WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!! I just finished the last set of bling for all my September/October birthdays! I finished it yesterday.
This set is jade with fresh water pearls.
Making this set was FULL of frustrations and trials and tribulations. First, before I even started working on the set, I thought I lost it after showing it to my instructors. I searched through my tool bags TWICE, and reached out to everyone in class to see if they had found the stones, before finding them. They were tucked deep inside one of the pockets of one of my tool bags. I was very relieved when I found my stones. I was able to start the creative processes.
Once I made the bezels, I was feeling pretty proud of myself, since I was ahead of schedule and things were coming along nicely. But my pride got in the way of my progress, and I lost one whole bezel. To this day, I still haven’t found it. I looked everywhere for it, to no avail. I was ready to set the stone in it too when I lost it. I ended up having to remake it.
Then, because the stones were diamond shaped, with sharp points, that presented another set of challenges. I had to really work at it to get the silver formed around the points. One of our senior instructors told me numerous times “points suck”. I am not going to argue that fact. He’s right. But if done right, they look very nice.
After the bezels were made, I made my holes for the jump rings to attach the pearls and the earrings. But once I added my ropes, I didn’t leave enough room for the jump rings. So, once again, I had to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan. I was NOT going to remake those bezels again!
But through blood, sweat and plenty of tears, determination and perseverance, and A LOT of help, they are now complete and ready to go. All that is left is to do is one minor thing that I need a special machine for, and I can’t do that until Tuesday. I am going to use a laser to seal the jump rings. Then they will be put in the mail and off to my niece for her birthday, that was yesterday. Are they perfect? Definitely NOT. But they are definitely unique and full of their own personality. They were made with love though, and that is the important thing. 🙂 Now …. On to the next project and new set of challenges. My friend Andrea asked me what inspires me. I told her the stones themselves speak to me and tell me what they want.
Today’s moral of the story is to never give up; no matter how difficult or challenging things may be. If it is worthwhile, it is worth the effort. Through hard work, perseverance and sheer determination, anything is possible. Have a great day and make everyday great. ‘Til next time.
