Out of difficulties grow miracles

Copper with clear glass jewel brooch and earrings

I chose this back-ground for the photograph "Out of difficulties grow miracles" because I had one heck of a time making this set! The clear glass jewels are set on top of copper and, as I was soldering the jewels to the copper, the flux kept on running under the glass, causing black spots. I tried over and over again until, eventually, I just gave up and soldered it, ignoring the black spots and hoped for the best. But once I had finished the pieces, added the black patina for an aged look and washed and cleaned them, there were no black spots to see! The few that remained just added to the charm of the earrings (top left in the picture).

For the brooch, I cut the copper to shape and size and crumpled it a bit with my flat-nose pliers for an interesting texture and soldered the brooch pin to the back.

These earrings have pins (with butterfly) but could also just as easily have been hook earrings 

Silver solder with clear glass jewels hook earrings  

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Goggo / Insect range - Baboon Spider

This Keepsakes range consists of insects (for the insect-lover!) to display as ornaments but some of them can also be fashioned into brooches. Hand-crafted with silver, copper, pewter, glass jewels and silver wire, each Goggo/insect can take 3 or more hours to make. Only materials of the highest quality is used and great attention is given to detail. Although the items should be treated with care, each item is strong and sturdy. Taking care and cleaning of your unique insect is as easy as scrubbing gently with a toothbrush and Sunlight Liquid and giving it a good rinse with cold water, drying gently with a soft cloth. A natural patina develops over time, adding charm to the item.

Each insect comes with a descriptive card :

Baboon Spider
Ground-dwelling, these hairy spiders are among the world's largest, ranging from 2-6cm (body length). Various species exist in South Africa, all of them living in burrows. They have large fangs which can inflict an unpleasant bite but without serious envenomation.

From my "Earth Range" and inspired by Nature.

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Bound Chaos Pendant and bracelet

Silver and black plastic-coated wire gently bound and wound into orderly chaos. Pendant hangs from a silver chain and has a dangling iridescent glass bead. The bracelet has two silver beads.

From my Earth Range, I've named them "Bound Chaos". Just like in our daily lives, these pieces are gently woven together, trying to make sense of uncertainty and chaos, giving meaning to experience.

'Bound Chaos' bracelet

"Gebonde Chaos" nekhangertjie en bypassende armband

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