Platinum is forever

Welcome to this month's Lapidary & precious metal section. The focus today is on Platinum.

When I was a kid, there used to be a popular saying, Old is gold but new is Platinum. Such was the awe for the white metal then. It does make sense as it is a rare element that is lustrous, ductile, malleable, resistant to corrosion, high temperatures and wear and tear and hence costlier than gold. Even the word Platinum denotes wealth and has caused the advertisers to link it with prestige and exclusivity. Apart from jewelry, it is used widely in electronics, in the chemical industry and for a lot of limited edition watches.

Platinum often referred to as the new metal, is not actually new. History says that in 700, the high priestess of Egypt – Shepenupet was buried in a magnificent casket decorated with platinum hieroglyphics. But only in 1751, it was categorized as a precious metal by the Swedish scientist Theophil Scheffer. In the 1900’s Louis carter successfully created a line of platinum jewelry (his famous garland designs) and is credited with the discovery of the wristwatch. Slowly Hollywood was awash with platinum and was best summed up by Frank Capra movie – ‘Platinum blonde’. Platinum wedding bands became popular with the wedding of Elvis and Priscilla Anne in 1967.

Points to be kept in mind while buying Platinum Jewelry

-    Platinum is denser than gold, so an identical ring made in platinum rather than gold would be around 40% heavier.

-    Platinum being a strong and versatile metal, applies itself to braiding, milgrain (raised beaded line), Filigree work and to have a beveled edged. It is also possible to do intricate engraving on platinum. So the design possibilities are endless

-    The difference between platinum and white gold is that Platinum is a naturally white metal that will never lose its brilliant luster, whereas white gold needs to be re-plated over time.

Interesting??  Click here to read more of the article>>>

Please do not republish without prior permission from me and She.Sulekha.

Article Source:http://she.sulekha.com/platinum-is-forever_06_2011_postedby_divya-n

Author: Divya N

hope you enjoyed reading it!!

Cheers

Jewelry from leather

Remember a few months back, I had posted about a leather project. Ya! I worked on loads of leather after that creating lots of flowers and flowers arrangements. But about a month back, I happened to meet someone, who had a leather unit and wanted to get into leather jewelry. After my discussion, as usual I came back to the net (my guru) and researched. Leather jewelry definitely seemed like an interesting area to work in.But I had given away all the leather I got for the project back. So I went back to the stash I had from college and experimented. Once that turned out all right, I went and got some scraps. The thing with Leather is if you buy as a skin, it is very expensive but if you are not particular about length, then you can buy pieces by weight. I mostly picked sheep in yellow, green, pink and blue (as I had gotten used to it.) But I realised that I would have preferred harder leather, as it was getting flimsy at times.

The first is a snap button cuff with colour strips in a brick like arrangement.

The second is a cord bracelet made following the tutorial at Ornamentea

The third is again a cuff bracelet with yellow rosettes and I made some matching earrings too

 My next stop is leather bows....but I think that they warrant a post for themselves..so will be back with that soon.

Cheers

Crazy Crochet - part 2

 I hope you found my previous on crochet post interesting...here's the part two..the skull crochet necklace and the other little knicks - knacks like mats and covers....after making some traditional crochet stuff I wanted to make something more contemporary and that thought led to the idea of using a glazed paper like a cabochan setting inside a crochet shell

Skull Crochet Necklace - I have always loved skulls...they are fascinating motifs  and graphically look very good. I remember as kid watching all the electricity box crosses with fascination but I openly grew to appreciate them only in college because of my friend Deepayan. He also taught me to appreciate heavy metal music and grunge/punk styling. We were both so different from each other - almost opposites that it used to amuse people that we could be friends in the first place. Even thought we grew apart slowly (with almost no contact after college), I treasure that period - our friendship. I made me realise that any people can be friends if they trust and respect each other, however contrasting their characters or backgrounds might be....So this piece is a throwback to those times in the first year, when our group sat together in that confined mansion room on LB road, trying to complete our field studies project while playing with the dummy skull that belonged to Deep.


...finally the mats

Thats all the crocheting for now...I do hope that I get some time to indulge in this hobby again...
Cheers

Crazy Crochet - part 1

My hobby for the month of May was crochet...and I really did go crazy with it. Made a couple of decorative mats for the hall center table, made a telephone cover for my Aunt and ofcourse made some crazy jewelry. Take a look.... 

Wire crochet...well this is my second - no third attempt at wire crochet. The first was a bracelet and the second a ring...but as the ring wouldnt come the way I wanted, I crushed it (in frustration) and flattened it into these earrings...birds nest style...looks complicated right...but it is a very simple pattern. If anybody is interested in buying this(or would like another colour of stone) I can make it for you and list it...artfire or directly.

Like necklaces? These are available for purchase at my artfire store

And so is this bracelet - Its got a metal focal on the front and a nylon button closure at the back..who still believes in matching - matching

So how did you like these pieces? Part 2 coming up soon

Cheers

Support me to design for Debra shepard

 This has been quite a contest month for me....and because of everybody's great support I have been participating in contests left and right. Here is another one from Talenthouse....

