This one of a kind art jewellery pendant features a bright turquoise cabochon gemstone. The two silver leaves have been created using real leaves from my backyard garden and I was able to capture all the beautiful texture.
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Turquoise Berry Pendant // One of a Kind
♢ Solid sterling silver (100% recycled), Turquoise gemstone
♢ The leaves are created using metal clay, which is made up of tiny recycled sterling silver particles mixed with an organic, clay-like binder. It can be sculpted, molded, and formed however I want. For this design, I watered down the clay to a paste and painted it on some real leaves, creating multiple layers to build up the silver. Once the design is completely dry, it goes into my kiln for a two part firing process. The clay reaches 1500℉ for about an hour, during which the leaves and organic binder int he clay burn away, leaving behind the solid silver components for me to work with.
♢ The circle frame and triple loop bail are made from Argentium sterling silver. Argentium silver is a cleaner type of silver – both for me and the environment. It has a slightly higher fine silver content then traditional silver (93.5% compared to sterling’s 92.5%.) Made from recycled traditional silver it is a great choice both ethically and environmentally. Alloyed with hypo allergenic germanium it fuses beautifully and is fun to work with! Argentium silver allows me to work safer in the studio, by eliminating toxic flux and pickle fumes. I love working with Argentium silver and I am excited to present to you a silver that is cleaner and of a higher quality then traditional sterling silver.
♢ I finish the pendant with traditional metalsmithing techniques, and bezel set the stone
♢ The back features my trademarked MP maker stamp along with the 925 quilt stamp for sterling silver.
♢ The process of creating is slow and intentional, I use traditional metalsmithing tools and processes alongside modern ones to create all my pieces by hand. My heart goes into every single piece I design.
