So Many Hammers… So Little time!

Hammers are an essential piece of my design experience.

Each year I purchase more and more hammers. To date I own 31 hammers.

Each hammer is designed for a specific task. Texturing hammers (and I have several) are used to create texture and design in the metal. I have ones that create patterns such as tiny squares or circles, a satin finish, vertical or horizontal lines, spirals and raindrops. Then I have hammers used strictly for flattening metal. The steel hammers are good for this use IF I am OK to alter the shape slightly . The steel hammers when pounded against another metal tend to distort the metal. So I use this option sparingly. However, these hammers come in handy for any riveting work. The leather or Delrin style hammers have a softer imprint. They are prefect for flattening metal without distorting the shape.

Design process using Hammers

When I am at the bench looking to create a new pendant or earrings, the first thing I do is decide upon the gem or gems. The next process involves creating a bezel for the gems. Once the bezel is soldered, Then the hammers become vital. I decide upon the shape and material for the pendant or earrings; I choose the metal and then choose the texture. If I want something more subtle, I will use the satin finish hammer. If I want something bolder, I will choose the squares, circles, raindrops or vertical lines. Sometimes the texture goes on the front around the gem. And often I texture the back if the front has little or no metal showing.

Get a closer look at the individual hammers here in my video

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The post Getting Hammered at the Jewelry Bench appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Lately I have been playing around with adding more texture to my designs. While texture is always a strong part of my collection I felt the need to step up my game a little.

Why not look good coming AND going?

Texturing the back of the earring design you see here opens up a whole new world for me. Normally the texture is on the front surrounding the gem, while the back simply features my hallmark and metal markings. As I begin to use larger gems for earrings, the front design becomes unnecessary. Making the earrings any larger and heavier was just not a viable option for my aesthetic. These Indonesian Petrified Palmwood root gems are so gorgeous alone but I wanted to make the extra special. Voila! Why not add the texture to the back of the gem? An added benefit? When you wear them you will look awesome from the front AND the back. What could be better?

Choosing the right gemstones for this type of texture.

As mentioned above, the larger gemstones tend to lend themselves to this design element. In addition, I love the unusual shape of the gems I choose to use now. Yes I do still have the basic round and oval gems because they work well in other applications. Rounds and Ovals combine with a teardrop shape to make into earrings. They also work well in my Sacred Spiral collection of earrings and rings. No gemstone is wasted since every gemstone has it’s own beauty.

This design features yet another Indonesian gemstone. Moss agate is found in many locations but the reddish colored designs are only found in that part of the world. Texture on the back is perfect for this style too.

Watch my site to see the new designs as they become available. Right now I have 3 new pair to add to the store. Each design is One of A Kind.

Follow me on my design journey by becoming a collector. My collectors receive first look at my newest designs plus Collector-only discounts and specials. It’s Free. And you Get 15% off your first order.

Here’s How

Shop Here for all my Designs

The post What a difference some texture makes! appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

If someone had told me 15 years ago that I would be salivating over sheets of metal and hammers I would have [tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img]laughed out loud!

Yet here I am … getting excited over my collection of hammers. This is one of my favorite ones. The surface creates a soft almost satiny texture on my Copper, Silver or Brass metal.

But the fun only starts with this hammer. Currently I have over 25 different pieces ranging from ones that texture.. styles that form, and some that just plain flatten a rivet. Talking to other jewelers, I am aware that mine is a small collection compared to many. We are all Hammer Hoarders!

Aren’t tools supposed to be a man’s toy box? Truly times are changing. I know women who love to hammer. This includes not only jewelers but also those in the construction business.  There is such a feeling of strength, control and accomplishment that a hammer brings to us.

The use of simple hammers dates to about 2,600,000 BC when various shaped stones were used to strike wood, bone or other stones to break them apart and shape them.  This evolved into stones attached to sticks with strips of leather or animal sinew. 

The hammer’s archeological record shows that it may be the oldest tool for which definite evidence exists of its early existence.

[tweet_box design=”box_01″ float=”none”]”The world is more malleable than you think. and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape.”       Bono[/tweet_box]

In addition to sheets  and coils of copper, brass and silver, I also am the owner of a bench vise,  drill, Lots of pliers, two saws and so much more. Here’s the picture of my workbench to give you an idea. Do you see the tool chest in the back? it is filled with all my supplies.

The best part of this is the FUN I have creating (and sometimes recreating) my jewelry designs. Each time I sit at this bench, the rest of the world melts away. All the ‘issues’ of the day or week dont seem to matter at all. This passion is truly a gift and I appreciate it so much.

Here’s hoping you find some of this inspiration when wearing one of my designs.   Alene’s Adornments.

The post The Secret Life of a Metal & Hammer Hoarder appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

Texturing Metal is one of my favorite ways to create designs. I love the way texture adds to the basic metal. It gives it dimension and makes the designs more interesting.

There are LOTS of ways to texture metal. Here’s a peek into two of the ways I use most frequently.

Corrugation.  

This means literally, to shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. Old-fashioned washboards were corrugated.  I use a corrugation brake to create the folds. Then as you can see on the large metal piece to the right.. I turned the metal 90 degrees and corrugated again! There are endless designs using this process. I just have to remember to soften the metal EVERY time after running the metal through the brake. Otherwise it gets too brittle.

Texturing with Hammers:

Did I mention that I LOVE to hammer?? Maybe this is my positive way of taking out aggression. Could be!! At any rate I do love the feel of the hammer in my hand and adore the textures that can be created. And art is involved in the techniques too. The hammer hit needs to be precise or the texture will not be consistent. This takes practice.

Here are a few of the texturing hammers I use on a regular basis. Each one of them gives a different texture or design to the metal.

Did you know there is actually a Hammer Museum? It is located in Alaska. Wouldn’t it be fun to visit?

If I ever get back to Alaska, I will check it out. A whole building filled with hammers. Whoopee!

Several other texturing techniques including Stamping, roller mill, form folding and fusing will be highlighted in future Peeks into my design process.

A few of my finished designs.

There is still time to enter the SWEEPSTAKES!   One lucky person will win this Sterling and Dichroic glass pendant.

The post Peek into my Design Process: Texturing appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.

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 hammering, it is vital to texture the metal BEFORE creating the shapes.  Want to know how I discovered this? By doing it wrong several times before the light bulb in my head finally went on!

Next I create the shape using my disc cutters, a saw or metal cutting shears.

Once created I place all the metals on to a board (see image) to determine which components will work together for the individual design. I photograph the board so I can remember it, too! (VERY IMPORTANT)

After that I apply the patinas.

Liver of Sulfur: for an antiqued, blackened effect,

Vinegar and ammonia: for the blue/green color,

Peanut oil: for the rich golden bronze effect

 Heat: for the reddish colors. There are other patina processes as well. These are the main ones I like to use.

Finally: I add a coating to maintain the finish, Form and shape the final pieces, assemble, add earwires and photograph!  and VOILA they become part of my collection.

Is there any way to have more fun than this?

Lots of steps and each one performed with love.

Check out the full collection at www.alenesadornments.com

The post How do I create Pure Metal Earrings? appeared first on Alene's Adornments Blog.