My first sterling silver fabricated pendant…
Tonight was the last session of my beginner fabrication (silversmithing) class & I was able to complete one more piece of jewelry. A week ago, I picked up a wonderful stone cabachon at a local gem/bead store, the Rock Barrell. The stone is called “painted jasper”, and this particular cabachon had such a unique & beautiful line that it had to leave with me! I think it really does look like a painting too!
Here are the quick instructions on how to make this pendant: Measure & solder a piece of fine silver bezel wire to a piece of 20-gauge sterling. Saw around the bezel wire & file. Create a bail from 22-gauge sterling & solder it to the top of your first piece. Once the stone is set, shine the silver and you’ll get something that looks like this! I’ve so enjoyed learning about silversmithing that I’ve signed up for another session. It will begin in two weeks. 
Add comment May 26th, 2006
As promised, here is a pic of my last project from my silversmithing class…a large stone-set bezel ring (and I do mean large!) At one point, I overheated the metal and thought I might be showing you a picture of a big slumped silver mess…but luckily all was salvaged. Thank goodness for ring mandrels & hammers! It came right back to its original shape. Gotta love a hobby that lets you bang on things & make lots o’ noise. 
It started with two 1″ squares of sterling silver. Six hours & about 8 saw blades later… I ended up with these. *LOL* They were fun to make, and I learned a lot about sawing, filing, soldering & polishing.
Well, amazingly enough, I managed NOT to set the studio on fire with the gas torch. I had a lot of help from my teach, but here’s the result from my first fabrication (silvermithing) project. It’s certainly not perfect… but it’s handmade with TLC. And yes, I realize I spent beacoup bucks on a class to make a ring I could buy in Mexico for $2, but we won’t go there…