My inspiration for these charm necklaces are the simple collections of shells, beach glass, crosses and coins that I see strung on leather cords, worn by those who walk the beaches here on the Jersey Shore. Each charm is a found object or a gift representing a personal memory or a talisman of good luck. Do you wear something like that? Let me know what it is in the comments. I'm always interested in how the soul is reflected in what we choose to wear about our necks. It's our most ancient and most human impulse.
I added these unique, one of a kind charm necklaces to the Pirate Tides Collection. Each of these is a treasure and has a special story to tell. They will reveal the story to you, as you wear them on your life journey. They are made to layer easily with your other tokens you collect along the way. I have had so much fun making them. Take a look by clicking each picture below. If one of them speaks to you, please consider buying it. There will never be another one like it, when it's gone.
These are all ready to ship within 1 business day from the order.
Have you ever used a penny machine? That old fashioned, gear driven machine that squashes a coin into an elongated souvenir? If so, you've used a version of a jeweler's rolling mill. A mini rolling mill is the latest addition to my jewelry studio.
Sterling Silver "X Marks the Spot" made by Rolling Mill. Bronze X made by etching.
The cool thing about making jewelry is that there is always more than one way to perform a task, to get to a similar end result. I've been getting by for several years without a rolling mill, but I finally bought a mini, to make my tasks go a bit quicker. I still intend on saving up for a full size top of the line Durston mill...someday..to make everything even quicker and easier.
Anyway, above are two examples of how I've put an X onto metal. (I use these in my Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection.) The bronze X was created using etching acid. The sterling silver Xs were made with my new Rolling Mill. I used the bronze X that I had etched, and pressed it with annealed silver, so the etching was transferred to the silver. This is how your penny comes out with "Souvenir of ..." on it.
Side view of Rolling Mill, a manual, gear driven tool for the Jeweler and metalsmith.
Don't let the image fool you. Even though it's a machine, it is still hand powered. My strength and adjustment of the gears is needed to perform the tasks. This is true with most "machines" in the studio jewelers shop. Come back next Tuesday and I'll tell you about another tool in my studio.
This post is the first in a series, titled Tools Tuesday. On most Tuesdays, I will share some pictures and information on the tools I use to create the jewelry I make for you.
Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection is now available online!
Finally! I have gathered all my pirate themed and inspired rings, earrings and necklaces and put them together into my new collection - Pirate Tides.
Please take a look. I've separated the forms and have included an Art Rings section. You can click on each image for a detail page and a purchase option.
As you know, if you've been following me this year, I've been caught up in telling a story through the metal. The most obvious tales are in the art rings, where treasure maps are hidden. This spilled over into more "every day" jewelry, with an X marking the treasure (your loved one) and sometimes just a rustic hammered ring band that anyone, pirate or not, who likes a rugged style, would wear.
I watched every pirate movie ever made (some of them several times), while sitting at my bench and creating these treasures. I have a little dvd player on my bench. It's pure bliss to sit and file a ring, moving the metal grains on the surface, and watching a sword fight on the little screen. I love Erroll Flynn in Sea Hawk and Captain Blood. Of course, I love all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies too (especially the first one). All that swashbuckling splashed onto the metal. I think you can see it, if you look. If you like those movies, I think you'll like my jewelry too.
Thanks for your support this year - my personal Year of the Pirate. 2012 is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to discovering a new story to tell in the new year.
Till then, please take a look at my Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection. Let me know what you think.
Did that put you in the mood to watch some pirate movies?
Sometimes, when I'm making orders I work on something just for fun during the minutes while I'm waiting for a piece to cool, or soak or ..well..whatever.
So, this is the latest "fun" piece I just finished yesterday.
The two strips of blue enamel hold a secret inside. Look in this picture and you will see the top two strips are etched with the words DISCOVER and JOURNEY. I love those two words. Life is a journey and every journey is the opportunity to discover. Wear these earrings and you'll be ready for the journey, ready to discover your one of a kind life.
I covered the words with several layers of Prussian Blue enamel. It's so rich and deep, like a night sky or the Atlantic waters. The natural shells have a mystical swirl pattern. They dangle from sterling silver posts that I made by hammering for texture. I couldn't resist engraving a little star to top it off.
These are long statement earrings. They measure 3 inches long!
I think they would be a perfect birthday or graduation gift.
I put them on the Etsy store this morning. I'm not sure if I'll make anymore. What do you think? Should I add them to the Metal Sky Collection? Or maybe they fit into Pirate Tides? I'd love to know what you think.
I just wanted to share a few peeks at my new collection today. It's not quite done, but it's getting closer. Actually, I have a few items already in the Etsy store. But soon, the whole collection will be available here at Pirate Tides Collection.
What a Ship Is.. Pendant - "Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs, but what a ship is..what the Black Pearl really is...is freedom."
Double sided pendant made of sterling silver and a blue agate.
Pirate's Freedom Ring - I used an antique design to figure the placement and technique to cut facets right on the silver for this ring. It looks like it's hammered - a very rugged look. I stamped the word FREEDOM inside the band. I think of this as a pirate's wedding band.