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.

Hot Off The Bench

Been a few days "off" line visiting with very dear friend and client. 
   I know I said the next blog would be about designing. However, in the mean time Jerry has finished a few new pieces. You can find them listed at wearablemetalartjfh.etsy.com.  Now for your  preview.

Fossilized Coral w/Champagne La-Diamond

This  is a beautiful designer "free form" cut  of Fossilized Coral. Blends of grays to black with "peaks" of peach coral bubbling in view. Jerry has elected to accent this piece with a 7mm round brilliant cut Champagne Russian lab diamond.
To bring out the peach colors. (white spots are light reflections) Pendant is hand fabricated in 9.25 Sterling Silver; measures approximately 2.5 in. long and 1.25 in. wide. 

Sea Turtle Pendant

  This is a special piece....hand fabricated Sea Turtle
       A few weeks back we had the pleasure to have been paid a visit from Patty Lakinsmith, a wonderful creative artist. Please visit her great work displayed for sale in her Esty shop at: pattylakinsmith.etsy.com
  During this visit she shared a preview of some of her new "reptilian" lampwork glass focal beads.  Jerry's viewed this gorgeous bead and said "this one is mine" as it "spoke" to him.
Turtle is formed using  techniques of tooling and "reprose`". With hand forged 14 ga. round wire for the body. And has secured the bead in a matter that it can be turned around and be viewed from both sides. Beautiful shades of rust yellows with purple hues and uniquely etched pattern.  Hangs from bail behind the head and is approx. 3.5 in. long by 3.25 in. wide. Sterling Silver 9.25

Fresh Water Pearl and Lapis Lazuli Pendant

Another new piece is this beautiful and graceful pendant. A free form white fresh water pearl and a designer cut cabochon of  natural Lapis Lazuli, royal blue shades with "gold" pyrite. With a graceful hand forged curl like swirl running from right side to upper left of 16 ga. square wire. (Lavender spot at left bottom is a light reflection)  Bail is behind/piece is hand fabricated in Sterling Silver 9.25. Approx. size  1.5 in. long by 2 in. at widest point.

Lapis Lazuli Pendant

    Another Lapis Lazuli pendant. This time a Triangle cut cabochon on top and a spectacular "tongue" cut at the bottom. Beautiful royal blue with "gold" pyrite, (spot at bottom center is a light reflection),16ga. round wire star burst with 7mm round white pearl at left.
Pendant is hand fabricated in Sterling Silver 9.25. Bail behind and is approx. 2.25 in. long by 1.5 in. wide

   Last, but least is this larger spectacular pendant. Triangle shape, left top, and designer free form cut, center, of Purple Sagilite. Accented at right with a free form Fresh Water Pearl.   Pretty purple to lavender and "splotches" deep dark purple. Pendant is  hand fabricated in Sterling Silver 9.25; bail behind and is approx. 3 in. long and 1.5 in. wide






Hope you have enjoyed this preview. Please stop by our Etsy Shop at: wearablemetalartjfh.etsy.com to purchase or our website: wearablemetalartbydesign.com.
  I will be posting our show list for 2011 soon.  Plus, I still promise to post my designing blog too....bye for now, Fran

In and Around our Studio



Clover Creek-view from shop window



 Thought today I would give you an idea of  where we create our jewelry. Our studio is actually located beside a small year around creek named Clover. This picture shows the actual view from my bench window,.... isn't that a great VIEW! :)  We enjoy watching the birds and wildlife as they wander by. Seeing wild Turkeys, Deer, Skunks, Squirrels, Rabbits, Ducks often  and even fresh water Otter and  many other wonders of Mother Nature. Plus it offers us a very relaxing view to "un-wind" from a long stay on the bench.

