Mixed metal earrings

by Jim Osment
(Brisbane Australia)

I found these hard to photograph, in daylight they really sparkle!

I decided to make a pair of earrings using the same materials that I have been using for my rings and pendants. I haven't really tried making earrings before but I've been looking at some online. I'm getting pretty handy with the silver soldering these days so it was the obvious way to go for me.I don't know much about how women decide what earring suits which outfit or occasion, but I imagine these might suit smart, modern business or evening wear. Whatever, I'm pretty sure someone will like them.

They were quite simple to make with a piece of nickel-silver sheet,with fairly random copper and brass shapes,but pretty much mirror images of each other. The texture on the silver was just done by hand with the edge of my hammer and the pattern on the brass and copper was done with the ball of a ball pein hammer.

The copper and brass bits were silver soldered on and the whole thing fitted with high quality surgical stainless wires which came supplied with the little copper details.The earrings were then buffed with an electric wire wheel and calico and sisal buffing wheels. I also sometimes use a plastic scotch type buffing / polishing attachment in my electric drill.

Life is too short to polish much by hand!

Come by my blog and website for other cool mixed metal stuff.

Jim Osment
Hammered Hearts