The name Dziki Motyl literaly means a “wild butterfly”, which gave me a strong push towards the whole concept of the piece of jewelry to craft. The very first idea was to make a book locket with a butterfly on its front, but it appeared I needed some extra preparation. Armed with experience of simlar projects (Amber Book Silver Locket and The Book of Unelma) I realised that I need more firepower. Quite literally. Vast majority of my projects are small delicate things and I use my favourite Dremel VersaTip torch most of the times. Book locket usually requires a lot more thermal power for soldering due its increased heat dissipation and my precise torch just ain’t gonna cut it.

Hence, the concept quickly pivoted to a smaller 2D structure representing a butterfly captured in a frame. Couple of sketches done and I am ready to go with the building proces. It all starts with the double frame with the 4×3 ratio made with a 1mm and 0.8mm thick sterling silver wires soldered together. Doubling the wires gives the piece its mechanical strength and also an aesthetics of a beuatiful paiting framing.

I used a piece of doube sided sticky tape to attach the frame to a piece of wood on my bench. This way it is easier to keep all the elements from lying all ofver the place. Next I bend a butterfly shape out of 1mm wire and fit it tightly inside the frame.

The centerpiece of the frame will take a marquise amber cabochone. I used some 0.5mm thick silver sheet to make a bezel for it that look like a cute tiny boat. After the butterfly wires are soldered to the frame I cut the openning to fit the bezel right in the middle of this piece.

As I stil believe that everything is prettier with filigree it was an easy choice on what to fill the butterfly wings with. The twisted and flattened silver wire creates a magical look when coiled within a wire shape. On top of the bezel I also soldered 2 pieces of wire with blops on one side to imitate the butterfly eyes (or perhaps these are antennas?).

The tip I learned from the Inspiring Metalsmiths Facebook community is when you try your gem in a closed bezel always use a piece of dental floss. There were too many times I just wanted to try if the stone fits in the bezel only to realise that it fits too nice to get out on its own without some demolition activities.

Almost forgot a crucial element of the project. Since this is supposed to be a pendant it needs a bail to be hanging on the necklace. To ensure its stability I used my Dremel burr to grind a little groove of the top of the frame so the tine jump ring would fit right in. This way the soldering is easier and I don’t loose any sleep worrying it will come off at some point. Then another jump ring soldered shut and the piece is ready for prettyfication – a bath in my new magnetic tumbler wiht steel pins and after that a round of polishing in the traditional tumbler with tine steel balls.

Once all sodering and heavy polishing is done it is time to set the amber. If it was a harder stone like garnet or citrine I would give the piece another round of polishing routine in the tumblers. But the amber is scary soft and you got to be extra careful not to ruin it while pushing the bezel. Another fun fact about genuine amber – it glows like crazy under the UV light!

The stone setting procedure often leaves some marks and scratches here and there, so it is a good idea to inspect the entire piece closely and buff out the imperfections as much as possible. After that I can proudly clain that the butterfly is in the frame!

If you like this kind of things go ahead and check other articles on this blog and also have a look at my Etsy store.

The post Butterfly in a frame appeared first on Slavik LTD.

As an admirer of the fantasy worlds like LOTR, Witcher and Skyrim I aimed to create a pendant that would feel out of this world. After few pages of sketches I selected the one I feel connected with the most.

The overall idea is to make this pendant in 2 parts: a main upper frame and a detachable lower frame with a USB drive.

Preparing the USB Drive

The core of the pendant will be a USB drive. I chose a GoodRam UPI2 because of its rigid design. After removing the plastic parts you got a clean full metal USB stick with little grip bumps on the sides.

The USB Basket

First of all the USB drive needs some casing to be a part of the pendant. It is just a small box which will hold the YSB drive firmly by its grip bumps and some glue.

To build this basket I use 1.0mm wire. I cut 4 for pieces 36mm length and marked 4 bending points with sharpie. To simplify the process a bit a hold all 4 wires together and carve grooves using a square file. These grooves will make it much easier to bend the wires into rectagular rings.

Once the rings are bent into the rectangular rings it is time for the first soldering. I place the rings on the soldering blocks and apply flux on the joints as well as on the corner points. At this step I use medium solder to close the rings and reinforce the corners.

The next step is to attach these 4 rings on top of each other to form a hollow basket. Since they are made out of a round wire it is a good idea to grind them a bit in order to have more flat surface to make the connection stronger. I lay a sheet of 800 emery paper on my desk and grind all the rings a little to get some flat surface.

I stack 4 rings together and use some steel wire to hold them in place. Heated up with the torch I user solder pick to apply some medium solder to the joints between the rings.

The last piece of the basket is the lid. I just cut 6 pieces of the same 1mm wire to match the lenght of the hollow basket. Then I soldered them together to form a somewhat flat cap. You might as well saw the rectangular lid out of silver sheet.

In the end of this step the lid is soldered to the hollow basket. Remember to flatten the lid and file the basket endges for a stronger joint. Once the soldering is done we have a nice silver basket where the USB drive should fit. I recommend trying it with side without the bumps, otherwise you would have a hard time taking it apart. Don’t worry if the basket is too tight or too loosen – it will be fixed later on when installing the USB drive into the basket.

The Lower Frame

The lower frame of the pendat is the decorative part which will be detacheable form the main upper frame. The decorative structure consists of one central piece made of 1.2mm wire and two identical outer pieces made with 1.0mm wire. All three pieces will have a common pointy joint at the very bottom and six connection points to the USB basket on the opposite side.

I mainly use pliers and cutters to cut and bend wires into the shape following the design sketch. Once all 3 decoration pieces are ready I solder them together by their pointy parts. It is important to join these pieces only at the pointy part so that it is possible to spread them wide enough to attach to the USB basket. In order to not solder the piece where they shouldn’t be I used a piece of scrap silver as a separator.

The USB Frame

It is time to complete the lower part of the pendant. The lower frame will be soldered to USB basket in 6 connection points: 4 corner points and 2 on the center of the basket lid.

First I mark where the connection points will be on the basket lid as they must be slightly grinded to ensure a strong joinery. I use my engraver with a round burr to carve two small dimples 4 mm from each side at the center line. I also file a bit from each corner of the USB basket to make soldering easier.

The central decorative piece is getting soldered first as it will serve as a stem for the whole frame. I use tweezers to hold the decoration frame on top of the USB basket. It takes a while to bend wires to make them fit tightly to the dimples I made earlier. I still use medium solder for the central peice connection.

Once the central piece is soldered to the basket it is easier to maneuver the outer decoration pieces to fit the corners of the USB basket. I use steel wire to hold them in place while soldering. Since these are made with thinner wire I use easy solder to ensure the wires and the exisitng joints do not melt.

The last step for the lower part is to add clasp bumps on each side of the USB basket. These bumps (lack of a better word) are just silver spheres where the “figure 8 calsps” will click on to hold the lower frame. So I use 2 simlar piece of 1mm wire about 12 mm each and melt them with my torch. The surface tension force dose the magic and turn them into an almost perfect silver balls.

I mark the middle of the basket on each side and carve out dimples to place the balls. Then I use tweezers to hold the entire frame on the side and place a silver ball into the dimple. It is a good idea to put some extra flux and use a larger chunk of easy solder before applying the heat. This way solder will distribute itself evenly and the joint will be strong.

The same operation is done on the other side of the USB basket attaching a second silver ball. Once all the soldering is done the lower frame takes a hot citric acid bath to remove the firescale.

The Upper Frame Triangles

The upper frame basically consists of two identical elements on the back and front sides. A side itself is just a fusion of 2 triangles – a larger and a smaller one. Hence, in total there are 4 triangles to be crafted separately and then joined together.

I start with a larger triangle. I cut a piece of 1.2mm wire for a single side of a large triangle as per the sketch. Then I use this piece as a template to cut another 5 pieces of the same length to get 6 in total, 3 for each large triangle.

It is very important to grind off a tip of each wire to simplify soldering. The point here is to maximise the surface two pieces of wire will connect to each other. So I preapred all 6 piece of wire and soldered them in pairs to form 2 large triangles.

The process is similar for the smaller triangles. The difference is that the lower side of the triangle is smaller and I use 1mm wire this time. Again, make sure to grind the tips either with engraver or a flat file, otherwise the joint won’t be as good.

