Unicorn's Garden - Handcrafted Jewelry

Monday Feature - Etsy West Michigan Team

2010-04-04T22:50:00.008-04:00

Today I am sharing some of the newest items from the Etsy West Michigan Team. To view more items from this team go to Etsy and search handmade for "etsywmi team".

Strawberry Rhubarb Glycerin Soap - Vegan

Made by You Stink Soap
www.YouStinkSoap.etsy.com

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Lovely Lavendar Sachets - Set of 3 - Regans Garden Collection
Made by Mom N Mia Quilts
www.MomNMiaQuilts.etsy.com

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Large Sterling Silver Tree of Life Necklace
Made by JustJaynes
www.JustJaynes.etsy.com

Monday Featured Artisan - Dee's Adornments

2010-03-29T12:02:00.004-04:00

I would like to introduce you to the work of Dee's Adornments:

What do you make?
Jewelry and some related housewares like wine glass charms. I expect to branch out more but to stay within the accessories side of things. I'm fond of variety.

What drew you to your craft and why did you start selling your items?
I used to do stained glass and mosaics. I'm drawn to the play of light and color and shine. So when I looked for a hobby that didn't exile me into the garage, I found a class on making jewelry. It sounded like something I would enjoy so I went, and it didn't take long to realize how much I was enjoying myself.

Oddly I enjoy designing and making jewelry more than actually wearing it. The problem with this combination is that I'd go broke making everything I want to make! So when I ordered my first set of supplies I planned on making Christmas gifts, and items to sell, in hopes that it would help me buy more supplies, etc. Since I've sold stained glass in the past it wasn't too far-fetched to look at doing the same with jewelry, though I didn't approach selling my glass products as seriously as I'm taking my jewelry business.

What is your favorite part of creating your items?
I like variety and I like to experiment, so sometimes I'll have spent time trying many different things before I finally hit that moment where I go "Yes!" and know I've got it. The process of actually assembling the pieces can feel very zen, so I enjoy that too. I've been writing professionally through my entire adult life and wrote prolifically in school as well, but writing is a very cerebral pursuit and can result in me getting too stuck in my head. The ability to achieve some mental quiet and just enjoy making something with my own hands is precious.

Is your craft a full time endeavor or a hobby?
Part-time business. For my "day job" I'm a technology writer and journalist, but this year my goal is to have jewelry account for 50% of my income. That might be expecting too much of my first full year but I like to aim high.

When you aren't working on your craft what do you enjoy doing?
Right now I'm volunteering with the 2010 Winter Olympics (http://dee-annleblanc.com/2010/02/15/the-olympic-volunteer-experience-part-1/) and so far it's incredibly rewarding. It's really eaten into my business time as I'm doing 15 shifts, but I'm trying to be flexible and do things like renew, where normally I prefer to list a new item every day instead.

Outside of that, I enjoy playing with my dogs, playing games on my PS3, and generally being a geek.

Is there anything else about your craft or yourself you would like to share?
I used to think that I'm a lucky person and opportunity just fell into my lap, when it came to my writing career. One day I finally realized that my career wasn't so much about luck as it was about being open to opportunity, recognizing it, and reaching out for it before it passed me by. Doing this means being open to rejection. I don't enjoy that any more than anyone else does, approaching life with an attitude of "it never hurts to ask" is an important part of constantly taking yourself to the next level. That and just pushing yourself to be more.

I try to remember this as I work on my jewelry and building my jewelry business.

My locations online:

shop: http://deesadornments.etsy.com/
blog: http://deesadornments.wordpress.com/
twitter: http://twitter.com/deesadornments
facebook: http://facebook.com/deesadornments

Pieces in this post:
1. Granite, Serpentine, and Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings
2. Third Chakra Thumblet in Amber for Energy Work
3. Four Seasons Memory Wire Bracelet in Glass, Silver, and Gold

Monday Feature

2010-03-08T11:16:00.003-05:00

Some of the newest creations by the Etsy West Michigan Team
To find more of the fabulous works by the Etsy West Michigan Team go to Etsy.com and search for etsywmi team

HAVE A HEART - Genuine Drilled Beach Stones - Slag Glass Set - focal jewelry beads
by
StoneMe
www.StoneMe.etsy.com

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Exotic Coconut Body Butter with Cocoa and Shea - 4 ounces - Vegan
by
You Stink Soap
www.YouStinkSoap.etsy.com

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Wine Bottle Bling
by
One Haute Hostess
www.onehautehostess.etsy.com

Monday Featured Artisan - Jasmine Worth

2010-03-01T09:48:00.005-05:00

Today's Featured artisan is Jasmine Worth
Jasmine's work can be purchased at JasmineWorth.etsy.com. More of her work and information about her work can also be found at JasmineWorth.com.

What do you make?
I am an oil painter.

What drew you to your craft and why did you start selling your items?
I have always been as artist, since as far back as I can remember I was drawing or painting. I started selling my artwork on etsy because I wanted to make original art available to everyone. I want anyone who enjoys my art to be able to afford a print or something with my art on it. I have shown in galleries for many years now, but I know that not all people are able to afford original art from a gallery. Selling on etsy allows me to make my work available to those people, as well.

What is your favorite part of creating your items?
My favorite part of painting is the last stage, where I get to put in all the details and highlights. I love seeing the painting come together into the finished product.

Is your craft a full time endeavor or a hobby?
I am a full time painter. I worked at a record store for many years, after the store closed in 2009, I decided to try my hand at being a full time artist. Hopefully the etsy store will help me to achieve this dream :)

When you arn't working on your craft what do you enjoy doing?
I am an avid reader. My house is crammed full of books, they are stacked nearly up to the ceiling in some places! I also enjoy hanging out with my cat Punkin, and watching cartoons.

Etsy Shop: JasmineWorth.etsy.com
More info/images: JasmineWorth.com
Art shown here:
1. 'Midnight Dreary' - Original Oil Painting
2. 'Detached' - Fine Art Print
3. 'Suspended' - Fine Art Print

Monday Feature

2010-02-22T16:59:00.006-05:00

Today I want to share some of the new items from the etsywmi team (Etsy West Michigan team)

Recycled Handmade Journal - Golden Keys to the Joys of Music
by
ForrestConcepts
www.forrestconcepts.etsy.com

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heather and moss - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari
by
julie and co.
www.julieandco.etsy.com

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Espresso Cup
by
Bella Joy Pottery
www.bellajoy.etsy.com

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Aqua and Blue Zircon Multistrand Necklace with Sunflower Pendant
by
Abacus Bead Creations
www.abacusbeadcreations.etsy.com

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You can view more creations from any of these artisans by visiting their Etsy shops

Monday Featured Artisan - Breath of the Dragon

2010-02-15T12:31:00.008-05:00

Today's featured artisan is Breath of the Dragon - unique and custom wood burning by Sunfire
http://www.breathofthedragon.etsy.com
Sunfire is one of my Pagans of Etsy teammates. She is also having a 50% off moving sale in both of her shops

What do you make?
- Pyrography means "writing with fire", but what I do is more like "drawing with heat", creating art on wood rather than canvas. I love the fact that there are so many things that can be made with wood. In my shop, I have a variety of things, from key chains and cell charms with small wooden disks that I've burned on, to boxes and altar tiles that serve a purpose, to magnets and larger wall art that are simply decorative. Every day, it seems, I have another idea of something that I could burn, create and sell.

