Silversmith+Jeweler

A Blog for the Silversmiths + Jewelers.

This Heart on Your Sleeve cuff by Elizabeth Lyons uses fold forming and heat patina to create something that describes just what makes you happy. What a cool reminder of things we have to make us grateful throughout the day! So what would you put on your cuff? Mine would definitely have coffee. And maybe espresso too! Liz is also an author and her most recent book is a wonderful read...even if you don't have kids!...
Gaera is the newest addition to the Harold Studio home, but she's been around since nearly the beginning after finding out about the studio while going to metal smithing school in Turkey. The product of two artists as parents, Gaera definitely has designing in the blood. She's been all around the globe and her travels definitely seem to be reflected in her jewelry design. You can see some of her work here and I'm sure these pieces will be on her site soon! What do you think?...
We've got a new workshop coming! These earrings have a lot of movement and versatility. This is an example of what they can look like one way... And here is a different look on the back! What do you think? If you like the earrings, they'll be available as a diy in the coming weeks so keep a lookout for them!...
Starting March 28th we'll be having Jewelry II on Wednesday evenings. Further your jewelry know-how with skills including: Tube Setting, Chain Making, Clasps, Advanced Soldering, Solder Inlay and Tube Riveting. You can sign up here. Hope to see you at the studio! ...
Learn how to make these teardrop earrings and take them home with you in our new workshop! It's 1.5 hours, $25 and perfect for ages 13+. We're offering it now on Fridays between the hours of 12-6 and Saturdays from 10-3. All materials are included!...
These are a pair of earrings that were a Christmas present from Chris of Cross Currents Studio which I absolutely adore. They're long and look great on and are a pretty example of what you can do with fold forming. And what a coincidence, because tomorrow is our next Wine and Design and we are going over fold forming! So join us at Jobot at 6pm for some amazing food, drink, and jewelry conversation!...
We just had a couple of ladies that came in to make Resin Pendants at the studio recently. They also happened to bring in a couple of their own keepsakes to trap inside the pendant including an old Star of David that was part of a necklace one of them didn't wear anymore. It has now been transformed with a new look! What do you think? Do you have anything you'd like to wear again with a bit of a change?...
The studio will now be open Fridays from 12-8pm in addition to our regular hours! So please stop by and say hello! We will be offering the resin pendant workshop during this time frame as well. The resin pendant workshop is a great time for anyone! Perfect as a mother/daughter activity or offered as a valentines day gift, it's hard to go wrong with something you make that looks so good!...
Michelle, of White Dog Studios made a fabulous ring a while back that I featured in this post . Everyone loved the ring so much, she decided to make earrings out of the same design. I was able to catch her this weekend after she finished making a pair to photograph them as well as another pendant. Pretty and sleek: This pendant and earrings feature tube set stones. These are made out of sterling silver and have a brushed finish to them. The earrings have champagne cz's set on both sides and have a lovely teardrop shape to them. Checkout Michelle's shop for more pretty pieces!...
Today at the gem show, we saw stones of all shapes and sizes (one as tall as me!) from every corner of the world. It was more than a little overwhelming. I was able to get some tools for the studio and everyone ended up buying some stones. It was definitely a fun time and we didn't even see a tenth of the show!...
Joesphine, the newest key member of Harold Studio has a laugh that is catching. She does a lot of research for her day job and makes jewelry to relax and enjoy doing something she loves. Here are a couple of pieces I snagged off her today: This necklace has a clasp at the back with an extension which hangs down several inches. These are some earrings which are mokume. Mokume stands for wood eye metal. This is Josephine's first attempt at mokume and they turned out pretty neat! Last, these are some soon to be earrings using the technique of keum-boo. Josephine makes everything without using electricity! She thinks her pieces have a primitive look to them. What do you think?...
A group from the studio will be going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show this year! We'll leave around 8am on Sunday, Feburary 5th . This is Superbowl Sunday, so there will be at least one car back to Phoenix before the game starts. Let me know if you're interested in going and I can give you more information!...
