{"id":645,"date":"2008-06-17T21:05:00","date_gmt":"2008-06-18T04:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/?p=645"},"modified":"2011-10-03T00:31:22","modified_gmt":"2011-10-03T04:31:22","slug":"cleves-ring-work-in-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/2008\/06\/cleves-ring-work-in-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleves Ring: A Work in Progress"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve been working on a swan ring to match my Cleves Necklace<\/a>. Here is the necklace.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Cleves Necklace<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a9 Wendy Brandes 2007-2009<\/span>
\nPhoto by John Muggenborg<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

The Cleves Ring will have two swans facing each other, forming a heart with their necks. All together now: Awwwwww! Here is an unfinished wax model of the ring.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The unfinished wax model.<\/p><\/div>\n

The wax model is a step in a process called lost-wax casting<\/a>. Every so often, a glossy magazine interviews a jewelry designer who claims that lost-wax casting is a forgotten art. Say what? Hordes of jewelers use this technique. Jebus! People will say any foolywang thing to make themselves seem special.<\/p>\n

I named the Cleves pieces for the fourth wife of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves<\/a>. I previously proved that Anne was a damn genius<\/a>. (She wouldn’t fall for the “lost-wax casting is a top-secret technique” line, no sirree, Bob!) In honor of Anne, I will publicly swear on a stack of Vogues that anyone who buys a Cleves ring in either silver or gold is a damn genius. That will help you get a raise at work or straight A’s at school. Obviously, you need this ring or your life will be ruined. For more information on how to not ruin your life, contact me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com.<\/p>\n

UPDATED TO ADD: Here is the finished product:<\/p>\n