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Mostly Metal Category
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Black Ice
Artist: Debbie Kelly (Topsham, ME)
Additional Top Pick, Mostly Metal
"I have been wanting to experiment with this figure-eight motif since I first worked with it years ago. I took my wire and pliers in hand, and I started a journey, not quite sure where it would lead. I decided to make a very special bracelet. I used 20-gauge half-hard wire and wrapped it around the bottom of my round-nose pliers to form a figure eight. The ends are wrapped back across the middle of the figure eight for security. I made around two dozen pieces, and then I sat down to play. The usual way to join these pieces is to make a chain by joining the end of one piece into the end of the next piece. Of course, I was setting out to do something really distinctive, so I tried joining the pieces to one another in two places, which created a slanted channel between the two joined wires. I was really pleased with the design, even though I found it difficult at times to make sure the pieces were attached properly to the correct wires. It was time to make some choices about embellishments ..."
After experimenting with various beads, Debbie chose to use black onyx rounds, Swarovski® faux pearls and sterling silver rounds, attaching them with head pins she made by hand.
"The matching pendant and earrings are made in much the same way. ... I decided to go with 1mm [waxed cotton] cord for the necklace. You can't see this in the picture, but I made the endsprings by coiling 22-gauge half-hard wire around a 1.5mm dowel, then crimping it down on the cord. I also handmade the hook clasp on the neck cord, as well as the bracelet. "Black Ice" evolved over a period of two weeks ... By the way, this looks totally fabulous with my new black velvet top! I think I'll go dancing tonight." — Debbie Kelly
Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.
View more 2006 Additional Top Picks. Or, check for details about our most recent contest!
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