Boring stuff

Well, I started working on a few sample pieces mixing wood and silver. They are really boring. I don't like them.... but I made them, and I'm showing them because I don't want to get yelled at for not posting on here. What I don't like is:

• The material contrast is boring. The olive wood's grain, even though it's gorgeous, isn't interesting enough to make me feel like this is at all successful. 
• I am having a hard time bezel setting material that is below the bezel - as in, not a cabochon or stone that rises above the piece and the bezel hugs, this is a situation where a giant, grizzly bear hug is needed. Because of that, it's extremely difficult to get a smooth edge on it. Maybe a rounded glass front would help? That could also bring out more of the grain and create a unique visual interest if the wood was magnified through the glass. I will have to look into glass cutting, grinding, and polishing for future use.

^some pieces and a burnisher^

^slightly closer, you can see the bezel's bear hug^

^backs^