Motanul Negru

2009-09-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

s8 Ring (Moonstone set in sterling)

This is the first of a series of rings. The theme you ask??? Mongolian Death Worm and other such fantastic and creepy creatures....any suggestions, pictures, complaints or free money please send me an email.

2009-09-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

Green Turquoise Ring

I've had this stone for a long time....8.5 years to be exact, and never thought about using it in a ring. I always envisioned a pendant. Green Turquoise....time flies...... at "9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation corresponding to the transition between two energy levels of the caesium-133 atom" to be exact.

Autumn Ring

2009-09-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Autumn Ring

(Garnet set in sterling silver)

Autumn is in the air...... Lately I've experimented with different textures for my rings. I love the hammered look but its time to expand and explore. The texture for this ring was created by roll-printing a dry leaf onto the silver at an annealed state. Then patina was applied to darken the metal and, using steel wool, I brushed the top surface which left the deep surfaces dark.

I think I will experiment with organic textures more...I like it!! Any one want to donate a finger so I can roll-print it onto silver strip?? Hahaha...I'm kidding! But suggestions would be cool....

2009-09-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

On a Late Summer's night dream...

This is a silver ring with a rough cut Rhodonite stone. It may not look like it but I think I'm getting better at making prong settings...its tough! Especially when its an odd shaped stone.

But as always it was lots of fun working on it, as its for a dear friend (I hope it resembles your dream...I tried....although I only used one piece of stone and have some left...hmm pendant?).

Ring Ring

2009-09-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Moss Agate Ring

This weekend was busy......studio on Friday (all day and still not satisfied, I did create three rings), movie and art opening on Saturday , and family on Sunday. Note about the movie....My friend Ashley called and invited me to see Amreeka by CHERIEN DABIS. It hit on a very personal level since it was about coming to America as an immigrant. Fantastic movie and I recommend everyone see it when it opens at the Angelika on Sep 25th.
So about the ring: I roll-printed corn husk on to the silver band to create the texture and then patina to add shadows. Anyone wants to buy it?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30905764

Simple Textured Ring

This is a simple brass ring textured by roll-printing with window screen material. And you can buy it here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30909841

2009-08-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Memories of Yellowstone

So after many months of summer fun, I'm finally in the studio again creating and destroying. Fall is upon us and the air is getting cooler, crispier and sweeter. Not that summer was not sweet...I'm just a bit partial to fall and spring.
Today’s creation is called, as stated above, Memories of Yellowstone since the rock was brought back from Yellowstone National Park by a friend of mine. Not much else to say just that creating your own bezel sucks....next time I buy!!

Well its a short one today, but since the new semester is here check back for more posts. This fall is casting.....should be interesting!!! At least I think so!

Have fun and get some sleep, I know I did....15 hours last night!

2009-04-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Chased Silver ring with Black Onyx

For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to the color (or rather lack there of color) black. Black cats, black eyes.....and I think I have enough black shirts to last me a month. And its not that I don’t like color in my life, because technically black absorbs all colors of the spectrum....so my life is pretty colorful, despite all the black....its just what I like. Oh and gray/silver also.
Creating this ring was fun, fun (no sarcastic connotation at all). The bezel had to be curved on the bottom to get a good solder all around. Then I created a flat seat inside the bezel so the stone does not sit on the curved part of the ring which could cause the stone to crack.

Sketch....Sketch

2009-04-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Jellyfish Moon Ring!!

It seems I have taken a hiatus from this blog...one trip to Little Rock, one to Minneapolis and a day trip to Surfside (for some shell searching) has kept me busy. But I am back on track with many ideas and not enough time.

I’ve always hated the sea life themes in mainstream design...usually...so my next mission is to change that perception with creating my own sea life designs. Life is beautiful in the depth of the waters and it’s a shame to let cheap ocean themed bathroom accessories ruin it for the rest of my life. The next few pieces that I will post, including this one, are prototypes...wearable not practical. But if anyone is interested in buying a piece, I promise that the one I make for you will look much better. I sandblasted the ring and wires and left the bezel polished. I think the tentacles need a little more work but over all I like the finished product.

This ring is very much TROUBLE approved....oh and he has found another friend...a cute little girl waiting in line with her mom at the DPS office. I need a new mascot! any volunteers?

Bracelets anyone??

2009-03-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

So...here are two of the finished bracelets. Any suggestions, questions... buyers?

(Chased Brass)

(Chased Nickel Silver -> a copper/nickel alloy)

If I knew a Sailor Moon….

2009-03-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

Silver ring with Moon Stone

….I’d give her this ring! So I will make this short because not enough sleep and weak coffee makes for boring conversation. I’m not sure how I came up with this ring. It definitely morphed from my original idea and intent but I’m pleased.....despite the fact that my hands are cut and my fingers are sore.

Thanks scrap pieces of metal that have been floating around in my box for eons…you are good to me!

This ring is Trouble approved!

Faceted Smokey Quartz Ring

2009-03-19T05:54:00.001-07:00

Faceted Smokey Quarts on Silver.

I fabricated this ring last night, and I like the way it came out. Although the prong setting is a little asymmetrical, it is growing on me. Things don't always have to be perfect.......

Shiny Brass Bracelet

2009-03-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Embossed brass bracelet......

The line texture on this bracelet was created by roll-printing dry cornhusk onto the annealed brass. For the eye, I used a die and embossing technique.
It’s amazing what you can print and emboss onto metal with a few thousand pounds of pressure.

As per Cyn's brilliant idea....there will be ribbon laced through the holes that will strap the bracelet on the wrist. A picture of the finished product to come.....

Silver Ring

2009-03-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Light Smoky Quartz stone wired on a hammered silver ring.

I enjoyed working on this ring very much. However, I do have to mention that it is not an original design, but it is an adaptation and improvement (I feel) of a ring I noticed a few weeks back. So I'm not taking credit.....but I do like how it came out in the end.

Oh...and it was spoken for a special lady before it was even created.

This ring is Trouble approved!

Cleopatra's Eyes

2009-03-09T18:47:00.001-07:00

This is my latest creation.....a pair of earrings. The stones are Labradorite in silver bezel setting and the eyes are embossed brass. I like how they came out but somehow I'm not too thrilled. Any suggestions?

Jewelry

2009-03-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

(cast bronze ring)

So I started this blog for the following reasons:

1- two special people suggested the idea....I listened!

2- to feel more comfortable in showing my ideas and creations, not for self gratification

3- to get input from all the bloggers who happen to stumble upon my little corner

4- and last of all to force me to write more...I like writing, just not that good at it.

The ring in the photo is my first casting attempt, made from bronze. It needs a little more polishing, but its one of my favorite rings I have created. Definitely something I want to try again soon, casting that is, and plans are in the works to find equipment and a shop setup (not mine but it will do). If you have any ideas for a ring, pendant or anything, let me know.

Roman Horses

2009-03-04T06:45:00.000-08:00

This is a screen shot I took from one of the 3D programs I use at work of a Roman Relief (a section of a chariot scene). The picture came into existence as an accident more than anything. Somehow I'm fascinated and I cant really explain why. I think partly its the idea that this thousand year old art morphed from a physical marble sculpture to a 3D laser scan and then to a 2D layout entirely composed of zeros and ones. History meets technology!

Anyhow, the coffee is weak this morning and I am a bit delusional....

If I had a Blog.....

2009-03-02T10:24:00.000-08:00

So here is my first blog.....turns out I don't have much to blog about today. Tune in tomorrow at the same blog time and same blog spot....I may have an epiphany in the meantime. And for those of you who know me, try to find Edu in the picture. I'll give you a piece of candy if you do!