Silversmith+Jeweler

A Blog for the Silversmiths + Jewelers.

There have been quite a few enameled jewelry pieces coming out of the studio the last few weeks. Enameling is a fun way to add color, instead of using gemstones, in jewelry. In fact, I believe enameling was first created to have the look of certain gemstones that may have been a bit pricy or rare to find. Susan made these enameled pendants using an enameled base with an enameled design layer. Kathy made all of these pieces using an enameled base with an oil underglaze to create the pretty shapes you see in the glass. And the enamel glows in the dark!! All of the pieces of Kathy's above do.  They were difficult to photograph, but the picture below is a pretty good representation of how cool they look. Isn't that such a great idea? She made a piece for fun that looks a little like the shop dog, Cody. I made him this Dog Tag using the oil based under glaze. And he really likes it! Enameling is definitely a fun technique ...
This is a bit late, but we have a lot to show for the last few weeks! I'm really excited about some of the jewelry that has been coming out of the studio lately. It's so much fun to see what others are coming up with! Here is a beautiful necklace made by Michelle . I really love it!  Ruth made these wavy tube set earrings out of argentium.   Michelle made this great silver and brass cuff. ...and Cody wanted to model it for us! Doesn't it look good on him?  Laura is selling these pretty necklaces and other jewelry at the Butterfly Wonderland Gift Shop.  Lynn made me this bracelet for my birthday! Wasn't that sweet?  Love this! Hopefully Melanie makes more stuff like it because it is such a cool idea.  Some dainty earrings made by Devon.  Leah made this cool necklace to go with her Smash collection.  Devon made this during Open Studio. I like it both ways! Some earrings Laura made the other night during open studio. Hope you had a ...
A few months ago, E-How asked me to partner up with them in some how-to videos for jewelry tips. Some of the subjects they wanted covered were pretty vague, and I tried to answer the questions the best I could. But,  I was really nervous going into them and it definitely shows. The filmmaker for the project was amazing and definitely helped make the most of it. We may do some more together and it was a wonderful learning experience regardless. I'll be posting links to them over the next few weeks. This one is on Refining Gold Jewelry. I've been thinking about putting up some videos on youtube for jewelry making. If there is anything you would like to see, let me know! Refining Gold Jewelry -- powered by ehow ...
 Ruth etched a leaf pattern into these pretty earrings. Laura made these square textured earrings out of copper.  Alejandra made these tube set earrings in Jewelry II.  Katy made these earrings for one of her first Jewelry I projects.  Mikako made these torch-fired enameled heart earrings.  Devon tube set these silver strip earrings on her birthday at the studio!  Lynn made this cuff for her daughter in law...  And this pendant with the star she pierced out. ...
Here are a few pictures from the Cloisonné Workshop last weekend. Didn't they turn out great? ...
I answered a few questions about the studio, what inspires me and what I'm up to over at Alene's Adornments Blog. Check it out, let me know what you think, and please feel free to ask me any questions you may have in the comments section!...