What drew you to your craft and why did you start selling your items?
- Being around my mom and other crafters that were selling their art really got me started. I wanted to find something that I enjoyed making that could be profitable as well. After trying other crafts, from painting and sewing to candle-making, I finally came across wood burning. Back in 2006, a friend bought me a pen and a piece of wood from the craft store, and I was hooked. By late 2007, I was having a great time with it, and had lots of positive feedback on the things I had made. It was that energy that told me I was ready to give it a go as a money-making adventure, so I set up shop on Etsy.

What is your favorite part of creating your items?
- The smell of the burning wood, for sure! It gets in my hair, and for days I feel like I was at a campfire... :) Cheesy, I know, but so true. Besides that, I love creating custom pieces, because I know that someone is willing to pay me for my work. I love creating something, knowing that it is exactly what they want. The variety of projects is probably my absolute favorite part, though. It's great to know I can spend 1/2 hr on one piece, and 4 hours on another, and both are wonderful.

Is your craft a full time endeavor or a hobby?
- I'm hoping to make it full time ASAP, but until then, I work overnight throwing freight at a local grocery store. It's tough balancing both, as well as school and trying to have family time, but I know if I can make it through this, I will have what I want in the end - making enough money doing what I love that I can quit working for someone else and still have the lifestyle I want. It's this image of the end goal that keeps me moving forward, that makes the sacrifices worth it.

When you aren't working on your craft what do you enjoy doing?
- Watching movies or playing games with my boyfriend on the chilly winter evenings. Since I'm going to school for Web Development, it would be silly if I didn't enjoy working on websites... I love the idea of making simple sites for small-biz folks like myself (I created and currently maintain 2 others besides my own). I also love to get out in nature when its warmer, so we do a lot of biking, hiking and exploring the rest of the year.

Is there anything else about your craft or yourself you would like to share?
- While pyrography is my number one crafting adventure, I've also taken on a mission to spread the message of a Pro-Peace symbol. My mom and I started an Etsy shop to sell hand-crafted Turn Peace Around items (http://turnpeacearound.etsy.com). This second shop gives me a chance to explore other crafting methods between wood burning projects. Or, as in recent weeks, to combine the two.

This is a small selection of the items that Sunfire makes, you can see more in both shops:
Breath of the Dragon & Turn Peace Around
Both stores are running a 50% off moving sale! Now is the time to get some great deals on Sunfires handmade works!

Items in this post:
1. Dream Cherish Live plaque
2. original yin yang
3. Smiley Clean/Dirty Magnet
4. Hemp Choker w/ Pyrographed Charm

Monday Feature

2010-02-01T15:17:00.002-05:00

Today has been a very busy work day so I have not had the time to put together my usual Featured Artist post. However I would like to share some of the latest creations from the Etsy West Michigan Team....

Vegan Olive Oil Soap- Simply Unscented
from
showertreatsoap

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Asian Inspired Floral Toddler Kid Bib
from
luckybugboutique

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Garnet Red Valentine Heart Cubic Zirconia Drop Wire-Wrapped Earrings

from
abacusbeadcreations

Monday Featured Artisan - Rainadelmagick

2010-01-25T10:39:00.006-05:00

Today's Featured Artisan is Raina Woolfolk of rainadelmagick - curiosities of the fae in art and apothecary.

I make one-of-a-kind pieces of precious metal, gemstone and vintage glass jewelry that are influenced by my attraction to the feminine fluidity of the art nouveau period and the whimsical inquisitive nature of the Steampunk movement.
I also design crystal wands, with minerals and crystals that I have field collected in my travels around the globe. Each wand is made with intentionality for use in meditation and ritual work.
I grow organic herbs and mix apothecary concoctions of herbal teas, incense and bath soaks
I make creatures out of recycled components and then write children’s stories that mix geology, science, natural history and fantasy to go along with them in order to provide the folks who adopt them with tales to share with each other.
I have also written two screenplays and a book of twisted, humorous poetry.

I was inspired to design jewelry by my “slight obsession” with crystals and minerals. I have been stuffing them in my pockets since I was a wee lass running away from home to find them in the hills around my house.
I started making crystal wands when the Fae suggested it.

Friends who saw me wearing my own handmade jewelry as a teen would ask for pieces as gifts. They encouraged me to sell my artwork. I started “testing the waters” by selling necklaces and earrings in my mother’s café. As my skills improved I branched out to doing arts and crafts fairs.

There are times when I will come across a phenomenal stone and I just immediately know how it will develop into a piece of jewelry. I experience a sense of wonder when something I’m making just manifests itself into being. At times like that it seems the Muses are guiding my hands and I can feel the energy raising my joy vibration.
I am most excited when pieces I have made inspire my students to create their own treasures and expand upon my ideas while developing their own style.

I divide my time between my work as an animal behaviorist working with animals who are reactive to elements in their environment, an artist and a teacher at UC Berkeley Art Studio. I have been self-employed for nearly 14 years. I don't make much, but enough for what I need. I am a fortunate woman indeed to have the ability to make my living through pleasurable pursuits.

When I’m not working or playing at crafting I can be found tooling around on my penny farthing hi-wheel or my vintage 70lb tricycle. I also spend every free moment hiking with my dogs searching for Faeries and mushrooms. I save every penny in order to have travel adventures and make new friends around the world.
This past year and a half I have enjoyed participating in a supportive community of fellow artisans and crafters, the etsy paganteam. We host chats on etsy about all things magickal. The team is very active and involved, we support each other in our growth as artists. I have developed some very dear friendships and am continually learning through the mentorship of fellow team members.

This is a very small selection of the items Raina has to offer. I encourage you to discover the full range of what she has to offer by visiting her shop. Many of her items are one of a kind (OOAK) so check them out before they are gone!

