Finishing Up

Another beautiful Spring day. Started off rather on the cool side @31 degrees early this morning!
  I finished up the rest of the new work I had been working on. Still would like to finish up a hand made metal bead necklace tomorrow given enough time.

Pretty "gemmy" Rosy pink Rhodocrosite designer free form cut cabochon with a trillion shape facet cut pink tourmaline. Hand fabricated in Sterling 9.25 with accents of 14k Gold balls. 16ga. round silver wire is hand forged with a forging hammer to form top accents. Bail is located behind center curl.
size: approx. 2 1/2 in. x 1 1/4 in.
$245.

These earrings are hand fabricated in Sterling 9.25 and 14k yellow Gold. 14/20 G.F. hand made ear wires. At the top are a matched pair of 5mm trillion shape faceted Apatite and below a pair of 11 x 9 designer triangle shape Aqua blue quarts druzi.
size: approx. 1 1/4 in. long x 1/2 in. wide
$325.

Jerry finished this pendant today. Hand carved designer cut cab of Covolite, by Rock Raven Lapidary with 10 x 8 Emerald cut facet of London Blue Topaz.

size: 2 1/2 in. long x 1 1/4 in. wide
$420.

Whale pin: One of a kindBelieve it or not, this is a baroque fresh water pearl! Very unusal shape and texture. When I spyed this pearl, I immediately saw a humpback whale. It is made in 9.30 Argentium Sterling, with a pin at the back. I added a 2mm round facet tanzinite blue diamond. Approx. size: 3 in. long x 1in. wide $335.

Another one of Jerry's today...we decided to make this piece into an optional pin. So, he has added a "tail" and a pin to the back. Hand fabricated in 9.25 Sterling. The georgeous bead in the center is a "reptilian" lamp worked bead by Patty Lakinsmith Plays' With Fire studio. Approx. size: 3 1/4 in. long x 3 1/4 wide at the widest point of legs $265.

That's all for tonight. Have a nice evening....Fran

A Few More Done

 With the beautiful Spring weather we are having. It is hard to keep my mind on working inside. However, I did manage to finish a few more nice pieces yesterday.

Larimar Slide

This one is a beauty. When I found these stones at the 2010 Tucson show. I just fell in love with them.
Large Slide (pendant)
Handfabricated using 9.25 Sterling, & 14k yellow Gold. The large designer cut cabochon of natural Larimar has "modeling" blends of baby and sky blues. Accented with a 4mm rd. facet Apatite at top, below this is a 5mm sky blue Topaz facet. Then to the left is a 10mm rd. cabochon of Ocean Blue Chalcedony which glows with a "cat's" eye shimmer. 
size: approx. 2 1/2 in. long and wide - $540.00

Cherry Creek Slide

Another larger piece is this pretty pendant. Handfabricated using 9.25 Sterling Silver. The bottom stone is a large "teardrop" shape cabochon of Cherry Creek Jasper from Colorado. Accented with a 8 mm rd. faceted L. G. Padparadscha Sapphire. And features 3 leaves with a flower setting the sapphire at the top.
size: approx. 2 1/2 in. long x 2 in. wide -
$275

Jasper Combo Slide

This is another "pretty". A large slide (pendant). I wanted this one to be a pin, however when finishing it I felt it was too heavy. It is featuring several stones together with an unusual color combination. At the top, a free form piece of Baltic Amber; left a rare piece of "old stock" Sugilite; right, a 8mm trillion shape facet of Peridot; at the bottom a large free form designer cut cabochon of Deschuttes Jasper, beautiful mixed shades of browns forming a "picture" to each of us. This piece is handfabricated using 9.25 Sterling and Bronze.
Size: approx. 3 1/4 in. long x 1 1/2 in. wide
$295.00

This is last, but not least!
Larger freeform designer cut cabochon of blueish green Turquoise (old stock). Accented with a 7mm rd. cabochon of Amethyst. Handfabricated in 9.25 Sterling and Bronze.
Size: approx. 2 1/4 in. x 1 1/4 in
$165.00




Again, I hope you have enjoyed seeing these pieces. I am finishing some more work in the next few days. So follow our blog so you won't miss anything. :>)


Later..............................