Once there are four triangles it is time to merge them into two. I place smaller triangle on top of the larger one and mark the points of where they interlay. Then I use a fine burr to cut grooves in the larger triangles so the smaller one could sink in them. When the triangles are lined up it is time to reinforce the interlaying points with medium solder.

The result of this step is two star-ish flat wireframes.

Assembling the Upper Frame

Until now the main frame is just a couple of flat wireframes. It is time to go 3D to make room for a USB drive to penetrate into. The idea is to have back and front sides of the upper frame on top of each other with some space in between.

The trick here is to connect the central tips of the wireframes with a 1mm piece of wire about 30mm long. Bending this wire will make it possible to align wireframes on top of each other ensuring enough space for USB drive in between.

To make sure the USB drive can sit comfortable inside the upper frame I decided to add a cage. This cage is made with 4 rectangular rings identical to the ones I made a USB basket with.

The culmination point of the upper frame assembly is aligning the wireframes, adding the USB cage and soldering all of these toghether. There are multiple connection points and it is important to solder each one of them to ensure stiffness of the pendant. I use a lot of steel wire to hold all the pieces together while soldering. It also helps to protect already existing joints from the heat.

Clasp Hinges

At this point there are 2 parts of the pendant ready but with no way to hold on to each other. The mechanism to hold them together will be based on standard bracelet clasps, a.k.a. “figure 8 safety clasp”.

First of all I need a hinge on each side of the upper frame where the clasp will be attached to. I also need a piece of wire to attach a hinge to. So I just cut a piece of 1.2mm wire and solder it where the large triangle intersects with USB cage. Same operation is done on the other side of the upper frame. At this point I thought that it would look better if I join the tips of the back and front large triangles together on both sides. It does look much nicer.

To make a hinge I take a piece of 1.2mm wire anneal it and flatten it out with a hammer on a tiny anvil. Then I use another piece of 1.2mm wire to wrap the flattened wire around to form a little loop. This loop is then goes to the spot I prepared for the hinges on the upper frame.

The end of this step is almost assembled pendant ready for clasps to be added.

Polishing

Since the most of the soldering is done it is time for polishing. There are many ways to polish a piece of jewellery but in this case I use a rotary tumbler. This is jsut a barrel with tiny steel balls that lightly hit the silver piece hunderd of times with each rotation. I usually run the tumbler for an hour and the result always astonishes me.

Not only the tumbling polishes off the imperfections on th silver piece, it also make it stronger by a process called work hardening. Taken out of the tumbler the pendant is ready for some hand polishing, adding clasps and setting the USB drive.

Setting the USB Drive

Only when all the heavy operations like soldering and tumbling are done it is safe to set our USB drive into the basket. I use a tiny bit of two component epoxy glue to fill the basket and place the USB drive inside.

In case if the drive does not fit in the basket I use engraver to grind its internal walls to make more room. I always check the fittness by inserting the fron side of the drive into the basket. If it goes in smoothly then it is good to be set with a glue.

The Clasps

The clasp is just a wire loop curved in a way to click on the bump. I cut about 70mm of a 1mm wire and form a U-shape. Then it goes into the clasp hinge I attached earlier to the upper frame. While on the hinge I use pliers to bend the clasp wire in a kind of 8-shape pattern to give it some flexibility to be able to click onto the bumb on the USB frame.

I intentionally leave a longer tail on the clasps to give them a final bend contouring the decorative elements of the USB frame. In order to complete the clasp I solder the tail together with an easy solder and throw the entire upper frame into a citric bath.

Stone Setting

With the clasps in place I could consider that the pendant is completed. But something was kinda missing. Since this is a jewellery piece I decided to add a gemstone – a beautiful square black onyx.

The only possible option to atatche a stone I see here is a prongs setting. This is one of the simplest yet trickiest setting option. So I mark 4 spots where the prongs will be attached to. The prongs will hold some load so the spots for them are selected where frame wires intersecting to add strength.

I used engraver to grind the spots a bit to ensure good joints. Then a took 2 pieces of 1mm wire and bent them in a horseshoe manner. This way it is easier to solder the prongs.

Once soldered I cut off the top arching parts of the horseshoe shaped additions and file the tips to smooth them out. The last accord is to put the stone in its place and gently bend the tips of the prongs so they embrace the onyx tightly.

When the stone is set the only thing left to do is to clean up the pendant with a toothbruch is a soapy water, rinse it and wipe it dry to make sure that moisture would neither damage silver wires nor the USB drive inside it.

The post Fantasy USB pendant with black onyx appeared first on Slavik LTD.

In the office at work there is a place where people drop stuff they don’t need no more, but it is still too good to throw out. One day there was a beatuful earring which supposedly lost its partner. I decided to give it a new life as a pendant instead.

This new pendant I crafted is directly inspired by one of the most iconic pieces of lab equipment: the Erlenmeyer flask. Its distinctive conical shape, designed for mixing and heating, has always struck me as elegant and functional. I wanted to capture that essence and transform it into a wearable piece of art.

For the centerpiece, I used that beautiful rose quartz teardrop cabochon. The soft, gentle pink of the rose quartz offers a wonderful contrast to the cool, precise lines of the flask, bringing a touch of warmth and organic beauty to the scientific form.

To add some sparks to the piece I employed the filigree technique to fill the space around the gemstone. Instead of a solid silver backplate, I took my time handcrafting the intricate silver filigree. This delicate, lacy wirework creates an ethereal, almost molecular structure within the flask’s outline, enhancing the light that plays around the rose quartz. It adds depth, texture, and a sense of delicate complexity that I feel perfectly echoes the microscopic wonders we explore in biotechnology.

This pendant is more than just jewelry: it’s a personal fusion of my professional journey and my love for handcrafted artistry. It’s a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places, even in the meticulously ordered medical lab world.

Peek at crafting process

First of all I remove the cabochon. Since the original lonely earring is not sterling silver I am not going to reuse its body. Luckily the cab was just holding by a drop of glue and poped right off with minimal force.

Next step is to create a new saddle for the salvaged cabochon. This time I used 0.4mm thick silver strip for a saddle frame. The very same strip made a great bottom to hold the stone. I could cut a teardrop shaped solid sheet but this would hide away the beautiful inclusions inside the rose quartz.

With the saddle soldered and roughly polished it is time for the main shape. I researched the Erlenmeyer flasks and sketched a pendant frame. Then I used a 1mm silver wire to shape it accordingly.

After some bending and cutting I placed the wires on my soldering block and got on with my blowtorch. At this stage it is particularly difficult becuase there is a fine line between melting the medium solder and screwing up the entire piece.

On top of the flask I added a jump ring for a future bail. Inside the flask I placed a first filigree wire around the inner circumference. Only then I soldered the stone saddle to the bottom of the flask. Once the structure was stabilized this way it was easier to add consequitive layers of filigree to fill up the openings.

When all filigree work is completed I added a tiny bail made out of a piece of spiral wire, which concluded the soldering phase. Now it is time for stone setting. I immobilized the pendant by driving a few nails into a wooden block around it. This set up enabled me to operate my bezel pusher to bend the silver edges inside to tightly hold the cabochon.

Once the stone is in its rightful place I take my time polishing the small details with silicone polishing wheels and high grit sand paper. Then clean up all the polishing compound residue and voila – the Erlenmeyer Flask Pendant is ready to be put on and draw some astonished looks.

The post Erlenmeyer Flask Pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

In an age lost to time, when the lines between realms blurred and the arcane mingled with the mechanical, there was whispered legend of an amulet unlike any other. Forged not in the halls of Dwemer ruins nor by the hands of Daedra, but by a lone artisan of the mortal world — this was the Amulet of Memory.

Its appearance was unmistakable: a gleaming artifact crafted of sterling silver wire, shaped to make sure you follow your next Skyrim quest. Delicate filigree danced across its surface like etched runes of old, each twist and loop a verse in a forgotten song. But it was not just beauty that set this talisman apart. For within its heart — hidden yet revealed at a whisper’s command — lay a secret: a rare crystal of memory, disguised as a USB stick.

This is no ordinary storage device. Crafted from the bones of ancient machines, the USB — bearing the “Goodram” marking on its body — could hold more than mere data. Within it, the dragonborn could store their knowledge, dreams, maps, mods, and songs unsung. In the right hands, it was said to contain stories of whole worlds, captured in digital runes, waiting to be unlocked.

The amulet’s design is inspired by a fantasy world created by legendary people of Bethesda. It calls out across realities to adventurers, makers, and dreamers. Whoever wares it would feel a quiet urging — a pull toward quests unfinished, toward truths buried deep in silicon chips and etheral soul.

