Saturday, June 18, 2016

Free Hand Engraving on Rustic Copper Rings




I am often asked to engrave my copper rings.  I do not have the equipment to do a professional engraving job, but I do have the tools to engrave free-hand.  I quickly wrote a date on the outside of this ring to show a potential customer what a free hand engraving would look like.  It was sooo difficult to take a decent picture.  Too much glare from the metal.   I had to darken the photograph a bit.  I usually don't engrave on the outside, it's mostly on the inside of the rings that I am asked to do this.

I think the free-hand engraving adds and compliments the rustic feel of my rings!




Thursday, June 16, 2016

Hummingbird at Feeder



We have the privilege of admiring these beautiful little Hummingbirds from our kitchen window.
We enjoy watching them as they guard their feeder!  LOL!  I just wanted to share how cute our little visitors are!  Enjoy!

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Thursday, June 9, 2016

Latest Project: Abstract Tree Pendant With Filigree Leaves


Latest project that I'm working on:

Copper and Sterling Silver Pendant with tree and leaves.  I'm making a few cutout leaves
and I'll be adding some filigree to fill in the leaves.

I sweat soldered the leaf and the tree to the copper plate.

If you're looking for a custom made piece, contact me.

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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Keepsake Necklace with White Oak Cab



The last of the three White Oak Leaf, Keepsake Necklaces:
Sterling Silver Leaf which is sweat soldered to a copper base.  I made a cab out of a piece of salvaged white oak from an old tree and added it to the pendant.  
Because the pendant is so rustic, I decided to compliment the pendant with a mutli-leather, brown necklace with rustic copper hook and eye.  
*Order A Keepsake Necklace for yourself or someone you love; They make the best gift!

Monday, June 6, 2016

Finished White Oak Leaf Pendant with Acorn



Sometimes, you come up with an idea in your head, transfer it to paper and the actual piece doesn’t always come out exactly as you first imagined it.  But this piece is pretty much what I designed it to be.  
I purposely added the dark, vein-like lines in the leaf by dragging a piece of metal through the molten enamel. Because the copper was slightly exposed, it created oxidization which led to the lines turning black.  It really gives the piece a more rustic look!  I just love playing with oxidization!!  
The Oak Acorn I made from a piece of white oak piece which I carved into a ball which I drilled like a bead.  I made the cap part out of sheet copper, formed, textured and soldered.  I covered the wood with epoxy.
The Acorn lays flat so that it can sit properly when worn.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Finished, White Oak Leaf Pendant with Cab


Here is the final result of the White Oak Leaf Pendant I was working on.  I made a cab from a piece of White Oak which I formed and covered in epoxy to protect it from water.  
I made the leaf out of copper sheet and sweat soldered it to a plate of sterling silver.  
The pendant measures 1-1/2″ x 1/2″.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Acorn Pendant With Oak Tree Remnant



I designed this little acorn to dangle along with an Oak Leaf Pendant I made.  
I made it so that it sits flat.  The whole thing is made of copper sheet which
was cut, formed, textured and soldered together.  
The best way to form a ball shape is with a dapping punch, a block and a hammer.

The wooden bead I made from a piece of an Old Oak Tree.  
I drilled a whole through the wood and through the copper cap (this step is not in the photographs).

Progress Oak Leaf Pendant


Custom Pendant With Piece of an Old Oak Tree-
I made the bezel with a strip of pure silver bezel wire, shaped it and sized it to my wood cab, soldered the ends together and then soldered it to the pendant plate.  I was so happy that I didn’t run into any problems!  I prepared the wood cab by forming, sanding and sealing it with epoxy (because the cab is made of old dead tree pieces, I thought it would be best to seal it in order to protect it from water.  

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Oak Leaf Pendant Almost Finished


I am almost done this pendant.  I'm working on the wood cab you see
on the pendant.  it will be a bit smaller than you see.  

Here is what I'll be doing next:
- Covering the cab with epoxy (the reason for this is because this piece of 
oak comes from old wood pieces salvaged from a dead oak tree and they're
quite fragile.  By completely covering them with epoxy, I figured they 
would be protected from wear and tear).  

2.  Adding a bezel (a strip of silver soldered to the plate to hold the wood cab 
into place).

3.  Finish the bail (to hang to the chain).

4.  Polish it up and add a bit of darkening solution to make the leaf pop out.

5.  Package it and send it on its way to my customer!


Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Enameled Oak Leaf Pendant Progress


Here is an update of the Oak Leaf that I am working on.  I finally finished prepping the leaf itself and  after rounding out the tips a bit, I finally was able to do the exciting part of this project:  enameling!
I used my jewelry torch to enamel glass powder over the top; so basically you end up with a lovely glass layer fused to the metal.  This is something I just love to do!  

The green I used is Jungle green;  it's a vibrant green which I find looks great for leaves! 
 I am very  pleased with how it turned out.  

I am now working on the acorn part of the pendant which will dangle freely on 
the necklace along the leaf.