This is a little (1.25") engraving on brass of a mermaid combing her hair with a fish skeleton. I'm not sure what I'm doing with it, but I thought I would take it out of my sketchbook and put it on metal. Perhaps I can be comfortable with leaving it unapplied to a jewelry function. I'll keep both of my readers posted.
These are the newer showcases, just completed this last year by Dana and Doug at Crown woodworking. I obsessed for months about the design of the legs, building maquets and a full size drawing before handing it over to these two wood masters. The end result is a very pleasing combination of Art Nouveau and Queen Anne style wrapped around solid function.
I've had a few inquiries about where I found my showcases. Well, I didn't find them, I designed them and worked with a couple of cabinetry artists here in Chatham to make these. The Cherry is from my Dad's back yard. I delivered a clay maquet and full size drawings to their studio. They took months to make and it took me much longer to make the money to cover the price of their manufacture. They are a source of pride here, and make our studio very civilized.
Here is a gold clamming bucket, complete with a load of clams. Meatballs from the sea, the wily bivalve, cherry stones or quahogs, the clam is the elusive prey of many. Clamming is not only a rather Zen way to spend an afternoon, but it puts dinner on the table.
This is the preliminary model of a club pennant, or burgee, fashioned as a charm.
We have been having fun with a couple of area yacht clubs. We developed a fund raiser involving burgee jewelry. The burgees are made by us, in gold and silver, to commemorate an event... or just for fun. The club's fundraising committee sells these to the membership at a small profit. Depending on how many members the club has, they can realize a nice sum... enough to cover a mortgage payment or two. We are going to offer this program to a few more clubs shortly. If you think this is of interest, why don't you give us a call!
It nice to that so many people have pride in their home town..... or their second-home town. The town signs have been just the ticket for the charm bracelets of Cape fans all over the world.
I made this comet pin a few years back. It is made in the anticlastic raising style and set with a pink tourmaline. Anticlastic raising is the use of concave hammers and stakes to bring about a certain form. The raising allows for stretching of the edges of the metal while compressing the center. The basic form is not unlike a pringles potato chip. This form can be folded and twisted to bring about even wilder shapes.
Treasure found! My late Great Uncle was a very interesting fellow. He was a world traveller, among other things. I happened upon this box filled with his collection of luggage stickers from the 1930's and 1940's. Here is a link with pictures and a biography, of travelling in the golden age:
http://www.capecodcharms.com/jkw_luggage/index.htm
My friend Tim and I were just coming into Stage Harbor after two days sail aboard a beautiful Morris 38. There in the harbor before us was the entire fleet of SHYC’s Optimists dancing like a group of butterflies on the water. We grinned as we watched those junior Captains racing and bumping into each other, having the fun of their lives. This pin design came of that summer day experience.
Here it is, folks. The Charm you have been waiting for: the A10 Warthog! Custom carved for a service family. Actually, I have made stranger jewelry. I've carved and committed to gold many unusual things like a dead chicken, a garden elf, a cigar, all types of pets, a garbage can lid, a chainsaw, a banjo, a box of chalk, a flashlight, fishing gear, a mailbox, several signs, several models of cars, a tricycle, hammers, renal glands, an appendix, paramecium, shrunken heads, body parts, a steam boiler, plumbing parts and tools, and the list goes on. These little talismans are a way for people to express themselves and I enjoy making them.
We seem to answer the question: "Are charm bracelets back in style?" ...so often. They never left. I have been making charms for bracelets for a quarter century and have sold tens of thousands of them. They are an expressive form of jewelry and people do need to express themselves. I'm glad to be a part of it. People are very enthusiastic about this form of adornment.
Sometimes, you make a piece that you wish you hadn't sold. Although I can't afford to keep everything, I still wish I had this opal piece. Reality requires that I continue to sell the things that I make. This went to a nice couple celebrating an anniversary a few years ago.
I have to admit that I enjoy making antiques. This is a wax model for a diamond ring. Though it is an update for it's owner, it is meant to look like an hierloom. Here, the model is painted in silver paint for the photo opportunity. After it is cast in white gold, it will have it's engraved lines refined with sharp tools. The great thing about a new antique is that it doesn't have fifty years of previous wear when you get it.
This tower is on the Ocean Edge property in Brewster, a feature of the original Nickerson Manor. There are several hidden gems. I'll have to show a few more in the future.
I have just finished engraving some celtic wedding bands. Though the celtic design vocabulary is not my usual style, many of my clients gravitate toward it.
I enjoy carving coat of arms rings. They become family hierlooms. Often, we have to design a coat of arms where one does not exist in history. Though the first one is very labor intensive, each subsequent ring is much less expensive. Sometimes we outfit the whole family.
I just finished these. They about the size of a nickle. Some elegant evening wear for an emerald lover.