Legends tell of a young artisan who forged the piece — not for wealth, nor for fame — but for the sheer joy of creation. Inspired by the artifacts of Skyrim and driven by the urge to blend elegance with purpose, they wound silver wire with patient hands and open heart. The final flourish, a nod to the duality of our age, was the concealed USB amulet — fitting seamlessly into the design like a shard of Aetherium, practical and poetic.

To wear the Amulet of Memory is to carry more than adornment. It is to hold a fragment of story, both digital and divine. It is to remember that even in a world of flashing screens and roaring creatures, the ancient magic of craftsmanship still lives on.

So if you see one hanging from a chain — gleaming with mystery — know that you stand before a relic of rare power. Perhaps it awaits your hand. Perhaps a quest yet calls.

But beware: once touched, your story may never be the same.

Peek at crafting The Amulet of Memory

I use nothing but silver wires to craft the entire amulet. It all starts with cutting and bending the wires into the shapes that you would likely to find in Tamriel.

Once both faces are soldered and cleaned up it is time for infusing the filigree. I mostly use tweezers when working with filigree technique.

It is a long and meticulous process to pack the openings in the wireframes with a fine twisted filigree. But if you take enough time and petience the aesthetics of the result will blow your mind.

Once both faces are completed I solder them into sort of a locket. It has a hollow space insode it for the USB stick to get in. The USB part will be firmly secured by 2 clasps on each side of the amulet. To give the amulet an extra boost of Elder Scrolls vibe I apply some oxidation solution to make the middle part black.

Since any oxidation will naturally wear off I protect the black layer with the special varnish compound. It creates a thin film on top of the oxidized silver preventing its blackness from turning grayish.

If you know someone who is into fantasy genre and especially Skyrim – please share this post with them.

The post Skyrim Quest Amulet of Memory appeared first on Slavik LTD.

There was a lute on my colleague’s desk. You don’t see this kind of artifact on a common Thursday in the tech company office. Rather in a video game or a fantasy movie. Fighting my introverted nature I managed to use the lute to kick off a conversation. It turned out to be a great one: I learned about the lute, a shooting range for longbows in the nearby park, a massive fantasy convention in Poland called Pyrkon and that his wife has recently published an original fantasy book about Evi’Deth.

Driven by curiosity as well as willing to support a fantasy world I ordered a copy of this book as a gift for my wife (who also happened to be a writer and a fantasy genre enthusiast). It was only after I learned that there is also an audio version of this book available. To be honest I’m not a huge fan of audiobooks, but this one is not at all an ordinary one. This book is narrated by an incredible voice actor well known for the polish voice of Yennefer in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game!

Inspiration

It was mindblowing to listen about the adventures of Evi’Deth in the incredible voice of Yennefer of Vengerberg. There was an episode where the main character buys an unusual looking silver pendant shaped as a longbow with a marvelous labradorite gem. In that instant a thought rushed through my mind: “That would be an excellent project for me to try!”.

I did have a labradorite cabochon in my treasure chest but I have never crafted anything resembling a longbow. Damn, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in real life. This is where imagination is the key: if you can construct something in your head there is a chance it is achievable in reality. Plus I can always reach out to Skyrim for some fantasy longbows inspiration (thank you Bethesda)!

Sketching

My first sketch wasn’t too pretty but it was enough to kick off a conversation. I reached out to the author asking if this would be okay to make jewellery based on her book. The answer I got was so enthusiastic it gave me extra inspiration to really push my creative skills.

After about 20 sketches I felt like it’s getting somewhere. First I set on the idea to set the gem on the arrow which would spin – how cool would that be? But my engineering backgroung rejected this stunt as the gem woul dend up looking downwards most of the time. Perhaps I will get back to this design once I figure out the balancing or some ratchet mechanism to hold the stone in a good looking position.

I accpeted the compromise of having a no moving parts in the bow and selected an option I liked. The grip would be slick and the limbs on the contrary should be rather large to fit in the filigree decorative elements. I will make the string with a twisted 0.6 wire and the pendant bail will be attached to the top nock. The arrow would go through the grip and be firmly soldered to it and to the string to safely hold a gem.

Crafting bow handle

Where does the longbow production start? I didn’t know either. So I began with making a grip – a central element the archer holds the bow by. I took a 0.8mm wire and tightly wound on a thin awl tool, soldered and then squeezed in my Stanley vice. Becuase it is hollow the first elements of the bow limbs will partially fit inside it. It will give a great structural strength when soldered.

The rest of the bow limbs are made with a 1.0mm wire. I usually cut wire in a slightly longer pieces to then remove the excess after soldering. But when I soldered the first element to the grip I really liked the way it little thorn looked. On both nocks of the handle I added loops: the top one is for the bail and the lower one is just for symmetry. Since the limbs are to be decorated I postponed soldering the grip because it would lift up the elements making them much harder to work with.

Applying filigree

Everything is prettier with a filigree. A fellow pro jeweller told me this once and I cannot disagree. For filling the spaces in the bow limbs I used a 0.9 filigree wire. This stage is very time consuming as I try to put loops of thin twisted wire inside a wireframes. I usually use a pair of high precision tweezers and an awl tool for this operation. Once all the spaces filled I solder them in with a soft solder keeping an eye on both sides of the element. Only when the decoration is completed I solder bow limbs to the grip to get a beautiful bow handle.

String attached

The most difficult part is completed. Or so I thought. Now it is time to attach the string and put an arrow in the knee bow (TES fans would probably find this one funny). For the string I twisted and soldered a loop of a 0.8 wire. I made slight grooves on both nocks of the bow handle where the strings would go and soldered it with medium solder. So far the results were rather promising.

Now what about the arrow? It must be attached to the grip on one side and to the string on the other. And it should hold the gemstone. The easiest option would be just cutting through the side of the grip and solder the arrow inside, but it would probably ruin the aestetics. I could also make the arrow with separate chunks of wire: this would keep the grip intact but I wasn’t sure I can align them quite right.

The compromise was to drill a hole through the center of the grip and push the arrow inside it. The tricky part is that the arrowhead wouldn’t fit in the hole so it has to be attached later on. So first I prepared a bezel for my labradorite gem and soldered it on the headless arrow. Then the arrow went through the hole in the grip and sat tightly on the bowstring. Only when it was perfectly aligned and fixed in position I trued to solder the arrowhead. It wasn’t easy to get this right because the end of the arrow was lifted up a little and there was no way to fix the arrowhed in a third hand.

Setting the stone

Thankfully I managed to properly attach the arrowhead in its rightful place. Then I fill up all the arrow joints with extra soft solder once again just to be certain. The last soldering operation was to attach a bail to the top nock of the bow. The bail itself is just a loop of 0.8 wire filled with filigree and folded in the middle – pretty much the same I made for the Foxy pendant a while ago.

Once all soldering is done and the pendant is after the acid bath, it is time to set some stones. This time there is only one stone to set, but this labradorite cabochon is just marvelous. Before the final setting I run a final fitnes check by placing dental floww in a bezel. During the soldering, tumbling and polishing the bezel might deform so you might have to straighten it or even grind off the inner walls a little.

Finally the gem fits perfectly and I can get it set with my bezel pusher. This is a long and meticulus part of the process. I don’t use glue in my jewellery and want to make sure the stone sits firmly in its place. After this step is completed I do some final polishing, cleaning and a well-deserved photoshoot.

The result

If you like the things I create you might want to browse around my Etsy

The post Longbow pendant for Evi’Deth appeared first on Slavik LTD.

A Unique and Symbolic Design

This exquisite pendant is more than just a piece of jewelry — it’s a symbol of everlasting love and deep connection. The pendant features two heart-shaped frames, crafted from solid sterling silver, with an intricate design that highlights the beauty of the materials. The inner heart, adorned with a stunning sodalite gemstone, is connected to the outer frame by two hinges, allowing it to spin freely. This dynamic feature adds an element of movement and grace, making the pendant a mesmerizing and meaningful gift. It is maybe not as personal as the Amber Book Locket with a heart-shaped amber on top of it, but still it conveys a great deal of love and dedication.