Shop: rainadelmagick
Items in this post:
1. Color Change Andesine Labradorite Feldspar 1.20 Carat in 14K Gold Pendant OOAK
2. Ancient Alchemy double point Quartz Crystal laser wand OOAK
3. Eye of Sauron Mexican Fire Opal OOAK
4. Fall Into Me wildcrafted organic herbal Incense in wood box

Monday Featured Artisan

2010-01-18T12:12:00.005-05:00

Today's Featured Artisan is Anne of Ever Lasting Leaves
She is one of my teammates from the etsywmi team. Her shop can be found at http://www.EverLastingLeaves.etsy.com

My name is Anne and I make concrete leaves ;)

It all started with a leftover bag of mortar and a boring afternoon, then visiting a friends garden I heard 'do you believe the size of those rhubarb?'.
I had always wanted to try making concrete leaves and having just recently lost my job all of a sudden it hit me. . .
‘Hey, I’ve got cement . . . . I’ve got time. . . .I should try this!!!’

Actually the story is just a bit different, I bought the bag of mortar to fix the chimney and before I even got up on the roof I had made several leaves and had to go buy more mortar to do the chimney before I made more leaves. . . . . lots more leaves.
My buddies said they were all gorgeous and suggested I sell them, so I did.....but I really make concrete leaves more for the love of nature and preserving Mother Natures creations via my creations. I love the rustic, rough and hairy leaves with deep veins rather than the smoother leaves.

Each leaf is cast in cement and sand with feet leveled, wire loops imbedded for hanging and cured for 14 days to strengthen the concrete. A mix of acrylic hues are applied in layered washes to highlight the patterns of veining. A hot application of pure beeswax saturates into the surface of the leaf front and back to give the hues depth and tonality as well as protecting the colors and concrete. I was so glad to discover this sealant as I endeavor to avoid using chemical products.

The learning, development and improving of the process is what most intrigued me, being an engineer by nature. Finding that I had created beautiful works of art just floored me having wanted to be an artist as a kid. The creativity of melding artistry and engineering has been extremely satisfying to me in my 50th year of life, an affirmation of my accumulated skills and the satiation of desires long hidden coming to fruition.

When I am not making leaves I love to read and research, both online and in the library, as I am insatiably curious. I am an avid water gardener playing with both miniature lillys and filtration systems. I have 2 rescued dogs, 14yo Libby the Aussie and 3yo Rascal the Std. Poodle, and we love to run, walk and ski the trails I cut on my 15 acres of land. I love to try and fix almost anything mechanical having rebuilt my 30yo John Deere Lawn & Garden tractor and fixing just about everything that needs it around the house. I also love to sew, knit and make chocolate candy.....I am a renaissance woman and a tomboygirlforeever :)

This is just a small sample of the designs you can find at Ever Lasting Leaves, please visit Anne's shop to see more of her work!

Pieces in this post:
1. Green Rhubarb Leaf Bird Bath
2. Umber Catalpa Leaf
3. Bright Red Maple Leaf

Síorghrá Custom Ogham Necklaces

2010-01-15T12:48:00.007-05:00

These are the first Ogham pendants I have made with gemstones. They were made for a custom request of Ogham necklaces with birthstones.

Both pieces were hand pierced with the Irish Gaelic word "síorghrá" which means eternal love. Piercing is a process where a small saw blade is used to cut a design through the metal. Both of these pendants were made from 18 gauge (.04" thick) sterling silver and measure about 1.692" x 0.525". One has a 5mm AAA grade amethyst (February) cabochon on the bottom and the other has a 5mm garnet (January). Both stones were set using sterling silver handmade bezels.

The bezels for these pendants were made by forming sheet bezel (thin sterling sheet) into rings that fit around the stone. Once the bezel was formed into rings they were sanded to the proper height and soldered onto the Ogham pendants. After cleaning the fire scale from the soldering process off the pieces the stones were set by placing them in the bezels and pushing the metal down around the cabochon stone to hold it in place.

Both pendants were finished off with a soldered jump ring and an 18" sterling boston link chain.

Custom Sonas Ring

2010-01-13T11:02:00.010-05:00

This ring is sterling silver with the word 'sonas' (Gaelic for happiness) pierced through the ring in the ancient Ogham alphabet. The band is about 5/16" wide.

It was created as a custom design. This was the first Ogham ring I tried making. I enjoyed making it because the process reminded me of the first rings I made in jewelry class. Were we started with a sheet of metal then cut and formed a ring out of it. Filing the joint so it lines up before soldering.

I am very pleased with how this ring turned out but am not planning on continuing with this style for several reasons. The first being the piercing process would not adapt well to narrower bands. The main reason is a stability factor while sizing the ring. Before I worked on this in sterling silver I did a test run in copper.

I started with the design printed on a piece of paper that I spray mounted to the metal. For balance in this design I added a second drill hole to the end of the word.

The part I wasn't pleased with when making the test ring became apparent when I started to form the ring. Because 'sonas' is cut through the metal it created a weaker point at the top of the O and A causing the letter to spread on one side (shown on right). I was able to avoid that while forming and sizing the sterling ring because I saw it as an issue in the copper test ring. Though I have found that it is possible to avoid the letters spreading as they did, this design will be left as a one of a kind.

The process of testing to see what works and what doesn't is part of what I love about custom work. It gives me a chance to play with designs I may not have thought of otherwise and to push the boundaries of what I can make.

Monday Featured Artisan - Greenwood Creations

2010-01-10T20:30:00.008-05:00

Today's featured artisan is Michelle of Greenwood Creations
Her shop can be found at: http://www.Parizadhe.etsy.com
She is one of my Pagans of Etsy Street Team teammates. Her work is amazing!

What do you make?
I make crafts from wood. I primarily decorate in pyrography (wood burning), but every now and again I'll use henna paste or acrylic paints.

What drew you to your craft and why did you start selling your items?

I use acrylics because they are an expedient way to get color onto a project. Acrylics are convenient for me.
I work in henna from a love of the complexity of mehndi design, and the complexity of the ritual: sifting the powder, mixing the paste, perfecting the recipe, the process of creating each cone. Henna relaxes me.

Pyrography, now, is a different matter. Someone gave me a pyrography pen when I was very young, and it sat unused until I was in college. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. The smell of the wood as it burns, the feel of the pen gliding across the grain, the emerging elegance of each line, delighted me. I love to woodburn; pyrography enchants me.

I began selling my work because a few people said to me, "you ought to sell that." Also, my Real Job doesn't pay much, and every little bit helps tremendously!

