Resin and sterling pieces

I started these resin pieces over a year ago, making the bezel cups and sterling pieces to go inside them. I filled them with resin, but then didn't quite know what I wanted to do with them. I didn't like the bright, shiny colors on them--it wasn't what I had in my head when I started out. So, like many other jewelry projects, I set them aside to "think about it". They quickly became buried under supplies and metal bits.

A few weeks ago, I saw some great resin pieces Janice did on the Jewelry Artists Network forum. The matte finish on those pieces was what I was hoping for when I set out to make these pieces. I've only used resin a few times, and my previous attempts at sanding the pieces didn't go very well. I asked the members on the forum about how to properly sand the pieces to get that finish, and they were extremely helpful, as usual. I sanded the higher parts off with a file, then used waterproof sanding paper under water to do the final sanding. Sure, my thumbnail is sanded completely off on one side, but the finish is exactly what I was hoping for! I have started thinking of them as little olives--a pair of earrings and three pendants:





This morning I saw a great ring someone posted on that forum as well...it made me realize that I have a big sterling ring with an almost-finished setting for a giant hematite stone sitting on that work bench. That one has been there for probably 18 months...maybe it's time to finish it?