:: ENCHANTED FALLS ::

I designed this piece as part of the weekly challenge set for the Wire Artisans Guild of 'Waterfalls'. First I sat and tried to work out when I picture a waterfall what do I see and feel... and it didn't take me long to be visioning the enchanting, woodlands and glens of home. With hidden waterfalls, the damp smell of the wood, moss, ferns and the mountain rivers that flow. I spent many hours growing up walking through the glens of the Isle of Man, stopping by the numerous waterfalls, the playground of the faery folk - or 'little people' as we call them on the Island.

I created the frame from silver wire, then hammered texture into the swirls before wiring them securely together. I then added wire spiral accents to the piece to give the feeling of tumbling water. Hanging from different parts of the design are gemstones in blue and grey hues, hanging like water droplets from the rocks. The gemstones I used were a huge AAA Swiss Blue Topaz smooth briolette, Fluorite, Neon Apatite, Iolite, Labradorite, Mystic Quartz and Prasiolite. To complete the focal of the necklace, I added carved Versuvianite (Idocrase) leaves, with marquise briolettes and rondelles to represent the moss, bracken and ferns that surround the falls. I chose to oxidize the silver, as to me, the dark grey represented the native slate bedrock of the Island, over which many of the waterfalls flow - which when wet looks almost black in color. The focal section of the necklace is attached to lengths of sterling silver chain via, rondelles of Aquamarine, and the necklace is fitted with an extender chain finished with a briolette of Fluorite.

A enchanting necklace, filled with watery magic. A truly one of a kind piece of art jewelry, a necklace to treasure for years to come.

SIZE / MEASUREMENTS

The necklace is approx. 17 inches (44 cm) extending to 20 inches (52 cm). The focal section of the necklace is approx 3 inches (7.5cm) wide by 4.5 inches (11.5cm) long

MATERIALS USED

Sterling Silver
Swiss Blue Topaz
Apatite
Fluorite
Iolite
Aquamarine
Labradorite
Quartz
Prasiolite
Vesuvianite (Idocrase)

sterling silver, blue, topaz, apatite, fluorite, iolite, aquamarine, labradorite, mystic, quartz, Prasiolite, Vesuvianite, idocrase

wire wrapping, forging, wire art, wire sculpture, Metal Smithing

Ask a question?

Beautiful!

LingGlass 01.08.2008 21:27

Great design and colours!
Hugs from Portugal,
marta

atramaifos 10.07.2008 15:13

Wonderful!
I love it!

Kind regards, Bernadette

Soulfood 08.07.2008 14:25