Monday, October 19, 2009

The Dilemma


So, you may recall I had this box pendant a few weeks ago that I made for my mother. Well, she did decide she wanted a photo of the Short One in the smaller box, so I finished it for her that way. However, I liked the way the sea glass looked in the pendant, so I made another one, above.

So now I'm trying to decide - patina or no patina? I kind of like the way the sea glass pops against the unpatinated silver. However, I don't think the design or the "floating" nature of the interior of the box is as clear without the patina. What do you think? Any opinions? Here's a photo of the other box for comparison


(Oh, and I did put a nice-sized square bezel on the back of the box to put in a photo of the Short One on the reverse side.)

Thanks!

12 comments:

Christina J. said...

I like it both ways, but I'm a bigger fan of the patina.

Anonymous said...

i kinda like it with the patina.

stregata said...

I think the patina brings the design out more clearly.

TesoriTrovati said...

I like the contrast of the patina... since I have absolutely no idea how you do this I will throw this out there... a pattern on the inside flat part of that patina'd box would be really cool, like leaf shapes that are then highlighted by the patina. Just a thought. I hope you wil show the finished piece with the picture when you are done (unless showing pictures of SO are not your thing, I totally understand!). Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the day! Erin

elsie said...

the patina really makes the sea glass pop - although I liked it just fine without patina before I peeked at the second picture

Joann Loos said...

I prefer the one with patina, as it shows the 3d nature of the box better. Maybe some granuulation if you don't want to patina? Something to bring out the depth....

Melissa J. Lee said...

Thanks so much for the input!

Erin, I could take a metal stamp to the piece at this point, but I couldn't really put a pattern on the whole back wall of the box. I left it blank deliberately - I wanted a clean look to avoid distracting from the glass. I have been working on a patterned background for a different type of box, though - I think your point is well-taken.

Joann, Granulation is a good idea! It still seems to me, though, that I'd need to patinate the piece to bring out the granulated texture, though...

I'll post a pic once I make a final decision - thanks again, everyone!

mairedodd said...

you are right, the patina makes the focal 'pop'... love it... and what a brilliant idea of creating a back bezel as well! brava -

SueBeads said...

It's really hard to pick but I think I like the patina better too!

sandi said...

definitely patina - makes the glass really pop visually

Rising Designs said...

I really do like the "patina". Is it done with liver of sulfur?

Melissa J. Lee said...

Hi Nancy, Yes, it's liver of sulphur.