How Metals and Petals jewellery is created
Real Flower Jewellery
All of the floral earrings, bracelets, necklaces and hair accessories are made with real flowers, seaweed, foliage and other natural elements.
The steps:
- Gather the flowers, natural elements
- Dry out in silica Gel
- Paint several layers of resin on
- pair with silver/gems/other natural elemts
- Turn into final product i.e attache a silver chain, silver ear wires.
Our Process
1.
First the inspiration and finding of flowers. The homegrown flowers need to be picked in their prime, before they are lay flat in a box and covered with silica Gel. Arguable one of the most important tasks. They need to be left in the silica gel how you want to find them. They dry how you leave them, and I want to maintain their natural shape and beauty. More importantly it is important that the flowers are 100% dry, the tinniest bit of moister and they turn brown – bad!!
Drying in silica gel is the best way to maintain their colour and shape.
2.
Once the flowers are completely dry we paint, not dip nor pour, several layers of resin on. The process for painting each flower is completely different to the next. Each flower needs to be respected for their shape and how they are held together. For example a foxgloves needs to be worked with quickly otherwise it caves in on itself. Getting those first coats of resin on is essentially. You have to start in the centre and build the strength up otherwise it collapses in on itself. A daisy, you have to glue the centre in with the resin which sticks all the petals in place, they are very fragile once they have been dried out and are determined to fall apart. Whereas the fuchsias you need to start from the top to keep the openness of the outer leaves before painting the centre.
3.
The end results…
From flowers in studs with silver/gold chain tassels, to foliage with painted silver, silver bows and/or gems. A vast variety of finished products from real flower earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair combs/clips and brooches.
WE are always thinking of new designs and experimenting with how we can enhance the final product.
Home grown ballerina hydrangeas paired with square studs and ‘Figaro’ sterling silver chains
We can make custom designs
We can make custom designs with flowers from your wedding bouquet, family garden or a special flower that you love. All you have to do is ask – we can start a process together and design the finished piece with gems of your chosen colour, or chains or sometimes its best to leave them plain.
Please state why the flower, foliage is important and what look you want to achieve so that I can create something that resembles your desired look. We will make prototypes, as we know its hard to visualise the finished product.
Someone wanted a simple and floral way to remember a loved one, without the jewellery item being obvious of its resemblance. Thus Forget-me-nots, representing; remembrance, true love, and enduring connection – A promise to never forget someone or a cherished moments.
Silver Jewellery
All of the silver earrings, necklaces and rings are made out of genuine silver. The rings are a mixture of silver clay (what is silver clay?* see below) and sterling silver. All of our silver is recycled.
Steps for silver clay
- Make a mould from real nature/flowers
- Use mould to create silver clay item (flower, texture of sea shell, sea shell) and assemble onto ring
- Dry
- Sand down
- Fire in a kiln/blow tourch
- pickle
- file, polish & wax
Steps for Silver wire designs
- make silver accesories with silver clay or silver wire
- heat end of wire to make balls, melt wire over water to create textured shapes.
- shape wire (jellyfish, mushroom, heart, bow, circle, semi-circle)
- hammer if desired to flatten/add texture
- weld/attach silver accessories
- fire the whole item
- file
- pickle
- polish/wax
What is Silver Clay
Silver clay is a malleable material made from fine silver particles, an organic binder, and water, allowing you to sculpt jewellery or objects like traditional clay; after drying and firing in a torch or kiln, the binder burns away, leaving behind a solid piece of 99.9% pure
Finished silver clay rings
Silver clay ferns on ferns
Silver clay rings
Showcased here is a selection of handcrafted silver rings and our signature silver ferns, all created using silver clay. This beautifully pliable material allows for a playful and expressive approach to design, making each piece an opportunity to be freely expressive. In these rings, hearts have been carefully cut from the bands and finished with gemstones of your choosing. Alongside these are floral-inspired designs and sea-themed pieces, each shaped and detailed by hand. These designs are not limited to rings alone. They can also be created as earrings or necklaces, allowing you to build a set that feels personal to you. Perhaps a pair of heart-detailed earrings to perfectly complement your ring.
As you can see, we work with silver in a diverse way creating lots of options for you. We have lots of plans and ideas to work with silver. Creating more of a diverse range and options for you all. If you have an idea, or style you like please do get in touch so we can create your dream designs. Here at metals and petals we love new ideas, and exploring different mediums/ ways of working. There is always something to learn and a way to improve!
Have questions, or a design idea
Feel free to reach out.