The Crafting Challenge

On top of that there is also a uniquness to way the sodalite gem is set. A common setting technique is callez bezel – this is when a rim is made in contoures of the stone and soldered to the plate. This is why you can only see one side of the stone in its bezel. For this particular pendant it would not work well because of the spinning inner frame and it would look odd to have only one side of the stone exposed. So the way I did it (for the first time by the way) is that I first made a rim out of a 3mm flat silver stripe in a shape of a heart so the sodalite would go all the way through it. Then I bent the edge of the rim inwards on one side blocking the stone to get out on the other side. In this setup I just put the whole thing int o the thermolock and pushed the edges of the bezel to set the stone inside. I had to repeat it quite a few times to get the stone firmly set but in the end I got a beautiful result.

The Significance of Sodalite

Sodalite is known as the stone of intuition, communication, and harmony. It is believed to enhance clarity of thought, strengthen emotional bonds, and encourage self-expression. The deep blue hues, often interwoven with white marbling, make each stone unique—just like the love shared between two people. This makes my spinning heart pendant a powerful symbol of trust, unity, and balance in any relationship. I really enjoy working with sodalite, there is a Spy Ring I crafted recently using this stone.

Why This Pendant Is the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift

Valentine’s Day gifts should be personal, thoughtful, and long-lasting. Here’s why this spinning heart pendant stands out as the perfect choice:

• Handcrafted with Love – Every pendant is meticulously designed and handcrafted, ensuring a unique and high-quality piece that cannot be replicated by mass production.
• Symbol of Everlasting Love – The spinning motion represents the constant flow of love, making it a beautiful metaphor for an unbreakable bond.
• Timeless and Elegant – Made from solid sterling silver, this pendant will never go out of style, making it a cherished keepsake for years to come.
• Perfect for Everyday Wear or Special Occasions – Whether paired with casual outfits or elegant evening wear, this pendant adds a touch of sophistication and meaning to any look.

How to Style the Spinning Heart Pendant

This pendant is versatile enough to complement a variety of styles. Whether worn on its own for a minimalist look or layered with other necklaces for a trendy statement, it will always stand out. Pair it with a silver chain of your choice to personalize the look even further.

For a complete Valentine’s Day ensemble, consider matching this pendant with sterling silver earrings or a bracelet that complements the blue tones of the sodalite gemstone. This thoughtful combination will enhance the beauty of the piece and create a coordinated, elegant look.

Caring for Your Sterling Silver Pendant

To keep your pendant looking as beautiful as the day you received it, follow these simple care tips:

• Store it in a jewelry box or pouch to prevent scratches and tarnish.
• Clean it with a soft cloth and mild silver polish to maintain its shine.
• Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, perfumes, and lotions that can dull the silver over time.

Order Now and Make This Valentine’s Day Unforgettable

If you want to surprise your loved one with a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gift, this sterling silver spinning heart pendant is the perfect choice. Available for a limited time, this exclusive piece is sure to capture hearts and create cherished memories.

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable by gifting a pendant that symbolizes the infinite and ever-turning love between you and your special someone.

The post Spinning Heart Pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

For me jewellery has always been more than just a decoration — it can tell stories, capture moments and sometimes conceal secrets. My latest creation, a handcrafted silver ring with an oval sodalite gemstone, takes this concept to heart. While it looks like another odd ring, a closer look reveals a modern twist: a detachable part hiding a Goodram UPI2 64GB USB drive. This piece isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s a blend of artistry and practicality, designed for those who value elegance and ingenuity. And this is probably something a secret agent would wear on his world saving mission.

The Inspiration

When I set out to design this ring, I wanted to create something that resonated with modern needs while staying true to the timeless allure of handcrafted jewelry. Sodalite, with its calming blue hues and unique veining, was a natural choice. Known for its connection to intuition and logic, the gemstone represents balance — a fitting symbol for a ring that marries tradition with technology. The body of the ring is made entirely of silver wires of various sizes. Even the bezel to hold the gemstone is just a loop of wire hammered to a flat stripe. Later on I added two prongs to a bezel to ensure the sodalite is set tightly and is not going to fall off while wearing.

The hidden USB drive adds a layer of intrigue and functionality. In a world where digital storage is vital, why not incorporate it into something beautiful? This ring is perfect for those who appreciate the unexpected and enjoy carrying a bit of mystery wherever they go. The USB part secures itself to a ring with a rectangular frame made out of a delicate twiested wire that swings easily on two tiny hinges.

A friend of mine when saw this ring said to me: “Oh, this is like of those fun medival rings with hidden compartment for poison!”. Well, she always had a somewhat odd definition of fun.

Rings with Secrets: A Historical Perspective

The idea of jewelry with concealed functionalities is not new. In fact, rings have a fascinating history of hiding secrets. In medieval Europe, “poison rings” were popular among the elite. These rings featured small compartments under the gemstone, designed to hold poison or other substances. While this sounds dramatic, they were often used to carry perfumes, snuff, or even miniature messages.

During the Renaissance, rings evolved into symbols of romance and espionage. Lovers exchanged rings with hidden compartments for secret notes, while spies used them to carry microfilm or coded messages. Some rings even had tiny sundials or compasses, serving as practical tools for travelers and adventurers.

One particularly intriguing example is the “puzzle ring,” a multi-band ring that interlocks into a single piece. Historically, these rings were given to spouses as a loyalty test; if removed improperly, the bands would fall apart, revealing the wearer’s betrayal.

These hidden functionalities made rings more than mere adornments — they became tools, tokens of trust, and symbols of ingenuity.

A Modern Twist on Tradition

Inspired by this rich history, my sodalite silver ring takes the concept of concealed functionality into the digital age. The detachable part, housing a 64GB USB drive, adds a practical element for the modern wearer. Imagine having your most important files — photos, documents, or creative projects — literally at your fingertips.

The design process was both challenging and rewarding. Crafting the silver wires to form the ring’s base required precision and care, ensuring the USB drive remained secure yet easily accessible. Setting the sodalite stone was a meditative process, allowing the natural beauty of the gem to shine while complementing the ring’s innovative feature.

Who Is This Ring For?

This ring is for dreamers and doers, for creatives and professionals who appreciate the fusion of beauty and utility. It’s a perfect gift for someone who loves unique, handcrafted jewelry with a story. Whether you’re a writer carrying your latest manuscript, a photographer safeguarding precious memories, or simply someone who loves a touch of mystery, this ring is a statement of individuality and purpose.

The Allure of Mystery

There’s something undeniably captivating about owning a piece of jewelry with a secret. It sparks curiosity and invites conversation. Every time you wear this ring, you carry not just a USB drive but also a connection to centuries of ingenuity and storytelling.

In a world where so much is mass-produced, this ring stands out as a testament to craftsmanship and creativity. It’s a reminder that jewelry can be more than decorative—it can be meaningful, functional, and utterly unique.

So, the next time you slip on this sodalite silver ring, take a moment to appreciate its story. From medieval poison rings to modern digital drives, rings with hidden functionalities continue to captivate our imaginations, proving that beauty and practicality are timeless companions.

Final Thoughts

Jewellery is a deeply personal expression of who we are. By creating this ring, I hope to inspire others to see beyond the surface and embrace the unexpected. If this story resonates with you, I invite you to explore my Etsy store and discover the perfect piece that tells your story.

What secrets will your ring hold? The answer lies in your hand.

The post Spy Ring With a Concealed USB drive appeared first on Slavik LTD.

There’s nothing quite like creating something unique for someone you care about. The design? Think three diamonds elegantly merged together into one eye-catching piece!

The citrine gemstone steals the show with its rich, golden-yellow glow — it’s like carrying a little piece of sunshine everywhere. I chose citrine not just for its beauty but also because it symbolizes happiness and positivity. Perfect for a birthday gift, right?

The pendant’s design combines modern vibes with a touch of playfulness. The three diamond shapes give it a bold, geometric feel, while the mix of smooth silver and textured details adds depth and character. It hangs on a sleek silver chain, making it super easy to wear with just about anything—from a casual tee to a fancy dress.

The citrine gem is set on four prongs in the central diamond frame for an obvious eye catching effect. Two smaller diamonds beneath and abouve the citrine are filled with twisted wire – an ancient technique called filigree. I love how this tripple diamond shape turned out!

Unfortunately, life has driven us far apart and we now live in different locations now. Thus I packed the pendant nicely in a cute little jewellery box and shipped it across the world.

It is a pity I didn’t get a chance to see her smiling face when she opened it. Nevertheless, she seemed really happy about her new silver triple diamon pendant with a mysterious citrine gemstone in it!

