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Review: Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings

Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings
Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings
Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings

This is the first review of others’ jewelry that I’m doing. It is a way for me to learn about other jewelry designs that I might be able to work into my own designs, and it’s also to get the word out about some great jewelry designers.

The first is this pair of Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings by Ann at Tarnished Royalty. I got this pair of earrings for my wife, because I was looking for something very different from the things she already has.

First I had to learn the answer to the question: what is Ombre Lace? It really refers to lace that has this gradient dye to it, from light to dark. I’ve seen it in different colors. It often refers to an entire spool of threa that has been dyed, bit it can also be dyed after it has been woven into a pattern. To make this one, I believe tea dye was used to dye the crochet lace.

The lace hangs from a pearl drop which to me gives a nice contrast to the lace. It gives it a combination of old (the dyed lace) and new (the pearl drop). This combination look of old and new can be seen in a lot of Tarnished Royalty pieces.

The earrings were priced very reasonably and even came packaged nicely. This particular earring is a bit long, but that kind of goes with the style. If the pearl drop were shorter, or just a pearl, then the length might be better. This is a minor thing and overall I really like the earrings, and I think my wife will like them.

Details:

Vintage Ombre Lace Earrings by Tarnished Royalty

Vintage crochet lace gets an ombre tea-dye treatment, hangs from a pearl drop, silver tone fishwire hook. Approx. 2 1/4 inches. $14

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3D Printing Custom Designs – Works In Process

3D printing custom designs in process
Renders of custom designs
Renders of 3D printing custom designs

This picture shows renderings of four different 3D printing custom designs I’ve been working on. Starting at the top left and going clockwise, you see an Owl pendant, a “flaming heart” pendant which says “Love”, an hourglass with wings (time flying!) and another flaming heart pendant with the initials “SPH” on it.

The owl pendant is from a banner of a web site from a blog that the author wanted made. The most challenging thing about it was making sure the details were big enough to be made, but still small enough that they looked correct on the piece. It has been ordered in Shapeways’ silver material and will be about one inch tall. I’m anxious to see how it turns out.

The other three are all related to one of my favorite bands, the Smashing Pumpkins. A fan page was looking for a “logo”. I suggested a heart with flames coming out of the top, which is similar to imagery used on one of their albums. They loved the idea, and I ran with it. I made two versions with the “banner” across the front straight across and one angled. I can put whatever initials people want on these banners. I just can’t do long names (the text gets too small). Finally, the one at bottom right is the “time flying” pendant. I did this just for fun and it is also based on album art by the Smashing Pumpkins. I’ve ordered it in Shapeways black, strong and detailed plastic material. It’s always fun to see what these items look like in real life compared to renderings, so I can’t wait to see these. A fan has purchsed the “SPH” pendant, and I’m sure they are anxious to get theirs, too! Just some examples of what can be done with 3D printing custom designs.

You can check these out on my Shapeways shop here:

SPH Flaming Heart Pendant

Love Flaming Heart Pendant

Time Flying Hourglass Pendant

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Custom 3D Printed Designs

A custom necklace I designed
Black Vase
Black Vase

Another part of D&O is custom 3D printed designs. If you want a custom piece of jewelry with initials, or a logo, or, anything really, it can be done. Because 3D printing services like Shapeways others can deliver items so quickly now, your item can go from idea to reality in a few weeks.

How the process normally works is a customer gives me an idea. Then I will make a model of it in 3D, and send some pictures of the 3D model. Then I’ll get feedback on things that need to be changed or added. We may go back and forth a couple times until it is correct. Then we would decide what material to make it in, and order it from Shapeways. It’s really quite simple.

Price for custom designs really depends on the complexity of the design. If it is fairly simple, I will add a certain amount to the final price when we order the item. If it is a lot more complicated, I may ask for a fee up front to cover my time. It just depends on how long it looks like it might take.

Also keep in mind I design other things than jewelry.  I’ve designed toys, tools, vases, and even prototype products. What I love about 3D printing is the only limit is your imagination!

A custom necklace I designed
A custom necklace I designed
A custom tool I designed
A custom tool I designed