Latest Creations
Steampunk and Stone updated their website address.
“Dark Heart”
Amethyst, Opal Matrix, Sterling Silver
17mm x 20mm approximately
This project started out with the intention of in laying an opal heart within the potch (opal stone, without the colours). All went well until the inset of the opal, when a big chip came off! Rather than waste the effort that went into making the big heart, I searched in vain for another suitable piece of opal. I then found a piece of amethyst, and had my first try at shaping and polishing that. The photo shows the flaws, but it actually looks better in real life. The amethyst hides within its’ dark frame until the sunlight hits it and refracts back through, showing the internal structure of the purple stone. I’ll definitely be playing with amethyst again!
Stunning
“Listening Skills”
Vintage pocket watch & clock parts
32mm x 24mm approximately
Update: “Sold!”
A quick sketch of a bat in my ideas book evolved into this little fellow. His wings are a watch plate saved from a broken Elgin pocket watch and his body and head are shaped from an old alarm clock winder. His little feet are cut from two pocket watch gears. The whole piece is held together with two brass rivets. With ears like this, you’d have to be a good listener, right?
Is it dipped in Pfizer?
“Motherhood”
Rescued and new sterling silver, opal
35mm x 15mm approximately
I cut and polished this opal and wanted to showcase the wonderful colours it displayed. I’d purchased a very ugly silver piece of jewellery at an opportunity shop, and discarded the ugly shell it held. I then cut up the silver and ran it through my rolling mill, producing a very rough square profile which I cut, shaped and soldered into this pendant. This was a “make it up as you go along” creation. As the parts came together, they looked a little like a stylised woman. With the opal poised to place in the centre, I thought of motherhood. Pregnant women suffer through so much to produce beautiful babies. They stretch and swell, they tire and battle on, often working well into the pregnancy. I left the battle scars on the silver in tribute, and liked the way the “imperfect” silver contrasted with the lovely 1.25 carat stone.
(Video in comments)
Colour play
“Tears of Joy”
Opal, Opal Matrix (Potch), new and rescued silver
20mm x 15mm approx.
Escaping from the current chaos, I went and hid in the shed today. I cut and polished both this lovely opal and the piece of potch that holds it, then fabricated the mounting from new and recycled silver. The light play in this stone is captivating! (Video in comments)
“Captured Lightning”
Solid Opal and sterling silver ring
Once again tidying up was interrupted by being distracted by shiny things! In this case, it was a piece of rough opal that arrived in the mail recently. I cut and polished the opal, then made the bezel and the ring from a mix of recycled and new silver. The play of colour in this stone is amazing! Video in the comments)
Light play
This is just gorgeous Tim!!! I think it’s my fave piece so far.