When all segments in the filigree framework have been filled with tiny silver thread & their twisty twirly pattern the delicate filigree pattern must be soldered into place.
Filigree frames with flux
A mix of silver powder and borax is used to solder the filigree pattern into place, the heat of the flame is controlled by a blow pipe – too much heat and the work will be ruined. Getting the heat factor ‘just right’ is a skill and ‘feeling’ that is learnt with time, practise and patience!
You can see the filigree pattern emerging here as flux is burnt off.
Following this soldering of the filigree pattern, each bead half is polished to showcase the delicate pattern at its brightest and best.
Polished bead pieces.
Each of our Seba Dizajn beads is individually created using traditional filigree practises that are centuries old, it is a pleasure to be sharing some of the processes used with you here. The story will continue next week, in the mean time please leave your comments and questions below.
Baby beads (earrings) ready to be shaped into 'ball' form.
A question on our facebook page this morning (www.facebook.com/SebaDizajn) prompted me to add descriptions to all the photos in our ‘Action at Seba Dizajn album, something I had been meaning to do for sometime – thanks Bryce for your question.
Part way through I realised I was writing a short jewellery making story and have decided to share it here in a little more detail. The photo to the left was taken in our store (Seba Dizajn), in Croatia earlier this summer. This photo shows Adolf Seba (aka Doka) heating silver coils, when silver is heated it becomes softer and easier to work with.
To create the filigree beads or balls a frame-work is shaped from the silver wire;
Shaping the framework for a Seba Dizajn beadFrames ready for soldering
The floral shaped framework is then soldered together.
A very fine silver wire is used to create the various patterns seen in our beads – each is unique, although a popular pattern can be repeated and we often create a pair of beads to be used for earrings.
A pattern is formingAnother step closer - these photos show work on a bespoke bead, our customer requested a heart to feature in her bead.
I hope you are beginning to see some of the work that goes into creating each of our beads, this is going to be a four part post. Remember you can subscribe to our blog in the box at the top right. And if you don’t want to wait for the next installment head over to our facebook page where you can see these photos and more in our ‘Action at Seba Dizajn’ Album – please hit the LIKE button while you are there.
If you have any questions about our jewellery making please leave them below and I will reply to you.
I have just been to the bakery to get our morning pastry fix – we seemed to have developed a daily pastry habit this last few months, just as well there is a bit of walking involved to and from the bakery.
It’s a beautiful morning here in Korcula, the sun is shining and the sea is so perfectly still and clear, one of those mornings to remind me why it is so nice to live here. I grew up by the sea (Otago Harbour, Dunedin) and love the smell of the sea and its many moods. This morning is calm and gentle and the coffee is brewing and I have my visnja (cherry) pastry, 2 good things to start the day with.
Switching on the computer and tuning in this mornings news I note with sadness the passing of Steve Jobs, all the more poignant for me (& many others) as I have an Uncle in NZ who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 3 months ago. I find the very public sharing of grief an interesting phenomena and the prevalence of social media in our daily lives spreads so many messages of support to the Job’s family so quickly. There are so many heart-felt messages being shared, and a number of blogs already written and dedicated to Mr Jobs – here I am doing the same thing, this was not what I was not what I was intending to write about this morning but here we have it.
I found this interesting CNN article on Steve and his conversion to buddhism,
Sympathies with the family and friends of this visionary and thoughts with all families and friends who are hurting and grieving today over the loss of their own loved ones.
The post I was just trying to write has been saved as a draft, I am tired and need to go home, but don’t want to skip Day 4 of The Ultimate Challenge… so I here is a short post about cake, or more specifically the cake in this photo;
Kalar Pattar Summit Cake
In 2006 I went trekking in Nepal for the second time, in this trek we headed to the Khumbu region with an aim of getting ourselves up Kala Pattar (5,500m), although I had a job that kept me relatively active at that time I did not undertake any trek training and wondered whether or not the summit was an attainable goal.
It was a magical trip, made all the more enjoyable by this man, a good friend, Sherpa and trekking guide, Chuldim Dorjee Sherpa –
There were 5 of us in our trekking party, and we had chosen a camping trek, it was freezing at night when we reached higher altitudes, our water bottles froze alongside of us in our sleeping bags! It was a fantastic and memorable trek, we summited Kala Pattar, we had stunning views of Mt Everest, we ate a lot of dahl and rice, and then… on the evening after we had summited the cake above appeared after our dinner. Cooked by our delightful trekking support crew on the camp fire, fabulous!
I would like to add a link here to http://www.portersprogress.org/PPUK/Home.html if you are intending to go trekking in Nepal (or any other country) PLEASE make sure that your porters and guides are well looked after. If you are trekking with a company find out how much they are paying their porters BEFORE you sign up and please make sure your porters have decent footwear and enough warm clothes when you are at altitude.
Last week I opened up our work email account to find that a customer who had been in a store on the eve of our offical opening had written and ordered 3 pairs of earrings and a bracelet! What a great way to start the day, and how nice to know that Rebekah wanted to order some filigree jewellery from us.
I remember when Rebekah and Monia were in our store very clearly, they had not long arrived in Korcula and were looking for some gifts and maybe something for themselves. They spent an hour or so in our small store looking at our jewellery and talking with us, it was fun to meet them and to share a little of our filigree story with them.
Rebekah ordered 2 items that we have in stock and requested some pieces be made just for her sending photos of what she wanted. I know Doka enjoys the challenge of creating something new and today he has been working on the second pair of earrings for Rebekah, the delicate filigree work is coming together and looks beautiful – even at this incomplete stage;
Filigree earrings - a work in progress photo.
I have been sent some photos to Rebekah, sharing the progress on her order. Next I’ll send her a link to the blog!
Doka and I both agree that the work looks a little finer than what we can see on the original photo sent by Rebekah, I am sure she will be delighted with her purchases and can’t wait to send them on to her.
If you would like to see more of our work please head to our facebook page where you can find a large selection of photos of our jewellery, and more work in progress shots.
