Purified

Rose Quartz soft facet ring build

2011-07-03T02:00:00.000-04:00

Step one... turn on some Miles, Bitches Brew....

This is another gem that I cut, inspired by the Herkimer Diamond.
Rose Quartz, cut from a big hunk of rough, with a soft pink hue.

Here are all of the materials I that I used for this build.

I started by soldering some fine silver mesh to the bezel.

All soldered up and ready to form the bezel wall.

Here I am soldering the bezel wall seam.
I chose to put the solder on the inside of the wall as not to disturb the mesh pattern.

All soldered up!

Time to solder the base. I like to put my solder on the inside and pull it out for a nice smooth seam.

I drew a line on the bezel so I know the max height for my brass posts.

Preparing to solder the posts. I do this by smooshing little pieces of solder wire so they are paper thin. Just sit the posts on the solder and no mess!

The solder is hidden under the posts.

Once soldered, time to draw out the shape and get to sawing...

All cut out...

Shank is tapered by hammering, then sanded and stamped.

Shaping the shank with the Swiss super shank shaper, for sure!

Shank shaped and a seat has been filed.

Getting ready to get my shank on...
I like to wedge my solder on the outside connection and concentrate the heat inside the shank. This pulls the solder in and creates a nice smooth seam.

Here I drew a line to let me know how far and where to grind the bezel down.

Bezel wall has been shaped here...

Oxidized with LOS.

Finish is complete for the most part. Time to set and final polish some highlights!

And there she is... in all her glory!
I'm diggin it :)

Primitive Prehnite ring build photos...

2011-05-14T13:39:00.001-04:00

I took some photos of my last Prehnite ring build.

Just some in progress shots for you to check out!

Sheet, wire and mesh, lets start!

I added the mesh to give the bezel an industrial look.

Some brass posts to beef it up!

Ready to cut the shape of the base.

Ready for a finish and then setting time!

Done!

Also!

This weeks Sale ring!

Huge hunk of Emerald!

Check it out in my shop here!

Due to the never ending rising cost of silver I have indefinitely initiated a rolling never-ending sale of fantastic silver goodness! I am marking down one randomly rotating piece in my shop 20% for that particular week!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

Friday Sale item!!!

2011-05-06T16:20:00.000-04:00

If you are into chunky rings with purely awesome gems, well...

This one is the king of chunk
The sultan of beef
The badonkadonk of rings n things...

Enjoy 20% off on this one! One week only!

You can purchase it here in my shop!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

It's not just a ring, it's an investment!

2011-04-29T11:43:00.000-04:00

That's right, it's Friday! And so I have a new sale item to offer you!

A WONDERFUL Chrysocolla, Azurite and Malachite Stone.

For all you big ring lovers, this puts the chunk in chunky.

Last sale item sold fast, don't let this one go too!

Enough silver to feed a family of 6 for weeks, haha not really but possibly soon?

It's right here in my shop!

Enjoy!!!!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

Friday Sale for the week!

2011-04-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

I love this little ring!

A Herkimer Diamond with some awesome clarity!

It sits in a setting of little buttons and gadgets that at one time worked, far beyond our future time.

Try to figure that one out... haha!

On sale in my shop now... Here!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

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This weeks sale item!

2011-04-16T18:06:00.000-04:00

Here it is! In all it's glory ;)

Turquoise and Garnet Pendant, 20% Off! One week Only!

You can see more info and purchase this in my shop Here!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

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It's Friday! You know what that means!

2011-04-08T20:24:00.000-04:00

This weeks Sale item is my Sea Sediment Ring!
It is quite beefy, and chock full of silver!
Check it out in my shop HERE!

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Rutile Quartz build...

2011-04-02T15:02:00.003-04:00

I took some photos while I was making this next ring. It is an awesome awesome faceted quartz gem.

Started out with a very tall bezel made from fine silver.

Next I cut the arches.

Add the copper bands.