If you’ve ever thought about making a custome gift for some close to you instead of buying a regular one, I can’t recommend it enough. Handmade pieces like this are one-of-a-kind, just like the people we create them for – they are totally worth the effort.

The post Triple Diamond Filigree Pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

In a world where individuality reigns supreme, custom jewelry stands as a beacon of personal expression and style. Crafted with precision and imbued with sentiment, custom-made pieces have the power to tell stories, evoke emotions, and adorn us in a way that mass-produced jewelry simply cannot match. If you’re ready to elevate your jewelry game and embrace a one-of-a-kind approach, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of custom jewelry, exploring its allure, the process of creation, and why it’s a must-have for anyone seeking to make a statement with their accessories.

Understanding Custom Jewelry

Custom jewelry, also known as bespoke or personalized jewelry, is crafted to meet the specific desires and requirements of an individual. Unlike ready-made pieces found in stores, custom jewelry is tailored to reflect the wearer’s unique taste, personality, and story. From engagement rings that symbolize eternal love to statement necklaces that capture the essence of a cherished memory, the possibilities are limitless when it comes to custom creations.

The Appeal of Custom Jewelry

What sets custom jewelry apart from its mass-produced counterparts is its exclusivity and personal touch. When you invest in a custom piece, you’re not just buying jewelry – you’re commissioning a work of art that is uniquely yours. Whether you’re commemorating a milestone, celebrating a special bond, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, custom jewelry allows you to express yourself in ways that transcend trends and conventional designs.

The Customization Process

Creating custom jewelry is a collaborative journey between the wearer and the jeweler, marked by creativity, communication, and attention to detail. The process typically begins with a consultation, during which the client discusses their vision, preferences, and budget with the jeweler. From there, the jeweler will sketch preliminary designs, source materials, and present options for gemstones and metals. Once the design is finalized, skilled artisans bring it to life through a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, culminating in a piece that is as exquisite as it is unique.

Why Choose Custom Jewelry?

There are countless reasons to opt for custom jewelry over off-the-shelf pieces. For starters, custom jewelry allows you to showcase your individuality and stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or a signature pendant, custom creations ensure that your style is as distinct as you are. Additionally, custom jewelry offers unparalleled quality and craftsmanship, as each piece is meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of excellence. Furthermore, investing in custom jewelry is a meaningful way to mark life’s most precious moments and create heirlooms that can be cherished for generations to come.

Conclusion

Custom jewelry is more than just accessories – it’s a reflection of who we are and what we hold dear. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final flourish of craftsmanship, the journey of creating custom jewelry is a testament to the power of individuality and creativity. Whether you’re commemorating a milestone, expressing your love, or simply treating yourself to something special, custom jewelry offers a timeless elegance that is unmatched by anything else. So why settle for ordinary when you can embrace the extraordinary? Elevate your style and make a statement with custom jewelry that is as unique as you are.

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone special consider getting them a piece of custom jewelry. These things cherish relatioanships as a person gets a warm and cozy feeling about you everytime she looks at them. You are welcome to check the custom jewelery in my Esty store or just give me shout if you have a specific idea on how to make that special person happy.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Custom Jewelry appeared first on Slavik LTD.

I started sketching my envelope locket trying to add some usefulness to it. This is where the USB idea came in – the vast majority of USB drive are pure functional, but not aestetic. My locket would fuse these aspects, I thought. And sterted bending, twisting and soldering wires.

I used mostly silver wires and the filigree technique. The locket opens up to reveal a concealed 64GB USB drive inside. The front side boasts a captivating garnet cabochon I found in a local mineral shop.

Paired with a custom 65cm silver chain, this locket becomes a wearable artwork (at least that what I aim at). My main point here is that it offers a perfect blend of ancient silversmithing, traditional form and practical function.

Once I completed crafting I rashed excitedly to show my envelope creation to my wife. But her immediate response was not I prepared for.

She said: “Aww you made a lovely tiny cute purse!”  a PURSE!

Well, she’s not wrong – this is me who was so focused on the envelope theme that couldn’t shift my perception. Nevertheless, envelope or purse – I’m still pleased with how this experiment turned out! ????

For non-Barbies as well – it would fit any doll regardless of manufacturer, as long as the silver rectagular purse would go with the overall outfit.

Elevate your style with this one-of-a-kind piece that marries tradition with modernity. Visit my Etsy store for more details.

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The Amber Story

It was a totally regular weekday. I came back from work, relaxed a bit and decided to check my personal correspondence. Little did I know there is an email waiting to get me on an exciting jewellery adventure!

The email started with a phrase: “Hey! A friend of mine showed me a camera pendant you made for her. I think it’s awesome!”. I connected the dots instantly because I am insanely proud of this particular piece he was referring to. It was a Silver camera pendant I created as a birthday gift for a very special person I used to work with. Sadly, our paths took different turns and we don’t see each other as often as I’d like to.

“I have an idea in mind and I need your creative help with it”, he continued. “Let’s meet up and discuss it over a cup of coffee”. It got me really intrigued as I love an interesting challenge. Especially when this is not for a totally random person, but my friend’s friend. We met few days later and he handed me a handful of tiny raw amber gems. They certainly looked like they have a huge sentimental value for his wife and him. “Could you turn them into something I can present to my wife as a gift?”, he asked me. “She likes books and nordic culture if it helps you in any way”. Like in the movies I replied: “Let me see what I can do and just like that my adventure began.

It was obvious that had to be some storage device to hold these ambers, which can be qualified as a jewellery and looks like a gift. I considered lots of designs from bird cages to ships and viking helmets. It took me a while to get to a book-shaped locket. This was one of those incredible “Aha!” moments I love jewellery crafting for.

Carving an Amber heart

Since this is a future anniversary gift a heart should definitely be there somewhere. One of the raw amber pieces in that bunch was large enough to turn it into a cute little heart. And luckily for me amber is very soft and easy to work with using standard home tools. I would probably resign from this idea if the gems were citrines or garnets.

Design torment

Once the tiny amber heart was ready the overall design needs to be agreed. After few dozens of sketches it became obvious that the celtic triquetra would do perfectly.

Locket crafting

I started first trials with a square frames and realised it looks nothing like a book. Besides, single wired frame would probably be too wabbly for a good locket. Hence, the reinforced double wired rectangular frames are the way to go.

I considered to make different pattern on front and back of the locket. But after the front triquetra shaped out it was clear that it would look great on both sides. I had to tweak the sacral celtic symbol a little to make sure it fits into the frame. This is where the idea of braids on top and bottom came from.

I am passionate about filigree. Intricate triquetra was a perfect ocassion to play around and place some twisted wire in the openings.

It was a little worrying that some of these raw ambers were so small they could slip through the openings in the patterns. Thus I made the filigree on the back frame more dense. and added few elements on the front one as well.

The side panel, or the book spine, is made of the same wire. I made a rectangle of the same hight as the main frames, but much narrower. There was no way to fit another triquetra into that element so I just put some spiral wirework and filled it with filigree.

The side panned got firmly soldered to the back frame of the locket. Its design allowed me to add hinges for the front frame on a later stage.

“Every book has pages, so should my locket”, I figured. in order to make an immitation of pages I just cut a bunch of 0.8mm wires, straightened them as much as I could and soldered them together. Then it only a matter of precise bending the pages and soldering them to the back frame and a book spine.

The final assembly phase was by far the most tedious one. To make the front frame moveable I soldered 3 piece of flattened wire to its left side. These flat wires grabbed onto the openineg in the book spine and formed hinges. Later on it turned out to be a bad desicion as the cover opened not more than 75 degrees.

For the locking mechanism I used a standard bracelet clasp. A blop is soldered firmly onto the cover frame and a clasp itself hangs on a tine hinge attached to the back frame. It is important to make sure they are vertically aligned.

And the final most exciting part was to set an amber heart I carved in the very beginning of the journey. In order to keep it looking lightweight and airy I just added 3 prongs right in the triquetra intersection points. The amber heart fit there perfectly making a gorgeous centerpiece.

Presentation

I am extremely proud of myself looking at the locket I created. But nevertheless, I was still a little anxious if the receiver of this artwork will like it. I gave it to the husband a little less than a week before their anniversary and we both were cautious to not spoil the surprise.

Finally after a few days of intense waiting (that felt like aeons), I received an incredibly emotional note from the happy couple saying how much they both love their locket! They even said that it will definitely become their family hairloom that will be passed through generations along with a romantic story about collecting amber gems on a beach somewhere in the north of Poland.

