You may remember this cute little shoe design incorporated in my Runners Necklace that I had initially made for my Mom and her Half Marathon. Here are a few more variations on the design that I have added to my shop in the Jewelry for Runners section. I love the little pink tourmaline. I also got a chance to use the new letter stamps I just bought. Which one is your favorite?
New Handmade Customized Initial Jewelry
Just added to the shop are these new custom initial necklaces. The little details make these such a unique piece. The edges are slightly textured and they are cupped to give them some dimension. I choose to use a slightly more expensive chain and I think it fits my style perfectly. It is a long and short link chain in sterling silver. I hand finish the chain by adding my own clasp and ring for hanging. So far I have the single initial design, and the couples design. The couples design has two initials along with a hand cut and […]more
Heart Locket Design with Amethyst Gemstones
This idea had been floating around in my head for a while and when a friend wanted something custom for his fiance I knew it was the perfect chance to try it out. It is a hollow formed faux locket design with an amethyst gemstone tube set recessed into the form. The chain has hand wrapped amethyst gems to bring it all together. This design was tricky to set the stone having very little room to work with. I purchased a set of tools just for this job. The tool is designed to help close the tube setting around the […]more
Handmade Holiday 2011
Each month the Aspiring Metalsmith Team chooses a topic and those who choose to participate all post about the same topic. This month we chose the topic “Handmade Holiday”. Obviously this topic is very near and dear to me because it is from those who patron the arts that allow me to keep doing what I love. I am so thankful for all the fantastic people that choose to buy my art and support my small business. So, a big thank you to all of you who choose to support handmade! Check out what these artisans have to say about […]more
A few more new pieces of handmade jewelry
I have been busy, and it has felt good. I have a bundle of new stones waiting for me at the post office and some silver on the bench. I have set a goal for myself to have 144 things in my Etsy shop by March 5th. From the date that I started, that means I need to make an average of two things a day. This is a huge goal for me and I am a little terrified to tell you the truth. But, I think so far I am on track. As soon as the sun comes back […]more
New Handmade Silver Jewelry
I have been sick since the first and it has really slowed down the blast into the new year I had planned. (In fact, the Holiday decorations only just got taken down last night!) I got a new camera for Christmas and I have fallen in love. I have been pestering everyone with my picture taking lately. It is going to take me a while to learn how to use it, but for now I was able to get a few shots of what I have been working on. I just got a new shipment of silver and gemstones. I […]more
New Technique – Etching Sterling Silver
Recently I had a request to make a ring with a very intricate symbol on the front and I knew this was the perfect project to try out a new technique. I have wanted to try etching silver for a while, but the cost of silver and my own fears of just mucking it all up has held me back. Last weekend I took the plunge. First I scanned the image into illustrator and made sure all the lines were clear. Because the image was so small, I decided to test out a few different versions of the image to […]more
Sterling and Copper Initial Necklace
Just finished and mailed to their new home, this new initial necklace with matching copper earrings. Each letter was sawn out by hand from copper discs that I punch out using my Swanstrom disc cutter. (I love this tool by the way!) I cut the sterling discs the same way and give them a hammered finish before soldering the two together. I do a bit of darkening of the recessed areas and then some polishing. Then it is ready for a protective coating. It is a non toxic coating that will help the metal from tarnishing. Once it has dried […]more