  Usually I can be found here most days - and nights. My friends have mentioned, casually, that designing jewelry, making it and taking care of my website, managing show applications, and doing the business accounts are close to obsessions. They are probably right, but I prefer to call it my passion. :)
  Our studio is actually a  30 ft. Toy hauler travel trailer. We have converted most of the  unit  into our work studio for both of us. I have the forward bench and Jerry has the rear, with our TV, DVR units    mounted in the middle. All of this being along one wall. Giving me an area to place my desk top computer and printer sitting on a large long office file cabinet along the opposite wall behind me.  This gives access to all I need to process our show applications and keep track of business accounting...mounds of paper work.:(

   I'm basically a pack rat, I keep everything that might come in handy someday and all that "stuff" is packed into nooks and crannies around my studio and in cabinets, closets and on shelves around our benches.

My swivel chair, with wheels, is in the middle so I can just turn or roll the chair a foot or so and get to most places without having to get up. This really is an asset for me because of my lower back issues.

Most jewelers use a special piece of furniture for working on jewelry. It is like a desk, but the work area is higher from the ground and there are especially built drawers and shelves. These benches can be purchased from many jewelry supply houses and range in cost from $250 to $1000 or more for custom design units. 

    I prefer a chest high bench that Jerry built for me to a jeweler's bench for a couple reasons.  I have a problem with lower back and bending over a taller unit would cause a  painful attack after just a short stay on the bench working.. I also like to keep my tools on the bench or stored in drawers under my bench.. A jeweler's bench is wonderful but where would I put all this other "stuff" I collect?  :)

  As I mentioned before, both of us have a TV and DVR, mine is to my right side and is fairly close to my bench.  This is because I often work late at night and into the wee hours of the morning, which is when I get most of my inspiration. Having the TV or a movie running on the  keeps me company.

 The forward area of the trailer  holds more storage and a place to pack and ship. There is a stove, oven, Micro Wave and sink too. I use the Micro Wave  to warm up my coffee late nights or cold days, however, the oven has become a storage area for paper for my computer and we have covered the range top to more table area. to do the wrapping and packing for shipping.

 Last but not least of the things I wanted to introduce you to is our "adopted"  companions  and security team.

      Meet Lucy in the front, and Charlie behind.......
Both  actually belong to Jerry's sister, Michell and her husband Red.
But we "baby sit" as often as we can.
Below is a close up of their faces...aren't they cute~~:)
  However, don't let that fool you. Both of them keep us aware of what is going on around the place.
 Now last one is Velcro....our cat.
 He is around 11 or 12 yrs. old now, but both Charlie and Lucy know who's boss around the place. How he got his name...well when was a kitten he would follow us around the place. Often jumping up  a tree beside about arm high to get petted as we passed by. Well ....... one hot summer day Red was walking around the place wearing Levi shorts.....no trees near by.....and yes you guessed it. He stuck like velcro to Red's leg...LOL
Thus his name

Velcro..the boss

Well, that is all for this evening. I think next time I will give you an idea of how I plan out and design draft a piece of jewelry....

Have a great evening and see you soon........Fran

Hello and Welcome to our NEW blog

My name is Frances, Fran to most who already know us. Jerry is my life long partner, and husband of over forty years.
 I have been working on this our very FIRST blog most of this afternoon and evening. I hope this will be as interesting for you, as it is exciting for us.


                                            
Jerry was the first one of us to start creating our unique jewelry. This was in the late 1980's. After a couple of years of watching, assisting, and working beside my husband, I, Fran, ventured to try out my own design ideas and techniques of fabrication. This was in the early 1990's. Today we work both independently and jointly in the creation of our unique, one-of-a-kind, wearable metal art jewelry.


Our artistic skills in hand-fabrication represent many years of research, training, experimentation, and of course, hands-on practice. Both of us are basically self-taught artists and are always learning, creating and developing new practices and designs. We use time honored fabrication methods such as: forging, dapping, tooling, soldering, texturing, and many others.
I do most of the color coordination and design of our work. Often the free-form cabochons will "talk" to us, giving us added inspiration for our asymmetrical designs. I also work with our clients in the creation of their own personal piece of 'wearable metal art jewelry.'