Art Nouveau Inspired Pendant in Copper

What's old is Nouveau again... I was sitting down the other night and as usual, it was rather late.  I was trying to make a completely different design and something I wouldn't normally make.  In order to grow, it's true that we have to push the limits a bit.  Still, what I was trying to practice didn't come together after a few tries.  Pause... I then thought I would just do something different.  I came up with something that somehow, looked very Art Nouveau inspired.  The thing I didn't force, just kinda happened and I feel it was much better than what I was trying to make.  We are always learning, growing, backpedaling, then bouncing back.  The path winds and we find our way.  This was made with two base pieces of heavy copper wire.  I then used one long piece to anchor the few bottom crystals, then worked my way up.  These are all Swarovski Crystals.  This can be a pendant, made into a brooch or even used as a Christmas ornament.  #Artnouveau #Paris #Metro #newvintage #christmasdecor #edwardian #Titanic #metalscrolls #bohemiancrystals #Swarovski #arizonamaker #edwardianfashion #handformedmetal #Royals #Downtonabbey #copperjewelry #wirejewelry

Finished Sterling Silver Filigree Crosses

So, here is the one larger cross I just finished and the other one with the large amethyst briolette.  I really like the layers of scrolls and fine gauge wire that holds all of it together.  These pendants are currently listed at wearartbyjulie.etsy.com.

Before, During and After Patina...

Progress on the Filigree Sterling Cross

At this point, I had finished building this piece.  Showing front and reverse detail.

Filigree Sterling Silver Cross in Progress

I've listed this pendant on my Etsy shop, but they only allow five images.  How could just a handful of images show the work and detail that goes into making a piece like this?  So, I'm posting some photos here!

You will see some of the initial scroll layers have been added, but there will be more layers of scrolls on top and under these.  I also added many sterling silver beads by essentially sewing them to the piece.  The two wires coming out of the top were made into the bale.

Fold Forming Organic Copper Leaves

Here are some photos of the various steps of working on some fold formed copper leaves.  I started with 24 gauge copper sheet that I milled to thin.  It's possible to start thinner at a 26 to 28 gauge.  It just depends on how much texturizing or hammering you will do.  The metal will thin out as it's worked or milled.

There are so many ways to cut and shape pieces like this.  I wanted my pieces to have waves like dry leaves.

It's a process to do this because you anneal the metal, work it a bit, anneal and work some more.  This was a super fun way to add a lot of dimension.

Copper and Stone Pendants Cold Connection

The top pendant was a simple coiled piece of copper I had hammered accents on.  I decided to get creative by adding a round bead to the center.  I threaded the stone with wire, wrapped it, coiled the ends and tucked it under.  I did something similar with the bale.  This seemed to add a lot of interest to the metal by connecting various pieces of metal without heat.

The second pendant also features labradorite that has been wrapped into a bale.  I used the same bead plus some Czech glass beads at the bottom.

The bottom pendant is copper and I had milled a laurel leaf onto it.  I bent the milled stem section of the leaf back to form a bale.  I made a wire wrapped bead for an accent and used a nice fluorite for the dangle.  These all started out as simple ideas and the little accents added layers of interest.