I love to create custom jewellery for a special occasion, something to mark and celebrate an event, to make something with meaning to be treasured. I was asked to create just such a piece recently, John asked me to make a pendant for his granddaughter Sarah's 21st birthday, he was very specific about the design and had put a lot of thought into it. The pendant was to be rectangular in shape, the main focus of decoration was to be her initials, the S was to be on the front and pierced out of the silver, the D was to be on the back and in relief. A sapphire was suggested for a September birthday. The pendant was to be nice to hold, with slightly curved corners, I suggested a boxed form rather than a thin sheet of silver, to feel more substantial. The font was to be Gills Sans, soooo my first job was to find Gills Sans......... then apply it to silver....
Here an S has been pierced out of a sheet of silver, the D has also been pierced out and is awaiting its union to the back plate - via soldering...
Some may not think it looks pretty at this point, but I beg to differ! The D is soldered into position and it will be placed into pickle to clean it up a wee bit.
The box has been created, the sides have been soldered onto the front and back pieces, I now have to cut the access away.
Okey doke, sides on - corners filed into a soft curve, a bail has been made and soldered onto the top and a bezel has been created to hold an ooooh so lovely sapphire.....
A little peek at the back with the D in relief, my jewellers peg is a busy place..
The back of the pendant, with a satin finish and ready to go...
I believe Sarah was very happy.....
