Engraved Sterling and Fine Silver Crosses

The top dog tag cross is made of sterling silver.  I milled and hammered detail on the metal and hand engraved the cross.  The top piece has almost a bit of a floral or forest feel to the background.  There are some leaf impressions on the piece as well.  The detail is also milled on the back.  The detail is fine and I may use different size gravers on future pieces.  Still, I like the fine lines on these.

The bottom image is a milled silver ingot and I sawed out the cross of sterling silver.  The crosses were sweat soldered down.  The detail on the front and back of the ingot came out really well.  The lines on the crosses aren't all perfect, but this was all done by hand.  I really like the top cross with the more angular tips.  The bottom cross is more rounded.  Ah, everything comes out different all the time!

Alternative Bezels and Frames

I'm taking a class on making alternative bezels and I had the idea to make something from one piece that looked like a frame.  This could be a piece where there are tabs sawed out that could be wrapped around the back of another piece.  Really, there is no end to the ideas someone could come up with based on this thought.  I actually like the frame part sawed out and finished like this just laying over the top of the other piece.  These were samples, so the next time I may make the base piece larger and have the uneven edge frame go all the way out.  You could then solder or rivet them together.  This metal was scrap I had and I originally cut this metal to use for simple earrings.  The frame pieces were harvested from the circular at the studio and already texturized. Looks like the metal may have been hammered on an anvil.  You could beat the metal on the asphalt out in the parking lot as well if you wanted.  You can actually purchase fancy hammers that will give you the same texture.  Take it from me, put the metal face down on your interesting surface and hammer with your nice hammer from the back.

Just some photos here of the process from sketches up to the almost finished pieces.  Hey, don't laugh...  In ancient times, people actually drew their own designs out and they weren't perfect either.  I used a multi-step patina process to get the impressed detail really dark and then layered the peacock hues over that.  The pieces seemed to look so nice right at that particular minute.  Copper always seems to change a bit and over time, the bright colors may not be so bright.  Many times the multi-color copper will tarnish and the minute you hit it with some sand paper or a little steel wool, poof... there went the color.  There are some waxes that can be used, but I've found the patina in the texturized areas, after a while will feather or seem to blur out.  Hmmm, I'm on the fence on the whole waxing or sealing, so I just leave it natural.  If it discolors, I lightly sand with some 600 grit paper that has already been used and is worn.  A little less tooth on the paper will help you not remove too much detail or patina in the recessed areas.  I just try new things all the time while working with the metal.

Cocobolo and Walnut Wood Veneer

Hmmmm, What might I possibly consider doing with wood veneer?  Well, I'm not saying yet...  I do love the look and grain of wood.  The exotic cocobolo wood has some really interesting visual texture and the walnut looks a bit more even in color.  I love the look of wood inlay and beautiful guitars made of exotic woods.  One of my favorite woods is koa and it's from Hawaii.  I call it sugar wood because it just shimmers and the gold tones are so beautiful.  The koa is so, so much more beautiful than even a curly maple.  There may be some birch veneer in the middle photo I looked at today and the last photo is of some finished koa.  You know with any of the things I make, you'll be wearin' it, not playing it.  I'll keep ya posted!

Sterling Silver Cuff and Ring

I took the plunge with some sterling silver on this project.  I ran some sample copper pieces through the mill for this gauge of metal and had it set just right.  You only have one pass through and with the cost of sterling, it's a big commitment.  There were two pieces I trimmed off the sheet for rings.  I made a wrap out of one piece and will make a band with the other.  The designs are on both the inside and out of the bracelet and ring.

Free Rider!

Spring break check list:  Backpack, check...  Earbuds, check....  Lizard, check...  What!!!  Get out of my pack already!!!

Going Green... with Tourmaline!

Ah yes, it's that time of the year again isn't it?  Everything just seems green this weekend!  Just finished these beads and necklace made with sterling silver and graduated green tourmalines.  I've had a strand of watermelon colored tourmaline rondelles for some time.  I have used some of the stones on various projects in the past.  I decided to sort through all the beads and go from really dark green to the lighter green.  I made the sterling wrap beads and then assembled the components for the necklace.  You could thread something like this, but it's more secure this way.  I have some other ideas for these beads and sure I will have some more pieces together soon.

Shamrocks on Metal

What can I say other than, I love the pieces with the little shamrocks!  Various stages of works in progress and finished pieces.  These are all made from hand harvested shamrocks I dried and milled onto this metal.