What is your favorite part of creating your items?
My favorite part is definitely "finalizing" a design. Setting the design down in the chosen medium is a magical moment, whether it's with my henna cone or my pyrography pen. Seeing the lines take form thrills me.

Is your craft a full time endeavor or a hobby?
My craft is a hobby right now. I would like it to be a full time endeavor, but who knows what tomorrow will actually bring?

When you aren't working on your craft what do you enjoy doing?
I love to read. Jane Austen is a perennial favorite of mine; I also enjoy anything by Dan Abnett. I'm also a pretty big geek, and really look forward to our weekly Dungeons and Dragons games.

Is there anything else about your craft or yourself you would like to share?
I have a son who's going to be three this month, a very supportive and loving husband, and two delightfully fat cats.

The photos here are just a small sample of what Michele makes to see more of these amazing creations visit Greenwood Creations
Pieces in this post:
1. Swirls Pentacle
2. Hera Pentacle
3. Mandala Pentacle

Monday Featured Artisan

2009-11-16T12:10:00.006-05:00

Today's Feature Etsy artisan is new to our Etsy West Michigan Team.

WendyBethCreations

A bit about Wendy Beth Creations from their Etsy shop:

"At the prodding of my family and friends that treasure the gifts I have made them over the years, I am here on Etsy.

This year I started making hair ornaments, which have been featured on http://www.tinarenamodel.com/credits.html under 'Elegant Art & Fantasty' & 'Beauty Shots' I developed a passion for working with silk flowers while very young. When I was a child, my mom used to do flowers for weddings and I would 'help' her. Since then I have always enjoyed working with silk flowers."

This is only a small selection of the items WendyBethCreations offers. Please visit her shop to see more.

Items in this post:
1. Black Ice Earrings
2. Blue Antiquita Hair Ornament/Fascinator
3. Harvest Feminity Chandelier Earrings

Monday Featured Artisan

2009-11-09T13:27:00.003-05:00

Today's featured artisan is Moonlit Herbals
Moonlit Herbals is one of my teammates from the Pagans of Etsy Team

Here is a bit of info about Moonlit Herbals from their Etsy shop:
"Moonlit Herbals is a small, family owned business located in the beautiful and diverse city of Olympia, Washington. We started making our organic bath and body products for family and friends as a way to break free from the harsh chemical products that we had all become accustomed to using. We had received such great reviews that we decided to offer our products to anyone seeking a more natural way to treat their mind, body and soul.

Moonlit Herbals was created out of our love for nature and the wonderful gifts it has to offer all of us.

We take great pride in doing business in an ethical and ecological way toward preserving and protecting the earth, of which we are all a part of and believe that this energy flows through all that we do.

We make all of your products in small batches with love and integrity from the finest natural ingredients ensuring the quality and freshness you deserve. Our products are made with certified organic and ethically wild-harvested herbs that are grown without pesticides and herbicides. We support small businesses so our herbs are purchased from wonderful, local farms and natural stores that take as much pride in their product as we do.

Our products range from bath and body to ritual items and hand-crafted gifts and candles. In this day and age it is impossible to separate ourselves from all the toxins and pollution that we are forced to live with on a daily basis; so our products is our way of getting back in touch with nature, the way it should be."

This is a very small sample of what is offered by Moonlit Herbals. Please visit their shop to see the other wonderful items I could not fit in this post!

Items in this post:
1: Prosperity Gemstone Perfume Oil Wear
2: Yule/Winter Solstice Icicle Charm Filled with herbs, crystals, and resin
3: Lunar Goddess Magickal Herbal Sachet

Monday Featured Artisan

2009-11-02T09:55:00.003-05:00

One of the greatest things about being a part of Etsy.com, especially being part of a team, is to see the works of other artisans. Today I would like to share with you the work of Kendra from the Etsy West Michigan Team.

Kendra's shop is Delighted Hands ThirtyOne Thirteen. She makes beautiful crochet items by hand for warmth, style, and a splash of color in any decor.

A bit about Kendra from her shop bio:

"My mom taught me to crochet when I was 4 years old. Knitting is a more recent skill, one that I have quickly come to enjoy.

I especially enjoy rich colors, exquisitely textured yarns, detailed patterns, and subtle sparkle.

Pretty and unique items of superior quality are my goal. I love designing new patterns, working with deep colors, and always have more ideas waiting to begin."

This is only a taste of the items from DelightedHands3113.etsy.com. Please browse her shop for more handmade goodness.

Items in this post:
1. Plum Cherry cluster Cotton Alpaca Wool Scarf
2. Purple Multi Layer Long Beaded Garland Necklace
3. Oatmeal and Sweet Cream Set of 5 Hand Crocheted Nesting Bowls

Copper Cuffs

2009-10-30T14:39:00.011-04:00

It has taken a while to get back my blog but I am here now. As promised here is a photo of the copper cuffs I was working on when I last blogged...

They turned out quite well. And even though the hammering alone took 2 sessions over 2 days I still say hand hammering is still better than using a machine to do the hammering for me. It is just a matter of pacing so as not to completely wear our the muscles ;) These cuffs took longer than usual because they are much larger than I usually make. They were a custom order and measure 2" wide by 11" long. Usually the largest cuffs I make are 1" wide by 7" long.

After hammering, the stage that was shown in my last blog post, I sanded the cuffs by hand and hammered them into their cuff form. The last step before photographing and shipping was to polish them to a high shine.

In the time it has taken me to get this post together I have made quite a few new pieces along with working on listings for my Etsy site. The new design for my animal line is the ferret. They turned out beautifully.

This is one of the ferrets in copper. In about 2 weeks time I made 9 of these total in copper, nickel, red brass, and yellow brass.

The other custom piece I had was a copper version of an engineers guild ring. It is to be a special present.

I like how it turned out and am quite happy I was able to figure out how to make the design from a photograph.

Hand Power or Machine Power?

2009-10-01T14:52:00.002-04:00

As I sat beating a piece of copper into submission my arms began to tire. The hammer seemed to increase in weight with each strike. And then I thought 'there is probably a machine that can put all these little diviets into the metal without wearing so much on the muscles.' I continued striking the blank for an extra wide copper cuff with the ball-peen hammer and continued thinking...

