Combining age-old smithing with technology

I've been using the fine silver clay product for years now which has transformed my business from virtually nothing to being asked by the Editors to take a full page of the NOTHS catalogue which is amazing, even if I can't yet afford it or cope with the volume of orders!?!
As you may have noticed that I don't stay idle with new creations and I am always working on techniques and pushing the boundaries of my work like the Stash bowls and aromatherapy candles. The next stage is combining age-old silver-smithing techniques with the technological advancement of PMC, so that I can make studs, cufflinks etc. There is only so much you can do with PMC which in itself is a fab product, but by combining the two, opens a whole new world of virtually no restrictions other than your imagine.
Here is a new creation, meant for my daughter who had her ears pierced earlier this year. They had to be very light weight, so I used fine silver roughly sculpted into hearts, torched instead of kiln to fire off the clay, and then soldering the back posts on. I have decided not to sand or polish them as I love the organic texture, almost like crumpled foil. I love evolving and creating, it's a part of who I am.

My cousin THE Photographer

Here's my cousin Peter's work! I have been watching him grow as a photographer over the years to where he is now. More recently, as a fashion photographer for an Ozzie swimwear company called Tribe. This photo shoot was on the beautiful shoreline of Sydney, and brought back my childhood memories of living in such a beautiful place. Where Peter resides and where I am originally from. The pictures just blew me away. Check out his website. Watch out Mario Testino. And I love the swimmers too, hhhhmmmm HELLO! Might order some for my hubby, though he's not really into "rocket launchers" as he describes them, I certainly now am! lol

Silver Smithing

Along with everything going on in my lift, I have also managed to squeeze in a weekly silver smithing class which I started last year, so have been practicing my soldering skills, which I need for making cufflinks. When I am a little more confident, I will consider a set of stud earrings to add to my collection. Small steps as they say!
But I have been eager to make rings for myself, and the first was just a simple round hammered one, nothing to blog about. Especially to incorporate one of my favourite stones, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.
I decided on a flat oval and had the challenge of covering the holes where I would normally thread, set in a rather organic obtuse bezel setting so that the stone lays gently against my skin to harnise it's powers by absorbing negativity, transmuted into useful energy.

Photographing jewellery

I have taught myself how to photograph my own jewellery ever since I began making it, especially after suffering two costly and disastrous experiences with so called "professional" photographers who, say they can photograph jewellery then charge the earth, squabble over the photo's I can actually use, and worst of all, most where out of focus! Through bitter experience, it's actually horrifying how many professional photographers can't actually photograph jewellery and if they can focus on the jewellery, they often can't style it.
There is soooo much to consider when photographing jewellery, lighting, backgrounds, keep away from reflective surfaces etc. After upgrading to an amazing G10, and improving my styling which is also extremely important when it comes to selling your work, my photographs have really improved, along with sales. Now, I never have to worry about copy-write, I take my own photos the minute I make something new and this self-taught skill has seen amazing results.
So much so, that I was asked by a friend, Anne Morgan, to photograph some of her work for a competition. Anne is not only a lovely lady, but a very talented and renowned silversmith, and now Chair of Wales' new Contemporary Jewellery Association, whilst still making time to also teach me silver smithing every week. As she flits between trade fairs, there is little time for organizing photography which she sends away for.
Here are some samples which I hope she deems good enough to grace her website and her very own Not On The High Street shopfront, where she also sells her work. I think these studs look great against a gray plank of driftwood I found along Newton beach!