2018 ~ 52 rings challenge - Week 6

Red River Turquoise in sterling silver

This week's ring was truly a challenge! for the life of me, I couldn't saw a straight line, they all slanted to the right- which I guess is ok since they were all slanting at the same angle, but it was frustrating nonetheless.

This lovely Red River turquoise has soft blue-greens (matches my studio) and a kind of hazy, dreamy pattern. I like the way the 24 gauge wall with slight texturing on the edge contrasts with the smoothness of the cab too. I think I'll leave this one bright silver, although it would look nice with a dark patina as well.

I'll be teaching a less frustrating version of this in my class in March- Bezel Explorations.

Weekly challenge - Week 40 continued

I had a busy night last night! I got 4 spinner rings completed (smaller sizes both in width and ring size for those of you with dainty fingers!!) and 2 wider ones almost finished. These are all sterling silver (and gold- the bottom one in the pic has rose gold filled and yellow gold filled spinners). I need to get busy on some copper ones too so i'll have plenty for this weekend!

I also made some fancier stacking copper rings- the heavy gauge wire is great for adding texture- i love all these and am going to have to make myself a set when i have some down time (HAHAHAH!!!).

Weekly challenge - week 23 - birthday week!!!

I've started this week off right! New Knew concepts  saw and three Fretz  hammers for my birthday were enough to inspire me to stop hoarding the tiny geodes I bought for rings (like 3 or so years ago!!) And make some stuff.

I had to flatten out a spot on the backs of the halves, 1 to make them easier go set and 2 so some weren't quite so tall. I ground down 5, my goal is to get them all finished this week. :)

My first layout for MCT is completed and approved. Pretty exciting! I'm also taking over as treasurer for TN crafts SW- thrilled to be even more a part of an organization that does so much for artists and craftspeople across the state. Things are moving along well on the brandy is an artist front. :) now if I could just get that bus going!!!

Weekly challenge- week 17

I was in Nashville at the TN crafts spring show when it was time to post my weekly update (may 1st). I was so tired- three shows in three weekends, and running full steam to make new stuff between shows.... I went to bed before 10 on both Friday and Saturday night, even though I was within walking distance to some amazing places and the weather was amazing!

The show was good though. I had a chance to do some mentoring, which is a chapter coordinators job, but one I was excited to do. I got to be a part of a friend's artistic confirmation both of her work and the value of her work.  I met some great people and I bought some gorgeous wood worked art.

I'm still working on the mobile metal studio- found 2 options nearby. Fingers crossed one works out!

I have a bit of a break from shows, which means more focus on my classes. I have a fun on coming up later this month at the Botanic gardens on how to love your jewelers saw. One next month on fine silver metal clay and glass and then in July, my weekend workshop at ACC on unique molds and textures for metal clay.

I picked up some old lapidary journals at the MAGS show weekend before last and have finally gotten around to looking through them. Omg the prices on things were so low!!! Looking back on some of the ones from the late 90s, when I really started, is interesting. Many of the places that were my dream/go to shops are long gone, victims of the economic crash in 08... and some have stood strong. Many of the techniques that were new and innovative in 1985 are coming back as, well yeah. New and innovative, again. :) all things are cyclical. Art, people, time, nature. Oh my- so philosophical over some beads. ;) now to see if I can see if any of these cab dealers that were selling top grade charoite in 1998 are still around....

Here's something I worked on last week, for my challenge.... 124 stacking rings. :)

Weekly challenge- week 11

I've been working like a mad woman to get as many if the in progress pieces on my bench finished for the Cosmic Trunk show this Saturday at the metal museum. I had making things that are the exact same so I have been doing little things here and there to make each piece unique.

Here are the 5 infinite love necklaces I finished tonight and the latest lily pad ring. (Also hot off the bench)

Weekly challenge- week 9

I posted 4 times before I was out of town for a week so technically, I don't think I should be penalized for missing week 8. :)
Here are the rings I made during today's snow day. :) I had some requests for smaller rings so I've been making some in the 3.5 to 5.5 range. They also work as great midi rings.

Jewelry a week - Week 3

It was ring making day at the studio. I sat and did a pseudo- assembly line and created 4 of my open rings in silver, 2 ball stackers, and 5 gemstone stackers.

The gemstones are 1 smooth moonstone, 1 rose cut, 1 rose cut labradorite,  a small oval larimar and a lab Opal doublet.

Jewelry a week - week 2

This week's piece is a hand made dichroic glass cab set in a fine silver bezel atop a lovely sterling silver art nouveau patterned band. Light liver of sulfur brings out the texture of the band.

I've been working.. promise!

I haven't been very good about posting regularly, but i have still been working. My piece a day has (realistically) become a piece a month, but i'm still making smaller things all the time.

Here's what i've been up to lately.

i had some Gibeon meteorite beads custom cut for the necklace that will showcase this lovely pendant. 

This is one of Ryan's gorgeous cabs set in sterling and fine silver

Finished up the fold formed pieces from my June class samples, Finally finished the piece with the branch and made another gum-drop ring with another one of Ryan's cabs. :)

Upcoming Class- Kitchen Table Silversmithing- Bling Ring Edition

Join me June 21st 10am -5pm for Kitchen Table Silversmithing- the Bling Ring edition!

Ready to take your silversmithing skills higher? In this workshop class, we will create a bezel set statement ring. I will have an assortment of fabulous boro glass cabs made specifically for this class by local glass artist Ryan Pleso.

You must bring a butane micro torch, fuel, firebrick, jewelers files and pliers for this class. Additional tools that you may wish to bring are- texturing hammers, rawhide mallet, burnishers, decorative/letter metal stamps, ring mandrel and metal shears. Some shared tools will be available for use in class.

A class kit containing silver sheet, solder, bezel wire and ring shank/pattern wire is included in the class fee. Bench incidentals like finishing supplies and flux are included in the class kit. Additional wire options will be available for purchase in class for those wishing to try more advanced techniques.

Contact Laurie at the Memphis Botanic Gardens to sign up at 901-636-4128 Members $95, non members- $110

Jewelry a day challenge- February 19th

Three spinner rings (still doing catch up)

One sterling with a sterling and titanium mini Helm weave chain maille spinner.
One copper with copper pattern wire spinner
And finally,  copper with two hammered copper spinners

The class i am teaching at the gardens this Saturday is a silver ring with silver spinner(s), but the copper is easier to take pictures of for my instructions and I can make tons of them! :)

Jewelry a day- February 18th

Here's the piece I put the finishing touches on today. It's a size 16 men's spinner ring in sterling silver.

Jewelry a day- January 23rd

Today's piece is a lovely statement ring with a wave patterned sterling silver band, fine silver bezel,  and a handmade boro glass cab from Appling Glass Studios.

Jewelry a day - January 15th

More spinners!!!

Jewelry a day challenge - January 14

Another spinner ring. Copper base with copper and brass orbitals.

Jewelry a day challenge- January 13th

I missed Saturday and Sunday- for good reason. I got new rune metal stamps that I played with for a while and worked on a design for the boy.

Here's a little something to make up for it.
Sterling silver and blue lace agate earrings with raw silk texture on the squares.

Sterling silver and copper spinner ring with cross peen texture.

Jewelry a day challenge- January 9th

Today's piece is a sterling silver statement ring featuring another lovely boro glass cab from Ryan of Appling Glass Studio.

It features crown gallery wire surrounded by a hammered fine silver circle. The randomly stamped triskle band is about a 7.5.