Real Steel

by Lynda.
(Spring Valley, CA)

These photos show some jewelry components in process. Some will be part of a necklace titled Through the Looking Glass.

The illustration and text is from a $1 used book…the first page of the book, where Alice is having a conversation with her kitty, Dinah. The other pieces are for earrings and a pendant using bits of scrap book paper. I must thank Deryn Mentock for the original idea of these wire frames. Her work with wire is so beautifully detailed.

For the process: I first scrubbed off the black coating of 19 gauge annealed steel wire. Then formed the wire frames, mostly around a marker pen, then detailed with pliers.

Hammered for dimension. Tossed into a tumbler for strength and shine. For each component, I first painted on a thickish coat of Diamond Glaze, right out of the bottle with a brush, on the paper scrap.

Then, laid down the metal frame on the bit of paper, filling in the middle with more of the resin with the paint brush and coating the metal too.

Need to mention, I worked on a large gallon size baggie, the pieces won’t stick.

Let dry thoroughly and trim with scissors. Turn the pieces over and paint a coat of resin on the back and dry again. Ready to use in your jewelry designs.
Of course, other metals would work too and the process is a jumping off place for other great ideas.

Lynda
Fresh Baked Designs