Approach The Bench

2010-06-29T06:20:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who made the Chatham East End Spring Soiree a great success. Hundreds of people crowded into FBDG, enjoyed a little champagne and nibbles and many walked out with some new Cape Cod style bling. The whole neighborhood had fun and we are planning two more block parties for this Summer. We had several new pieces to show and now they are gone. I have more on my bench nearing completion. I hope you will like them. Thanks again!

Charm Beads Have Taken Over!

2010-02-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

We have been very busy in our beloved off-season! Below are several new charm beads. Some are in good taste, some are questionable. We certainly have a sense of humor here. We have also been at work creating new gold and precious gem pieces, the pictures of which will appear here at a later date. Enjoy!

Yet More Beads!

2010-02-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

More Charm Beads!

2010-02-27T11:00:00.001-05:00

New Charm Beads!

2010-02-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Cape Cod Kahuna

2010-01-25T08:59:00.000-05:00

A friend suggests that this is my alter ego, The Cape Cod Kahuna. He is a surfboard shaped Tiki relaxing with his cranberry mai tai in a Tiki-mug with umbrella. On his forehead is a horse-shoe crab so that nobody confuses this dude with a Pacific Tiki. This is a large pendant, about an inch and a quarter tall. I can hear the bongos playing in the dune grass....

Blue Crab Charm Bead

2010-01-25T08:53:00.000-05:00

I really liked the way this one has turned out. It is a Blue crab crawling on a pile of rocks. I think that it reminds me of some old Japanese Netsuke. I'm sending some of these to my friend in Maryland also, where they are blue crab crazy. Here at the water's edge, the blue crab is not holding up well to the types of pollution that so many showers and washing machines produce. I am always happy when I see one, but I used to see dozens.

Even More Charm Beads!

2010-01-25T08:42:00.001-05:00

I have been busy creating this line of Charm Beads. Who knew that it would be such a big thing with us? It seems that people like the charm bead format but they want beads that look like something rather than something abstract. It makes sense to me. You could choose a blob with squiggles to remember your vacation... but better yet, a town sign or a bucket of clams to remember your Cape Cod visit!

Town Beads for Pandora/Troll Bracelets

2010-01-08T13:04:00.000-05:00

I have completed six town signs for beaded bracelets like Pandora and Troll. You ask and we respond! I wont make every single town in Eastern Massachusetts, But I will make the most popular towns on Cape Cod. Look for them on our web site shortly!

Cape Cod Kahuna

2010-01-08T12:59:00.000-05:00

It is a new year and time to have some fun! Last year needs to be improved upon. I would just as soon make this year a do-over to replace last year. This is The Cape Cod Kahuna, a fun loving surf board shaped tiki with his own Tiki Mug with umbrella. It is a good sized pendant sure to offer it's wearer a charmed existence and a swank lifestyle.

New Addition

2009-11-13T17:36:00.002-05:00

We are the proud parents of an eighty-five pound bouncing baby LaserStar Precision Micro-Laser-Welder. It is as yet un-nicknamed. This tool, though quite expensive, should allow us to join metal in ways that are fairly impossible with conventional torch methods. The laser puddles metal in very small spots with very little heat transfer. It makes the goldsmith's dream of welding pieces held in one's fingers come true.

Mokume wedding Bands

2009-11-12T12:39:00.002-05:00

Pardon me, sir... do you Mokumé? Why indeed I do. These rings are made from layered combinations of red, yellow and white gold and some silver. The resulting stock is man-handled into rings that have a wood grain look. This method, a Japanese invention, is very complicated and gratifying.

Twenty-two Bits Make Up a Miniature Bike

2009-11-12T12:35:00.002-05:00

I've been working on a few things... Here is a bike, made of little bits of wire. This rough model needs some detailing now!

Pendant for a Tenth Anniversary

2009-10-07T08:09:00.002-04:00

I thought I would make a nice diamond pave pendant in the form of a ten point star.... suitable for a tenth anniversary, perhaps. These make nice earrings as well!

Old Heirloom Takes Flight

2009-09-29T10:26:00.002-04:00

We set this old family piece into a winged pin. It can also be worn vertically.

