Salamandra

(2010), 3.5" x 3.5" for the pendant, 18" for overall length of the necklace, silver clay (cut, carved, fired, antiqued, polished and burnished), enamel, bezel wire, silver wire, various sunstone cabs and beads, silver chain, silver clasp finding.

Salamanders are fire-spirits, hence the title for this glowing pendant featuring deep orange enamel and a variety of really stunning sunstone beads and cabs.

I started with the round pendant and the three pierced structures allowing chains to be fastened to the central panel. I then carved the pattern for the enamel into the dry clay and fired the piece. As a next step I added the bezel wires with oil paste and refired so I could later set the stones.

As a next step I carefully layered enamel powder into the recessed areas of the pattern and fired the pendant a third time. After setting the central sunstone and the three smaller cabs on the structures I antiqued, polished and burnished the pendant.

To complete the necklace I fastened silver chain to the side structures with a sunstone bead as a focal point on either side and completed the pendant with a few briolette dangles and more silver chain.

I think it's the best piece I've made so far all year...