The copper has been cut away and a base has been added.

Band added.

A finish has been added and it is ready to set!

The quartz has been set and a final polish added.

Done!

Friday already?!?

2011-04-01T12:28:00.000-04:00

Wow, the time has been flying by over the past year for me. The weeks are going by like days!
It's chilly and rainy out but I do some of my best work on rainy days.

I bring to you the new sale item of the week!
One week only, 20% off!
Last weeks sale item is sold, gone!

I cut this cab myself! A very unique and one of a kind piece!

You can view this ring in my shop here.

New Friday, new sale item!

2011-03-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Friday is here again!
The sale item for the next week is my Raw prehnite ring!
Sweet deal!

Check it out in my shop here!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

This weeks rolling 20% off item!

2011-03-18T09:59:00.000-04:00

And here it is... my round Prehnite with brass accents!

You can check it out in my shop HERE!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

Options...

2011-03-17T20:19:00.000-04:00

I started doing something new in my Etsy shop! Made to order settings. No worrying about the size with these items. They can be pendants or rings, sup to you! Due to the fact that they are already half way finished, there is a faster turnaround time than normal orders. An easier alternative to a custom order!

Ocean Jaspers and Labradorite!
The Jasper on the right was cut by me from a slab.

Gobs of Green

2011-03-13T20:42:00.000-04:00

New work! Yes lots of Prehnite... of course!
A lil bit of Ocean Jasper, Amethyst and Herkimer Diamond as well!!!

This weeks sale item!

2011-03-11T17:28:00.001-05:00

Here is the piece that I picked for this weeks 20% off!
Double Pod ring
Sterling silver with hollow brass bubbles :)
The posts that the brass pods sit on are actually riveted through the band and then soldered.
Extra strength and all that...

This ring is a size 6 1/2 and can be purchased in my shop!

Rollin' 20's

2011-03-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

NEVER-ENDING SALE! – Starting in one week(3-11-11)I will be indefinitely initiating a rolling never-ending sale of fantastic silver goodness! I will be marking down one randomly rotating piece in my shop 20% for that particular week!

Yes... it could be that one ;)

Once the week ends, the price goes back up and a new piece will be picked until they have all been cycled through. And thennn.... it starts over!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled broadcast.
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Just some eye candy...

2011-03-05T16:57:00.000-05:00

Some of my most recent work...

Sea Sediment ring

Emerald Highwall

Chunky Prehnite

Herkimer Diamond Pendant

Beefy Orbical Pendant

Prehnite Man O War Pendant

Lil' Herk

Prehnite Lantern

Quartz Ring "The Happening"

Lots of Gems!!!

2011-01-31T23:39:00.000-05:00

Well it's a new year and I am off to a good start!
Here are the sets so far!

Ocean Jasper to the left, Herks to the right!

The long OJ was cut by me.

Herks, Ocean Jasper cut by me :), Amethyst.

Ocean Jaspers(cut by me) and a Blue Tigers Eye Man o War.

Natural Prehnite, Labradorite, Prehnite, Huge Kyanite Pendant.

Chrysocolla, Prehnite and Herks!

Double Shot!

Even though due to anxiety issues I am now caffeine free :(

Here's to a good start! Hope everyone is well!
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Handmade Division Talk About Nov

2010-11-15T12:08:00.002-05:00

What mentors/teachers would I like to study with?

Well unfortunately I am not big on names, I barely passed art history so...

Photo credit Keith Lo Blue

One name does come to mind in the area of finishing. I love finishing, it is where the piece comes to life in my opinion. One of the first things that I learned in school was that a good finish sells your piece.
So I am going to say that if I had the opportunity to take some classes and really learn some cool stuff, it would be Keith Lo Blue.

If you check out his site you will see that he has pretty much rocked all of the finishing techniques from etching to weathering and distressing.

And there are classes to be had on his site!

Go ahead and check it out, you will be impressed!

