Monday, March 3, 2014

AJE February Component of the Month - Fluttering Hearts

I am so honored to be part of the group of talented, kind and generous jewelry artists at Art Jewelry Elements!  One of my favorite things about being part of that team is participating in these Component of the Month challenges...it is so much fun to receive such gorgeous, unique pieces from these wonderful artists.  I have to say it is sort of humbling when it comes your turn to be on the 'component provider' end!

For February, I decided to offer hearts that I hand-cut from copper, shaped, then torch-fire enameled. The finishing touch was the addition of colorful glass frit.


I was trying hard to think outside the box this month and had something on my mind that I wanted to do...



I wanted to create a sort of  "milagro" type of sacred heart and did a search on Pinterest.  Wow, lots of inspiration there!  So I set to work.  I did some sketches, decided on one, then sawed it from copper.





I was going to leave it bare, with perhaps some texture, but changed my mind, and covered it with molten solder and embedded little brass flowers in.  I riveted the heart onto piece using balled copper headpins which also create a pin clasp in the back.  Not showing the back this time as I am not especially happy with it right now and am going to work on it some more with some other ideas I have for future pieces.



I chipped the heart as well when I was attaching it, but I just filed it down and patina'ed it with some liver of sulfur and left it...I think it adds to the "vintage" feel of the piece!




Below is our team of designers for this month.  I can't wait to see what everyone created!  How about you!

Guests...
Lori Bowring Michaud 
Kathy Lindemer
Kim Bender 

AJE Team...
Melissa Meman
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Rebekah Payne
Caroline Dewison
Kristen Stevens
Keirsten Giles
Sue Kennedy


13 comments:

  1. Oh how I love flooded solder. Melissa, this is simply beautiful.

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  2. Always am inspired by your work! Sweet hearts!

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  3. Wow, Melissa, what an amazingly good idea! Love the milagro style! Thanks for providing the inspiration this month!

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  4. Melissa-You created an amazing piece. Well done! Thank you gifting me one of your hearts too.

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  5. That is so cool how you even made the chip (which I am sure broke your heart) so perfect for the design! Indeed this is sacred!!

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  6. Wow - this is ultimately cool!! Love all your little hearts, too - so pretty. I have enjoyed seeing what everyone created this month.

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  7. Oh my! Love it! I think I really might have to get out one of my spoons and play with more metal in my design.....thank you so much for allowing me to participate!

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  8. What an amazing way to incorporate the component Melissa. Just beautiful! When I painted the base I attached my heart to, I thought it ended up looking a bit like a milagro - not the look I was going for, but it works! Thank you so much for creating such beautiful little works of art for us - I'm so honored to have been able to participate as well!

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  9. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love your components and then love what you have done with yours! Can't wait to catch up with the rest.

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  10. Oh that is awesome! I was thinking assemblage type piece at first, as I always do... but the height of the domed heart challenged me. Not you! What a stunner!

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  11. Melissa, your hearts were stunning to begin with, but you turned this into a breathtaking work of art! It evokes just what you were going for. Worthy of a saint!

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  12. Wow... What a stunning design! I love everything about it! Thanks so much for your gorgeous component, it's been great fun joining in your COM!

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I love reading your comments!!!

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