If you like to see more of my artwork check my social media and my SlavikLTD Etsy shop.

In case you want to posses something like this – do not hesitate to contact me for a special order.

The post Amber Book Silver Locket appeared first on Slavik LTD.

Delve into a world where fantasy meets innovation with my Enariel pendant. This exquisite piece combines the artistry of elvish and celtic design elements with the functionality of a 64GB USB drive, offering you both beauty and utility in one elegant package.

A creation journey

Being a huge fantasy genre fan I always have this desire to bring some of its elegancy into our world. Also I want my jewellery to be more than just a mere decoration. This is where the USB drive part comes in.

Once a spark of inspiration lands in my mind it takes me hours of sketching to get it out.

I select the most promising draft and start crafting the separate elements accordingly. The overall idea is to make this pendant in 2 parts: a main frame with a gem and a detachable USB drive.

The USB drive part

The bottom part of the pendant is essentially a basket for a USB drive with decorative frames. I chose a brand new Goodram UPI2 64GB nano USB drive. This particular model is awesome for such projects because its plastic case is not an integral part of the drive itself. After removing the plastic parts you got a clean full metal USB stick with little grip bumps on the sides.

I used 1.0mm wire for the central frame and 0.8mm wires for everything else.

The main challange here (and the excitement) is that the elements must be assembled in 3D instead of a flat piece. I solder the central frame first and two auxiliary ones on both sides right after. I figured that it is easier to solder all 3 frames at the bottom point and then attach it to the USB basket.

The main frame

I had an itching desire to create something spiky. It was probably inspired mostly by the world of Witcher and Elder Scrolls where you can often loot some cool artefacts left by ancient civilisations. Hence, the idea boils down to have two wire triangles curved inwards attached to a cage where a USB drive would come in.

Together these triangles would create a frame stiff enough to hold a detachable element firmly. I used 1mm thick silver wires for that purpose, but it turned out that 0,8mm would work just as well. So I would solder 2 out of 3 pairs of vertexes together leaving the last pair at the bottom where the USB part would be inserted.

Only at a later stage of the project I thought that a gemstone would make it all look even cooler. Luckily I had this gorgeous carnelian cab lying around for quite some time that I purchased in a small mineral shop in Poland. A bezel setting was not an option as it would ruin the airy feeling of the entire design. Thus I simply marked four points on the frame as symmetrical as possible and soldered prong wires.

One of the most important things of the entire pendant is the way its parts are holding together. The connection must be strong enough to ensure that the bottom part would not fall off easily. On the other hand it should be easy to operate. I had to get through few iterations until the mechanism was good enough. I used simple bracelet clasps firmly clicking onto the blobs soldered to the USB basket.

The result

After some extensive polishing and tumbling I set the carnelian on the prongs and bent the ends of clasps to kinda outline the bottom frame. I am happy with the end result and also I learned few things along the way so this experiment can be considered successful.

You might also wanna check the video of the Enariel pendant:

Cha-ching!

Another major evidence of success and recognition of me as an artist is that the pendant was sold!

My artistic ego is skyrocketing!

Even more so, my artwork was also bought as a birthday gift! I guess that the artistic fulfilling sensation ain’t getting better than that

If you like the stuff I create make sure to check my Etsy store SlavikLTD.

The post Enariel – fantasy USB pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

Let me tell you a story about a handcrafted silver filigree locket inspired by a norse mythology and a little bit by the Sandman series aired on Netflix.

The Myth

The ancient myth says that Unelma, the norse Goddess of Dreams, once found a lost dreamer wandering around her halls. “How dare you invade my castle without an invitation?”, she asks with anger. “I’m terribly sorry, Your Majesty”, the poor boy desperately replied, “I have no idea how I got here and I got lost… I’m just trying to find my way home”. Unelma looked in his big scared eyes and said playfully: “I will show you the way, but first you shall amuse me with a riddle”.

The boy was so frightened and exhausted and thoughts were running inside his head hecticly. And out of nowhere he suddenly remebers a riddle from a game he used to play and claims:

“Often will I spin a tale, never will I charge a fee. I’ll entertain you an entire eve, but alas, you won’t remember me. What am I?”

Unelma thought for a while and replied: “I do not know the answer to your riddle nor have I heard this one before. You did very well and not only I will send you home, I will reward you with a gift if only you would give me the answer to your riddle”. “It’s what we are in now, Your Majesty”, the boy said humbly, “the Dream!”.

As the legend goes, this boy woke up with something squeezed in his hand. It was a beautiful piece of prehnite stone with dark inclusions of epidote mineral. He never parted from this magical stone since.

Unfortunately, the description of the amulet is nowhere to be found throughout the mythology. However, it is generally known that Unelma loves books and she never refuses the offering with prehnite stones, especially the one with epidote inclusions.

Hence, I crafted this locket based on all the clues I could find to make it look as close as possible to the amulet from the story. The USB stick will come handy to store your dreams, but it can also hold any tokens from your awaken life.

The post The Book of Unelma appeared first on Slavik LTD.

In a world saturated with mass-produced accessories, there is a timeless allure to custom-designed handmade jewelry. Crafted with passion, skill, and a personal touch, these pieces hold an unmatched value that transcends trends and mass-market appeal. In this article, we delve into the captivating world of custom-designed handmade jewelry, exploring the artistry, personalization, exclusivity, and emotional connections that make these pieces truly exceptional.

A Celebration of Artistry

Custom-designed handmade jewelry represents the pinnacle of artistry and craftsmanship. Talented artisans pour their heart and soul into each creation, utilizing traditional techniques passed down through generations. From meticulously shaping metals to intricately setting gemstones, these artisans bring forth their expertise and attention to detail to produce wearable works of art.

Personalization and Storytelling

One of the most alluring aspects of custom-designed handmade jewelry is the opportunity for personalization. Collaborating with a skilled designer, customers can translate their unique style, personality, and life experiences into wearable expressions. Whether it’s engraving a special date, incorporating a birthstone, or capturing a beloved memory, custom jewelry becomes a cherished testament to individuality and storytelling.

Exclusivity and Uniqueness

Unlike mass-produced jewelry, custom-designed handmade pieces are inherently exclusive and unique. Artisans create limited quantities or even one-of-a-kind items, ensuring that each piece possesses a distinct character. Wearing custom jewelry allows individuals to stand out from the crowd, flaunting a piece that is truly theirs alone.

Quality and Durability

Handmade jewelry is synonymous with exceptional quality and durability. Artisans handpick high-quality materials and employ time-honored techniques to ensure that their creations stand the test of time. These meticulously crafted pieces often outshine their mass-produced counterparts, embodying a level of craftsmanship that can only be achieved through the hands of skilled artisans.

Connection and Meaningful Gifts

Custom-designed handmade jewelry carries profound emotional connections. Whether given as a gift or worn personally, these pieces become treasured symbols of love, friendship, and significant milestones. The thoughtfulness and care put into the design and creation process infuse each piece with deep sentimental value, making them heirlooms to be passed down through generations.

Supporting Artisans

Purchasing custom-designed handmade jewelry extends beyond owning a beautiful piece; it becomes an opportunity to support artisans and small businesses. By investing in these creations, you contribute to the preservation of traditional craftsmanship, help sustain local economies, and foster the growth of artistic communities. It’s a chance to make a meaningful impact with your purchasing decisions.

Conclusion

Custom-designed handmade jewelry captures the essence of true artistry, personalization, exclusivity, and emotional significance. With each piece, artisans create wearable masterpieces that stand as testaments to individuality and self-expression. By embracing the value of custom-designed handmade jewelry, we celebrate the craftsmanship of talented artisans, honor our own unique stories, and find joy in owning something truly exceptional. So, let us adorn ourselves with the allure of custom-designed handmade jewelry and cherish the beauty it bestows upon our lives.

The post The Unmatched Value of Custom Jewelry appeared first on Slavik LTD.

I’ve been tasked to craft another shoe pendant similar to the one I’ve just managed to sell!

It took me a few weeks of struggle and handcrafting but it is now completed and I am quite happy with the result. I hope my Customer will be satisfied as well – check it out below:

The post Custom high heel filigree shoe pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

Suede inspiration

Apart from the obviously weird ones, more common shoes can totally bring a lot of unexpected inspiration. Like when browsing random Pinterest posts I noticed these beautiful green suede pointy toe stiletto sandals with an ankle strap. I admire these elegant lines and they make me want to create something similarly eye-catchy.