Please check out what some other Handmade Division members are thinking on this topic!

Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com

Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogpost.com

Tosca Teran: http://nanopod.wordpress.com

Rickson Jewellery: http://www.Ricksonart.blogspot.com
Beth Cyr: http://bCyrJewelry.blogspot.com
Lisa Hopkins Design: http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com
Sand Fibers: http://sandfibers.blogspot.com

Emily Watson http://nocoloratall.tumblr.com
Thomasin Durgin: http://metalriot.blogspot.com
WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear http://wattoonline.blogspot.com

Pink Crow Studio: http://pinkcrowstudio.typepad.com

Etsy Metal Blog Carnival Nov 2010

2010-11-07T21:26:00.001-05:00

Blog Carnival is Etsy Metal's monthly group blog where several members get together and post on the same topic. It s a great way to check out different views and ideas of some talented artists. Check out the links down there... and meet some wonderful new people!

Am I a successful artist?
What is that? What is successful?

It can mean many many things, my ideas of being successful...

people appreciate what I am creating, creating something that is meaningful to me

for the first time in my life, people truly appreciate what I am doing

being able to make my own work hours

wearing jeans every single stinkin day

working harder when I need cash and slacking when I don't

Stickin it to the man

wrestling with my dog at 3am because I love him

being free in general

learning that self discipline takes on a whole new meaning

But wait, it's not that easy.

It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

I still struggle with it daily.

It can be down right brutal.
It is a test to end all tests.

So am I successful?

Personally? Not yet, but I am on my way.
I can't see living with so much stress being a success, but it is getting better.

One of the hardest parts is being able to separate art from business. The way I do it, and I am still working on this, is to do just that. Separate it.
When I am working on art I block everything else out, shut the doors, turn off the phones, close the laptop, hide in my world.
When it's time to do business, I have to change personalities and become someone else.
I am still far from a successful business person but I learn every day.
So basically, I do not mix the two, they stay very separate.
I will know when I am successful because I will have someone handling all of my biz for me and I will just create.

The best thing that I have done for my shop is networking and marketing. Meet everyone I can and never cut anyone short.

Help everyone I can and in turn be helped.
You can be the best designer/artist out there but if people don't know you exist,

it just won't work ;)

Check out what some other very talented people are thinking on this same topic!

stacey http://wildflowerdesigns.blogspot.com
victoria takahashi / experimetal http://vtakahashi.blogspot.com/
2Roses http://jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
Jenny: http://ridgeschool.blogspot.com/
Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
Heather: http://www.twigsandheather.blogspot.com
Nina Gibson: http://www.ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/

This weeks work = Orbtastic!

2010-10-30T14:57:00.001-04:00

Can you ever have too much Ocean Jasper? I think it's impossible!

I mean jeez, look at the orbs, so many colors and patterns to choose from!

Garnets are one of my "classic" favs :)

Blue Lace Agate has the coolest of blues and purples!

and Labradorite... let me count the ways!

Stay tuned for a shipment of insanely awesome Labradorite that is on the way!

Seriously I wet my pants when I saw the pics!!

Soon!

Handmade Division super cool topic o' the month extravaganza!

2010-10-15T12:00:00.002-04:00

Well so you know, this month's topic is...

How did I get where I am now?

and
This

Life.

Not really but here is a quick rundown...
I wanted to go to an art college and I don't really know why exactly I picked metals. I messed around with making my own necklaces and stuff before then, I had dabbled in several mediums at that time.. somehow metals just stuck.

So I went to Tyler School of Art(Temple) and dropped out after my junior year. I liked studio classes but hated academics so much that I left and went to work on a computer career(8 month course). It wasn't necessarily a bad choice. I mean I got a house out of it...

After about 12 years of off and on bench work(more off than on) I finally decided to get my art career started heh heh.
So here I am 2 years later doing it full time. I learned the basics in school and from there on out I am self taught.

And thats that!

