Copper Tree of Life Pendants
The tree of life pendant is a staple of my jewelry line, harkening to my celtic roots (if you’ll forgive the pun!) This year I’m making them slightly smaller in diameter, 1 1/2 inches and making them of more affordable copper wire. I’m creating the woven bails big enough to accommodate a 6mm neckwire. These five will be available at the upcoming Escondido Renfaire in April. The stones featured are unakite, garnet, amethyst and peridot.
Mensa Poker Champion Bracelet Commission
This is a commissioned sterling silver bracelet for the 2010 Mensa Society Poker Tournament. It was the grand prize for the winner of the 100+ participant tourney. The bracelet is hand forged and stamped and tumble polished to a high sheen. The design of the focal was provided by the head of the tournament committee. I think that it is the most lettering I’ve ever put on a bracelet before. The band is handwoven chainmaile in helm weave. It measures 10″ in length since it was designed to be worn by a man, however since a woman won the tournament, I am resizing it down to around 8″.
I am available to make custom poker champion bracelets. Each one is a unique creation featuring a handwoven chainmaile band and a custom hand stamped focal with the name and year of your event.
I’ve recently published an article on the equipment that I use for hand stamping. I make many poker tournament champion bracelets and hand stamp the event and year on each one to customize it. Recently, I’ve wanted to use more intricate stamps to create designs on cuff bracelets and pendants and discovered that my old tool setup was not working as well as I would have wished. The results of my tool research are in the article. I hope you’ll stop by and read it if you are into hand stamping jewelry.
JewelryLessons.com: Anvils and Hammers for Hand Stamping in a Small Studio
Railroad Track Anvil
Copper Penannular Kilt Pin
This is a 2″ Copper Penannular Brooch or Kilt Pin. It is an ancient design dating back to the middle ages and was used to fasten shawls, tartans and cloaks. My pin is made of heavy gauge copper wire that has been hand forged and textured. A simple copper coil is added to each side to add interest. You wear it by threading the material through the pin and then twisting it to trap the shawl or kilt in place. The pins are heavy, but striking.
This is the first of several I have planned to make over the next week or two, just in time for the Las Vegas Highland Games coming up mid-April.
Sterling Alice In Wonderland Charm Bracelet
Copper Celtic Bangle
I’ve returned from my buying trip in Tucson, AZ with lots of new goodies to be made into jewelry and many tools that will allow me to explore new techniques. Stones include peruvian opal, kyanite, tourmaline, sunstone, rainbow moonstone, assorted beryls, boulder opals and blue lace agate. I’m planning several new cluster bracelet, earring and pendant sets with the new stones.
I’ve also purchased several new tools that will allow me to expand my inventory to include bangle bracelets, cuff bracelets, neckwires and torcs. New pendants featuring wirewrapping around stones or corrugated leaves will also be in the works. As I complete things, I will post photos here to the blog and on my facebook business page.
Sterling Blue Topaz Tree of Life Pendant
The tree of life is an ancient celtic symbol that pops up in all forms of celtic arts. I’ve taken a basic pendant design and ramped it up with additional wire weaving and coiling techniques to create something a bit more unique. I have ten of these in various forms for sale in my booth, some made of copper wire and others of solid 925 sterling silver. All the stones are natural and of the highest quality. The pendants are 1 1/2″ across and approximately 2″ high. They can accomodate a neckwire or chain up to 3mm in width.
