My signature design process (copyrighted finally!) is called Sprinkled Silver. Which means what exactly? I KNOW this is what you are thinking! Sprinkled Silver is my name for the process of fusing sterling or fine silver into copper. How and Why did I create this process? The basic answer is... because it was fun! I have been playing around with copper and silver since I … [Read more...]
Corrugated Jewelry? Yes!
If you haven't guessed by now. I love to texture my metal as I create my designs. So when I became aware of the corrugation process, I was intrigued. First of all I purchased the book. Metal Corrugation by Patricia McAleer. This colorful book introduces the metalsmith (that's me) to a new method of creative expression--metal corrugated jewelry designs. I read it cover to … [Read more...]
How do I create Pure Metal Earrings?
I love working with metal. Can you tell? Creating my collection of Copper and Sterling Silver PURE METAL earrings requires lots of elbow grease. First I texture the raw metal. This is usually done by hammering but can be done with a rolling mill as well. The metal must be softened (heated) before starting the texturing. Since the metal becomes distorted from the … [Read more...]
Tools of the Jewelry Trade: Disc Cutter
Do you have any idea how much fun it is to get a new tool? OK, I know this sounds like a 'guy' thing... but any metals jeweler will tell you that we get so much pleasure from being able to do something creative with our new 'toy' This new disc cutter cuts squares from metal. So what you say? Now I can create my own designs more quickly. Plus I now have endless ways to … [Read more...]
Stone Setting: An inside look at Bezel settings
Have you taken a peek lately at your jewelry? How are the stones and gems set (or held in) on the design? There are a variety of ways to set stones in metal. Bezel setting is perfect for cabochons (gemstones that are cut flat on the bottom). And it is my GO-TO process! I start with a bezel strip. This is normally fine silver but I have also use sterling silver when I want … [Read more...]