Make sure to check out alllllll these cool artists and see what they thought about the topic this month!

Andes Cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/

Tess Norberg - http://www.nova-designs.blogspot.com/

Jaime Pickering - http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com

Nancy Dale - http://www.nedbeads.blogspot.com

Jewelry by Natsuko - http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/

Sand Fibers - http://sandfibers.blogspot.com

Alice Istanbul - http://istanbuldesigns.blogspot.com/

Thomasin Durgin - http://metalriot.blogspot.com

Susan Moloney - http://susarto.blogspot.com

Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com

emily watson- http://nocoloratall.tumblr.com/
Tosca Teran- http://www.nanopod.wordpress.com

Lisa Hopkins - http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com
Tamra Gentry - http://www.jewelrydesignchronicles.com/

JJ Papke- http://rosyrevolver.blogspot.com/

Alisa Miller- http://alisamiller.blogspot.com

Mary Spencer- http://www.wattoonline.blogspot.com/

Please become a fan of the Handmade Division Team on FaceBook.
Follow Handmade Division on twitter;
See the Handmade Division’s Flickr photo group: flickr photos
And of course follow the Handmade Division Team new blog!

Some new work from this week

2010-10-07T17:29:00.000-04:00

Turquoise n Sunstone Pendant

Green Prehnite Ring

Chrysocolla, Malachite, Azurite Ring

From frost till thaw...

2010-09-30T00:39:00.000-04:00

A nice mix...

2010-09-26T13:51:00.005-04:00

I love to set cool stones. As of late, if it doesn't make me say wow, I won't even touch it. I can't express how important it is to make sure that you select only the "good ones" when choosing a stone for a piece. In my experience, while a wonderful stone will sell a piece, a boring/dull stone will make it sit and collect dust. Of course sometimes you need simple stones to go with certain designs.
Generally speaking… killer stones sell.
Here are some of my choices over the past few weeks!

Don't forget, custom orders are in full swing, bring em on!

Prehnite, Garnet, Starchild

Prehnite, Space Commander, Prehnite, Herkimer Diamond

Ocean Jasper, Chrysocolla, Prehinite, Herkimer Diamond, Quartz with black rutile

Spessartine Garnet

New Herkimer and mmmm Labradorite...

2010-08-25T00:08:00.001-04:00

So I think this is the biggest herk ring yet...

I had to cut this Labradorite from a larger oval cabochon. It was worth it!

Stars, Red, Toxic Green

2010-08-19T13:38:00.000-04:00

Hi! Quick Update!

Starchild Ring, Chunky Green Prehnite and a Garnet Nug Ring...

Starchild ring is still available and of course I am still taking custom requests :)

Handmade Division Team - Talk About...

2010-08-15T12:00:00.003-04:00

Hello!

It's time for our monthly Handmade Division Team topic!!!

What would you like to create but do not currently have the skills or technology to do?

To start, I love to figure things out. I have always been that way with musical instruments(buy first, learn later) and it definitely carries over to my artwork. There are so many things that I would like to do, but lack the tools and know how to do it. Once I get the tools and the capability "skill" is not so much an issue as I am willing to put the time and effort into figuring it out and practicing. I have just been through this with stone cabbing/lapidary... still have a ways to go with cabbing, but I am having a blast learning.

Right now what I reallllly want to learn, and am about to make a priority is... engraving. I would love to get the tools that I need and really start giving this real try. Sure I have dabbled in it, but I want to put some real effort into it. Being able to add engraved designs to my work would be so nice right about now. I have always wished that there was a way to "draw" on my work and engraving seems to be the way to go.

Acid etching is another skill that I have dabbled in but wish to really put some effort into. It is another way for me to draw on my work. Currently I have a nitric acid setup, but find it too unpredictable and uncomfortable to work with.

I have tried scribing and some other techniques to get this drawn look, but nothing has worked out the way I wanted as of yet.

