I just finished up on these rings and wanted to share. Some of you might have seen one of them on my facebook page, but now I have some semi-decent pictures. I got the lovely golden and red stone at a local mineral club show, it was really fun getting to see some local stone cutters and I always like supporting other makers. The color of this stone is gorgeous and has some stunning reds and golds swirling through it. This ring band is quite substantial, and is imprinted with a trailing vine pattern. I gave the ring an antiqued finish that really brings out the colors of the stone and the detail in the ring band. The lavender stone is an Amethyst Sage Agate and has wispy cloud of white in it as well as some other fun inclusions that really make it one of a kind.
Recently I decided to make a big purchase for this little studio and I invested in a rolling mill. Basically it is two rollers with a huge crank that you can squash metal through. Sounds exciting? Yes it is! Well, I suppose you have to be a special person to think that sounds exciting, just trust me when I say that it is. Anyway, the one technique that really drew me into getting the mill is to be able to impress designs into silver by rolling it through the mill, which is how I made the texture on the ring band. I etched a piece of brass with my design and then ran it through the rolling mill with the silver sandwiched against it. I love the antique flavor that it gives the piece and I always love playing with my own patterns.
These two lovelies will make their way into the shop soon! Here is the red stone ring in my etsy shop.