We've been having a lot of people come to the studio to make resin pendants recently. Resin allows you to trap a keepsake inside something like a pendant forever under a clear glassy surface. We have things like watch parts and crystals to fill the pendants with, but anything can be used really; a picture, saying or even seashells. The resin pendants are a fun thing to make in groups for birthdays or a Friday night out. And that's just what happened for the group that came in and made these lovely pieces! Resin pendants are a fun way to create something you can wear that reflects your own style and artistry....
Gaera made this lovely pendant at the studio last week. It's not in her shop yet, but her website gaera.com has some pretty hand sewn hair clips and bows as well as jewelry. Check it out and look for more jewelry to show up there soon!...
Tonight we met up at Pita Jungle for a nice Wine and Design. Nobody had wine, but we had a good time getting to know each other and talking about what we do and would like to do when it comes to jewelry making and techniques. Below are a couple of cuff bracelets brought by Beth of bbdesignsny.com . She is in the process of moving to Arizona from New York and we definitely got some good ideas from her! The next Wine and Design will be at Jobot (a favorite at the studio) on the 21st and the theme is fold forming! Can't wait to see you there!...
Last Sunday, Greg and Kimberly came in to make wedding bands for each other at the studio. They met while out country dancing and have been together ever since. It was a lot of fun and even Kimberly's daughter had a hand in helping! Kimberly was nice enough to send pictures of the experience to me to put up here and wrote: "Thank you for the wonderful experience you have given both of us. We appreciate your time and patience. We now have another memory to cherish." Thanks for coming to Harold Studio you two! I'm so glad you have a great memory in making the engagement bands. Now you can brag to your friends about how your ring is made by your fiance! Are you interested in making wedding bands for each other? Contact us at Harold Studio for more information....
We have a few beautiful pieces of jewelry at 10% off to anyone who mentions Harold Studio to the seller this week! That's over $35 in savings! First off is a Spinner Ring by Elizabeth Lyons Designs. Next, we have a beautiful fold formed necklace by Chris at Cross Currents Studio Silver and Stone earrings by Michelle at White Dog Studios Finally, there are the classic pearl earrings by Ariel at Beni par Dieu...
We had a great workshop last week with Michelle Startzman on torch enameling. Above are a few examples of pieces worked on in the class. We learned quite a few new techniques including basic sifting, sgrafitto and stenciling with multi-colors. Below are a couple examples of Michelle's work. Can't wait to have her back in the Spring!...
This weeks completely biased picks of some totally rad jewelry to sport are 10% off if you mention Harold Studio to the seller! Wohoo! So from today until next Sunday, mention Harold Studio to receive 10% off off of the picks of the week. Just in case you don't notice, the theme is earrings. First up, we have Seville Silver Earrings by White Dog Studios Next, some Mint Green freshwater pearl earrings by Beni par Dieu Splendid Vintage style earrings by Elizabeth Lyons Designs Sterling silver spiral earrings by Cross Currents Studio Lastly, we have the Sweet Spiculum earrings from Dara. (Email studio to inquire about these bad boys). ...
Dara's been around the studio for longer than most and many people know her as the guru of all things jewelry. These are some amazing earrings she was sporting today that look sweet on. With a spiculum each and quirky silver balls at the end that remind me of foliage, these are some Dara originals for sure....
Liz is an all around wonder woman and it's amazing to me where she finds any time to even make jewelry. She's a regular blogger and such a good writer that she can even draw me (an unmarried gal without kids) into a world about stories of parenting and the married life that are filled with hilarity and common sense. She has 3 books under her belt, is a public speaker, the creator behind Hold it Baby , and did I mention she has 5 kids? She started Elizabeth Lyons Designs in 2011 and it has been inspiring to have her in the studio. She has a very positive, get it done attitude that is a lesson in how to achieve a lot in life....