I am open for suggestions!!!

Please stop by some of our other team member blogs and see what they are thinking on this same topic!!! Seriously, these artists are great, you don't want to miss what they have to say!!!

NEDbeads: http://www.nedbeads.blogspot.com/

Lisa Hopkins Design: http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/

Jewelry by Natsuko: http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/

Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/

ArtJewel Designs: http://www.artjeweldesigns.blogspot.com/

Abhaya Fibers: http://abhayafibers.blogspot.com/

Nova of Sweden http://nova-designs.blogspot.com/

Bella-Bijou Jewellery: http://bellabijoujewellery.blogspot.com/

Pink Crow Studio: http://www.pinkcrowstudio.typepad.com/

Sand Fibers: http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/

Alice Istanbul: http://istanbuldesigns.blogspot.com/

Thomasin Durgin: http://metalriot.blogspot.com/

Moxie & Oliver: http://moxieandoliver.blogspot.com/

Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com/

Recent work & Herk Overload!

2010-08-12T12:27:00.000-04:00

Can there be too many Herkimer diamond rings??? Apparently not!!!

Cabbing Update!

2010-07-26T11:55:00.000-04:00

I finally put in some real cutting time this weekend! Here is what I came up with. Ocean Jasper goodness!
Things are finally starting to go a bit smoother(literally) in the Purified cabbing department :)

What I have been up to...

2010-07-22T11:20:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update with some eye candy! Got to get back to the bench!!!! PEACE!!!!

Handmade Division Talk about...

2010-07-15T12:00:00.003-04:00

This Month’s question is…

Are there artists you would love to collaborate with? What would you make?

I would love to get into doing collaborations. I have actually been thinking about this off and on for a while now. It could bring about some very interesting work! On top of that, it would be a great way to promote.
My current idea is for a ring. One artist would do the band design and the other would do the top design and possibly set a stone. Since each artist would only focus on one part of the ring, it would be much easier to add some great details and end up with a really unique piece.
I would also like to collaborate with a non metal artist, say maybe a painter and incorporate a small painting into a pendant. Or on the opposite end, do a cool copper or brass boarder for a painting... something along those lines. It would be nice!

Please check out some other artists on the Handmade Division Team who are sharing their answers to this very same question!!!

Andes Cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/

Lisa Hopkins Design - http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/

ceeb wassermann aka howlindoggie: http://mettledesignstudio.blogspot.com/

Rickson Jewellery - http://www.ricksonart.blogspot.com/

Susan Moloney - http://susarto.blogspot.com/

nanopod: Hybrid Studio - http://www.nanopod.tv/

Work, play, help others...

2010-07-01T15:01:00.001-04:00

I'm super busy this week! Here are a few completed pieces...

Amethyst!

Rhodonite!

I'm thinkin real hard about starting a new nano-reef. If/when I do, I will document it here :)

Since I have been playing with lapidary lately, a helpful tip came into my head last night. Now this may be a well known thing, but whatever!

So if you are into setting stones, and you like your bezels tight like me(I like my cabs to "pop" into place), occasionally you may get a stuck cab, even using dental floss underneath it. So a good thing to have on hand would be some dopping wax, a dowel and a flame. Make sure your cab is clean first and heat it up. No direct flames and not too hot as to crack the stone, but hot still. Heat up the wax on the end of the dowel, and clump it onto the entire surface of the cab. Let cool for 20 minutes or so to room temp and pull that sucker out! When you are done put the cab in the freezer for 5 minutes and the wax will all crumble off. Thats it!

New work and a bug...

2010-06-29T12:36:00.011-04:00

I have a few new pieces finished up and ready for wearin!

Emerald and Prehnite Pendants...

Jumbo Herkimer Diamond ring...

Medium Herkimer Diamond ring...

Also, Lothar(my dog) and I were wrestling in the living room when I stumbled upon this buggy frozen like a statue. So I took pics! She was an excellent model. Looks great with blue lace agate! She is now back in the wild(my yard) bein all tough n stuff!

