Friday, June 19, 2009

Project #5 - Bezel Setting


Project #5 from Lexi Erickson's Art Jewelry Workshop

Being able to create pieces like this, well, yes, that was my goal from this workshop. And in order to do that, I needed to learn all the techniques leading up to the creation of this piece.

Originally, I had planned to use one of my glass cabochons for the bezel setting. Here is a preliminary sketch I completed in preparation for that work.

However, as luck would have it, a gentlemen who sells stones arrived at Coyote Creek early that afternoon and Pat Pocius only sees him twice a year. When he arrives, he has tons of beautiful stones. She brought a few samples into the class and we scattered upstairs to see what he had.

Here is a picture of my selections and of course, the one in the bezel was included in that group. So by that twist of fate, I was setting a stone rather than one of my glass cabs, but hey, I'm fine with that.

In this project, we created a design that would showcase the cabochon. For this stone, Lexi felt a simple design was best and I couldn't agree more.

We learned how to fit the bezel, solder it, and set the stone. I am ready to do more as soon as I get my bench and torch set up. My hope is that will happen in a couple of weeks. I have things on order and I'm ready to get started down this path of creating art jewelry.

This is the last of the projects that we completed in the workshop. Lexi truly is a phenomenal person and excellent teacher. I will have the privilege of taking more classes with her and I look forward to it. This was an intense workshop and Lexi told us that she covered a semester's worth of work in those two days. If you ever have a chance to take one of Lexi's classes...it's a MUST!

Happy Creating All.

15 comments:

Shay Stone said...

Wow, You have made such amazing work. I'm so impressed. And you got some lovely stones there too! Yay Kathleen!

Tohida's art said...

Your stuff is really gr8

SCJ Jewelry Design said...

Kathleen, this is just beautiful! You did a fabulous job! I also really like the new stones you picked and am looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Beautiful work, Kathleen. It's great to hear how much fun you are having!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Aaaahhh thanks Shay. I appreciate your kind words.

Thanks Tohida. Nice of you to stop by and visit my blog.

Hey Sandy. Thank you. I am anxiously awaiting my torch and other items to start my new metal work venture.

Thanks Elizabeth. I am definitely having a blast! :)

Karen said...

LOVE this. not sure what else to say.
:)

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Karen. It has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. I think I could wear it every day.

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, It looks like you had a great weekend! Years ago I took a jewlery class for a whole semester in college and covered about the same things you did in one weekend. How fun!

-Don said...

Hi Kathleen, I'd say that Lexi got lucky having you in her class. She could not have asked for better advertising - both by your words and especially your product. It's such a joy to see the passion you have for this. I always look forward to the next masterpiece and the exuberant description of the process. I find it quite inspiring. -Don

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Hi Robin, thanks for stopping by and I appreciate your comments. Yes, it was great fun. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Hi Don! Always good to hear from you and I so enjoy your thoughts. Thank you sooooo much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a great series of posts about your class. It was educational for us all to see each of your projects. Your work, already great, will soar to even higher planes now.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Linda, you are so kind. I appreciate you comments and will do my best to continue to grow as an artist.

Kathleen Harrington said...

Love your choices!

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

Lexi was right about the bezel - its simplicity really shows off the beautiful stone.

Best wishes for your new jewlelry venture - I'm sure your excitement will translate into some wonderful creativity!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Thanks Kathleen!

Hi Deborah! Thanks for your well wishes. I am looking forward to exploring metalwork.

Thank you Cathyann. I really appreciate your comments.