Another great sunshine day.....and more finished work

These are the ones that I finished up today. Hope you are enjoying the previews.

  Pretty 5mm rd. faceted Rhodolite Garnets prong set with hand forged daisy flower petals, accent at the with 3 14k gold balls. Argentium heavy duty french wires
Size: approx. 1 1/4 in. long x 1 in. wide
$85.

Very different pair of 10x8 faceted Gismo Topaz from Nigeria.Color flashess from strong pink to pastels with a hue of purple. Prong set and 9.25 Sterling 16ga. & 18 ga. rd. wires used to form design. Sculptured earwires enter the lobes and grace downwards in a single motion. Design accented with 14k yellow Gold graduated balls.
size: approx. 2 & 1/4 long x 1in. wide
$165.

These beauties are Ocean Blue Chalcedony square buff cut cabochons set in 9.25 Sterling. Below are two matched Osmena pearls from the Phillipines. Heavy duty posts and backs are included.
size: approx. 2 in. long x 1 in. wide
$150.00

 Uniquely designed matched pair earrings. 4mm faceted Pink Tourmaline and underneath match pair of Black Mother of Pearl tear drops. Earring is hand fabricated using 9.25 Sterling, heavy duty french wires
size: approx 1 1/4 in long x 1/2 in. wide
$150.

 

Matched pair of Almadine garnets, checker board face trillion shape. Unique design is hand forged  16 ga. round wire.
Size: approx. 1 1/2 in long x 1 in. wide
$75.00

Very uniquely designed for a very rare stone...Rasberry Ocean Jasper. Accented with fresh water pearls and Rhodolite Garnet cabochons. The stones are designer free form cut cabochons and bezel set in 9.25 Sterling. The design wires are 14 k yellow Gold and Sterling. Earrings have heavy duty posts and backs.
size: approx. 2 1/4 in. long x 1 in. wide earrings
pendant is about 2 in. long at the largest point and about 2 in. wide
$395. for the set

Matched pair of 10x8 Sun Stones cabochons. Very radiant colors of orange/reds (rare)The material was mined from the Dust Devil mine on the Oregon Idaho border. This color intense is rare and considered AAA grade. Earrings are hand fabricated using 14k yellow gold.
size: approx. 1 1/2 in. long x 1 in. wide
$535.00

These are a fun pair...hand fabricated in 9.25 Sterling with a single 18 ga. rd. hammered wire added to face. Very light and airy design, 9.25 Sterling ear wires and 8mm rd. faceted Canary yellow Topaz from Nigeria.
Size: approx. 2 1/4 in. long x 1/2 in. wide
$155.00

Matched pair of Captivating Blue Topaz 6mm rd. faceted, material is from Nigeria. Earring is hand fabricated using 18 ga. round wire of 9.25 Sterling and 14k yellow Gold.
Size: approx. 1 1/4 in. long x 1in. wide
$135.00



Well, this is it for tonight. I will be finishing a few more pieces that need soldering and fixing after getting caught in the buff wheel. I hope to have them posted by Sunday.
  Have a great night looking at the stars outside.......

Preview of New Work for Fran

Preview......New work
  Remember that pile of jewelry pieces.....
The following are pictures of some of these items.

Baroque Fresh Water Pearl; A Grade  9x7 Oregon Sunstone accent; hand forged Sterling Silver 9.25 flat wire, wrapped around at an angle and secured with prongs.
size: approx 2 1/4 in. x 1 1/4 in.
$470.

