Back at It

I made it back in the studio this weekend and it felt good!  After receiving my metal order a week and a half ago, I decided it was time to clean the studio--I couldn't see the top of any of my benches.  So after being a lump without motivation, I jumped back in with both feet and created these new cuff bracelets.  Yesterday was a little rough, but today really pulled things together. 

Here's the first cuff shown in 2 varied positions.  It is reticulated silver with a sunburst variation soldered on.  Silver balls were added for dimension to the overlap.  I like the movement the lines create around the wrist.

Notice the little oval in the back of the cuff--that's where I put my hallmark and sterling stamp.  I've found that sometimes the metal is so heavily textured you can't see the stampings, so this way it adds a design element and solves the reading inability. 

The second cuff is similar to others--it has the split front overlap, but here I added some silver balls and one 4mm fine silver bezel cup to the overlap.  It was difficult to decide what color stone to use, but ultimately I went with a red garnet.  It's translucency shows off the lovely red color, while maintaining a simple, uncluttered look. 

I have another exciting piece in process, but decided it was time to stop for the night.  I'll keep working on it this week and hope to announce it soon.  Happy Halloween!

Waiting

I am expecting a large metal order today--YEAH!!!  I can't believe I let my stash get so low.  I knew I was using alot and trying to use the scrap as well, but this weekend my creativity was completely stifled because of the lack of materials.  NEVER AGAIN will I let it get so low!  Looking forward to seeing the shiny new coils and sheets--but not looking forward to the cost--can you believe silver is over $23?!  and don't even get me started with gold prices!  Oh well, new ideas are swimming around in my mind.  Looking forward to time in the studio this weekend. 

Similar But Different

Here it is--the latest cuff bracelet! 

What do you think?!  The big difference with this piece is the metal--I used pre-reticulated silver which is more highly textured than what I've been creating; and while I like it, I do feel it is busier looking and I didn't want to embellish it as much.  So, I decided to keep it simple.  I used some large silver balls that I lightly hammered and soldered them along the seam line.  I then added 5 tall pieces of silver that I mounted bezel settings on.  I set four 3mm rhodolite garnets and one 3mm amethyst.   Here is another view--note the height of the stones, as well as the varying height of the balls.

To achieve the final finish, I brushed the bracelet with several different wire brushes, which allows the metal to shimmer and shine. 

And that's all for now.   

Can't Keep Up

It's been a great year for big cuff bracelets and I'm having a hard time keeping them in inventory.  I finished this piece last weekend and delivered it to the Center for Maine Craft. 

It's reticulated silver with silver wire squiggles and silver and gold balls.  There are three chrysoprase cabochons.  The large chrysoprase is 10mm and the other two are 4mm each.  Here's a side view showing the smaller stone:

Yesterday, I finished this cuff and today I delivered it to Barbara at CRAFT in Rockland.  She's had great success with my cuffs as well.  This piece is all silver with a couple gold touches.  I reticulated the two pieces of silver and then fused them together forming this kind of double wave overlap.  I then added the silver balls along the two seams and kept adding until I was pleased with the design.  It's along the same line as this cuff and I really like where this sereis is going. 

I have one more cuff in process and I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be able to complete it.  It's reticulated and has similar features, but definitely different.  You'll just have to wait and see!



A Successful Finish

Here it is--Betty's ring!  What an exciting project to create from start to finish.  I started with an antique, unwearable ring with a fantastic stone and worked with my client (Betty) to create a new ring that she would wear, but also keep the memory and beauty of the old ring alive.  And here is how we began--with a sketch:

The ring is made up of sterling silver and 18k gold, along with the original 10.5mm amethyst gemstone and gold ring shank.  It doesn't look like much, but as we based this ring design on other rings I have made, we could work in the parts that we liked and knew would enhance the features of the gemstone. 

I made all the pieces for the ring and had one final meeting with Betty to show her before I put it all together.  Notice the original ring side pieces--they are gold and fluted.  The new ring shank is crazy 8 profile in sterling silver, which is a very comfortable shape for a shank.  The bezel is 18k on a sterling face.  And...

...later that week, the ring gods were with me.  I put the pieces together and finished the ring off without a hitch.  One final sizing on Friday, delivery day, and it is going back home to Florida for the winter to be shown off.  Here's a bunch of different views to give you the full affect:

Here are some pics with the ring next to the original drawing.  I actually could see the three-dimesion in my mind while looking at the drawing.  There's a little difference, but overall an accurate project from start to finish.

Betty, thank you sooooo much for giving me this opportunity--allowing me to create a special ring for you.  Enjoy wearing it and I look forward to seeing you next year.