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Friday, April 19, 2013

Done!

Okay, so I finished the necklace last night and I learned a few things:
1) Just because someone says "use fixative spray to set" does NOT mean it works for everything (or else I just have a very heavy hand and don't know it)
2) I will, from now on, let "permanent" marker ink cure/set for 24 hours, then rub it with Renaissance Wax to "fix" it in place.

Honestly, I followed directions on the can for the fixative. I even let it dry for 20 minutes instead of the 15 required. Then, I do what I always do to be sure, I rubbed my thumb (rather hard) over the surface and the "permanent" marker that had just been "fixed" by the spray came off on my thumb.

~DRAMATIC SIGH~

Out comes the Renaissance Wax and to (careful) work I go. In a short time, not only is the whole thing coated, but none of the marker ink came off during the process or after a few hard rubs of the thumb. Since it has in the past, I attribute this to letting the ink set overnight (NOT the "fixative").  As a test, I inked up four more hammered washers and left them overnight.  I plan to test them by waxing one (carefully) and seeing if the ink stays put. If so, yay. If not, then it's a combo of the "fixative" and the wax. Fun.

Anyway, here's the finished necklace:
Full view - haven't decided on a title, yet.
Free form carnelian pendent & heat treated red aventurine
squares are from ZNetshows.com.  Marble composite circles
are from Michael's, donut focal is a (former) washer from Lowe's
and the clasp is from the button aisle at Joanne's Craft Store.
 
Closer look at the beads

 
Closer look at the focal....
 
...and at the clasp.
I had no real design in mind when I started this. I just hammered away at the washer to start with. When it was done, and I recalled I need to finish some designs for ZNet Shows, I just felt drawn to the ruddy red-ish, orange-ish color in the carnelian and aventurine. It didn't seem like enough, though, so I dug through my stash until I found the marble composite beads. They're a pink-ish white/cream color with the ruddy red-ish, orange-ish color of the ZNet beads.  It was perfect, and their shape echoed the chain and washer.  I'll be sending a photo of the design to Bill Zhang shortly.  I have more designs to work on, but I don't want him to think I'm not working with the gorgeous beads he's sent me.


Now, moving on slightly, I also tried my hand at turning my Fishes & Loaves earring series into a bracelet. It worked, and it didn't. Here's the (mostly) finished product:

I got the five beads on for the loaves, four wired to the bracelet and one as a dangle by the fish's tail but I was only able to get one fish (the clasp).  I need to find a way to add the second fish or it won't be right.  I'm also a little worried that there are "snag" trap areas so I think it requires a bit more tweaking. I plan to wear it a few times with various outfits to see if it does snag.  Any suggestion will be gratefully received and, likely, tested out.  All in all, not completely disappointed in this for a first attempt. Will be checking the tutes I've pinned and bookmarked for bracelet making to see what I can tweak.

And now, off to email Bill.

2 comments:

  1. I think your necklace is beautiful - and your wire work.
    I always enjoy your posts.
    Just to let you know... I started two projects from your past two inspirations- but of course, here they sit - not even close to being done.

    I thought these were interesting posts about a sealant and permanent markers and wanted to share them with you.

    http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2013/04/tsukineko-stazon-glazon-sheet-metal-more.html
    http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2013/04/glazon-n-stazon-domino-charms.html

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  2. This is a beautiful piece. That said, I just want to tell you that on of the reasons I follow your blog is that you tell us, from time to time about your struggles or mishaps. I think it's important for others to know that their more successful contemporaries do, on occasion, have to struggle. I was feeling really lowdown because I had struggled with a necklace off and on all afternoon. I restrung it 5 times. I spent more than an hour trying to figure out how to make a bale that didn't "clash" with the markings on the focal piece. THEN.......I struggled with a clasp that didn't mess up the whole design. I finally got it all together but was feeling woefully inadequate. It helps me to know that other people do not produce those perfect pieces in one shot. Thanks!!!

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