I have seen a machine used to shape and smooth a fender for a bike on one of the chopper shows which would make this task quicker and easier. But being a machine each strike would be the same depth with the same amount of pressure. The resulting texture would not be as rich as hand hammering, as the strength and angle of each strike varies. It also wouldn't have the same energy. The time and physical energy put to hand hammering adds an unseen energy and feel to the metal as it is worked that shows through in the final piece. I have also found a greater sense of accomplishment working in older methods with my stubborn refusal to turn every part of my work over to complex machines. I admit I love my flex shaft for polishing and I would get far less pieces completed if I polished everything by hand from start to finish, but there is just something enriching and fulfilling about using a hand held hammer over a machine or hand saw over a laser cutter and I think that shows through in my work when the pieces are finished. So although I will acquiesce to using some mechanized processes I don't think I will ever give up the fun, frustration, and weariness that comes from working by my own physical power.

The 2 extra large (2" x 11") copper cuffs I am currently working on complete with hammer I am using, resting on my pounding block.

Tuesday Treasury

2009-09-01T11:07:00.003-04:00

I just created this treasury for the Pagans of Etsy Team. Please click on the picture and have a look at the great magical items this team creates :)

Thank you for stopping by!

A bit of my older work

2009-07-07T16:45:00.012-04:00

I has been a while since I have gone through my portfolio so I decided to take a look and share some of my other art work.

These digital images were done for one of my design classes in 2002. The astrology images were done using Illustrator and Phtoshop and the angel was created with Illustrator using the gradient mesh tool.

2009-06-23T12:16:00.004-04:00

I decided to check out Ety's pounce function today and took a look at the undiscovered section. After only 2 pounces I was captivated by the pieces Tuavus Design offers. Each piece they have in their shop is made from reclaimed wood. Beautiful, functional, eco-friendly lighting products!

"Tuavus design is a small design studio and workshop situated in north London, England. The company was founded by two designers with the concept of creating functional pieces of sculpture from solid reclaimed timber. We like to think that through simple but considered styling, our design work creates an interesting juxtaposition between the natural materials, metal and plastic, while also allowing the natural beauty of the wood to speak for itself."
- Tuavus Design

Surprised

2009-06-15T12:56:00.002-04:00

I have decided to do a bit of playing (trial and error work) with forging. It is something that I have been wanting to do for a while now but just haven't gotten to. Partially because the 4 rings I have forged from scrap sterling I heated with a torch instead of having a proper fire. We have an old stove outside that seems will be very good for making a proper fire but it was in bad need of cleaning before any actual work could be done.

The other day I started playing with a necklace for myself. It will be a torque style with a lot of hammering. Looking at the piece after I started I realized I either needed to clean out the stove and get some good coals going or I would go through a lot of map gas with a torch. So I set about cleaning the remains of previous burns from the stove.

After I pulled out some of the burned matter with a garden trowel I looked deeper into the stove and was surprised to find plants growing. It seems that nature will find its way. I really didn't expect to find anything growing in the stove because I didn't think there would be enough light. However, these little plants, I believe they are rose a sharon, decided there was enough of everything they needed right there.

A Handmade Registry

2009-05-01T09:49:00.004-04:00

Have you ever thought :
"I wish I could REGISTER for a HANDMADE WISH LIST to send to my friends and family for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions!"?
myHandmadeRegistry.com is a networking site for buyers and sellers to find and share their favorite handmade items. This site is a place where everyone can create a personal page with a list of their favorite items from only HANDMADE RETAILERS! There are also groups within the community for expectant parents, a house-warming group to share decorating tips on a budget and find that special accent piece, and one for the $5000 handmade wedding. You can find more information about what inspired Dorana of a Dorana Design and ddots to create myHandmadeRegistry.com here.

With the sharing of information and handmade items that goes on in this site you can often find those special handmade items you have been looking for at a fraction of the cost you would pay at the big chain stores. It is also a great place to see what special things other people have discovered. Each day they feature a member's wish list on their front page.

I found out about this site this morning when I received a convo through Etsy.com letting me know one of my rings was in todays featured wish list. I will be signing up for this site myself. I know I am one of those hard to shop for people who can never remember the things that I want when someone asks "what do you want for your birthday." This will be a great solution to that issue once I have created my wish list. Not only will family be able to see what I have been wanting but it will also support the handmade community.

I think we've been adopted

2009-04-20T14:36:00.007-04:00

Last Saturday my husband and I went out back to work a bit in what will be our garden. Our next door neighbor informed us that a baby squirrel had fallen out of the tree in our front yard not long before we came out. At that point the little squirrel was in her yard so we got some peanut butter and bread. It wasn't long before the squirrel began to much. We left the squirrel alone and began to work on raking out the garden aria. A while later my husband noticed that the baby squirrel had come into our back yard and was sitting on our stump. He sat down indian style a little way away from the stump and the little squirrel ran over and climbed over his legs and just made itself comfortable. The squirrel didn't seem to want to leave so we sat for a while then my husband carefully moved his legs so he could stand up without startling or hurting the baby squirrel. He tried putting the squirrel back on the tree it had fallen from but as we walked away the squirrel followed.
For the rest of the afternoon the squirrel followed my husband around the yard making noises the whole time and trying to climb up his leg every time he stopped.

At one point I was sitting on the back steps and the squirrel came up for some more peanut butter, ate a little bit and then climbed onto my lap for a while. After giving him some water my husband put his gloves on and put the squirrel back on the tree it fell from and we quickly went back to the back yard. Yesterday our neighbor, who often has food out for the birds and squirrels, said it came out of our tree and headed over there for a bite to eat.

Since we don't know if the mother is still around and its sibling who fell with it didn't survive, we will be keeping an eye out for this cute little guy throughout the spring and summer and it's sibling will have a good resting place in our garden.

Woven Sterling Bracelet

2009-04-07T12:41:00.005-04:00

This bracelet was hand woven from 22 gauge sterling silver wire. When finished its diameter is about 3mm (0.1181 inches). Once the wire was woven it was "drawn" to make the weaving more uniform and tighten the weave. Drawing is the process of pulling the wire through an appropriate size hole in a metal plate. Once the woven wire is "drawn" it is cut to the proper length and end caps are soldered on to accommodate a jump ring and lobster claw. The wire for this bracelet was cut to 6.5 inches once the end caps and clasp were put on it was a finished length of 7 inches.

Interesting fact:
It takes about 1 foot of wire to make 1 inch of woven bracelet.

Behind the scenes:
These are the tools I use in the weaving process. The whole thing begins with a spool of 'dead soft' wire. The wire is cut into 1-2 foot lengths for weaving. If the wire lengths were any longer they would become difficult to use because of a process called 'work hardening' which is where the wire gets harder and stiffer as its molecules align from being worked with. The wire cutters are an obvious choice of tools as something is needed to cut the spooled wire into shorter lengths ;) The ice pic is used to form the wire into each loop as it is pulled through a previously made loop. The jaws of the pliers are smooth so that they will not mar or pinch the wire as they are used to pull the wire through the weaving proces. I have found the glove to be a very important part of making woven wire. I only wear the left of my winter gloves as that is the hand that I use to hold the wire while weaving. It is not absolutely necessary to wear a glove while weaving but when I don't my pointer and thumb fingers get very tender from the pressure of holding the wire while weaving.

