While browsing through books at Barnes and Nobles a while back, I found this wonderful book, Silver Threads by Jeanne Rhodes-Moen. The book is a fantastic resource for making wire filigree jewelry which has always interested me.
Being self taught, I have quite the personal library of jewelry resources and I'm always on the lookout for new ways to expand my education and handcrafted jewelry businesss! I really liked this book because it has lots of pictures so you can see the jewelry artist at work plus it has wonderful explanations. Jeanne gives lots of tips and hints and this book can be used by a beginner or a seasoned jewelry artist.
Filigree is defined in the dictionary as-
- Ornamental work of fine (typically gold or silver) wire formed into delicate tracery.
- A thing resembling such fine ornamental work.
I used this book as a resource to inspire me and to find my own voice using filigree wire techniques. My first experiment was using twisted wire to create heart shapes. These are not as ornamental as traditional filigree but I love the way it turned out. The hearts are flanked by rainbow flourite. This handcrafted silver wire filigree necklace was sent to a fashion shoot held by She Unlimited and is not available for sale.
This blue filigree angel started off with me creating a fused dichroic glass cabochon. The cabochon has blue and purple. I then bezel set the cabochon using a fancy scalloped fine silver bezel wire. I flattened twisted sterling silver wire and made 3 hearts and a tear that were all soldered together with the cabochon added on top. On top of the cabochon, I have 3 small silver balls to add strength to the design. I soldered a silver ring and voila this Blue Angel Pendant. This picture relay does not do the design justice!!You can buy this glass pendant here...
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