Monday, November 22, 2010

A Peek into the Printers Drawer!

Compartment No. 6

Driftwood!
Picked up from a vacation in Florida and treasured for the memories, the hope to go back and the possibilities they hold in creating.
I immediately made molds of them, as I do with just about everything, so I can always create clay items from them. I had the idea to press copper metal clay into them but that was before I learned I would need a kiln to fire them. So I created these out of polymer;
 They are painted and sealed but ended up looking more like stone than wood pieces! Not sure what I am going to do with these yet, I can't keep calling everything "Ancient" something or other.
I would like to use the original driftwood pieces in jewelry but I am worried about how delicate they are. Would they take a wire-wrapped bail rubbing against a hole drilled in the tops? Can I set a long eyelet in them to protect the wood from the metal wear?
It would be neat to create a bezel setting for them, then brush them with resin (good life long resin like ice resin) to preserve and protect. Maybe I will do that instead of drilling into them.
I always admired those bracelets and necklaces that had huge shells, stones and sea glass set in bezels.
What a way to carry the sea with you!
Now if only I can rearrange my time so I can sit down with this idea!
Oh, if you are like me and do not live near the ocean or any water for that matter, but would still like to utilize driftwood in your work here are a few links that sell really nice pieces;



10 comments:

  1. i think a prong setting would be perfect - that or the tube rivet... great ideas!

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  2. Hi Shannon you are Always a fresh with something new! Many years ago I lived in Pureto Rico and people made these lovely chimes with the spines from sea urchins. The sound in the wind was so sweet the tinkeling sound. They also make wonderful pcs for jewellery drilled holes in them.
    Huggs from Singingwoods! ox

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  3. i love driftwood..so organic and elemental..
    but problematic for jewelry.
    what about enclosed in a cage of some sort, protected on all sides by the wire.

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  4. I just love drift wood but never thought about using it in jewelry. Your polymer pieces are lovely and have a nice earthy color--though I do agree they look more like stone.

    Thanks for the links!

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  5. So intriguing! I was thinking that might be a project to whip out the soldering iron and use the copper tape to trim then entire edges. That would reinforce it for sure. Thanks for sharing these glimpses into your drawer... and into your life. Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  6. Top pic is very cool..amazing how something as simple and organic as driftwood can be so pretty.

    Fair Winds and Calm Seas,
    Deborah Leon
    www.mermaidspurseseaglass.com

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  7. Yes, I am like you, an ocean lover, but from a great distance! However, Lake Superior is an amazing body of water in its own right! And it does supply driftwood, but that site you found looks very interesting! What a discovery! I like the pieces you made, clever to make a mold, always somethin' cookin' in that creative mind of yours :)

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  8. beautiful ideas for driftwood. I like the idea of having a driftwood prong-set ring, for a small piece of driftwood.

    The tidelines design site looks really great! I love those pieces they show in the picture. Thanks for the link.

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  9. Shannon, I have an idea for preservation but let me try it out first and I'll let you know if it works! Thanks for the driftwood links, I adore the stuff-- I had a pendant back in high school that I wore for years, just polished with some shoe polish, I think.

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  10. I've just gotta say you are my soulmate when it comes to faux work! Love those wood pieces!

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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog, it means a lot to me.
Shannon