Rubbed out by a grape! Pendant. 22/22.

Purple Eraser Pendant. Sterling Silver & pencil cap eraser.

This is not the piece I set out to make today.
It was another one of those days when things just didn't go right. I had intended using the recycled plastic junk I keep hinting about, but I have some technical issues to resolve with that piece, so I want to let it simmer away in the back of my mind for a few days more and then put it together on a day when I have plenty of time. I did think about making a pendant to match the gooshy ring from yesterday, with the leftover part of the same pencil grip, but I felt I needed to try something a bit different.

Bad move! I had trouble getting the end cap made to the right size for this piece, as I just don't have the right size mandrel to form it over. The end of my ring mandrel is a couple of millimetres too large, and I don't yet own a bezel mandrel, or any rod of the right diameter. I eventually got it sorted out, making unconventional use of my dapping tools, which is why the cap has a slight inward curve to it. It does the job.

This one isn't a Gooshy grip, but a pencil cap eraser from the same company - Foohy - and I do seem to have bought a lot of their products lately, though not for the intended purpose. I bought these erasers before the pencil grips in fact. I saw the colours and immediately decided I could do something interesting with them. What does worry me slightly is that I'm not convinced they'll be as durable as the grips. Unless I can find a means of sealing and preserving them, the rubber might eventually perish. There's bound to be something compatible I can use, so I'll do a bit of experimenting with silicone and varnish products - including some I use for textile work. I won't market these unless and until I can find a way to ensure they stay clean and last well. The fun thing about these erasers, which sealing them would put an end to, is that they are fruit scented. The purple ones are supposed to smell like grapes, hence the heading for my post tonight.

Well, that's seven "Artificial Colours & Flavours" in seven days. Perhaps I'll make a return to more conventional work tomorrow. Perhaps not. I don't want to plan too far ahead in case the day puts something interesting in front of me that I can bring into my design process. I'm always open to suggestions for themes for a day or a week, though I can't guarantee I'll adopt them. Try me!