Spinning Top Pendant

Project 8 in Stage 2 of the Silver Program at Jewellery Training Solutions. I will admit, some of these projects aren’t as interesting to me as others, but I do enjoy the skills that I learn with each one of them. This one was no exception! Had I skipped it, I would have missed some really interesting tips.

What were the challenges?

One of the challenges on this piece was to cut all of the teardrop shapes and make sure that they were very even. I also challenged myself to really improve upon the finish.

Where could I improve?

This piece is supposed to fully articulate. It mostly does, but it articulates one direction more than the other. I made the rivet too tight, but once I completed the rivet I didn’t want to go back and try to remove it since the rest of the piece was already finished and polished.

What did I learn?

I started out not wanting to complete this project, but I’m so glad I did. I learned how to make the domed ring in the center of the piece, and also improved my marking skills when laying out the pattern for the top piece. Each of these pieces helps expand my vocabulary to free me up when designing my own pieces.