Mission Accomplished!

2010-06-24T12:43:00.005-04:00

Well I finally finished my first ring with one of my very own cabs! So exciting!

From Slab...

To finished Ring!

New Bench!

2010-06-22T12:16:00.001-04:00

New bench! New studio layout!

It is soooo nice to be out of the basement. I want to sleep in my studio! Sometimes I just sit there with just the desk lamps on at night and listen to music. My fav room in the house!!!

H20 Candy - Takashi Amano

2010-06-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

So if you are a reefer, or a fresh water freak... well no matter what you are, Takashi Amano's planted tanks are just pretty freakin awesome to look at.
You can see more of his work here amanotakashi.net

Make sure to check out his tanks!!!

photo credits Takashi Amano

Cabbing...

2010-06-17T12:12:00.000-04:00

My current cabs in progress! I can't wait to set them! The smaller green cabs(Prehnite and Fluorite) are for mini Man o War rings.

Clockwise.. Ocean Jasper, Ocean Jasper, Plume Agate, Ocean Jasper and Amethyst Sage Agate in the middle.

June "Talk About" with the Handmade Division Team!

2010-06-15T13:06:00.000-04:00

Heyoooooooo! It's the monthly "talk about" blog that I share with the Handmade Division team!!!

This month's topic is...

“Do you consider yourself only a Single Discipline artist, or do you work in multi media application, and/or draw techniques from other fields to use in the creations you’re working in?”

Well to start, I LOVE creating art, and that means pretty much ANY art. Plus I have a really really short attention span, so there you go! I am in love with metals right now, but my favorite art form would have to be sculpture. I guess jewelry design is really just small sculptures that you wear on your body yes?

My ultimate goal is to have several forms going at once. Now that I am pretty much creating on a full time schedule, I am going to start branching out soon.

I'm thinking some photography first, then I will ease my way back into a big long term sculpture project that I have had planned out for quite some time.

I also really really want to get into ceramics! And tattoos! And Glass!

Yep...

Please check out some other artists who are sharing their answers to this very same question!!!

Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
Thomasin Durgin: http://metalriot.blogspot.com/
Jewelry by Natsuko: http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/
Lisa Hopkins Design: http://lisahopkinsdesign.blogspot.com/
Maureen BZ (Cosmo’s Moon) http://cosmosmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Abhaya Fibers http://abhayafibers.blogspot.com/
ArtJewel Designs http://www.artjeweldesigns.blogspot.com/
Susan Moloney http://susarto.blogspot.com/
Tamra Gentry http://jewelrydesignchronicles.wordpress.com/
HandMade Division Blog http://handmadedivision.wordpress.com/

Please note: Not all our members post their blogs at the same time of day!

Oh yeah...

2010-06-11T12:48:00.001-04:00

One more Herkimer ring that I snuck in yesterday!

What I have been up to lately...

2010-06-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

Hello! Here is some work that I have done over the past couple of weeks!

Slab O Rama!

2010-05-30T11:27:00.002-04:00

Well I bit the bullet and started cabbing my own rocks! This will truly make my work 100% hand made and wow, these cabs are going to be awesome!

Have a look at some of my current slab stock!

Amethyst Sage Agate with Dendrites!

Multi colored Ocean Jasper!

Sweet!!!

Handmade Division - Talk about

2010-05-16T08:32:00.003-04:00

This months topic -
What item do you most treasure made by another artist? ( if there is one) If not, how about what would you *like* to have?

