Category: jewellery

Homewares and Crafts · Jewellery

Wine inspired brooches

Julique
The original brooch in purple
The original brooch in purple

I was asked to make a few more wine inspired brooches. The brooches are a stylised bottle and a wine glass.

In my original design, I created a base design of a bottle on its side with a wine glass charm and embellished the design with wire curls. The wire curls are for attaching pens, openers and glasses. It has been ‘road tested’ and held up successfully under stress.

I love the way the wine glass charm turned out. It was made using twisted aluminium wire that was shaped and hammered.

The Blue Set

Each item has been embellished with a charm and the surface design is dotty. The hooks are made from copper as it is a stronger gauge than the wire used on my first design.

Brooch with hook for glasses or attachment such as a waiter’s friend
Reverse side: brooch pin decorated and stamped
Wine charm
jewellery · Jewellery

Designing Clasps and Bails

Julique

I love to add feature elements to my work. Some pieces just call for that special touch to make it unique – the one-of-a-kind statement.

I plan these elements after considering the hang of a piece, the type of material (sterling silver, aluminum wire, copper or polymer clay) that fits with the design and the budget of the piece.

Sometimes the connector just appears from the medium and I have to wait for just the right piece to come along to suit. This curly whirly is exactly that type of connector waiting for its new home on just the right piece of jewellery.

Curly whirly connector made using polymer clay and highlighted with texture and white dots

Polymer clay elements – examples of some connectors and bails

Wire clasps and bails

jewellery · Jewellery

Working with Copper

Julique

I love the warmth of copper and the look of hammered and shaped metal. I am also fascinated by the effects and colours resulting from the application of patina on metals.

I have recently been going through my bead and stone stash with the aim to create new pieces using what I already have. This was one of my aims from the #100DaysProject2022. The 100 days project 2022 has concluded for me but I have continued to see if I can apply this concept to my work.

See two examples of some recent work.

Jewellery

Wine and Grape Inspired

Julique

I love working with textures. I created a mould using the leaves from a grape vine. These made me think of creating a few fun earrings that are wine and grape inspired using this mould.

Love the dangles ❤️ 🍇🍃 and will look to find other ways to use this mould in designs.

Created using the mould and alcohol inks
Reverse side highlighted using metallic wax
Larger dangles – frosted grape bunched (stylised)
Christmas · Jewellery · Uncategorized

December – Christmas Inspired

Julique

During the month of December, I was inspired by the season to design work using the Christmas colours of red and white.

I usually don’t use white clay by itself as it is hard to keep clean and clear. I do have a dedicated pasta machine just for white clay. This definitely helps reduce cross contamination.

The images below are the result of my creating.

My favourites are the dangles with dots and spots that came to me in a dream and the pendant as it has an experimental back made using a deep texture from Helen Breil Designs.

Enjoy 😁.