Its All About Color

2009-09-29T10:22:00.004-04:00

We do love big beautiful colored gem stones here. Pictured are an opal, a spinel, a tourmaline and a sapphire.

New Life For Old Stones

2009-09-29T10:15:00.002-04:00

Here is an update of a customer's solitaire and diamond band. We made it all into a major piece.

The Photo

2009-09-29T08:47:00.001-04:00

I have made a few more Nantucket Lightship Basket beads and finally have a picture. This seems to be the winner of the popularity contest so far. Thank you for looking at our ads and being so interested as to charge toward our door! I have burned the midnight oil to be sure I can stay ahead of the demand.

The New Charm Beads

2009-09-27T06:26:00.002-04:00

No photo eh? I carved a new Nantucket Basket in a charm bead format. Got them done Friday afternoon, sold all of them Saturday and never had a chance to take a photo. More are going in the oven today!

Cape Cod Themed Beads

2009-09-21T11:21:00.001-04:00

So many people have asked and I have caved in to the pressure. We now offer my handmade beads in a Cape Cod Theme for popular beaded charm bracelets like Pandora, etc. A woman asked me how she could commemorate her stay here on her bracelet, which is of this style. The bracelets are Danish and... well... they don't make lobster trap charms in Denmark. Therefore, I have created beads, which happen to fit, in the form of Cranberry Scoops, Lobster Traps, Quahogs, Town Signs, Nantucket Baskets and a few others.

The New Face of Chatham?

2009-09-11T09:52:00.002-04:00

Allright... Most of our work is in extreme good taste. Not this one. The Media loves to come to Chatham to cover sensational events like hurricanes and shark sightings. The crews generally are put up in fine rooms at the Chatham Bars Inn, and one can get fed and watered very well here. As a result, any news in Chatham gets immediate and thorough coverage. Our sharks have suddenly jumped to nationwide attention. They have roamed the ocean since the dinosaurs reigned. Some scientists figure there are about 25 white sharks in New England waters. As the seal population has shifted from Nova Scotia to Monomoy, the big sharks will follow. This charm is built to poke fun at the whole situation. Of course I'll pull it if any human is attacked, but we have not had a shark attack here since 1939.

Blue Opal Ring

2009-09-02T08:56:00.002-04:00

Here is a favorite from the archives. This is a stunning ring, if I do say so. I made it and it left the store in just a few days. The Blue opal is just as glowing as it is in the picture. The rather amorphous mounting is very comfortable. I'm glad it comes to visit me every once in a while.

What is on your Charm Bracelet?

2009-09-02T08:52:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking of posting pictures of some of the great charm bracelets that come across my bench. This one is very substantial and, as you might guess, its owner is partial to my work. If you would like me to post yours, please send me a picture or stop in and I'll photograph it!

William Henry Studio

2009-09-02T08:44:00.002-04:00

This Spring, we connected with the William Henry Studio in Oregon. I obtained a small collection of these artist made Gentleman's pocket knives. Our "men's department" has always been lacking. I thought these answered the call for men's adornment. I was absolutely right. They have been very popular and quite a few have ended up going home with proud new owners. Oddly, the higher priced pieces are the ones to go, rather than the less expensive. Who needs a $1000 pocket knife? Apparently quite a few people do.

Kilimanjaro

2009-08-29T15:11:00.005-04:00

A group of ladies traveled to and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa last year. One of them is a customer and she contracted me to make a commemorative gold charm. I produced about a dozen of them. It was quite an achievement for them and they can wear this charm like a medal. Though the picture is poor, the charm shows a bas-relief of the mountain, a savanna and a passing giraffe.

Cocker Spaniels

2009-08-29T15:09:00.004-04:00

I have been having fun with dog charms lately. Here are some new Cocker Spaniels in gold.

Blue Green Tourmaline

2009-08-29T15:06:00.005-04:00

This stone is sold, but I just had to share the color with you. Just beautiful!

