First Foldings

by Christine O’Connell.
(Montreal, Quebec Canada)

I had been studying at Sterling Quest in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for almost three months when I made these earrings. Foldforming had been on my list of techniques to learn and time was running out.

Leaf Earrings

So, after looking through the books in the studio, studying images of large beads and bracelets, I decided on earrings in the shape of leaves. I made the pattern, but erred when I cut it out too closely *before* gluing it to the folded sterling sheet.

Side view of leaf earring

Lesson learned. The next steps were sawing the design, chasing the texture, shaping curves into the metal, making and soldering the ear wires, then finishing. They are comfortable to wear and I think they are beautiful.

Christine O’Connell
Van Wesseling Jewelry at Etsy
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