TabMaille

2009-03-25T10:46:00.008-04:00

Sarah has created a great look with these recycled beverage tabs.

The 'scales' for these purses came from the quasi evil yet environmentally conscientious Soda Dragon. In a daring venture Sarah has struck a bargain with this horrid inflictor of calories and sugar. Risking life and limb she entered its cooler offering a way for it to recycle its ever mounting sheded scales. In gratitude the Soda Dragon has agreed to lessen its infliction of calories and sugars upon the fine people of the land.

Well that is my take on it anyway ;)

Here is the "real" story from Sara's Shop...

"My pop tab purses and accessories are made from 100% post-consumer aluminum beverage can tabs that have been thoroughly washed prior to assembly. I use other recycled materials when possible but new materials when necessary to ensure quality and durability."

"My smallest size purse (excluding the coin purse) is composed of over 400 post-consumer recycled aluminum beverage can pull tabs, which are purchased from a local recycling facility. Various charities, such as the Ronald McDonald house, collect the tabs and sell them to the facility as a fundraiser."

"After being double-washed in antibacterial soap and sorted for uniformity, the tabs are bound together to form a chainmail-type mesh, and a purse is born. I have five standard styles, but often make one-of-a-kind purses that are designed as I go along."

2009-03-20T12:51:00.003-04:00

Not much to say today so here are some pictures of pretty things :)
The 'stone' in this ring is Blue Paua Shell. The ring is sterling silver with a half round band for comfort.

Anam Ogham Necklace
Anam is Irish Gaelic for Soul. This one was hand cut in copper. That is one of my gargoyle friends peeking out in the background.

Encircled Moon Phase Necklace.
So often in moon phase jewelry the new moon is left out. I feel the new moon is an important phase as well so made sure to include it when working up this design. It is also hand cut in copper. This is also the first of the smaller size for this design at 1" rather than 2".

Hammered Ring with a Twist
This design was actually one of my happy accidents. I was making sterling braided rings out of 16 gauge wire and mis-measured when cutting the stock wire into 3 equal parts for braiding. I ended up with one piece that was much shorter than the other two. So having 2 pieces of 4 inch wire I thought what would happen if I twisted them together, made a ring, and hammered it out. Well this was the result. I am very pleased with it and have continued making them on purpose.

Well I guess I had more to say than I thought!

Newest additions to the growing list...

2009-03-13T13:36:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was a very productive day. I finished off and sent out 3 Ogham pendants, 2 which are entirely new for my line, and the chain mail necktie I mentioned earlier.

Gaol Buan (Unfailing Love)
This started as a custom piece. She liked both the "permanent" and "love" pendant but were looking for something to mean unconditional love. Since the word for unconditional in Gaelic is too long for a pendant she stayed with permanent (Buan) for its many meanings.
This one gave me a bit of a headache in the translating and figuring out which word should be written first. Though Gaelic is used in both Ireland and Scotland there are differences in the meanings of words. For example Goal in Scottish Gaelic translates as love, fondness, a beloved object; in Irish Gaelic Goal translates as relation, relative. In Scottish Gaelic Buan means lasting, durable, long and in Irish Gaelic Buan means lasting, permanent, (effort) sustained, unfailing. With all of those meanings I was able to create a pendant that was perfect for what she wanted and a great new design for my line! This one was cut in Sterling Silver

Coisricthe (Holy)
Also a custom piece this one has a much shorter story but is beautiful none the less. It is Irish Gaelic and simply means Holy. It was cut in copper.

Firinn (Truth)
This was already in my stock of words but is one of my favorites because of a little philosophical quirk. In the original Ogham alphabet there is no letter F so the F had to be phonetically approximated with the letter V. It is a pendant, that to me, demonstrates the slippery nature of truth when filtered through our perseption.

I do not have the Ogham necklaces on my website yet but as I finish pieces I have been listing them for sale at http://www.unicornsgarden.etsy.com

Gold Chain Mail Necktie
This is the aforementioned gold necktie I was working on. The picture is a bit washed out on my screen as true colors are so hard to capture and adjust but it gives a good idea of the gorgeous color. The rings are actually a bit darker and although they are anodized gold there is a silver sheen to them in certain light from the aluminum shining through the anodizing. I will definitely be ordering more links in this color!

Haven't disappeared, just been working

2009-03-10T15:22:00.006-04:00

Its been a busy odd week so far. I spent the weekend working on orders and stock while taking breaks playing Tomb Raider Underworld. I have actually managed to not get completely sucked into the game! Beside the work I had 2 old friends from high school contact me. It is really cool to catch up with people I haven't talked to since about 1996!

Most of what I have been working on has not been finished but I do have a few finished photos to share today...
I had a custom order for 5 Ogham pendants.
Left to right they are: Siachari , Dreoilin, Sionnach, Deglan, and Ruadh.

Other than those I have been cutting some of the Ogham pieces I prepared for stock along with some orders and a chain mail necktie. The necktie is a beautiful gold, I will have to post pictures of it when it is finished.

I also managed to slip in 2 bear totem pieces.

I feel like sharing...

2009-03-04T11:16:00.005-05:00

...the beautiful work of an Etsy West Michigan team member.
Her shop is julie and co. japanese temari.

Temari is the ancient Japanese folk art of silk embroidered thread balls, originally made by noble women with silken threads pulled from old kimonos. Used originally for child's play, today the art of temari is becoming more regarded around the world.

These are only a few of the amazing temari Julie makes. Her shop has a wide variety of colors and designs, all of which are beautiful!

Motivated

2009-03-02T15:34:00.004-05:00

This past weekend was one of organization and planning. Every year for the past 5 years I have resolved to start working on stock for the Renaissance Fair season before April. This year I have finally succeeded!

The first fair we will be at is Mayfaire Renaissance Festival in Marshall MI. It is a two weekend fair; May 23, 24, 25 & 30, 31 2009. In one light it looks far off but when thinking about all that needs to be done it is just around the corner.

In January I began work on my stock of Dragon Tear Necklaces. They have yet to be epoxied and ribbons put on them but that part doesn't take too long.

