Plique a jour Pendant

Plique a jour Pendant. This was my first go at plique.  Basically you fill an opening with enamel (transparent in this case) get it really hot, and you get a little window.  This little piece was scrap silver left over from something.  I was still learning how to use the GIMP software, so I made this sketch:

I used that to transfer the design to the silver and cut out the shape, and then threw in the enamel:

I even made a custom catch.  That is how you can tell a hand made object, the attention to detail and the craftsmanship.  It should look like someone cared.....

Dragon Bicycle Bell

This is a fully functional bicycle bell.  Nickle copper and enamel.  I fabricated everything except the bolts.  This is sort of what I would have imaged my bike bell to be like when I was a kid.  So that sort of explains the cartoon like image.

My professor told me that I couldn't make a bell, because we didn't have the right materials and tools.  I really don't like to hear that I can't do something........

DING DING DING!!!  OUTTA MY WAY!!!!

Here are some pictures showing the construction and pieces prior to assembly:

 

I think there are about 75 separate pieces.

Masonic Reliquary

This is a Masonic Reliquary  that I made during the first quarter of my Metals class at Central Washington University.  It was the culmination of the quarter.

It is a pretty good looking piece and is filled with symbolism.  Some of the symbols are meaningful to any Mason and some - just to me.  The two coins were struck with a die to leave a square and compass on them, and they were given to me, so I would never be penniless.

Here are some larger format pictures (unfortunately I didn't really get any of the construction).

The pendulum (ray from the eye above) swings, but the coin can not reach the outer circle.  This is a standard masonic image which usually includes images of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

The text, on the coins and on both sides of the base, has to do with trust in god.

I think it is pretty good, considering I had never held a torch 9 weeks earlier
and had a bunch of other projects that quarter.  And yes, I did get an "A" for the project and out of the class that quarter.

Oosik Ring

Oosik Ring with Gold Balls

 This is  a ring I made for a friend.  While I was learning how to cut and stabilize ivory for a different project, I realized that some of the ivory I had was somehow different.

I did some research and became convinced that is was Oosik.    So I was working up a ring in a similar construction, but instead of stones I figured it would need some decorative balls.

Well, not 4 balls, but I was trying to decide what color of gold.......

I don't have any really good pictures of this ring, but I have some of the construction:

How to get an "F" in Art

 

This one is a little weird.  Or maybe just a little weirder than the rest.  We had an assignment to make jewelry for the Art  Building.

So here is the final product:

It hung a little better the first time, but I took it down... after two days, and forgot to get a picture.

Here are some photos of the process:

Silver and Enamel Poppy Pendant

This was probably in the spring of 2011

The back comes apart and I made several different enameled plates to go inside.  That way the flower can be different colors, etc.






Here is the back

And here is the process:

Start with a detailed sketch and engineering plans:

Rough out the construction:

Make a big mess:

Enamel Poppy Buckle

This is a piece I made when I was learning about etching and enameling.

  

It is entitled "reproduction" and has a sort of, well.... double image.  There are the pods, the fresh buds, the full bloom, then the end of the life cycle when the drooping flowers drop the seeds in hopes of reproducing.  Then there is another picture.

Here is the back.  I placed the bolts through the front in strategic places to meet this design on the back.

 I actually won the "Kitty Moe award for 3-d art" at Gallery One in Ellensburg  for this piece.  A money award.

I think it was for this piece, but when they set up the show they switched the name cards on the two pieces I entered, so i don't really know.  They didn't ask at the bank so maybe I don't care.

I bought a jeweler's bench with the money. :)

 Neat and orderly.... a place for everything, and everything all over the place is what I always say.

But anyway, here is a glimpse at the process:

I drew one side then made a mirror image using the GIMP software

More pictures after the link

celtic broach

So this was about the third object I made.  It is a broach and the idea was to reference the old celtic wheel of progress.  It turned out okay. 

 

I was still learning a lot about soldering and surface finishes.  This is nickel silver, but copper plated.

Gallery One Visual Arts - Regional Show

Yeah for me!  Kitty Moe sponsored the award, or rather her family in her memory.