Lets start with the first, and its a "would like to have" piece. An Octopus Chandelier made by Adam Wallacavage. You can check out Adam and his cephalopod friends here - http://www.adamwallacavage.com/octo/index.html

Next another piece that I would like to have :)
It's Rafael! by Jessica Joslin. More of her work here - http://www.jessicajoslin.com/jessica/

My favorite ring that I DO have...
From Sara Westermark! - http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarawestermark

And my awesome belt buckle from Ande Cruz! - http://www.andescruzdesigns.com/

Please be sure to stop by the other blogging participants and see what they find a treasure. I know I can’t wait to go see…

Bill

Jewelry by Natsuko - http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/

Tosca - http://www.nanopod.wordpress.com

Susan Moloney - http://susarto.blogspot.com/

WATTO- http://www.wattoonline.blogspot.com

Ceeb Wassermann - http://mettledesignstudio.blogspot.com/

Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com

Rickson- http://RicksonArt.blogspot.com

Tamra Gentry http://jewelrydesignchronicles.wordpress.com/

Purified Art - http://purifiedart.blogspot.com/

Sandfibers - SandFibers – http://sandfibers.blogspot.com

ArtJewel Designs - http://artjeweldesigns.blogspot.com/

Kerin Rose-http://kerinrose.blogspot.com/

Abhaya Fibers http://abhayafibers.blogspot.com

HandMade Division Blog http://handmadedivision.wordpress.com/

Talk About... My favorite thing

2010-03-14T22:09:00.041-04:00

Hello all!

I am joining up with some people from the Snow Leopard Network to talk about a favorite thing that I have created.

Mine would have to be my bike. I tend not to, and try not to get attached to material things, but this bike is a tuff one! It was created by a few friends and myself at a place and time that will stay with me forever. The memories are good, and I hope to have many more!

It's built from an 89' 883 Harley evo motor and a paughco frame. The fuel tank has been chopped in half on the right side to incorporate the oil tank as well. Pretty much all of the metal was fabricated from old misc parts including the exhaust. Everything on this bike was modified/fabricated in some way by us. Its a one of a kind for sure!

Please check out some other blogs with their favorite creations!

Andes Cruz

Jewelry by Natsuko

Art Jewel Designs

Istanbul Designs

A Newfangled Rhetoric

Thomasin Durgin

My new Herkimers...

2010-02-23T23:24:00.009-05:00

So I started setting these Herkimer Diamonds in my rings lately.
Herkimers are naturally faceted double terminated quartz found around Herkimer county New York. Awesome stuff to work with!
Here are the first four designs!

What I have been up to...

2009-12-12T23:48:00.008-05:00

A little display of my work over the last few months :)

Labradorite

Prehnite city ring

Chrysocolla earthling ring

Rutile Prehnite

Multi color Tigers Eye

Chrysocolla, agatized

Chrysocolla

Yellow Prehnite

Kyanite and Pyrite

Labradorite

Custom Order Tiffany Stone

2009-11-15T23:36:00.005-05:00

A nice big ol' Tiffany stone "spirit" ring that I did for a new customer!

Man O' War Prehnite Pendant

2009-09-24T23:25:00.016-04:00

Hey everybody!
I listed this pendant on etsy today and thought I would show some pics of the process.
Enjoy...

Rutile Green Prehnite Cab. Ready for the settin.

And the bezel soldered and ready to go.

So I decided to mess with some wire on this piece. I used 3 different guages, shaped them and then hammered them for some texture.

Just lining them up and changing the order to see what looks best.

Final layout before soldering.

And now they are soldered!

Shaped and trimmed up all nicey nice.

One more solder step to go.

Soldered, oxidized and ready to put a finish on it. Then set the stone!

All done :)

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Moms B day Ring - Sterling and Prehnite

2009-08-12T23:16:00.009-04:00

One good thing about making silver is that I don't have to go to malls and stores to pick out a present for birthdays:P
Here is momz b day ring!

To make the seat for the bezel I melted some scrap silver into a hole in my soldering block.

Red hot!

Pretty raw at this point...

Shaped and ready to solder together

All soldered up

Cleaned up and purty

Oxidized with liver of sulfer and ready to add a final finish then set the stone

All done... Happy b day!

