Don't you love how studs are the perfect everyday earring? They are the ideal earrings especially if you need to wear a mask or a scarf in the winter. Take a little bit of nature with you wherever you go with these tiny leaf studs, which I have hand sculpted using solid sterling silver.
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Mini Leaf Studs
♢ Solid sterling (100% recycled)
♢ The tiny leaves were created in sterling silver 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 sculpted each leaf and carved in little details. 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.
♢ A dark patina is applied to the recessed areas of each leaf, 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. This contrast is what sterling silver is famous for!
♢ The butterfly style earring backs are a step up in quality, a slightly thicker gauge than normal. Since studs are my go to earrings I have found from experience that a nicer ear backing was needed to hold up in regular use and keep your earrings on!