Waves

2009-08-29T14:24:00.003-04:00

What great fun this project turned out to be! A gentleman from California found us through a web search and admired some of the ocean jewelry I had made. He contracted this heavy man's wedding band with a rather Japanese ocean motif. We enjoyed emailing back and forth. I commented on his eMail address and he told me he was an abalone diver. He harvested large abalone mollusks off the cold California coast. I inquired about some shells. He was so pleased with the ring that he promptly sent me three monster shells in a box. They are just gorgeous. I hope that he enjoys his ring. I hope he doesn't wear it diving.

Yacht Club Burgees

2009-08-29T14:23:00.003-04:00

We made another burgee charm for another local yacht club. Seen in the picture is the raw model. The members are heading back to their off season lives with a little bit of club jewelry to remind them of their Summer lives!

Monograms

2009-08-29T14:22:00.004-04:00

I found this beautiful Edwardian era monogram made with all of the letters of the alphabet. A beautiful exercise!

2009-08-04T10:52:00.001-04:00

So much for a slower economy.... Commerce has engulfed most of my time for the past month or so. Sorry for the lack of content. More pictures are coming soon!

I've been soaking up culture

2009-06-02T08:21:00.001-04:00

It was time. After seventeen years, I finally got back to Europe, this time, to Italy. My old college chum (nicknamed Fuzz) and I took a week long jaunt in Tuscany and the Venice. My interest in architectural detail resulted in the taking of 960 photographs, which I have whittled all the way down to 954. Will these details resurface in my metal work? Stay tuned...

Family Crest Jewelry

2009-05-30T07:58:00.000-04:00

I really enjoy making heraldic jewelry. I've just completed this piece for a nice woman to give to her husband. They have a tightly knit family and I'm sure that he will wear it with pride.

Nearly ready!

2009-05-09T15:54:00.002-04:00

After a bit more smoothing with the chasing tools, this will be ready for coloring in a bath of salts. The background will be a deep olive, The squids will be bright white and subdued brown. Their eyes will be bright. Now to make the rest of the pendant!

Work In Progress: Deep Water Dance

2009-05-09T15:16:00.001-04:00

I have begun a new piece depicting a couple of squid dancing in dark deep water.

Here you can see the rough carving of the silver and copper squid. They are applied to the shibuichi background.

Several hours shows some nice progress.

a few thousand taps with a specially made set of tools will bring the surfaces up nicely. A little engraving adds depth to the watery background.

Difficult to see are the inlayed gold and silver eyes in the swimmers.

Men's Adornment

2009-05-09T10:27:00.002-04:00

I can't get over how beautifully made these knives are. They are truly bling for men. The first one in our collection just left for it's new home in the pocket of a Gentleman.

Kiting friends

2009-05-09T10:24:00.002-04:00

The Cape Cod Wahines... a women's watersport club on the Cape, has been asking me for years to make a kite boarding charm, because none seem to exist. Well I have been thinking about it for years, but I haven't come up with a kite and board combination that I like. I began thinking about the nature of the Wahines and their great spirit of togetherness. I suddenly saw the solution in showing the kites alone, cruising along together, just a couple of friends on a windy afternoon. Hence, the Kiting Friends charm.

Pleased to Announce... William Henry Knives!

2009-04-15T19:05:00.002-04:00

We have been selected to show the artistic knives made in the William Henry Studio in Oregon. I have about twelve superb pocket knives and a couple of pens made by this award winning studio. These are truly adornment for men. I've always thought that a fellow isn't dressed unless he has his pocket knife with him. William Henry knives range from fairly conservative to rich with ornamental metalwork. They are priced from around $400 to $1500 and are always made in small editions to keep collectors on their toes. I highly reccomend stopping in for a look at these top of the line gifts for men!

Going to the dogs....

2009-04-15T07:59:00.002-04:00

The latest dog portrait is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I think the dachshund will be next.

Octopus

2009-04-03T15:59:00.000-04:00

My wife, Barb, creates some very interesting pieces. This octopus has a pearl for a head. She made one covered in diamonds once. I wish i had a picture of it.

Pooch Portraiture

2009-04-03T14:47:00.000-04:00

Many people have asked for portraits of their dogs. Here is a Cocker Spaniel. In the 1980's, the Dutch and Belgian champion Rottweiler sat for me, to have his portrait fashioned in gold with a diamond collar. His name was Ettore and he wanted to eat me. His owner, a successful breeder, held him at the end of a broad leather strap. He was rumored to have cost his owner 40k. I worked very quickly that day and lived to tell about it.

