Handmade out of solid sterling silver these little berry studs are the perfect everyday style earrings. Inspired by freshly picked summer berries straight from the backyard garden!
The little berry is formed using sterling silver precious metal clay (I have a mold I use.) In my kiln the organic binder is burned away at 1500 degrees F and all that I am left with is a beautiful and detailed solid design in sterling silver. After soldering on a sterling post and hardening the metal it is polished and patinated. I love the look of a good dark patina on silver, it is a naturally occurring process, and I use this to my advantage. The contrast between dark and light makes all those pretty little details really stand out.
The sturdy butterfly push backs are also solid sterling silver.
Berry Studs
♢ Solid sterling silver (100% recycled)
♢ Each berry was created in metal clay, which is made up of tiny, recycled sterling silver metal particles mixed with and organic clay like binder. It can be sculpted, molded, and formed however I want. For this design I have a little mold that I press the clay into. It allows me to make the perfect matching pair of earrings and other little elements for my designs. After the design dries 100% into my kiln it goes for a two-part firing process. The clay reaches 1500℉ for about an hour and the organic binder burns completely away leaving a solid sterling silver mini sculpture in its place.
♢ I finish the earrings with traditional metalsmithing techniques and solder on solid sterling silver posts. Included are solid sterling silver butterfly style ear backings.
♢ A dark patina is applied to the recessed areas of each berry, and the earrings go into my tumbler with steel shot to harden and polish the surface. The high points are polished to a bright shine, creating a beautiful contrast. The contrast between dark and light is what sterling silver is famous for!
