I am soo impatient to solder each one individually though! I wonder if I can ball the ends of the rivets....hmmmmmmm.........may not give me the right length though. Well, I will let you know how it goes when I do it the more advanced way

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  10. Staci, this turned out just great. I like the look of the elements all together. What a beautiful pice you have come up with. you also did a great job on the tutorial. Well done.

    Melissa

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    1. Thanks so much! I was happy that the piece turned out how I pictured. I wanted to do something a little fancier for the holidays, but still rustic and me. I will totally wear this over christmas!

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  11. Fantastic necklace, the components work so well together. Thanks for the tutorial, I had fun trying it and hope to practice some more once I get some longer rivets. This was a great challenge.

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    1. Thanks! I think it takes a lot of courage to try something new and post it right away! Evreyone was so creative, and bold, and it was fun to see how different everyone interpreted it. Be sure to show me what you make with longer rivets:)

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  12. Staci, thank you so much for the great tutorial. It was so well written, and the directions very clear. Thank you for the encouragement to keep practicing and developing. Your piece is gorgeous, I love the necklace that you made with it! Big and bold is beautiful!

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    1. I love sharing what I know (its not much, but hey, if I can save someone a step or two of trial and error, why not?) I learned what I know from people sharing tricks with me.....so, pay it forward!!! So happy everyone liked it!

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  13. I like the contrasts and balance in your necklace. I enjoyed seeing everyone else's work, too. I like how your challenge focused on that one skill;now that I've observed all those variations, I'll be inspired to return to your tutorial and give it a shot. Thanks to all you intrepid folks who just jump in and do it!

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  14. Wow! Great job! Love how the two prong setting compliment each other. Beautiful necklace!

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