Follow up on the cross project

 The first step in adding embellishments was to glue on a heart over the etched one. Then a rose was also added with E-6000 glue.Glass half drilled Haskell stock pearls were added by piercing the cross and using headpins and glue. The head pin was clipped to a length that equaled the metal thickness and the pearls depth.






The next step was to add jeweled headpins along the top of the cross. Glue was added just below the head and the wires folded tight behind and glued down to the cross. Wings and a silver crucifix were added as were beads with roses,some glass and a pair of skull beads. Finally a brass cross was glued and riveted on the back to cover the wires and add some strength.

 This view shows the embellishments and the chain to hang the cross on a wall. Of course it could be worn with a chain ans a necklace.

The back view showing some of the rivets and holes to be filled.

The whole project was easy to do and because the style is folk inspired there are really no rules. Looking back I will make the top of heavier material next time and perhaps be more lavish with the etching.
Give Milagros Cross making a try. Maybe it will foster a miracle for you

Inspiration Translation Creation Making Your Own Statement

I was inspired by a piece of jewelry created from older religious charms to investigate the concept of Milagros or miracle charms. In the process I saw this picture of a decorated cross. It would be easy to copy the work  but I prefer to use that as inspiration and translate that sense of design to become my own creation. Taking the central cue of the heart and working from there on copper with a fine point sharpie I made this design.

I trimmed the metal close to the edge of the design and backed the piece with plastic shipping tape. Covering the entire back to prevent etching chemicals from reaching there was the next step. The piece was placed into the etchant for about 2 hours. The metal was checked and when it was apparent that the texture was deep enough I neutralized the chemicals and washed the piece.

Next I chose to use heat from my torch to add color. This I do by heating the back side of the copper with the flame and watching for color changes as the heat is removed.

This is what that stage looked like. To maintain the color near to what it showed the piece was set on my anvil to cool instead of quenching.

This is the cooled result . It is now ready to be further enhanced With beads, gems or colored dyes and patinas. The central heart was traced from an open heart charm and the rest was drawn free hand.

Tab Setting for Faceted Stones

This simple folded copper disk is to be adorned with two round faceted stones, one blue and one gold representing the double star in Cygnus called Albireo. To stay true to the primitive form I added the stones with a cut tab setting. First punch a center hole and cut six or eight radiating lines out from the center.

The right side shows how the tabs or prongs are bent up and down alternating. The downward bent ones hold the bottom of the stone while the top are the prongs.

You can see the points are bent up to match the bottom of the stone.

Here it stone is set in place and the tabs are cut across the tips to shorten them so they don't extend over the table of the stone.

Repeating the process for the second stone readies the piece .

The tabs tips are squared off and pushed over the edge of the stone.

From behind you can see I have pushed those tabs up while pushing down from above to lock in the stones.

I added a long leather cord for a necklace. It runs through a tube soldered to the back .

Finally here is Albireo The necklace representing Beta Cygni a double star.