From this to that - Sterling Multi Tiger Ring

2009-08-09T17:20:00.016-04:00

I am working with some really nice stones now! They make the design process so much more enjoyable! Here are some photos from my latest creation process!

Here is the stone that I chose to work with :)

Getting ready to solder the bezel.

Soldered!

Cleaned up the bezel and added some wire.

Soldered the band on.

Finished soldering

Oxidized for the finish.

Finish has been added, ready to set.

Allllllll Done You like?

Browsing Etsy...

2009-06-14T23:33:00.003-04:00

Just a few things that caught my eye while browsing Etsy!

SHOUT!

2009-06-09T20:13:00.029-04:00

Creative with clay

Melissa Meman

ColtPixy

Jewels by Jules

Seedlings

Don't forget to send in photos for pics from the bench! Scroll Down!

Jessica Joslin – When beauty meets bone…

2009-06-05T18:58:00.014-04:00

Featured Artist – Jessica Joslin

For those of you who have never laid eyes on Jessica’s work, you are about to be amazed.
Metal smiths prepare to be humbled. Sculptors, raise your jaws off the floor.

I am so inspired when looking at Jessica’s work that I don’t know quite what to do.

So I clear my head and go back to work hoping that the genius of such pieces as Ludwig, Lupe and Egon will rise to the surface of my own imagination… just a little bit.

Head over to Jessica's site to see more of her work!

Pics from the bench

2009-06-04T18:29:00.010-04:00

I'm trying out a new weekly post called "Pics form the bench". Let's see how it works out!

I need your help on this one, this means YOU!

This post is all about photos taken from YOUR(and my) work area.

Here's the catch...

It's not about the work you are doing or even the materials you work with, but focused on(see what I did there:P) the designs you can create with what is laying around your work area.
As a matter of fact, the less we can tell what your photos are actually of the better.

This is a design oriented idea. In other words, don't take a photo of a pencil laying on a piece of paper. Take a close up of the pencil going through the paper! Got it!?! Think outside the box!

Macros work great for this!

It's easy! Just keep your camera by your side when you are working... when something catches your eye, take some shots! Careful though, it's easy to get sidetracked!

No matter what your work or work area is(it does not have to be a bench or metals related), send your photos to me, or give me a link and I will put them up each week!

Be creative, be very creative! Photo editing is warmly welcomed and encouraged!
Send your photos/links to bmartin@purifiedart.com.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

I am going to start this off with a photo from this weekend.
Have fun!

Shaye Saint John – Do you like weird?

2009-05-29T21:19:00.009-04:00

Featured Artist – Director Eric Fournier

I'd like to change things up. Lets try some video art!
What can I say? This is one of the most whacked out collections of short films that I have stumbled upon in a while. It's basically about a disfigured crazy lady and her day to day life.
It has so much non-stop psychedelic brain candy that even someone with a short attention span(like me) will find it filling.
It may take a few minutes to get over the weirdness, but if you listen to the dialog it's actually quite comical.
I like it, Check it out!
Check out more Shaye Saint John shorts here!

Video Credit: Eric Fournier

Juan Cabana - A study in Cryptozoology

2009-05-25T11:47:00.014-04:00

Featured Artist - Juan Cabana

Cryptozoology (from Greek κρυπτός, kriptos, "hidden" + zoology; literally, "study of hidden animals") refers to the search for animals which are considered to be legendary or otherwise nonexistent by mainstream biology.

What I like most about Juan's work is how he strives for realism. His work truly does look like something that has possibly been unearthed after years spent in decay.
His art has also been featured in the infamous Weekly World News, which is very cool in my book.

Head over to thefeejeemermaid.com and check out the huge gallery of odd works by Juan!

Photo Credit: Juan Cabana

Todays Featured Etsy Artist!

Visit Jan Allsopp at The Little Shop of Horus and check out some wonderful Prints, Paintings and journals!

Photo credits: Jan Allsopp