Follow up - photos

As promised. :)

Anticlastic Cuff - Sterling

I'm having trouble with the sizing on this. Its hard to get on, and then it doesn't stay on - at least not when I shake my arm around like I'm in a blender. Maybe thats being too rough on it? It slowly turns and then could potentially come off....

I was trying to retake a few pictures so they show a bit better, this is the only one I uploaded last night.

This is the ring I made a couple weeks back - a pale jade stone in sterling. Size 6 3/4

and then a new ring - a little turquoise beauty.

Size 6 3/4 and will go on Etsy later today.

Going back to my 3 Rs - here is another redo:

BEFORE:

and after:

I miss the punch of orange, but it never would have seen the light of day with that nasty looking bezel, so I cut it off and folded the side down, so I could keep the 14k gold.

It doesn't have the same "pop" that the before had but its definitely presentable now.

I don't know what's going on with the photos either. I must have altered the lighting or something. I am now back to editing more and the background isn't the same green that I had when I first began using it. So I need to fiddle with that and take really good notes so I can reproduce consistent pictures.

Thanks for all the messages re: our little doggy and other things - I appreciate you all - but especially when you take the time out of your busy schedules to drop me a comment or email. ((hugs))

Janice

Creative juices are flowing!

I'm in a great creative spurt - at least I have lots of thoughts and ideas swirling...whether or not I get benchtime is another thing, but I have made two new pieces.

One basic metalsmithing, but with a twist for me - prongs. :) YAY! And the other is a bit more advanced metalsmithing - anticlastic raising or forming.


The first pendant, with prongs, is largely inspired by my dear friend Christy (http://www.christyphelpsglass.com/) - she constantly amazes me with what she makes (constructs? containers and pendants etc. ohhhhhh, and glass works!)
The pendant is sterling, palmwood, onyx.





The second is inspired by my love of hammering! It is an anticastic form, sort of spiraling down and opening up into a hammered form. I then added some sterling wire and little 14k gold balls then oxidized the entire thing.

I love the overall flow of the whole thing. Its a little large for ME for a pendant and if I had it to do over I would have had this bail extend a few turns and then come down for a pin stem. I think it would make a lovely brooch - but it will work as a pendant for the right person. On a short cable sort of chain or a neckwire.





Janice

Weekend Workshop - Michael Good

I was very fortunate to have taken a 2 day workshop with Michael Good this weekend. For those who may not know, Michael Good is a master anticlastic metalsmith. He creates exquisite, flowing forms - liquid in their design and crafting. My attempts at anticlastic raising, while being FAR from Michael's flawless works, were actually not too horrible and I find myself incredibly intrigued by the technique.

Having said that, its no surprise that the Tuesday Tutorial is on an anticlastic technique.

Anticlastic Raising Tutorial

Back to the workshop. The workshop was held at MICA in Baltimore and I had the opportunity to connect with some folks I hadn't seen in a while and also make new acquaintances. One is Lisa, of Roussell Family Arts, who lives right in my small town of Ellicott City. I am hoping that Lisa and I can support and encourage one another.

I was also very fortunate to meet Wayne Werner and to get a close up look at some of his work. Wayne is an extremely accomplished artist. (pics of his work coming....) And I am completely inspired by his creations. From what I understand, Wayne cold works much of his pieces. He creates components with incredible detail, including mokume, and then cold connects much of it together. I have always loved the use of rivets but its been a while since I've used any. I think Wayne has inspired me to renewed use of rivets. (Wayne's website is down right now, but I'll add a link when it comes back up!)

Enjoy the raising tutorial and as always, if you make something using it, please share your experience and pictures with us on the forum!

~Janice