Hot Off the Bench!

Time for another blog update and a quick peek at my new work hot off the bench! I'm trying to build up my inventory and make the shop more presentable, and hopefully these new pieces will go a long way toward reaching that goal. I'd love to hear your feedback, so please comment if you'd like.

Enjoy! :)

As always, thank you for looking! :)

New Metalwork!

I thought it was about time I let you see what I've been up to lately. So here are a few photos of my recent metalwork! I'm really having fun working with beautiful hand-cut cabs and gemstone beads. I love the splash of color they add, especially paired with the darkened silver. I hope you like what you see! :)

Thank you for looking! :)

A Special Treasury

Our Aspiring Metalsmiths team has a new "treasury challenge." This month it's to create an Etsy treasury for Mother's Day. Here's mine. In loving memory of my sweet Mommy for Mother's Day. Things she loves. Birds. Butterflies. Opals. The color blue.


I love and miss you Mommy.

Busy day!

Just running through with a quick update. I spent the whole day experimenting with my new light box. Who knew product photography could be so complicated?! Lighting, angles, ISO, white balance.....oh my. After hours of test shots, trying different backgrounds and a little editing, I did finally end up with some photos I really like.

Oh so much I need to learn! I can tell this is going to be a never-ending learning process!

Spring has sprung!

What a BEAUTIFUL day here in the midwest! Spring is officially here. It's a wonderful 74 degrees, the sun is shining, there is a nice breeze and the yummy smell of neighborhood-grilling filling the air. Birds are singing and flowers are blooming. We could get used to this!

Nothing quite gets the creative juices flowing better than Spring in all it's glory. Time to get busy getting some new ideas down in the sketchbook! Stay tuned!

Happy Spring everyone! :)

Check out what all my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies are thinking about Spring.

Steph Stargell http://stephstargell.com

Lilian http://girllovesglitter.blogspot.com
Pennee - All Wired Up Jewelry Designs http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
nancycreations http://nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
SerpentsDanceDesigns http://dancetothedoor.blogspot.com
Autumn Bradley http://autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes http://cjbf.blogspot.com
Jessica @ Abella Blue http://abellabluestudio.com/blog
Sylvia Anderson http://sylviaanderson.blogspot.com
Gloria http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com
Esmeralda http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/2012/04/signs-of-spring.html  

Rock Candy!

Hello there! This blog post is a long time coming. It's actually a topic my Aspiring Metalsmith's team came up with last year. At the time, I wasn't able to participate in the blogroll, but now I thought, better late than never, right!?

So what's the team blogroll topic I'm talking about? Rocks. "Show us your rock collection!"

As with most folks, I had a rock collection as a kid. I'd line them up, in a certain order, on my little white bookcase and admire them. I'd dig in the backyard to find more to add to my collection. And I was convinced one of my rocks contained gold.  

Fast forward several decades and I've started collecting rocks again. After taking back up my love of metalsmithing, I have rediscovered my love of rocks and rock collecting! I'm amazed by all of the beauty in natural stones and gemstones. And I just love all of the endless possibilities that I have when incorporating stones and gemstones into my jewelry designs.

So, without further adieu, let's see the rock candy.....I mean rock collection!

Top, left to right: Landscape Jasper, Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Rosetta Stone
Bottom, left to right: Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Globe Hills Chrysocolla, Tree Malachite & Chalcedony,
Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Globe Hills Chrysocolla

Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Dalmatian Jasper, Green Aventurine, Rhodonite, Tree Moss Agate

Lepidolite In Quartz, Zebra Agate, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Turquoise

Clockwise from top: Dryhead Agate, Turquoise, Arroyo Picture Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla 

Clockwise from top: Polka Dot Agate, Brazilian Agate, Rocky Butte

Clockwise from top: Landscape Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla, Kingman Turquoise and Bronze

Some of the stash.