I was really touched by the way most of you wanted to vote for me the last time I participated in a talent house contest for NINE WEST. This time I am Participating in a Jewelry design contest (yipeee!!!) where the entries would be judged by the famed international designer - Debra Shepard who will produce the wining entries and sell it in her outlets worldwide...

So what am I entering with...??
 My Gold spiral pendant, my C pendant necklace from my older collection and a birds nest necklace

My Theme : Swirl  in Style : A collection of three chain based necklaces with pearl accents which depict movement that is classy, sublime and yet powerful enough to make a statement. 

You all know how crazy I am about jewelry and winning this would mean a lot to me... and I would be really grateful if all of you would vote for me, this time also

 Voting ends in 5 days and every vote counts !!

Comments on this post dont consider as votes... Please visit the link to vote - you can log in with your facebook or Twitter account - no need to sign up on Talent house..but if you wish to...you would see that it is great site where you can upload your work and create online copyrighted portfolio...

Also do take a look around...all the submissions are awesome and they are a source of great inspiration!!

So please wish me luck and vote for me 
Cheers

Creativity Expo at Wholeport

 Hey guys,
If you are a contest junkie like me and would like some new materials to put your creativity to test, then this is the thing for you. Conducted by Wholeport, the The Creativity Expo is what I call a wonder contest.

Details...Details...!!

Wholeport is an online trading company based in China and they have a wonderful selection of jewelry findings (beads, spacers), craft and sewing items that would wow any crafter worth his/her salt.Currently they offer crafting supplies in categories of Beads & Buttons, Fabric, Lace Trim, Soap Molds, Paper Arts, Knitting, etc.
To promote their lovely collection they want You to go on a create-a-thon! Like them on their facebook page or follow them on twitter in order to receive a package of one of these nine different crafting supplies completely free of charge! You can find descriptions of the nine supplies by visiting this album on their facebook page.The only fine print is that you would have to request the supplies by July 14th (extended date) to enter the contest and the contest ends on August 15th.
 The Prize ??
$50 cash coupon for www.wholeport.com. You think it cant get better than that....everyone who enters gets $2 off on their purchase at Wholeport.....yipeeee!!


So what are you waiting for, if you are upto this challenge, send them an email at create@wholeport.com 
and avail this wonderful opportunity. I already did, any guesses what I would have requested for??
# 9 - Origami paper !! heeeee and my package is on its way to me...:) :)


 Good luck and waiting to see your entries
Cheers
 

Bridal set Workshop

For a long time I have been meaning to posts some of the projects that we do in the workshops/ jewelry classes I conduct. I think its about time. This beauty is one of my recent favorites. I have never really been a fan of artificial Kundan jewelry (I think that are very bright and slightly tacky at times) but still I do teach them because they are really popular and easy to make .

But after this set, esp the necklace was made, and I tried it, it looked so beautiful that I just didnt want to give it away...I know that I wont make one for myself so I am contended just looking at the pictures (which by the way dont do any justice to the pieces).

When I started teaching kundan jewelry, I used to buy sets because everything needed to make a 3 piece set is already inside the box - packed - waiting for you to just assemble them. Then after a while I got bored. I mean there's really no fun, if you can't design or make your own pattern right? So I started buying separates and mixed then up with beads and supplies that I have in stock to create some interesting patterns.

Coming back to this particular set, the lady in question (the student) wanted to learn how to make a necklace, earrings, a sitara (mang tika), a bracelet and anklets...well basically everything...

to be frank I have never done stone based anklets or bracelets before and was a little skeptical...but as I never say no to my students...I thought what the heck, will make those also.

These are made using regular (artificial) kundan pendants, double holed and triple holed stone attachments, glass beads, coated beads (magenta & gold), stone danglers, bugle bead bunches and extension chain. All closures were hand formed.

For the benefit of my Non-Indian readers, this type of necklace(choker) is typically Indian and heavy, is called Addigai in Tamil, Kantha in Sanskrit. The head ornament is called Sitara (star) or Chudamani or Netichutti (forehead trinket) in Tamil and is worn below the parting of the hair and at the center of the forehead. The earrings, bracelet and anklets are more contemporary versions. If you would like to read about ancient Indian jewelry and its forms, I suggest the following two articles from this blog

India's attachment to jewelry - part 1

India's attachment to jewelry - part 2

 (quite proud of the fact that these articles are the most comprehensive of all sources on ancient Indian jewelry that you'll find online)

 Then if you are interested in looking at some sets done in workshop a year back, you can find them here.And if you would like to come for a class, just drop in a mail

Also I am planning to do a Bridal series next month talking about jewelry and accessories worn (chiefly by women) in various parts of the world. I would be writing about Hindu (indian) wedding jewelry. I would like guest posts for other cultures. So If you are interested in writing about the wedding jewelry(customs) of you country or religion, please contact me, I would love to feature your article on my blog. It could even be about what you wore for your own wedding.
Waiting to hear from you

Cheers