Inspired by my own backyard garden I designed this pendant as a celebration of springtime! I live in Canada and eagerly await the anticipation o spring each year when the earth comes alive once again. This pendant is one of a kind, handmade in solid sterling silver. I like to think of it as a mini wearable sculpture.
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Nest Pendant // One of a Kind
♢ Solid sterling silver (100% recycled)
♢ The cup shape "nest" is water cast, and the process creates a unique natural form, full of texture, perfect in its imperfectness.
♢ To start, I gather all my sterling silver I plan on using and melt it down to over 1700 ℉. When the silver is nice and liquid I carefully pour it into water. As the molten metal hits the surface it sizzles and freezes in place, capturing the moment when the silver is transformed. I love this because each cup is totally unique, outside of my control and I don’t know what kind of shape will emerge! I added some little tiny spheres into the nest and soldered them in place.
♢ The leaves were created in sterling silver metal clay, which is made up of tiny, recycled 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 hand sculpted each leaf and carved in the details. After the designs dry 100%, into my kiln they go for a two-part firing process. The clay reaches 1500℉ for about an hour and the organic binder burns completely away leaving solid sterling silver leaves.
♢ I solder on each component onto a silver backplate and cut out the shape. I add two jump rings for the bail and the pendant is ready for polish and patina. A dark patina is added to the recessed areas of the completed pendant, to create a gorgeous dark/ light contrast. This is the recognizable look of sterling silver and the dark areas will only darken with time.
♢ The back is polished smooth.
