Japanese Influence - Ceeb Wassermann

I saw this pendant and was totally amazed by it - and when I clicked on the photo I realized "hey, she's one of my gals!" I was so taken by the three dimensional look and the amazing detail. Oh the time and patience and saw blades it must have taken to make this piece. Just gorgeous.

Make sure to check out her shop for other Japanese influenced pieces. This one just happens to be my favorite at the moment!

Etsymetal featured member Rachael Sudlow

Cicada Wing Stud Earrings
Originally uploaded by sudlow

Rachael Sudlow is our current featured member on etsymetal.com. Her Etsy shop is stocked with a wide variety of organic and nature themed jewelry, like these Cicada Wing Stud Earrings. Visit her site and flickr to see more of what she's been up to.





Her laurel wreath hoop earrings, hand soldered in sterling silver, are another of my favorites.

Rings in the upcoming book '500 Wedding Rings'

A couple of days ago I received my acceptance letter for '500 Wedding Rings' and I'm quite pleased- needless to say! It is published by Lark Books and will be released in spring of 2008. I haven't seen it yet but have seen (and bought) most of the other books in the 500 Series and they've been wonderful. So it is extra nice!
'500 Wedding Rings' on Amazon.com

Below is the image that will be included in the book.


Pair of rings, 'I've loved you since the moment I met you' and 'I want to be your wife Always' (2006) by Colleen Baran

From the 'Like Wearing a Love Letter' Series
Materials- Polycarbonate, resin, thread, archival ink
Hand fabricated: hand written and sewn

A few more photos can be seen here ColleenBaran.com

In the ‘Like Wearing a Love Letter’ series I wanted to make jewellery that was like a love letter. Like wearing a daydream, a memory or a thought of love. A bit more on SeeSeeBe.blogspot.com

Asymmetric Spiky Earrings

new hotness
Originally uploaded by discomedusa

These asymmetric spiky earrings from DiscoMedusa are amazingly unique. My favorite part is the asymmetry - who needs two of the same for a pair of earrings?! These are simply fabulous. The ear hooks are 10g, but can be customized to either 12g or 14g. They are hand sculpted and fabricated by Caitlyn - (the creator behind DiscoMedusa Designs) and the metal is all sterling silver. Available in her shop - DiscoMedusa Designs.

Jewelry & Metalwork with Coins

Coins have a magical quality that has drawn collectors for centuries. Working with coinage in metalwork and wearing coins as jewelry can be a fun alternative to more
conventional jewelry materials. The artwork on coinage is often beautifully detailed and rendered. Coin jewelry can represent national pride when an image on a coin evokes such feeling. Luck is a theme represented by the “lucky penny”. Coins can make jewelry exotic, with the use of rare, unusual, or foreign coins. Conversely, it is interesting to see the everyday mundane coin as special, when it is showcased in jewelry.

Many people are concerned that defacing a coin for use in jewelry is illegal. This is false. Defacing US currency is illegal if the intent is to pass it as legal tender after it has been altered. These laws are used against counterfeiting, and do not pertain to those who wish to make something else entirely out of the currency, whether for sale or not.

As metalworkers, the use of coins can be tricky if we are to use heat techniques to alter coins. It is important to know the metal content of coins before applying torch to them.

The following is some useful information on US coinage:

Metal Content by mint year:

Penny:
1793-1857: 100% Copper
1858-1864: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
1864-1982: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc (Bronze)
1942: Core: Steel; Plating Zinc
1982 –Present: Core: 99.2% Zinc; Plating 100% Copper

Nickel:
1866-1942: 75% Copper, 25% Zinc
1942-1945: 56% Copper, 35% Zinc, 9% Manganese
1945-2005: 75% Copper, 25% Zinc

Dime:
1892-1964: 90% Fine Silver, 10% Copper
1964-2005: Core: 100% Copper; Plating: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Quarter:
1982-1964: 90% Fine Silver, 10% Copper
1965-2008: Core: 100% Copper, Plating: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
1976: (Silver Bicentennial) 79.1% Fine Silver, 20.9% Copper

necklace by Sudlow Jewelry

necklace by Honeybee Designs

To see the work featured in this article, please visit these etsymetal members' shops:

http://sudlow.etsy.com
http://KathrynRiechert.etsy.com
http://kismetdesigns.etsy.com
http://honeybee.etsy.com
http://htandb.etsy.com
http://ninagibsondesigns.etsy.com

Dome Ring by Nina Dinoff

dome
Originally uploaded by ninadinoff

A truly amazing ring, but what else would expect from an amazing artist like Nina! It is fabricated from sterling silver and 3 little balls of 18k gold lay nestled in their little cave. Just imagine how gorgeous it would look on your hand! Soft and luxurious and so modern.





available at http://ninadinoff.etsy.com

Wendy and Victoria in the Storque

An article in the Storque today talks about Wendy, Victoria, and their seal pup jewelry making projects. This beautiful enameled seal pup by Victoria/Experimetal is currently for sale in her shop.