Natural Australian Opal doublet with 4mm round L.G. Ruby facet accent, prong set. Opal is bezel set in 14k yellow gold with Sterling 9.25 back. The unique bail is hand forged 16ga. round 14k Gold wire.
Gorgeous red fire
Size: approx. 1 1/4 in. x 1 in.
$420.

Another beautiful free form delight. Baroque Fresh Water Pearl, accented with 9x7 faceted natural Zambia amethyst at top and 2 graduated 14k Gold balls at bottom. Pearl is secured in a Sterling 9.25 hand fabricated prong setting.
Size: approx. 2 1/4 wide x 1 1/2 long
$410.

Beautiful free form pin. This creation is hand fabricated in Sterling 9.25 Silver using several unique processes. Top is a pretty piece of Baltic Amber, bottom a designer free form cut cabochon of a newer find of Montana Picasso Agate...yes from Montana. Both stones are bezel set and the backing is 22 ga. sheet extended upwards giving support to the pin on the back. The decorative designs at top are a combination of tooling and also textured repose` work. Accented with a coil of Copper at right and a 14/20 Gold Filled sheet leaf at left.
size: approx. 2 3/4 in. long x 2 in. wide - $175.

This one should be familiar.....
These are the earrings that I did an earlier blog with.
Combination of Sterling 9.25 and 14k yellow Gold. Hand fabricated. Forged 18 ga. round wires make the designs at the top. 5 mm round faceted London Blue Topaz accent a beautiful rare colored Crazy Lace Agate from Mexico. Heavy duty Sterling ear wires
Size: approx. 2 in. long x 1 in. wide
$175.

These light and airy earrings are simple and elegant. At the top a bronze circle with tooling. Center: beautiful 11mm round Fresh Water button pearls, secured at back with prong. A light and airy look of 16ga. round Sterling 9.25 wire shaped to a free form triangle with 14k Gold balls added as accents
Size: approx 2 1/4 in. long x 1/2 wide
$135.

That is all for now.... but don't fret. I have more to be finished up and will post them when done.
Hope you enjoyed these and remember they can be purchased on our Etsy Shop, at an upcoming show near you, (if I still have them) or contact us direct.
Enjoy this gorgeous sunshine weather and have a great day.  

Day One of sunshine and buffing jewelry

Day one of buffing......

   Does anyone know what one of the most terrible sounds when buffing jewelry is?

  ........ping, ping, tink, thud, and slience.

That was a very small piece that you can barely hold on to with your gloves. It has now bounced around the buffer, and a wall, the floor, and where now?....is an early Easter egg hunt. If I am lucky I managed to catch sight of it as it bounced. Today, I did manage to find the two that got caught with the buff wheel. Also, another lost last year. It was all the way out the door and under a util. table we have just outside.

                                                 
Think this will ever look like real jewelry?

      Remember that photo of misc. jewelry items and pieces? Well, over the last week or so it has grown some. This photo is just some of the items after buffing most of the day and this evening cleaning the buffing compound off and out of tiny little holes and spaces. They were rinsed in clean clear water and now I am going to take each item one by one and dry it and inspect it for any problems, such as broken solder joints. Tomorrow, I will try to finish another bowl full ready to buff and clean.

  Today has been beautiful! Georgeous sunshine. Really felt good to have the sun warmth. The weather report, actually gives us another 3 or more days of this sunshine too! We might actually start to dry out some.

This is another picture of Clover Creek. Just outside our studio door over the weekend. We had heavy down pours with thunder and light'n


That's all for tonight....
                                        will update again later this week.
Also plan to post some pictures of my new work. After I finish setting the stones and doing the final polish.
 Have a good night, and peak out at the stars.

Keeping Busy On The Bench

  Since I last post with you, I have been busy on the bench. Really at this point not much is completed. It takes many, many processes and pieces. To put together and finish into a completed piece of "wearable art" jewelry.

