My own VCA-style knockoff

[stracci2000]

I was in a grocery store a few months ago, and I looked down and saw this little black clover shaped thing.

Upon closer inspection, it was a slice of black onyx probably from a knock off VCA. Genuine VCA work would never be sub par as to lose a component like this, so I'm pretty sure it didn't come from a certified VCA piece.
So I put it in my pocket.

Gee, what can I do with this? A pendant!
I was just playing, and created one from sterling last weekend.
It is not perfect, of course! It's very hard to solder little tiny components and get them perfectly in place, but I did my best. The flame from the torch can actually "blow" components out of place during the solder process. It's very tricky.

I placed only one bail, like the Sweet Alhambra pendant, instead of two bails like the Vintage Alhambra pendant has. This is because 1)I am lazy, and 2)I didn't want to sacrifice a chain for this pendant.
I would've had to cut a chain and permanently attach it. I like to swap out my chains to different pendants a lot.

So here it is, my own knock off VCA-like pendant.

 

[Calla-lilies]

This is fantastic ! You are so talented!

 

[stracci2000]

This is fantastic ! You are so talented!

Thank you!
It was tedious to work on, but it turned out ok!

 

[Tartansparkles]

Oh well done, this is very clever, especially the small detailed work.

 

[lala646]

Stracci, it's fabulous!!! I think you were right to go with the single bail. It's just very elegant and simple, and even better that you made it yourself!

 

[stracci2000]

Oh well done, this is very clever, especially the small detailed work.

Thank you! It's a bit vexing to work on something this small.

 

[stracci2000]

Stracci, it's fabulous!!! I think you were right to go with the single bail. It's just very elegant and simple, and even better that you made it yourself!

Thank you!
Yeah, the single bail screams knockoff right? Haha!
I just recently acquired that bead wire, and it similar in proportion to the VCA design, so it worked out well.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Talent! With a capital “T”!

 

[lala646]

Thank you!
Yeah, the single bail screams knockoff right? Haha!
I just recently acquired that bead wire, and it similar in proportion to the VCA design, so it worked out well.

Inspired by, not knockoff.

 

[Pomelo]

I was in a grocery store a few months ago, and I looked down and saw this little black clover shaped thing.

Upon closer inspection, it was a slice of black onyx probably from a knock off VCA. Genuine VCA work would never be sub par as to lose a component like this, so I'm pretty sure it didn't come from a certified VCA piece.
So I put it in my pocket.

Gee, what can I do with this? A pendant!
I was just playing, and created one from sterling last weekend.
It is not perfect, of course! It's very hard to solder little tiny components and get them perfectly in place, but I did my best. The flame from the torch can actually "blow" components out of place during the solder process. It's very tricky.

I placed only one bail, like the Sweet Alhambra pendant, instead of two bails like the Vintage Alhambra pendant has. This is because 1)I am lazy, and 2)I didn't want to sacrifice a chain for this pendant.
I would've had to cut a chain and permanently attach it. I like to swap out my chains to different pendants a lot.

So here it is, my own knock off VCA-like pendant.

Yet another fabulous piece @stracci2000 !

So talented…!
And it begs the question, are you tempted to buy a couple more little clovers and make a set?

 

[stracci2000]

Talent! With a capital “T”!

Thank you @Dreamer_D !

 

[stracci2000]

Yet another fabulous piece @stracci2000 !

So talented…!
And it begs the question, are you tempted to buy a couple more little clovers and make a set?

Thank you @Pomelo !
Two smaller ones to make earrings....

 

[Calla-lilies]

Are you taking orders?

 

[Calla-lilies]

Are you taking orders?

I can’t seem to add a laughing emoji!

 

[LightBright]

I love it!

 

[Bianca201]

I love all your posts where you make jewelry - it's such a cool skill to have! Was it hard to learn? Where did you start?

 

[stracci2000]

I love it!

Thanks @LightBright !

 

[stracci2000]

I love all your posts where you make jewelry - it's such a cool skill to have! Was it hard to learn? Where did you start?

Back in 2003, I met a Native American lady who was a professional silversmith. I sat down with her for a three hour session where she showed me the basics. She told me what tools to buy and where to get them. I then proceeded to melt a lot of silver and crack a lot of stones! I persevered and got a little better. It's just a hobby for me, and I don't sell or take orders. (No matter what @Calla-lilies says LOLoL

 

[Pomelo]

Back in 2003, I met a Native American lady who was a professional silversmith. I sat down with her for a three hour session where she showed me the basics. She told me what tools to buy and where to get them. I then proceeded to melt a lot of silver and crack a lot of stones! I persevered and got a little better. It's just a hobby for me, and I don't sell or take orders. (No matter what @Calla-lilies says LOLoL

Out of interest, do you sign your pieces @stracci2000 ? If so, is it something you can share with us (if it’s not too personal?)

For the pieces that I design and commission, I like to put my initials on the shank / clasp etc hehehe

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

OooOooO this is pretty . You did amazing on this.

 

[stracci2000]

Out of interest, do you sign your pieces @stracci2000 ? If so, is it something you can share with us (if it’s not too personal?)

For the pieces that I design and commission, I like to put my initials on the shank / clasp etc hehehe

I forgot to mark this pendant!
Usually I mark my pieces with a "D" stamp, which is my first name initial.


Here it is inside a purplish star sapphire ring I recently made.


Next to the awesome EC which I acquired from the fabulous @YadaYadaYada

 

[Pomelo]

I forgot to mark this pendant!
Usually I mark my pieces with a "D" stamp, which is my first name initial.


Here it is inside a purplish star sapphire ring I recently made.


Next to the awesome EC which I acquired from the fabulous @YadaYadaYada

Hehe love it! It makes things super special

 

[stracci2000]

OooOooO this is pretty . You did amazing on this.

Thank you @Pumpkin Sparkles !

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks for tagging me! Where to start? The onyx pendant is soooooo good for a dupe, looks amazing.

Love the pattern on the purple star sapphire ring, your ability to make jewelry never ceases to amaze me.

So glad you are loving the EC, looks great on you especially with that rich yellow gold band next to it.

So, you will be proud that I found an outlet for creativity, inspired by you because you can do so many things.

I discovered I can draw! This is my latest creation. Maybe I’ll work on making a ring next

 

[stracci2000]

Thanks for tagging me! Where to start? The onyx pendant is soooooo good for a dupe, looks amazing.

Love the pattern on the purple star sapphire ring, your ability to make jewelry never ceases to amaze me.

So glad you are loving the EC, looks great on you especially with that rich yellow gold band next to it.

So, you will be proud that I found an outlet for creativity, inspired by you because you can do so many things.

I discovered I can draw! This is my latest creation. Maybe I’ll work on making a ring next

I love this so much!
You are very talented, and I bet your kids are too! Creativity is inherited, I think.

 

[stracci2000]

especially with that rich yellow gold band next to it.

That band belonged to DH's grandfather, it was his wedding band.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I love this so much!
You are very talented, and I bet your kids are too! Creativity is inherited, I think.

Ha! Thanks, thought you would get a kick out of it, the kids love it so that’s the important thing.

Our younger son can dance he has really good rhythm and loves music, the older one. The older one isn’t really creative but he enjoys exploring new places, he is not a homebody.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

That band belonged to DH's grandfather, it was his wedding band.

I love that there is a history behind it, makes it that much more special.