Wedding Band for an Ocean lover or a Surfer

2009-04-03T14:44:00.000-04:00

I made a band that is covered in stylized waves. It is done in the style of some Japanese graphics. This was made for a surfer couple.

I love the colors

2009-04-02T10:33:00.000-04:00

There is something exotic, something mideastern about the combination of tourquoise and gold. It seems to have that ancient treasure look, like something that grandfather brought back from his business dealings on the other hemisphere back in the twenties.

It's a Dog's Life.

2009-03-17T14:20:00.004-04:00

This is an icon of dog culture. If you have an elegant pet that is close to your heart, you might like to have it's initial engraved on this fancy engraved heirloom dogbone. The lowly dogbone has been elevated to high art and it awaits personalization for your favorite canine personality!

The Nantucket Sweetheart Basket

2009-03-11T14:39:00.002-04:00

This is a sweetheart of a piece for a Nantucket lover. I carved a new Nantucket Basket. It is of a good size and is heart shaped. It could make a nice Valentine present or a special gift for yourself. I left room on top for engraved initials and room inside for a secret romantic inscription.

Shoes that always fit.

2009-03-11T14:32:00.002-04:00

Barb and I have had fun making a number of shoe charms. I just completed the deck shoes to the right and Barb finished the water clog on the far right. We have made others... flippers, sneakers, even feet themselves. People like 'em!

Chianti

2009-02-27T15:52:00.002-05:00

Our family cottage was also enjoyed by many other families in the 1970's and some of those people started to crowd the mantlepiece with empty Chianti bottles. Some sported candles in the neck and were dribbled with wax. One year, my Mom thought enough was enough and they all went. Eighteen of them. My Dad saved one, the biggest chianti bottle he had ever seen on this side of the Atlantic. It is a gallon size, covered in straw wrap and dribbled with three colors of candle wax. It still lives in the attic, a relic of good times had by dozens of people vacationing in Chatham. This is my Chianti bottle charm.

Lucky Stones

2009-02-27T15:50:00.001-05:00

These are my lucky stones, deeply etched with the outline of the Cape. I think they look nice in a pile, but they are meant to be worn one at a time, of course.

Thanks

2009-02-27T15:11:00.002-05:00

I'd just like to say thank you to our clients, from all over the world, who have chosen us to be their "home town" jeweler. Chatham is a special place and we try to live up to that specialness by working a little harder, giving a little more and doing a finer job than your average jewelry studio. We are busy cooking up a few surprises for this coming Summer that we hope will make you happy. I'm going to keep adding photos of work in progress for you, but I look forward to seeing you all in person this Summer. Thanks again, Steve.

Just For Fun, The Chameleon

2009-02-12T14:33:00.002-05:00

This is a neck slide that I carved showing a proper Chameleon gripping a small branch. The fun is seeing the small bug hiding under the leaf in the lower right of the photo. Sometimes I feel like the bug.

The Traditional

2009-02-12T14:31:00.002-05:00

The Trad lives!.... traditional boating shoes, made in yellow gold with White gold (of course) soles. Celebrate your New England roots with our new deck shoes charms. I had fun engineering these. All of the details are packed into this small package. We've got 'em in your size!

Striper jewelry

2009-02-06T15:27:00.002-05:00

Who says we never make jewelry for men? Here is a little striper I engraved and made as a tie bar in sterling silver.

Mermaid Engraving

2009-01-13T15:58:00.002-05:00

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.

Showcases, Part 2

2009-01-13T09:54:00.001-05:00

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.

About our Showcases (You asked!)

2009-01-13T09:07:00.002-05:00

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.

Clam Bucket

2009-01-13T09:01:00.001-05:00

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.

Yacht Club Fund Raiser

2009-01-13T08:58:00.001-05:00

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!

The Town Signs

2009-01-09T08:50:00.005-05:00

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.

Comet Pin

2009-01-09T08:50:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-01-09T08:44:00.003-05:00

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

Opti Regatta, Jr Sailing Pin

2009-01-07T10:37:00.002-05:00

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.