Backbone of the shoe

As I am not much of a shoemaker I rather try to catch this inspiration into silver. There are clearly 5 main parts to be crafted and then assembled together:

• sole
• heel block
• pointy toe
• back heel locker
• ankle strap

The most logical starting point is the sole which is pretty much a back bone of the shoe. I use a 1mm thick sterling silver plate and cut out a sole with a jeweller saw.

It takes ages to saw like a pro. Until that you have to refine the edges with a file or with a Dremel-like tool. I prefer doing it with a file as it gives more control and fine results.

Once you are happy with the shape and the situation not too rough around the edges you polish. Based on my previous project like High Heel Filigree Sandal with Carnelian Stone and Butterfly, High heel strappy sandals silver earrings with garnet stones and High heel filigree sandal with amethyst I can tell you that it is totally worth taking enough time to refine the sole to the mirror-like surface. It will be intrinsically harder to run this operation on a later stages of the project. Been there, done that – don’t recommend.

High heel mule

Unfortunately pictures of a heel making were lost in a process. But essentially it is fairly straightforward – you solder a big ball of silver on one side of the wire and burr it until it looks like a heel. I’m sure I described it in details in my previous high heel jewellery projects High Heel Filigree Sandal with Carnelian Stone and Butterfly and High heel strappy sandals silver earrings with garnet stones.

So I have a blank high heel mule. What’s next? Obviously the decoration. It is the very first time I challenged myself to craft a close toe tip. It might sound easy but bending silver wires in a such sophisticatedly shaped element requires hours to get it right. I used some wax I salvaged from the little babybel cheese snacks (yummm). I put a piece of paper on top of the sculpted wax and cut it to use as a pattern. Then I made a closed outline out of a 0.8mm wire and filled it in with the filigree filament. It was an easy part. Then it took me some bending, hammering and fitting to make it look nice on a shoe.

Back heel locker

Every time I have the mule done my inner voice whispers: “It kinda looks nice already. Let’s maybe stope here, hmm?”. Perhaps I could just add a jump ring and present is as a mule charm, but would it be a true fun? Not for me at least.

So the next element is the one that is supposed to hold the back of your foot from moving sideways while cat-walking. Some of the babybel wax leftovers were reshaped into a back part of a foot and placed on the mule. Then a paper pattern helped me shape a nice outline for the back heel locker.

I thought of reinforcing this elements with thicker wires as it will hold an ankle strap. But I’m a risky dude and decided to see if it would do fine as is. After filling it with the filigree and hammering it into shape I realised that the element is surprisingly strong. Probably because of curved edges act as stiffeners. It seems safe to solder all things together and get to the ankle strap crafting.

Ankle strap with buckle

I love the way the ankle strap looks with a buckle on that first pic from Pinterest. hence even though the buckle in my case will not have any real function I still want it there.

I start with making a simple ring out of 0.8mm wire and shaping it into a long rectangular. This rectangular is then filed with the filigree wires and closed into a ring. As my shoe is the right one I have to put a buckle in a way it looks right on a right shoe.

The biggest challenge here is not to melt the delicate buckle while soldering it to the strap. This is because the difference in how the heat dissipates in different components under the flame. After couple of failed attempts I actually left the buckle loose on at the strap. I did however solder it closed so it would go anywhere but it still can move around a little along the strap.

Final result

Once all the soldering is sone there was a lot of cleaning, sanding and polishing to ensure the fine look. But looking at the final result I realise it was all worth it!

Thank you for going through the crafting journey with me. If you are a shoe lover or you want to make one crazy happy – drop me a custom request and I will be thrilled to craft something unique for you.

Sold!

After quite some time sitting at my desk this incredible shoe has finally found its owner! A French lady contacted me few times asking about all kind of details and finally she said:

“J’ai craqué et je vais commander votre pendentif. Je le trouve trop beau.”

“I cracked and I’m going to order your pendant. I find it too beautiful.”

Thank God there are still people with great taste!

I hope she will enjoy wearing it!

Beautiful feedback

It took exactly 10 days for this shoe to get to its new home (kudos to Poczta Polska for a good delivery job). Based on the beautiful review I am incredibly proud to state that my artwork is appreciated!

The post High heels pointy toe silver filigree sandal appeared first on Slavik LTD.

Why?

As you probably know, my home country Ukraine is being attacked by russia. They try to justify their invasion with some bullish%t about freeing Ukraine from the nazi regime. The entire world understands the outrageous stupidity of this crap, hence we are being supported from all over the globe. And Ukraine does need all the support right now.

I am lucky to have an established life abroad, thus my mission now is to provide maximum support to my family, friends, army and volunteers in Ukraine. Since I have spent most of my savings already I try to raise some extra funds by crafting and selling jewellery.

What?

I started to craft silver pendants which depict Ukrainian coat of arms “Tryzub” (trident) with a heart shape opening added inside it. Hence, the name “With Ukraine At Heart”. It was originally designed for my dear Ukrainian friends for their anniversary (Ukrainian trident pendant). They kindly agreed to share this design with the rest of the world.

The mainframe is made out of silver 0.8mm wire and its larger openings are filled with twisted and flattened silver wire, this technique called filigree. In the middle there is a natural garnet gemstone set on 4 prongs. Pendant hangs on a 55cm suede necklace.

I also had a few aventurine cabochones as in the original Ukrainian trident pendant.

A special modification would be a trident with oval faceted topaz gemstone. I hope to sell this one through the online auction to be able to buy another set of tactical tourniquets or armoured vests for brave Ukrainian soldiers.

How?

Should you wish to support me and help my country to fight back those damn russians – please visit my Etsy store section “Save Ukraine” to get one of these pendants (or contact me directly).

If you want such pendant with a specific stone please contact me.

If the price is too high but you still wanna help Ukraine – please donate to trusted charity organisation such as ComeBackAlive – every penny counts!

Together we will win! Слава Україні!

https://youtube.com/shorts/C1gv_5Rwdxw?feature=share

The post “With Ukraine At Heart” Silver Filigree Pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

Sole

Every silver shoe starts with a sole. Same as previously (like in High Heel Filigree Sandal with Carnelian Stone and Butterfly or Strappy high heeled pendant with garnet cabochon) I cut it out of a 1mm silver sheet. Interestingly enough I couldn’t find any template for a high heel sole so each time I draw it by hand. It would be an issue to craft a specific size shoe, thus it’s a good thing no one will wear those on their feet.

Once the first sole is sawed and rough edges are filed away I use it to make a pair. I draw an outline of the first sole on the sheet to saw a second one. This way it is easier to make pair of soles look very much alike.

Having both soles cut and polished it is a perfect moment to stamp my brand on them. Mainly because they are still flat. Once you bend them into a shoe shape the stamping task becomes hell of a lot more complicated. Ah, recently I got a new punch with a tiny 925 marking and I love how it presents itself right under the SL stamps.

Next step is to bend the sole into the shoe shape. It can be a bit difficult because you want your shoes to have sexy curves. I mostly do the bending by hand with a little help of nylon pliers not to damage the surface too much.

Heel

Once I’m happy with the soles shape it is time for the most tricky part of the shoe – the high heel itself. The heel is a complex pin with a flat angled surface on one end.

To produce the heel I first heat up and melt one end of a 1mm wire to form a bubble. Then I cut this bubble to fit the angle of the sole and solder it to a little D-shaped 1mm plate. It does look really ugly until it burred, filed and polished to its proper shape.

When the heel starts to look okay-ish I solder it to the sole to form a “slipper” which is a base for the future shoe. Based on previous experience I now use a longer piece of wire so I can adjust and equalise the heel hight for both shoes. Having both slippers looking alike is a huge successful milestone in this project.

Back heel holder

The leading design idea for this particular pair is to have few shoe straps to hold the stones. Pretty much like these gorgeous Cassandra high heel sandals from Saint Laurent. Not being too good at following the sketches I decided to model it out. I sculpted a little leg out of a candle wax and attached it to a slipper.

First decoration (and also structurally crucial) element of the shoe decoration is the back heel holder. I use paper stickies to cut out the shape for the heel holders and stick them onto the wax leg. Based on the paper template I saw them out of 0.8mm silver plate and anneal it to prepare for hammering.

Straps

Back heel holder also has rather complex geometry. I tried before to produce only with and tools and let me tell you – it is not a good idea. I am genuinely happy that I spent profit from selling my High Heel Filigree Sandal with Carnelian Stone and Butterfly on this micro dapping set! It is a perfect tool to form silver into curvy shapes and I was super excited to use it in this project.