Well, that about covers my rock collection to date. I'm always on the look-out for new beauties to add to my stash. And I've enjoyed becoming friends with several wonderfully talented Lapidary artists. Their work amazes me! And what's better than having a beautiful, handcut stone blended with my handmade jewelry designs?!

If you have a few minutes, take some time and check out my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies' rock collections. Enjoy! (tip: look in their archives for "Feb 2011," to find their rock posts.)

Autumn Bradley - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/
Clarity @ Scrollwork Designs - http://thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/
Stacy Low - http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com
Chrissi Lynn Designs - http://www.chrissilynn.blogspot.com
Sylvia Anderson - http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/
Jessica @ Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes - http://cjbf.blogspot.com/
Esmeralda - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/
Steph Stargell - http://www.stephstargell.com
Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks - http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/show-us-your-stones/#more-4
Claire - brightstar109.blogspot.com/
AristiKat- http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/

Handmade Holidays

Our November blogroll topic for the Aspiring Metalsmiths is 'Handmade Holidays' -- and a very fitting topic indeed! What better way to celebrate the holidays than by giving your loved ones the gift of handmade this year!

There are so many benefits to buying handmade for the holidays -- and everyday! When you buy handmade, you are supporting an independent artist, you are helping them support their craft, buy supplies and afford to do what they love. When you buy handmade, you are buying a quality product, made with thought, care and love by the artist's own hands. Each handmade gift you buy is unique, one of a kind. Every hammer-mark, brushstroke, fingerprint is unique, and there will never be another exactly like it. Buying handmade offers many opportunities for personalization and collaboration. You can communicate directly with the artist and work together to create that special gift for your loved one. I could go on and on....

But instead, I'll stop and show you a few handmade gift ideas, and hopefully inspire you to give handmade this holiday season! Happy shopping!
...............................................................................


The first artist I'm featuring today is Hodaka Hasebe of Hodakapottery. His handmade stoneware pottery mugs, bowls, teapots, casseroles, platters and vases are beautiful works of art. I love his style, the flow of lines on his work and his amazing use of glazes. And his stunning work is also totally functional for everyday use! The perfect handmade gift!

by Hodaka Hasebe

by Hodaka Hasebe

Next, I'm featuring my fellow Aspiring Metalsmith teamie, Angela Bowman and her dad, Jeremy Burdge, an accomplished glassblower -- both of ajjewelrydesigns. Mr. Burdge specializes in lovely, one-of-a-kind art glass pieces, including these wonderful angels, as well as Christmas ornaments, pumpkins and more. I just love the ruffled, flowing skirt and the delicate wings of his angels. Amazing work!

by Jeremy Burdge & Angela Bowman

by Jeremy Burdge & Angela Bowman

Next, is a unique gift idea. My Chatty Metalsmith teamie, Laura Roberson of TrystingTreeFarm raises Alpine dairy goats and uses their fresh milk as a major ingredient in her skincare products. She handmakes all kinds of goatsmilk soaps, using only the finest grade oils, butters and essential oils and then ages them for mildness. A very unique gift!

by Laura Roberson

by Laura Roberson

And last, but not least, I just had to include some of my handcrafted metalwork. You can visit my shop AmyEstelleMetalworks for all kinds of great handmade gift ideas. I specialize in sterling and fine silver artisan jewelry, including necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets. You're sure to find a unique handmade gift for yourself or that special someone. 

 

by Amy Estelle

by Amy Estelle

by Amy Estelle

Remember, a handmade gift is special. It comes from the heart -- both your's and the artist's. When you buy handmade this holiday, you are buying more than a product, you are supporting an artist do what they love.

If you have a few minutes, check out my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies' thoughts and ideas about 'Handmade Holidays'!  Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Mary Anne Karren - silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/

Jessica @ Abella Blue - www.abellablue.com/blog

Stacy - formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Brown – resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com

Lilian Genebra - www.girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/

Pennee- All Wired Up Jewelry Designs - allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Claire English - brightstar109.blogspot.com/

Gayle - thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com

Nancy - nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Autumn Bradley - www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com