Design for a flat silver turtle pendant

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 6, 2008

A customer asked me to make two pendants, one for both mother and daughter.
So this is the third paying job on engraving for

me.

She wants it sawn from a flat plate of silver.
So here is my design, and although the size from top to bottom is only 23mm, I think this must be possible for me to do.

I want to have some relief, that is why I shade the outer part with 3 lines, the second with 2 line etc.

I know in the design the relief can be better, so I understand that the shading is very important to have the suggestion of relief.

Any comments are welcome. Tuesday I' start on these, show you the final engraved result, unless

Arnaud

Ron Smith · Dec 6, 2008

Outstanding Arnaud!!....Rock on!!

KCSteve · Dec 6, 2008

Looks great!

One way you might want to add more depth is by actually adding a bit of depth - use a flat to shave the sides of the plates just a bit - basically just widening the cuts. Just a hint of sculpting.

I'd try it on a practice plate first, of course.

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 7, 2008

Steve, good point, I do this as a goldsmith a bith different with a file, but the result will be the same

arnaud

pilkguns · Dec 7, 2008

I did something very similar to this for a pendant, the only difference being that I made the shell design on the back in the shape of the ladies monogram, or rather her 3 initials since they were not really intertwined. You might think about that for this projects. I bet they would love it.

Marrinan · Dec 7, 2008

turtle trade silver

Here in the States silver turtle tokens, beaver tokens and kissing otters were used in colonial times to trade with the native people- they often found there way on to shirts and dresses necklesses and ear wear. Firs were purchased for so many turtles or beavers or otters. Fred
P.S. tried to post pic but couldnt get it to size right-sorry

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 11, 2008

Finished

I finished the engraving of the two turtle pendants.
It was a good exercise for me especial the control on the shading lines.

Although it could be done better, my client is very satisfied. I did more work than the prize that was paid, but I don't bother me because I was paid for learning and the pendants are at least original and hand crafted.

It was also the first time I did some engraving on silver, and indeed it is so soft you can hardly touch it with the engraver. Especially starting a very thin shadow line.

Any comments are welcome

arnaud

mdengraver · Dec 11, 2008

Very nice!

Has a nice artistic quality to it!

Mario Sarto · Dec 11, 2008

Arnaud - looks god to me! Please tell a novice how much time does it take to do it.

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 11, 2008

Mario, it took me two ours for the engraving, most time took the schading. The main lines was done in less than 15 minutes, and it looked fine also.

The sawing and filing 10 minutes.

arnaud

Tom Curran · Dec 11, 2008

I think I could have taken all day on that one, Arnaud.

Very cool.

When you push the head do the legs go in?

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 11, 2008

HAHAHAHA, Tom, Thank you for the compliment, also for me it could have taken a whole day, but I will try it once more and taking more time when I have the time.

The mechanical part is a good idea, but only worth the work when done in gold.

For now I must make some money because St Nicolas has ordered some things.

I charge my client 2X50 euro for this work, I think that is fair enough for a novice.

Arnaud

KCSteve · Dec 11, 2008

That came out very well - you certainly got the 3D look you wanted. Even knowing you were doing a flat pendant it looks like you should have included a side view to show how the back is domed.

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 11, 2008

Thanks Steve, I really like engraving.

Arnaud

Tira · Dec 11, 2008

Very nice. Thanks for posting the project - it looks good.

Ray R Negron · Dec 11, 2008

Arnaud, What size of of engraver did you use for the shading great job looks fantasticon.

Ray

Arnaud Van Tilburgh · Dec 12, 2008

Ray, al was done with a Graversmith, the 901 handpiece and a carbide 120Â° engraver I sharpened from a
90Â°.

arnaud

Design for a flat silver turtle pendant

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