Initial Designs – Making Process

Initial Designs – Making Process

  

                   

Photograph taken by Sam Ellis 31/07/2016

Problems and issues before and during the Build

Positives

·         The Jet material can be worked into different shape and size jewellery.

·         Each piece of jewellery is handmade.

·         Each design is bespoke as each piece of jet as different characteristics.

·         The scale and sizes are correct and reasonable for the products functions.

·         Different size pieces of jewellery can be made subject to raw material availability.

·         The product as no sharp edges and is safe to use.

·         Natural/Reclaimed material. Good marketing feature.

Negatives

·         Jet tends to be brittle, can break/split during making process.

·         May not be able to achieve a super high gloss surface finish.

·         The jet surface may have imperfections which will show on the finished jewellery.

·         Working with relatively small pieces, difficult to manipulate.

·         Hand sanding could be quite time consuming.

The making process is relatively simple, with the most difficult process being achieving the desired finish. Initially the selection of the piece of jet is important, selecting a piece that mirrors closely the end design shape.  Excess jet is removed with a fine hand saw and then it is hand sanding the piece to the end shape/ finish using different grade sandpapers, starting with coarse, followed by medium, medium fine and ending with super fine. After achieving the finished shape a hole is then drilled into the top of the jet to secure the silver chain, using a hand drill. This is the precarious part of the process as the jet could break, ruining the design. A 2mm thick piece of wire is then pushed into the drill hole and glued making a ring shape effect, where the silver chain will pass through to hang the jet. A 10 inch sterling silver 925 finish was used, bought from www.beadsjar.co.uk .( £7.82 each).

The hand sanding process was slow, although using a buffing machine would accelerate this process. The making process took approx 2 hours per pendant; however, with more practice, a good choice of jet and using buffing machines, this could be improved and reduced to less than 1 hour, dependent upon size and complexity of the final design.

The finished gloss levels were not super gloss, but more a polished/matt finish, which looked superb. It was not the original intention to achieve a more matt effect finish, but it was difficult to achieve the super gloss level, however I am happy with the end results. I do believe this finish will suit a younger audience.

The pentagon design was shaped to a finished approximate size 27mm x27mm x 20mm, with the oblong design 30mm x 16mm x3mm. Finished sizes looked good proportions and made to a good standard.