Suzy Sins Studio

This Fantasy Flying “V” guitar started as a drawing for a client. He wanted something that was personal and something that no other person would ever have. He was intrigued by my rock and roll jewelry. Specifically my guitars- and wanted one of his very own to match his favorite band- KISS. We made the consultation appointment and discussed the details in length. The original drawing also included a guitar pick  with the bands name and the letters K. I. S. S. Together both were in Argentium sterling silver. He made his choice along with a few minor change requests, gave his deposit and I started work.

STEP 1)  The first step of this process was the base of the guitar. I carefully drew the shape of my design by hand with a black permanent marker. Then, using a size 0/1 jewelers saw I cut the shape out of 24GA Argentium sterling sheet. I then lined the sides with bezel creating a reservoir for the enamel I would later apply. Next came the strip down the middle and the settings for the stones which would represent the knobs.

STEP 2) The second step was the neck. Each fret was fused onto the neck one by one and the excess taken off on the sides. This is a tedious but simple step. The neck was then attached to the base/body with an easy solder.

Step 3) lastly the head was also sawn out of sheet metal and surrounded by bezal creating a cup for enamel. the middle squigly was soldered in and the entire piece attached carfull to the neck. I actuaaly took the head of and did this several times before I got it right.

STEP 4) The last step, and the funnest part, was setting the crystals and filling the piece with enamel the enamel proved to be much more difficult then I had presumed it would be. this must be done in layers. The ssets quicly, which can be a problem considering the fact that all the air pockets must be removed after appplication.

All in all this project was a blast and I was delighted to see the look on my clients face when he got to hold his dreamturned reality in his own two fingers. That is my favorite part of the job!