updates and stone setting...

Updates...

I was going to add chain and dripping jewels but it just got out of control, this seems balanced, it's nice and weighty. I picked up these green faceted stones (I need to be better about writing the name down) at Beyond Beads, I was looking for a dark navy that I had gotten before, but these work.

I added a couple of little 2mm amethysts to this ring and changed the texture a bit. I wanted to set ruby's but they were a bit too big for the bezels that I had. I think the red would have been more striking.

Stone setting...

I have some small moonstones that I am practicing on, if I had my way these would be Large, soon... So I am trying to come up with different ways to set stones without soldering or using bezels, just cutting shapes out of flat metal to become 3d, I like the loop on top the shape reminds me of a pocket watch.

I am usually not drawn to these raw and crystally type stones, but this one is so beautiful, and I could envision it in this setting. I am still working on it obviously, I will fold over the metal on the bottom and the sides to keep the stone in place, the back is the same as this side so it can be worn either way. This silver strip actully used to be a spoon, well the handle. BTW If anyone has random sterling spoons that don't belong to a set, send them my way. I promise not to make spoon rings!

Here is one more imprinted piece that I cut out, to look like a peacock feather roughly... I really don't love silver, which is why I typically do things in brass, but it's brass, maybe it's time to invest in some 14k gold... At least the center piece could be gold, it would add so much more richness, some stones wouldn't hurt...

Vintage Show

On Saturday, I went to this awesome vintage exhibit at the design center. it was very inspiring, and I could have been there all day!! But I found these buttons which are from the 40's I think, they have scenes on them, one has Neptune, and one has Phaeton on a charriot with his horses. I plan on pressing them into wax and hopefully casting them, I have yet to give it another attempt.

slow week

So, I have had a hard time getting to the studio this week... I did produce one piece, that required no soldering, cutting, hammering of metal. I love the 'bib' look, I used manufactured stars with spikes on the back, to secure them to the leather. Ideally, I would make these myself, not necessarily stars, though I like the look, I'd make them more organic and individual. Maybe more jewels dripping off the bottom of the pieces would be nice, maybe dripping chain too?

I almost forgot about these little silver rings, A while ago I cut out little splatter pieces, that I made into post earrings, they just didn't look right, they were too flat, I don't know, they didn't work! The other night after looking at these things every time I pull out my silver box, I thought rings would be nice. So here they are, not done yet of course, the texture is not exactly how I want it but I do think I like the hammered look of the one on the right. Also, I am going to nestle 2 stones on each in the outer crevices, with yellow gold bezels.

week 1

I've made some progress this week, One set back, a casting that did not cast!! It happens!
So, I had this great Idea! To use leather and brass such a way that the brass is visible but not the main focus, being that it is brass and not something more precious. I also love leather but it is not quite enough and the brass gives the leather weight. I'm not sure if this is the final product, but it's a start. Also, leather cord vs chain... or both?




These are things that I was going to cover also, but they are kind of cool as is, although adding a frame of silver might be nice, and I think multiples work well. I get these textures by rolling metal and little remnants of thread (provided to me by my lovely friend Kristen courtesy of Diana Slavin's work shop), as well as lace though a rolling mill.


This pierced work is something that I have been doing for a while, mostly leaves. I really like how these turn out, I think I should maybe put a little more time into coming up with something SUPER fabulous.


This flower is the first thing that I ever cut out, it was a ton of work, but I love this and wear it all of the time. It is hard to see from this pic, but it's on a chain that is half chain and half leather, I really like the combo.