Many times I have been asked " how long did it take you to make this piece".   Well, to truely answer that question is very hard. As with many artists that really MAKE their jewelry by hand fabrication. I do not make it a policy to "time" each process. Simply because as an artist I become so "taken" into the designing and making of it, time just flies by.So my reply to this question is usually "about 25- 30 yrs." Which is about how long that I have been making jewelry.

To the left is a picture of some of the the pieces that I have made so far.......

At top center is a pair of large Montana Agate earrings. Below are several beads made in Sterling Silver and Copper; a dragon fly pin; another pair of small Montana Agate earrings; Rhodocrosite and Tourmoline pendant. If you look to the left top, you can see the pair of Agate earrings that I showed the design process in the last posting. I am still making up the finished design for the metal beads. At this point I will add Silver links along with some other beads to make a long necklace.

  Often I will have stones laying on my bench in visual sight while I am fabricating...off to one side of course. Sometimes, designs just "pop" however, other times I will think out several designs before actually sketching.

 Stones like these are placed in reference to where they may be when piece is made.

This morning I have these ....plus several more "working" in my mine.  I will often go thru our "candy" in the safe to gather a few stones. And before I realize....the whole plastic bowl is full!    On the left are two pieces of  beautiful Baltic Amber with a newer found color combination of Picasso Jasper. I am really "drawn" to these colors right now so I have several shapes and colors.

To the right are three more free form cabochons with a 5mm round Hessinite Garnet. The Garnet will accent the red orange colors that are flowing thru the Picasso .

Back to the left side...this will be a set of three pieces. Georgeous Purple Sage with Dandrentic "fern" like markings. I will most likely add some Amethyst and Citrine stones as accents.

.....Back to the metal pieces in the picture at the top...Next I will tumble polish then, I will polish each piece by hand with the buffer. Clean the buffing compound throughly off each piece, rinse with lots of clean water, and hand dry them one by one inspecting them for any compound left or other imperfections that need to be done. Then finally, I am ready to set the stones and do the final polishing; take pictures, and make up a price tag, and put them into a plastic bag ready for our next show.

Then, I will post these pictures to our blog, Facebook, and our Etsy store for you to view and  purchase them. Knowing some of the process done to create these I hope will add to the excitment and interest in the piece that is YOURS.

 Just attempting to give you an idea of what is done by all artists in their attempt to make you their own creation just for you!

Designing Style

 I promised a session on design a few days back.
           So here we go.....
  Usually designs just "appear" as I start looking at "free form" cut stones. I like things that are "off center" for the most part. Fancy long name for this is

asymmetrical. Never have been able to get into the geogemtric look, guess     because I like odd looking with flowing lines.

 I like taking pictures as I go, and sending emails with updates on the progress. This builds "energy" as I work and gives my client an opportunity to input their thoughts, or just see THEIR own piece come together.

I usually work up a design draft sketch, something like this one......
 I will state materials to be used such as: 18ga. round wire for outside design wires/ 14k yellow Gold 18 ga. round wire for the center "s" design.

Then a close up is next step. With this is the actual size of the finished piece.  Showing the stones laying in place. In this draft the earring is 1  & 1/2 in. x approx. 1 in. Then I give the final cost of completion.  At this point I have the client make the final approval.

  When working with a new client. I like to get some input from them. I usually say " just look thru magazines, or " doodle" up something. Then I look these over , and make my own concept of the idea. For the most part, it works for the both of us.

   After getting to know clients thru the above process or most often from "one on one" contact at shows when purchases are being made. I get a "feel" of what they like....design looks, colors etc.  Usually after a few contacts, a client will basically turn it all over to me to design and make the piece. As they feel confident that they will like the end result.

   I will keep all work done within my style of design. Not that I am not open to new ideas. But, that is what it is all about....my style. Not a copy of someone else. 

 The finished photo of this pair of earrings will follow in our next NEW work post.

    Hope this has been interesting to read. I will write some more in a few days or so. I am trying to establish around one posting every week or so. As I get closer to show dates, the busier of course I will be.