Playing with Spoons

Not sure what will come of these, but I've been playing with some old antique spoons lately. Lots more to play with...

Black and White

Working some lazer engraving into my jewelry. These are some in progress experiments...lazer engraved ebony (and white paint). Hopefully something will come of this that I can use for the portrait show at Shaw Gallery next month! Especially since ebony is $130.00 per board foot. Thats almost like buying silver. Craziness!!!

More photos of this in my flickr stream.

Guess What is Almost Done....!!!

Sooooooooooooooo close I can feel it:) Its a good feeling after working on something sooooooo long!!!

As soon as I finish I am cleaning the bench!!!

Lots of Firsts

Right now I am working on a necklace that is supposed to be going to SOFA NY. Seeing as SOFA is next week, I better get it DONE asap! I have been working my tail end off trying to get this thing done and it is just taking forever! This is probably the most substantial piece of jewelry I have ever made. I've already spent over $300 on materials, and many many hours working on it. I've had lots of problems in the process...some with design and some technical.

The original design (above) started looking way too much like a concho belt...so I had to change that in a hurry! The gallery that is taking it wanted it to look like these necklaces that I made a few months ago, but with the pendants as links all the way around. So, when it is done there will be a pearl in the center of each link and embroidery all the way around each of the scalloped ovals. I really hope it turns out how I picture it in my mind...

Also with this necklace I am having lots of firsts...

-First time ever using the micro torch.
-First time ever bezel setting stones this small (5x7mm).

-First time ever soldering anything this small!

-First time ever using links this big all the way around.

There are more firsts, but you get the idea.

Anyway, I'll post a picture of it when it is done, but for now, wish me luck so I can finish it fast!!

Work in Progress

Here are some in progress shots of a wall piece I am working on at the moment. The black "chain" links are just drawn in sharpie. They will eventually be embroidered, but I haven't decided what stitch or colors to use. The top platter is about 8" tall, and the bottom one is about 6" wide. Right now, the only thing embroidered on them is hands. The top platter has a hand, letting the chain fall, and the bottom platter has two cupped hands ready to catch it. I also have not decided yet if I will do a border on these. So, they sit unfinished until I make up my mind or just start drilling. Usually I just start drilling because it seems like I can never make up my mind.