cube pendant

Fabricated Sterling. The cube is just under a 1/4 each side.

May 12, 2017 0

obelisk pendant

Forged Sterling. 1.5 inches. The embellishment is a riveted ring.

April 11, 2017 0

belt and buckle

Sterling buckle, keeper, and leather belt. Approximately 2.5 inches. I’ve been out of commission for a bit. Back in the workshop today for the first time in four months. It felt really good. The buckle was previously made, but I manufactured the keeper and cut the belt today. Not bad for one eye! Detail highlighting buckle, embellishment, and keeper.Reverse. Here one can see the dimension and the embellishment.This is the full view of the buckle, belt and the two embellishments. This can be custom fit to your dimensions. Note there is only one hole in the belt. $250

January 16, 2017 0

Dutch coffee spoons

Dutch coffee spoons, fabricated Sterling and 14k gold, approximately 5 1/2 inches.

These are the latest addition to the Dutch coffee spoon collection. They are meant to be “everyday” spoons, unique to the individual, and part of the morning routine.

The detail on the left shows the “vine” embellishment of one and the bowl of the other. On the right is the opposite end of each. This end is embellished with a 14 gold knob.

The reverse of both.

December 23, 2015 0

belt hanger

Fabricated silver. Just over an inch long.

Here’s how it functions for me, although, any number of things could be suspended from it. The idea is based on a medieval practice. At that time they primarily were used to hang purses (in lieu of pockets). When wearing a waistcoat the button holes provide the means to anchor a pocket watch chain. This belt hanger will work when there are no serviceable buttons available.

Detail in which the rivet and decorative ring are very visible.

May 19, 2015 0

Silver Cross with Citrine

This heavy Greek, or Morning Star, cross is fabricated silver. The cross itself is just over an inch long, with the complete piece being just under 2 inches. The citrine stone is set in a silver bezel, with a thin disk of 14k gold behind it for a bit more reflectivity.

The double bail was a different take for me. I think it works. The piece is relatively small, and heavy. The citrine cabochon is only 4mm. I think it is the smallest bezel set I’ve done.

A few more views. It’s mostly what I had in mind.

November 1, 2014 2

coffee spoon

Fabricated Sterling and 14k gold. Approx. 5 inches.

This is meant to be an “everyday” spoon, unique to the individual, and part of the morning routine. The bowl is polished on the front, and the forging marks remain on the reverse. The bowl is nestled in a square wire frame formed so the corner, rather than the side, of the wire meets. The end features a heavy, forged square with a 14k gold embellishment in its center.

Details.

August 16, 2014 0

t spoon

Fabricated Sterling. Approx. 7 1/2 inches.

The bowl is forged and I left the hammer marks as texture. The square wire handle twists tighter as it approaches the t end.

Details of the bowl, the t end, and the reverse of the bowl.

A few more angles highlighting scale and proportion. It’s long enough to use in a tumbler.

August 16, 2014 0

tobacco seed holder

Fabricated Sterling. Just over an inch in diameter and weighs 3/4 of a troy oz.

Earlier this week I harvested some wild tobacco seeds. It put the holders in my mind (see the post from June 21 for two other tobacco seed holders).

Some background regarding the tobacco seed holders: Wild tobacco is considered by many people a very special plant. I learned some years ago when working with the Comanche and Pawnee nations that “God enjoys the smell of wild tobacco and draws near when it is being burned in ceremony.” I was told that in the languages of these people (and many others, by the way), the meaning of the English words “life,” “breath,” and “spirit” are all contained in a single word. In this understanding, one “breathes” in the tobacco smoke where it becomes mixed with his or her “life.” Then it is exhaled, as visible life/breath/spirit, and God, drawing near, breathes it in where it becomes mixed with his life–a kind of sacramental interaction. I was also taught that tobacco has its place when used properly, but it is often misused by those who don’t understand that place. As you consider these ideas, you may recall the biblical notion that a burned offering could be described as a “pleasing aroma” (“Then Noah…offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man.'” Genesis 8:20-21).

I was later charged with the task of perpetuating and distributing these seeds (to keep the plants growing and available in the future), and I felt they required a worthy container. Hence the holders began.

This is my second attempt at this design. In the next couple of days I’ll post photos of my first failed attempt.

This one shows the inside closing mechanism before the back was soldered on. There is an inner disk which is turned using the dial-like knob on the front. It is turned to line up the holes on the inside and outside disks which serve as a gate allowing the seeds to be added or dumped.

The piece is assembled here, but before the final polishing.

After polishing. The gate is shown opened and closed. The last one here shows the reverse.

And one more.

Here is my sketch for the piece. Just before I began manufacture I decided to use a square wire for the sides rather than a taller sheet metal ring. I think the thinner profile is much more dramatic.