Sometimes the inspiration might come even from your day job, be careful talking about such thing to your boss though. For a few years I was involved in the airline industry and it was giving me a true satisfaction knowing that there are so many people flying back and forth whom I can do some good for.
Apart from the job itself there was another type of inspiration as well. There was a very good colleague leaving our team and relocating abroad and we couldn’t decide what goodbye gift from our team to choose.
Once there were no sensible options left and little time to the deadline I took the liberty to suggest something that will definitely remind her about us – aircraft shaped earrings. The idea was taken unanimously and I commenced my magic the very same evening.
Funny thing was when I tasked my team to ensure that she has pierced ears for the earrings I’m already started doing. For a few days I was watching everyone trying to secretly check up her ears and is there any jewellery in them.
The production has started as usually with bending the silver wires. First was the plane body, looked like an overstretched droplet, and from my little experience I cautiously filed down connection points where wings and empennage will be attached.
Soldering went well, although it took me a while to get all details right. After the aircraft took its proper shape it was a filigree show time. Regular round and oval frames are relatively easy for filigree technique, but fill in the odd shapes with twisted wire is a challenge.
When the first earring is completed the hard part comes – make the second earring that looks like the first one. Steps are very much the same with few little improvements I picked along the way during the first stage of production.
That’s why making an earrings set is much more difficult comparing to a single piece jewellery such as a pendant or a ring.
Frame is shaped, soldered at the tip and joints are filed. Wings and empennage are fit and ready to be merged together.
Filigree magic is completed and both earring are gently polished to make them look shiny and presentable.
A little test performed by my lovely wife – all seems good!
I was about to pack the earring into a cute gift box for an even greater wow-efect, results of the teams secret mission came along – our colleague has not been noticed even once wearing any earrings, even though it seems she has her ears pierced. “Good timing”, popped in my head and proud of myself being prepared I quickly made a little adjustment and plan B was in its full glory: aircraft earrings set is now officially an aircraft pendant!
The story has a bittersweet ending though. Our dear colleague seemed to really liked the gift, but she quit the job and moved out anyway. We all wish her all the best in the new place!
After all that urgent wire banding and soldering at night time I was considering turn the other earring into a pendant as well. But still being on a tide of inspiration I produced another aircraft trying to match the first one to have a cute set of filigree earrings.
This piece is still available for purchase. If you are interested please visit my Etsy Store or send me a DM in my Instagram to talk business 🙂
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