Very soon I will get my final grade from my diploma. It's both exciting and nerve-wracking and there's been a buzz of activity amongst my fellow Diplomites as we gradually all have our final meetings with our mentors and discover the outcome.
Whilst I wait patiently (or not!) for my Zoom call, I hope you will forgive my excitement and allow me to introduce you to the most complex piece of jewellery I have made so far!
In Term 3, we had to design and make a final project. We had to incorporate at least 3 techniques from the course and submit our design process with the final piece. Strangely, I didn't choose any stone settings - can't explain why as they had definitely been some of my favourite techniques throughout the year. But I had a moment of inspiration when I could see a domed locket in my mind as clear as anything and then suddenly, there were bees...and immediately I knew what I wanted to make.
A locket was ambitious (it's a project on the next level diploma so I knew I was aiming high!) but with a clear idea and determination, I was prepared to give it a go. Would what I had envisaged in my mind actually translate to a fully working locket which opened and closed effectively? It required a lot of accuracy so I tried it out using copper to see. My prototype was not a pretty sight but the mistakes and practice were extremely helpful before investing in the more expensive materials.
After a slight design shift in the hinge mechanism, I discovered the skills I have learned, even if not yet mastered, were sufficient and my final piece was a silver domed locket which opened to reveal a little silver bee inside.
I was so chuffed!
Every part is handmade:
I made each chain link, soldering around 80 jump rings in two sizes, hammering half of them on a hexagon mandrel and the remainder used to link the hexagons together
I carefully sawed each circle for the locket and domed them, before carefully piercing out the three small hexagons on the front
I soldered on the tabs for the rivet to sit in and continually tested and checked the hole as I drilled both the locket domes and the bail so it would smoothly open and close without wiggling or wobbling
I made the toggle clasp for the chain
I moulded the silver bee from silver clay and used an ancient Korean technique called keum boo to add 24ct gold leaf
the bee is actually riveted into the base so it sits just above the bottom of the dome - you can carefully turn it if you want it facing a different direction (this didn’t work quite as effectively as I wanted but you live and learn!)
in the most literal sense, everything hinged on the rivet working well as it holds the bail, domes and chain together, needing to be tight enough to hold the bail and the locket tabs together but not too tight that the two domes can’t open and close. And as it was the final task after all the hours and hours of making and polishing, I was definitely holding my breath as I gently tapped the teeniest-tiniest piece of wire in place!
But my prayers were answered and aside from a few minor flaws, even this perfectionist is beyond pleased with the final result!
My bee locket - I don’t know how many hours were spent making and designing this but I’m so chuffed with it!
So whatever my final grade, it’s BEEn an amazing year of learning. I'm super proud to have executed my design from having it BUZZING round my mind to holding the finished piece in my hand.
I'm definitely feeling more confident in my abilities and skills and who knows, maybe one day I’ll do the Diploma in Fine Jewellery and spend another year learning new skills?! Not just yet though!
Thanks so much for reading.
With love,
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