And the WINNER is…..

And the WINNER is……..BETH SAPP!! Woooo hoo!!! Congrats Beth! Beth entered via Facebook and has been notified. She chose the sterling silver horseshoe necklace as her prize.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who entered my give-away. This was a lot of fun, and I think we'll do another one soon.

Thanks again for entering. And stay tuned for the next give-away to come!

Amy Estelle

Learning Something New!

Hi everyone! I thought I'd post a quick update on a class I was lucky enough to take recently—a 3-day Chasing and Repoussé intensive with Liza Nechamkin Glasser at Genevieve Flynn's Studio in KC, MO.

Silversmith and Master Chaser, Liza Nechamkin Glasser teaches and exhibits her chased works nationally, and is the creator of Nechamkin Chasing Tools™. She worked for Tiffany and Company for 13 years as a Silversmith/Chaser and has work published in several books, including "Chasing and Repoussé Methods Ancient and Modern," by Nancy Megan Corwin. It was amazing to get to work so closely with such an expert in the field and to get first-hand knowledge and instruction straight from the source! Below is a beautiful sampling of Liza's work, taken from her website. I love the depth and texture she captures in her work.

Liza Nechamkin Glasser

The class was held at a local art studio here in Kansas City—Genevieve Flynn Studio. Genevieve is a Master Silversmith who has worked in precious metals for 40 years. She has degrees in jewelry design, jewelry repair and hand engraving, and has studied under masters such as Heikki Seppa, Fabrizio Acquafresca and Valentin Yotkov. Most recently, Genevieve was a "2015 Saul Bell Design Award winner" in Hollowware/Art Objects. Genevieve teaches, as well as hosts a "Metal Arts Visiting Master's Series Program" out of her own studio, where she brings in national and international master level instructors. It was beyond exciting to discover Genevieve Flynn's Studio, meet her, and now have the opportunity to learn from and work beside such renowned metal artists, without even having to leave Kansas City! I'm pretty excited, if you can't tell!

Genevieve Flynn

So, without further delay, here are some photos from my 3-day Chasing and Repoussé intensive. Enjoy!

Liza, Genevieve, Jane

Liza showing us how it's done.

Liza showing us how it's done.

She makes it look easy, but it's NOT!!

Detail shot.

Pennee and Jane

Jane

Lew

Pennee

Dianne

Day 1 - simple acetone transfer. (me)

Day 1 - chasing, lining, learning to use the tools. (me)

Day 2 - flipped the piece over and now embossing; Repoussé.

Day 2 - flipped the piece over and now embossing; Repoussé.

Day 3 - flipped the piece over again and now chasing and sculpting from the front.

Day 3 - experimenting with background patterns and more refining.

Day 3 - experimenting with background patterns and more refining.

My practice piece is finished.

What a fun experience! I really enjoyed learning about a new metal technique, and I met some wonderful metalsmiths, from KC and from around the country. Now that I have learned some basics about chasing and repoussé, and I have the tools I need, I look forward to continuing to practice and learn more. I've even cleared off part of my jeweler's bench for it. I also really look forward to taking more classes at Genevieve Flynn's Studio in the future, both with her one-on-one, as well as through her Visiting Master's Series Program. You should definitely check out her website and class schedule and attend a class yourself!

As always, thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to see what I've been up to.

Amy Estelle

New Year • New Tools • New Techniques

Hello,

Thought I'd share a quick photo post with you. It's a new year, I've been buying some new tools and I am planning to learn some exciting new metal techniques this year! I can't wait!

Cool new bench anvil.

A set of "Lynx setting burs" and stone setting punches (in the background)

A BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe and some practice stones (green CZ & simulated Alexandrite)

Awesome handmade tools by RW Goldsmith––his original bezel roller & finger burnisher.

Awesome handmade tools by RW Goldsmith––his original bezel roller & finger burnisher.

Digital calipers and german dividers

Well, that's it for now. Stay tuned and I'll update you on my progress as I learn some new things––top of my list this year is tube setting! I also plan to add rings to my shop. Exciting stuff!

As always, thanks for visiting,
Amy Estelle

My Secret Santa!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I received this beautiful birthstone necklace from my Etsy Aspiring Metalsmith Secret Santa, Erin, from heartsabustin! Such a feminine, dainty piece! I LOVE it Erin! Thank you SOOO much! :)

Check out Erin's beautiful jewelry at her shop heartsabustin, her handmade purses and clutches at SouthernTwistedBags and her cold process soap, body and hand lotions at SouthernTwistedSoaps. You're sure to find the perfect gift for you and your loved ones!

Thanks for visiting!
Amy Estelle

2013 Crafty Chicks Show & Sale

Hello. I thought you might enjoy seeing some photos from last Saturday's Crafty Chicks Show & Sale. There were a wide variety of talented artists on hand and lots of great ideas for Christmas shoppers. It was a fun, festive day and I enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing their work.

Here are just a few of the artists at the show. Click on each photo to visit the artists' website or shop (if available), and do some Christmas shopping yourself. Enjoy. :)

Amy Estelle Metalworks (me) and my handmade sterling silver and gemstone jewelry

Amy Estelle Metalworks

Amy Estelle Metalworks

Cheryl Izzo and Gretchen Finch are two of the original chicks and organizers of the show. Cheryl creates elegant 'Letter' painted canvases, one of a kind frames, vintage button collages and journals. Gretchen makes beautiful vintage button inspired creations—button collages, sterling silver button bookmarks, and button bracelets.

Gretchen Finch

Cheryl Izzo

Cheryl Holtman, of Holtman Haus Studios, makes bright, modern, functional pottery
as well as raku fired decorative pieces

Cheryl Holtman, of Holtman Haus Studios

Michelle Darter, of Hue & I Design, creates one-of-a-kind lampshade artwork

Clara Porter, of Clara's Paperclip Jewelry, makes fun, fashionable jewelry from paperclips and beads

Karen Kawallek, of Lake Providence Lodge, custom blends her own amazing scented wax melts

Karen Kawallek, of Lake Providence Lodge

Cheryl Jaeger sews fun, colorful gifts—including patchwork clutches, doll quilts and writing kits

Cheryl Jaeger

Amy Cecil, of Apple Scraps, makes hand-soldered pendants with a fun, earthy vibe
from natural and recycled materials

Amy Cecil, of Apple Scraps

Karla Taylor makes beautifully charming 2D & 3D needle felting work

Flora Chang offers a wide variety of handmade wares, all incorporating her sweet, imaginative style

Flora Chang

Tag Team Tompkins is a mother/daughter collaborative, making art that honors literary wit and wisdom, including letterpress prints and original mixed media art

Tag Team Tompkins

Daniel Shanks, of Shankalonian Labs, upcycles old computers and dead electronic equipment into amazing sculptures and creations

Daniel Shanks, of Shankalonian Labs

Daniel Shanks, of Shankalonian Labs

Lorraine Elmore creates Christmas decorations made of paper and decoupaged glass
with a lovely Parisian feel. Kim Mallory makes charming paper mache shoes with a vintage touch. 

Lorraine Elmore

Kim Mallory

Julie Reed creates beautiful, unique crocheted items, such as scarves and felted, embellished brooches

Julie Reed

Thank you so much for visiting. Happy shopping everyone!

Amy Estelle