Yesterday I started on creating two full sets of Ogham Pendants, that is 32 words per set, along with the 5 custom pieces I am working on. One set will be put aside for faire and the other listed in my Etsy shop as they are completed. Looking at the photo I have a lot of work ahead of me! Thankfully I enjoy the work :)

I even managed to slip in two listings today:

Simply Garnet and Sterling Silver Ring
This ring features an oval Almandine Pyropie Garnet set in sterling silver. Simple yet beautiful.

Braided Fairy Vine Necklace 2

Hand braided sterling silver on a black leather necklace cord. The cord closes with a sterling spring clasp.

Photo Technique

2009-02-24T14:33:00.000-05:00

The technique I am about to share took me several years to figure out but it was well worth the trial and error!

I make a lot of pierced pendants which have large flat arias of shiny shiny metal. Because of this they like to reflect everything in the room like a mirror or just look really bad if great care is not taken to counter their natural behavior.

Here are some examples of really bad photos before I figured out a simple nifty technique:

All of the above photos were taken with the same camera but under different lighting conditions. Some may have been taken inside a light box, honestly I can't remember. Since I took those photos I came to realize that I cannot fight the metals natural tendency to reflect and I figured out a way to get much better photos.

Instead of taking the photos straight on I now angle the pieces slightly so the piece will reflect what is just next to the camera instead of the camera itself. Now here is the simple nifty trick... I hold up a piece of white paper next to the camera so the metal reflects the white paper and nothing else. This not only gets rid of annoying reflections but also keeps the camera from picking up details that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It also results in a much truer color for the metal.

Here are some photos using the above technique:

I hope this little photo tip will help ease the photo frustrations of others.

If you are interested in any of the pieces here or other totem animal jewelry please visit the Totem Animal page on my website. And please keep in mind I have not retaken all of the photos yet ;)

The Quandaries of an Artist

2009-02-23T13:08:00.000-05:00

I was reading through the forums of Etsy.com this morning and came across an issue that many artists run into... Why their art isn't selling.

The wonderful artist, Matthew, who started the thread was asking what he could do to make his artwork more salable. He was looking for answers to the question every artist asks "Why is my work not selling." However, through commenting on the thread myself and reading through other comments Matthew is honestly looking for ways to create artwork that will appeal to a wider group of people. From seeing his work and feeling the eternal struggle myself I wanted to share his work with all of you.

The question is not a matter of to 'sell out' as an artist or not. It is more a question of how to keep doing what an artist loves and feels compelled to create while still being able to eat. Although the idea of being an artist is often romanticized and many people will say 'You should create what you like' or 'Follow your heart' the cold reality is if what an artist creates is not appreciated and bought it will force the artist to change or quit in order to survive in the world. I will be very interested to see how the style of Matthew's art changes and grows with time and the suggestions he has received.

Matthew's Etsy shop is
MATTSART FINE ART

If you are interest in the forum thread it can be found here:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6054387

I just created my first treasury!

2009-02-20T20:12:00.000-05:00

Treasuries are a way for Etsy.com members to showcase handmade items from other shop owners. It is a way to show off things that are liked, share a common theme, promote others, or in this case share things that caught my eye.
If you have a moment please visit this Etsy treasury of items that caught my eye and leave a comment if you like as you stop by.

NephraKitty

2009-02-19T12:40:00.001-05:00

One can't always be serious when creating!
NephraKitty of the Gao'uld

Ok perhaps I watch too much Star Gate. Since I was listing a Chain Mail Necktie today I remembered this picture that I intended to share but never did so here it is.

While I was working on a turquoise necktie Angelique just wouldn't stop playing with the links. She would knock them off my lap or tentatively bite on the linked chains as I worked. So she got to wear a bit of it for a while. She already takes Egyptian poses so it just added to her look. My hubby was able to snap the photo before she got too annoyed at having it on her head.

Perhaps I should make her a collar... Probably won't though because she would hate it!

Perfect for the Corporate Raider

2009-02-17T15:39:00.001-05:00

I just finished up these Chain Mail Neckties. It was a nice change of pace to get back to chain mailing. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy it.

I got the idea to make chain mail neckties from a joke. One night my husband and I were chatting while I was working on a chain mail shirt for him. He is a live steel sword fighter for The Swords of Valour. We were discussing the upcoming year and plans the lawn care company he works for had come up with. One of their decisions was that all salesmen had to wear a tie, even while on the phones in the office. My husband HATES neckties with a passion so it gave him another reason to be glad he was a tech. I jokingly held up the chain mail shirt and said "I could make you one out of chain mail." As soon as the words came out of my mouth I realized what a good idea it really was.

From there I swiped one of my husbands always tied neckties and set about forming a pattern from it. I ordered in some rings and began to play. After some trial and error I came up with a great base design, "The Proto-Tie" as my husband loves to call his. It is the only necktie he will wear willingly. From that Proto-Tie I made a few changes to the clasp system and have been quite successful in repeating the design in different colors.

The neckties are made with anodized aluminum rings for georgous colors and so the aluminum won't dirty a shirt. Raw aluminum makes for dingy shirts as I have seen many white shirts turn grey after a sword fight. When I make a tie I start with a 'general' size for length and neck size then adjust it to order. The neckties clasp at the back of the neck with an aluminum hook through an adjusting chain to accommodate different shirt thicknesses. Being aluminum the neckties are about the weight of some cloth ties at about 4 1/4 oz.

For the love of Greyhounds

2009-02-13T09:31:00.001-05:00

I awoke this morning to find my Greyhound jewelry was chosen for this Etsy.com treasury.

I am very pleased to see that there is not a single racing image in this group which tells me Caelestis, the creator of this treasury, is truly a lover of the breed.

I learned from a dear friend of mine who rescues Greyhounds that the breed is classified as livestock so they do not get the same legal protections as other dogs. Because of this, healthy Greyhounds are often mistreated and euthanized simply because they do not preform well on the track. I love to Greyhounds being admired and loved for their grace, beauty, and wonderful temperament as companions rather than just something to bet on.

Please check out the treasury and give these Greyhound items some love!

Spoiled?

2009-02-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

Last year my husband got me this really cool dragon ash tray that has become part of my jewelry making process.

I set him on top of the shelf behind my chair in the living room and one day I was looking for a place to set some pendants that I had cut but not filed yet. The trey in front of the dragon became the perfect place! The pieces were not likely to get knocked off and it was a place the cats wouldn't go. Our cats like to play with my pieces, they think rings and findings make great toys not to mention the cords and chains I work with.

