Kinetic Project -Redo



After setting the previous blue dyed tiger's eyes in the pendant, I attempted to repair a broken stem on the inferior aspect of the piece.  This resulted in the dye burning out of the stones and ruining the effect I was looking for.  A critical appraisal of the pendant resulted in the decision to rebuild it using two translucent amethyst and stronger stems.  The copper elements around the stones also seemed inadequate in comparison to the rest of the neck piece and were also re-designed in brass.  I think this works better and should be able to be completed by critique.  Here's hoping.

Kinetic piece:

I worked two 10 hr. days plus class time on this project so far this week.  I can see the end in sight now.   In class yesterday I got my idea of a tiara nixed. It was worth a shot anyway.  Ideas for the clasp were discussed and a simple and elegant solution presented itself.  As the band was constructed of two strips, I split one end and bent the other to form the clasp as shown below.

Most of today was spent finishing the individual components and creating the clasp.  Tomorrow I'll try the micro torch to see if I can ball the ends of the brass wire or have to use the fine silver.  Either way, all that remains after that is to set the stones, final polish and then keep my hands off it until crit.

This piece really only took shape as it was being constructed.  So many technical issues relating to the kinetic aspect of the piece had to be resolved sequentially, each solution presenting a new complication. I stayed somewhat related to the initial design, but the mechanism changed significantly.  I knew this piece would be  delicate, but somewhere along the way it got all Elven Princess on me.

Pendant piece constructed

Top is a trial for the remainder of the neck piece.  I didn't think it was consistent with the rest of the piece and tried another idea shown below.

 That worked out better and ended up as shown below.  Copper and brass wire were solderd together at measured points to create the ellipses and then they were twisted 360 degrees. a tube was soldered at each end and the transition is seamless.

Now to class tomorrow for feedback and ideas for the clasp (or leave it as a tiara).  The connections will be made with 22 gauge brass wire balled at one end and the other closed with a ball of solder.

Kinetic project

The bail/transition has been fabricated and the scheme for the neckpiece is becoming evident.  The brass elements will be smooth and polished in contrast to the hammered copper elements.  The silver settings will also be smooth and polished to provide an eye-catching focal point. 
I will continue the helix pattern in decreasing size along the neck piece until it becomes a single wire with a clasp. 

 This is a detail of the connection point of the neckpiece and the pendant.  I have ordered some 22 gauge brass wire to use for the pins in the connections of the individual components.  The ends of the pins will be melted and balled to secure the connections.