Síorghrá Custom Ogham Necklaces

These are the first Ogham pendants I have made with gemstones. They were made for a custom request of Ogham necklaces with birthstones.

Both pieces were hand pierced with the Irish Gaelic word "síorghrá" which means eternal love. Piercing is a process where a small saw blade is used to cut a design through the metal. Both of these pendants were made from 18 gauge (.04" thick) sterling silver and measure about 1.692" x 0.525". One has a 5mm AAA grade amethyst (February) cabochon on the bottom and the other has a 5mm garnet (January). Both stones were set using sterling silver handmade bezels.

The bezels for these pendants were made by forming sheet bezel (thin sterling sheet) into rings that fit around the stone. Once the bezel was formed into rings they were sanded to the proper height and soldered onto the Ogham pendants. After cleaning the fire scale from the soldering process off the pieces the stones were set by placing them in the bezels and pushing the metal down around the cabochon stone to hold it in place.

Both pendants were finished off with a soldered jump ring and an 18" sterling boston link chain.

Motivated

This past weekend was one of organization and planning. Every year for the past 5 years I have resolved to start working on stock for the Renaissance Fair season before April. This year I have finally succeeded!

The first fair we will be at is Mayfaire Renaissance Festival in Marshall MI. It is a two weekend fair; May 23, 24, 25 & 30, 31 2009. In one light it looks far off but when thinking about all that needs to be done it is just around the corner.

In January I began work on my stock of Dragon Tear Necklaces. They have yet to be epoxied and ribbons put on them but that part doesn't take too long.

Yesterday I started on creating two full sets of Ogham Pendants, that is 32 words per set, along with the 5 custom pieces I am working on. One set will be put aside for faire and the other listed in my Etsy shop as they are completed. Looking at the photo I have a lot of work ahead of me! Thankfully I enjoy the work :)


I even managed to slip in two listings today:

Simply Garnet and Sterling Silver Ring
This ring features an oval Almandine Pyropie Garnet set in sterling silver. Simple yet beautiful.

Braided Fairy Vine Necklace 2

Hand braided sterling silver on a black leather necklace cord. The cord closes with a sterling spring clasp.