After using the dragons tray for a few weeks I realized my folly... Dragons like to keep the pretty shinnies for themselves! So I made a deal with the dragon... I would give him some pieces to keep so long as he let the others find homes of their own. It was fine at first but now I think he is getting spoiled. It started with a hematite ring crown then a blue paua shell necklace. But now he wants a bracelet and wing cuffs! Perhaps I should have phrased our deal more carefully ;)

Ogham Pendants

2009-02-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

Since I have been working with the Ogham pendants quite a bit lately I decided to share a bit about them. I have always been interested in 'other' writing forms. Fascinated by Egyptian hieroglyphs and the small amount of cuneiform that I was able to see in my art history and typography classes. It was especially interesting to see how writing changed over the years, how pictographs transformed into cuneiform.

I have also had a long interest in cultural differences, how words translate, how people express themselves through art and other means of communication, and the day to day interpersonal differences and similarities. With all of that combined with my interest in the Celts and Picts before them it was only natural that I would end up creating pieces in the Ogham alphabet. Through research I found out quite a bit.

The Ogham Alphabet:
Sometimes referred to as the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", Ogham was used between the 4th and 7th centuries AD in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. The initial alphabet consisted of 20 characters with a few more complex characters being added later. The letters were formed by combination of short lines on and at either side of a middle line called a "flesc". With a vertical flesc words are read from bottom to top or right to left with a horizontal flesc.

Although surviving traces of Ogham were inscribed on stone it was probably more commonly inscribed on sticks, stakes, and trees to mark boundaries. There is also evidence from early Irish sagas and legends that indicates Ogham was used for short inscriptions on wood or metal used to relay messages (some cryptic in nature or for magical purposes) or to denote ownership of the object. There is also evidence that suggests that Ogham may have been used to keep genealogy records, numerical tallies of property, and business transactions.

Of the 400-500 remaining inscriptions a handful have been found featuring Ogham along with the Latin alphabet, most of the inscriptions are in an archaic form of Gaelic and Pictish.

Each of the Ogham pendants I have made started with an English word I thought would be a good talisman or a word in English that was requested. From there I set to translating each word into Gaelic cross referencing the translation and meaning of each word with at least 3 sources. Once I was satisfied with the correctness of the translation I then translated the resulting Gaelic word into the Ogham alphabet to create the design for each pendant.

There are a couple of reasons I chose to translate the words into Gaelic before translating them into Ogham. The first is a matter of practicality, since I am using the original alphabet there are only 20 letters that correspond with the 26 letter English alphabet which would leave 6 letters to be approximated by phonetics. I did not like the feel of going that rout so I chose to use Gaelic which is a language that ties more closely to Ogham historically. The other reason is a bit more 'spiritual' in nature. The technique of using 'power words' to create an effect or draw an energy to ones life has been used for centuries. I have spent a lot of time thinking on this practice and realized that words do in fact have power but we don't often think much about the words we use every day. By stepping into another language we have to give active thought to what words mean and their consequences which creates an even greater amount of energy to the power of words we use as talismans.

I am open and welcome to any thoughts you may have so please share. And if you have a moment please check out the Ogham pendants I have listed in my shop. I will be adding more as I get them finished and photographed.

Newest Listings

2009-01-29T13:57:00.000-05:00

These two rings are the newest additions to my Etsy.com shop.

Hammered Ring With A Twist
Not the typical hammered ring, this sterling silver ring started as 2 wires twisted together. After forming the band an hammering it opens the twist to create a beautiful flowing pattern.

Braided Sterling Ring

This ring was hand braided from 18 gauge sterling silver wire. Yes, the braiding for this style of ring does give me hand cramps after a while ;) It is a great style for men or women.

I have found the hardest part of what I do is the photographing and writing descriptions. I end up taking anywhere from 20-80 photos of each piece and then have the arduous task of narrowing that down to just 5. Sometimes I like more than 5 and it is hard to choose, other times I end up with only 2 or 3 that look good and I have to re-shoot them. Then there is the writing of descriptions... some days the Muses are with me and other days I just blank on what to say. But I like to think with each listing I learn a bit and that will improve future my future listings.

A Glimpse Into My World

2009-01-26T15:53:00.001-05:00

Since I enjoy seeing how things are made and where they come from I figured today I'd give you a glimpse into my world. I don't have a traditional studio yet, we are still working on getting the basement cleaned out so I can set up shop down there, so for now I work in different parts of the house. My cutting is all done in our book room.

My cutting bench with a few of the pieces I am working on. Ok so the cutting bench is really a bed side table I have had for years but after moving in with my hubby there really wasn't any other use for it. Yes that is the hand saw that I use for cutting all of my pieces with its tiny blade. Today I cut some of the Ogham pendants seen in that photo. The Ogham pendants I am working on are Peace, Permanent, and Truth.

Once I have the designs cut I remove the paper and put it on the side of a shelving unit in the living room. I like having my previous designs where I can see them and it confuses people when they come to visit ;)

The three Ogham pendants after they were cut, given the brushed texture for the back, and the paper design was removed. I have yet to file the edges, sand the pieces, and polish them.

Abstract Play

2009-01-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

I decided to play around with abstract designs the other day. Instead of melting down the odds and ends pieces of metal that have been collecting on my work bench for casting I chose some of the interesting shapes and set to playing. After a little bit of refining to their shapes I set to hammering and forming bails. The results were some beautiful new copper pendants. They are already listed in my etsy.com shop.

Latest Finished Pieces

2009-01-11T10:01:00.000-05:00

I finished up 2 custom orders this week.

Buan (permanent)

This piece was created for a woman who wanted a special gift for the love of her life. We considered several different words and found the perfect word to describe their relationship was "Buan" which is Gaelic for permanent, (effort) sustained, unfailing, lasting, durable, long. She was looking for a word that would express that they could last through whatever was thrown their way.

The second custom piece was a 2 word necklace.

Cridhe Treubh

Cridhe Treubn means Heart Kin in Scottish Gaelic. These were the first Ogham pendants that I cut with 2 words. Thankfully I was able to make them without the piece getting too long. If it had been any longer I would have had to adjust the layout of the piece putting the words next to each other rather than both on the center line which is traditional for Ogham writing.

I also took a break from piercing and polished up a few rings that were just begging me to finish them. A few hammered copper bands and a sterling braided band.

Styles I have been working with

2009-01-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

Though I enjoy working with different techniques of jewelry making, lately I have been mostly working with piercing. The process of piercing starts with a sheet of metal and a design. A hole is drilled in the sheet metal and then the design is cut out using a small hand held coping saw creating a design that is pierced through the metal.

These are just a few examples of my pierced work:

Celtic Knotwork Necklace	Sinser (Elder) Ogham Necklace
Sea Turtle Totem Necklace	Howling Wolf Totem Earrings