With the heel holders soldered to the slippers it finally started to look like a proper pair of heels. Now it is time to add some straps!

Again the sticky notes came in very handy for modelling straps for my sandal. I just cut out thin stripes of paper and put them onto the wax leg to see how it would look. It also gave me an idea about where the stone saddle will sit and what are the attachment points.

Based on the paper templates I cut my 0.6×1.4mm flat wire into pieces and solder them one by one to each slipper. Once all the straps were in place I filed the attachment points for the stone saddles and soldered them right in. After all the soldering I left both shoes in the acid bath for some time for cleaning. It would be great to put them into the tumbler for a nice polishing, but I ain’t got one unfortunately. But my Dremel Micro with metal brushes and silicone discs also managed to do a good job. The result was actually better than I expected and I got so excited I almost started to set the sones!

Shackles

Happily though I managed to calm myself down and noticed that an important element is still missing – a shackle to connect an earring with a hook.

It would still be possible to do after the stones are set, but I prefer not to heat up the stones. This is risky as not all stones take heating positively. Some might change colour or even crack, hence it is a good habit to leave the stone setting as the very last step in making a jewellery masterpiece.

I took two tiny bits of my flat wire and bent them into micro jump rings. As this should be the very last soldering activity I used the super soft solder to preserve already existing solder joints. Also I clamp a shoe heel in a cross tweezer to dissipate the excessive heat while soldering the shackles. With shackles attached I went through another cycle of acid bathing and manual polishing to get ready for stone setting.

Stone setting

This is my first project I specifically purchased stones for. There is a local shop selling all kinds of precious and semi-precious stones, This is where I found these gorgeous garnet marquise stones and I knew exactly where to put them. Basically I did the entire shoe design around these marvellous garnets.

I choose to use bezel setting technique for this project as I find it the most neat and tidy way of exposing a beautiful stone. Prongs can sometime steal away some thunder away from the stone and I definitely didn’t want it here. Given that the high heel sandal is not the easiest shape to set the stone into I needed a smart way to firmly hold it in a vice. Most jewellers advise to use some sort of jewellery putty or sealing wax, but I can tell you that the polymorph plastics works great as well. You just melt it in a hot water, form it around your piece and let it cool down. Once hardened it is surprisingly strong and you can safely clamp it in a vice for bezel setting. After I finished setting stones into their saddles I gave the earrings another round of fine polishing. And let me tell you honestly – they look truly remarkable!

Exhibition

I hope you enjoyed following the manufacturing process and now it is time to check out the final result. This time I tried to spice things up a little and produce some artisan styled photos (at least in my mind they are). Thus I invite you to have a glimpse though the pictures below and enjoy the show!

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

The post High heel strappy sandals silver earrings appeared first on Slavik LTD.

The backstory

The idea for this pendant has nothing to do with European history and weapon choices in 17th century. My day job is about building products for engineers like tools for the API management. We were brainstorming a name for that tool looking through words containing letters “api” in them. Once we got to the word “rapier” it was simply perfect for our case and we spell it as “rAPIer”.

Inspired by the success of our rAPIer I really wanted to craft something special to make the statement. A little research on rapier gave me a lot of confidence that it was more like an art rather than a practical weapon. And this was the beginning of my crafting journey.

Forging the rapier

Well, there is no forging in silversmithing really. It does, however, sound appropriate here. I happen to have a 1mm thick silver sheet for this project. It seemed to be perfect to cut out a blank bar for the future rapier. The longer side of the blank will become a blade and the short one will do as a handle.

Even though it might seem as real forging – a hammer hits a metal bar against an anvil – it is actually called work hardening. Silver is a rather soft metal and hammering it makes it a little more stiff. This is exactly what I need to form the blade.

Rapier is a kind of sword with a slender double sided blade and a wide hilt to protect the hand in a fight. In this story there will be no fighting, but the blade should still like it’s ready for a duel. I use my Dremel with an aluminum oxide bit to grind and sharpen both sides of a blade. I wrapped some 0.5mm wire around the other side of the blade to make a straight handle to look nice.

The hilt

The hilt is a sort of a shield around the handle to protect the hand holding the rapier. Traditionally hilts were made out of a solid steel plate. It was reliable and durable but also quite heavy. In order to reduce the overall weight the hilts started to be made of bent bars, which also gave smiths a way to decorate rapiers.

Keeping the weight in mind I bent a 0.8mm wire in a fish resembling shape. Inside of it I put a loop where the rapier blade would go during the final assemble. Some of the open spaces in the hilt-to-be I filled with filigree wire – it always looks good on jewellery.

The final step is to join the blade with its hilt. It is important to bend the hilt in a waxing crescent moon shape before and then insert the blade into the middle loophole. When done right the thinner end of the hilt will spring load the handle side of the blade making it pleasantly easy to solder. Later on I added a little jump ring on top of the hilt to attach the bail and make it actually wearable.

In case you’re interested in the details of the entire crafting process do not hesitate to watch a little video I put together. Enjoy!

En garde!

Unfortunately, this item is not available for purchase. If you dream about something similar, please check my Etsy store or contact me through the form or on Instagram and let’s see what I can do

The post Silver rapier pendant appeared first on Slavik LTD.

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Captivated yet? Then let me take you through a process of handcrafting an elegant high heel shoe pendant with filigree straps and a wonderful amethyst triangular stone.

Sole

This is no secret that you have to start somewhere, preferably from the beginning (silly grin face). In the world of shoemaking, even silver ones, the starting point is the sole. I couldn’t find a decent blueprint of such shoe so I drew one myself. It might not be exactly proportional but in the end of the day I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feet.

I have a sheet of silver 1mm thick which makes an excellent base for silver shoes. The only thing you have to do is to saw the sole out of it. And then do some filing, burring or sanding depending on the tool of your choice.

When you are happy with the shape of the sole it is a good idea to make both surfaces flat and polish them. Believe me it is going to be much harder once the sole is bent (wise wizard face). This is also a perfect (and probably the only possible) moment to brand your jewellery piece with a steel punch. In my case I stamp SL as an abbreviation for Slavik LTD, which is the trademark I still contemplate to register officially.

Would you believe that crafting a heel itself is one the most complicated operations in this entire process? Well, you should. Unless you are good in melting and casting silver, it is going to take a lot of effort to carve a good stiletto. It is still an enormous struggle for me and would appreciate any idea you might have for simplify its manufacturing process.

Decoration

The centrepiece of all this is the amethyst I mentioned in the beginning. The saddle for it appeared to be straightforward – a flat 1.2mm wide stripe ring with filigree basement will hold the stone firmly. Even though it fits tightly I added another loop of 0.6 wire around the saddle and three chunks of the same 1.2mm stripe to make sure the cabochon is not going anywhere.

The idea is to set the stone in the front side of the shoe. In order to do that the saddle needs to be solidly attached to the shoe sole somehow. And it must looks elegant of course. So I bent a piece of 0.6mm wire into a kinda-monkey-looking shape leaving enough space in the middle for a saddle. This shape provides 5 connection points to the shoe which should be enough to ensure the structure stability.

Fine silver wire is very flexible and needs reinforcement to keep the shape. I added few wire loops above and beyond to solder the saddle in the centre. The blank spaces were practically asking me to fill them with filigree. I am not strong enough to reject that so ended up with putting filigree in every strap.

When the monkey-shape was soldered, cleaned and polished it was time for a final assemble. This is by far the most thrilling phase of the silver shoemaking process. Mostly it’s due to the complexity of the shape it is extremely difficult to control heat dissipation while soldering pieces together. And lack of such control leads straight into previously soldered pieces start to live their own lives with twists and shifts.

Happily this time I got lucky to have all parts attached together with no bigger adventures. Which let me focus on the most satisfying operations in jewellery making – setting the stone. With a saddle prepared earlier it is a matter of levelling the cabochon and carefully bending the prongs to hold it tightly.

Exhibition

Once stone is on its rightful place the whole thing was meticulously polished and bathed in the ultrasonic cleaner. A final touch with attaching a jump ring on the back and voila – the elegant silver high heel sandal with filigree elements and a gorgeous triangular amethyst is ready to reveal itself to the world. Either as a necklace or a piece of art!

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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The post High heel filigree sandal with amethyst appeared first on Slavik LTD.