Nature Photography In The Woods Citrine Ring

Some of the things I make are a bit more rustic, so it's fun to photograph them out in nature.  Sometimes Mother Nature surprises you and the weather can change fast.  My destination was over 7,000 feet, the wind whipped up and the temperature cooled as it plunged to 47.

I always have some sort of bag with supplies, extra clothing, food and water.  Hats are super handy because they not only shade you from the sun, but they keep your head warm and help block the wind.  Not to mention food, water and other supplies that are a good idea to bring with while going on an adventure.

I had multi-layers of shirts and sweaters and also blankets and beach towels.  One of the beach towels came in handy for a wind break.

I hiked over to some favorite boulders to click some photos with my i-Phone.  I have a really nice full size camera, but I use the camera phone on quick trips like this.

Items photographed in full shade really look the best.  Since it was overcast, it was a little challenging to find full shade.  I've used the same boulders before, so I had a feeling the location and time of day would work fine.

Certain background colors work well with certain items.  Some background colors enhance and some do not.  Try to photograph your item on various backgrounds.  Copper on a rust color might not always work and sometimes granite will look better.

I will take several photos of a scene and move the camera angle slightly each time.  I will also tend to bring the camera back from the piece as well.  This will change the focus each time.

There is a lot of texture to the wire wrapping and even the underlying boulder.  You will notice each photo will look a little different.  Some of the photos of this ring had a clear shot of the wrapped shank, cord or boulder.  I was looking for an overall focus on the item.  There are other times I do want one area in focus and another area more blown out of focus.  Just take plenty of photos! 

I've many times set up an area to photograph items with props, clicked photos, taken down my area, gone inside to review photos and have discovered, I've somehow missed my mark.  The best thing I've learned is to vary the camera angle and move back a bit.

I photographed the ring on various sides and angles.  There were two boulders and a bunch of pine needles between them.  I used those to prop up the ring.  I also found an old sun dried piece of wood to use as a mandrel.  It all seemed to work.  Just look around and toss some found objects into the photos while out in nature.

It's possible to take really good photos of your work in any setting.  It just takes practice and you don't need an expensive amount of equipment.  A camera phone may just do the trick! 

Scroll Cross Revision

I decided to add a large, deep purple amethyst briolette to the bottom of the pendant.  I also made the necklace to be adjustable to lay just right with various collars.  It's now sitting in a display case on a black velvet form, waiting for someone to take it home.

Scroll Cross in Sterling with Amethyst

I made this cross with various gauges of sterling silver wire.  I built a frame and layer by layer, added hand bent and formed sterling scrolls.  I added silver beads and a micro faceted amethyst bead in the center.

This was completely made with cold connections and no soldering was used.  I cannot say it was all a wrapped piece, but imagine sewing with super fine sterling wire.  In, out, up and over I went with the wire to secure the scroll pieces to the frame.  You have to be very careful to keep the wire in a loop and not pull it and kink it.  If that happens, you have to carefully unbend and straighten the wire.  A good pair of nylon jaw pliers are really one of the most important tools.  I use it to straighten and to also press wire in some areas to tighten things.  My less expensive pair works better than the higher quality ones I purchased.  

My favorite tool to cut the small wires would be small nail clippers.  They are curved and can get into tight areas usually without cutting other pieces.  I have several sets of clippers in pretty much every tool box and work area.  They work great and are very inexpensive.  The price of the tool doesn't always dictate how great it will work.  I have good pliers and special tools, but the little wire trimmers I use are simple nail clippers.  If you don't have power tools, you can file the ends, use sand paper and I have even used emory boards, then sand.  Experiment and see what works for you.  

The beads are also wired in at various locations.  The wire around the stone that looks like a bezel is a heavier coiled wire.  The bale is larger to accommodate the sterling chains with amethyst and sterling   beads.  This could also be worn on a heavy black cord or velvet ribbon.  If you wear something like this on a black cord or ribbon worn over my usual black crew neck t-shirt, it will look like it's floating.

I added a double wire loop to the lower back of the tip to add a dangle.  I may add a pear shaped pearl or amethyst briolette.  Still working through some final details.

This wire wrapped and cold connected style of work is inspired by some pieces I've seen made in Eastern Europe.  I haven't seen any crosses like this and this is my own design.  Every piece I construct is one of a kind and unique.  

This has an old world look with the patina that darkened it.  The scrolls remind me of architectural elements with their detail. It is strong and delicate at the same time.