Cab 52 ~ Week 2

Today's cabochon setting is inspired by my love of rings....I've been really trying to simplify the process and will be sharing some of my ideas in the coming weeks in tutorials ~  If you've been following me, you know that I scored this amazing box of cabochons from a gentleman at a craft show....what he said were his imperfects....well that is exactly what I love...Imperfectly Perfect ~ I'll be using some of these along the way....I love them and really don't want to use them...I just want to look at them...funny huh!

I really love the way this ring feels on...really artsy and rustic.... It is an interesting setting...I think you all can do this too. It is totally cold connection...no soldering involved.....

I see it being set with polymer, glass or driftwood...

Please share any other ideas you have!  

Just a brief over view....The shank is textured with stampings.  The oval is bent to snugly wrap the long free form cabochon against the top of the shank.  Then the ring shank and oval are hole punched on each side with  a 1.5mm hole punch.  Riveted the stone under the oval to the ring shank, then shaped on my ring mandrel tool....Finally weaving the wire under the oval and around the stone, flowing but snug....finished the wire off, by wrapping both ends around a few of the wires....Oxidized and shined up....

Would love to hear your comments or ideas for upcoming Cab 52 features  ~ 

Also, if you design cabochons, feel free to submit a link or picture for consideration! 

Here is a list of the items with links,

 if you would like to try this:

Ring Shanks

Oval Washers

Rivets

Riveting Hammer

Patina Gel

Ring Shaping Mandrel

Copper Shine Pads

Happy Designing!! 

Cab 52 ~ Week 1

This is the first of my new project

CAB 52

It is a challenge to myself to design a bezel set cabochon in an original piece of  jewelry every week in 2012.  I plan to explore rings, pendants, earrings, pins and bracelets. 

I will be using handmade Artisan cabochons and beads.  

If you have a handmade piece you would like to be considered or you have created a design with a bezel setting, I would love to share your work 

Please email me HERE 

I will be purchasing the cabs/beads once I decide on the pieces to use...if you would rather donate them, I'll place a month long ad with your link/picture on the side bar.  

So this weeks cab setting has an interesting story... My daughter Angela saw a piece that I designed recently and wanted to do something similar...she took a 1.5" round disc cut a hole in the middle and stamped it with a cool sun motif ~ she etched the back side as well so it would be interesting to look at.  We decided to put holes in the disc and wire wrap around the edges....but this turned out failing miserably....she was totally discouraged and left it on the bench....She went away for a few days...and there it sat...I just kept glancing at it.   Finally I came up with a plan to surprise her....I cut the holes out to make sun rays....if you look closely you can see where they were...I bent the inside prongs up and down...... soldered the back to the front.....then set the glass cab inside the prongs and used my bezel tools to create a snug fit.  Using 16g brass wire  bent the whole length, I wrapped it around the piece weaving it in and out of itself.   Made a loop from the end of the brass and added a simple copper bail and over-sized ball chain necklace ~ 

I was totally thrilled and wrapped it up.....

She about cried when she opened it up Christmas morning....

She knew immediately that it was her piece! 

 I thought this would be a fun story to share...I hope you like my collaboration design! 

Goddess of the Sun Bezel Necklace 

Stop back every Wednesday to follow my progress! 

Many of the components I use are available on my Etsy page as well as the tools you'll need! 

Stop over and take a peek! Melinda Orr Designs  ~ Etsy

Every Friday I'll be posting a new tutorial or how to on metalworking and tools ...Come on back!