Sunday, August 04, 2013

Coffee pot needed work after a bad happening. How? I annealed many times. I was looking for any cracking while moving metal, especially around fold in body. I lucked out and did not have any crack. I did how every have 4 pin holes in the chasing. All and all I am pleased it actually worked with no cracking.

Monday, April 15, 2013

I have not posted in several months. The reason is the privacy policy I have with some of my clients. Museum and Private Collectors to not show what I have restored or conserved for them. I have been busy with many restoration projects and remaking of old jewelry into new jewelry for clients. My new business of Argentum and the Leopard's Head has been exciting for my customers who have consigned things to sell and for me.

This is a pair of 18K white gold glasses with 14k rose gold screws. I like using 14k rose gold because it has more of a rose color than 18k, plus it is harder and works well for the mechanics.
I was commissioned to make these to match an antique pair of glasses that were made of horn.
I am working on a new pair of glasses for myself.  They are sterling.  
Rare Vanderslice Cruet Set. It is a mechanically well crafted. It has a long tube that goes down the center which also serves as the connection to the handle to pick up the set. There are two parts on the base, one the stand and the other the plate the crystal sits upon. There is a cylinder that fits into another cylinder between the two discs that make up the base allowing the turning. The tubing is held into place by a larger tube with a nut underneath the two silver discs.  It was made in San Francisco in 1858. Style is Renaissance Revival>

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

I started with 18 gauge sheet silver, 12 inches by 17 inches.  I used sandbag and steel stakes and hammers to make this piece. My hands were part of the moving. I often bend the metal with my hands or by stepping on it, if it is too hard to move by hand.  I love the curves of sea shells and waves. Sometimes I draw with pencil and paper before I start, to see curves, other times I will have in my minds eye what I want to hammer . I often spend time daydreaming the shape in all of its angles and curves. I can turn and move the image in my mind. I do not use a computer for this process. Other times, I take walks by the ocean, feel the movement of the waves or see the movement of the sand under my feet. Noticing how the rocks are smoothed by waves creating bowls of their own.