It Seems That I'll Commit Anything to Gold.

2009-01-07T10:21:00.002-05:00

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.

Charm Bracelets Remain in Vogue

2009-01-07T10:12:00.002-05:00

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.

I Miss This Piece...

2009-01-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

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.

Wax Model for an Antique Style Ring

2009-01-07T10:05:00.003-05:00

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.

Hidden Cape Cod Goodies

2009-01-07T10:03:00.002-05:00

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.

Engraved Celtic Bands

2009-01-07T09:58:00.002-05:00

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.

Coat of Arms Signet

2009-01-07T09:56:00.002-05:00

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.

Some Elegant Earrings

2009-01-07T09:55:00.002-05:00

I just finished these. They about the size of a nickle. Some elegant evening wear for an emerald lover.

Not a Shameless Plug for Product

2008-12-31T10:01:00.002-05:00

All of us have better hopes for the coming year. We wish you the best!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T08:31:00.001-05:00

From all of us at FBDG, have a safe and happy Holiday season, and a prosperous new year!

Sauté Pan Charm

2008-12-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

I have been making charms for decades, and there always seems to be something new that needs making. Many in the cooking professions have asked for culinary items. I thought I'd make a sturdy little Sauté Pan..... in two sizes no less!

Undula Earrings

2008-12-18T10:56:00.001-05:00

The Undula Earrings are derived from several ancient styles of gold work. I've made them in several types of precious stones. These are set with Sapphires en cabochon and diamonds. I really love them in ruby as well.

Yoga jewelry

2008-12-18T10:53:00.001-05:00

Here is a recent addition to the collection... Yoga Woman. She carved in 3D, performing the tree pose. Namasté

Slide of the Valkyrie

2008-12-18T10:47:00.001-05:00

This is a slide set with a chrysoberyl and diamond. The customer suggested wing/leaves. Lets call it "The Slide of the Valkyrie".

Patriot's Ring

2008-12-18T10:46:00.001-05:00

A super Patriot commissioned a fitting ring. Hand carved and heavy!

Seascape Opal

2008-11-24T10:14:00.001-05:00

I've owned this opal for a few years and just love its waves on the rocks look! I finally elected to set this as a pendant slide with a dangling pearl and a surround that suggests seaweed. It is a large piece and the opal can command one's attention for some time.

Last Day of Sailing '08

2008-11-24T10:03:00.001-05:00

Well I did it. I managed to get one more day of sailing in before winter came. My good friend Tim manages a beautiful Hinckley yawl and we took her out for a spin. We attempted exiting the harbor two weeks ago into 25 mph winds, crashing through opposing tide and waves that stood the boat up on its stern. Tim, wisely and very ably, spun the boat on it's own length between a pair of eight foot waves (and between the shoals) and took us back in. The tide was so heavy that the channel markers were being pulled under water. The next day we tried again. The water was more calm and the wind was under twenty. Sailing under jig and mizzen alone, we had a great day. It was bloody cold, but we were not alone out there. The Plum Crazy came out to shake some barnacles off her keel. What really gets you on days like this is the spray. If you get wet, you freeze... hence the yellow foulies. Our faces were so cold that we couldn't talk well. I got quite a workout at the helm as the confused seas kept the boat spinning on it's keel. A great day, none the less!

Peace and Love: never out of style!

2008-11-24T09:10:00.001-05:00

Here is something new from our workbenches. I happened upon an idea, a sort of graphical approach to a piece of jewelry. There is a new spirit of optimism in this country, an an appreciation for getting along together. These bracelets, and other things in this motif, are newly added to our showroom. People are diggin' 'em.

Fall is here

2008-10-29T17:10:00.001-04:00

I have a hard time believing that Fall is here again. We have been revamping and rethinking some of the methods here in the studio in order to serve our customers better. We are going to try and get a few improvements in gear before the big Christmas rush. We have strived to make gift shopping streamlined for our many returning customers. The gift-giving season can be difficult and stressful, so we try to take some of the hassle out of holiday shopping. CapeCodCharms.com has made the holidays a little easier for many people. Please let us know if we can help you in any way.

Updated Engagement Ring

2008-10-15T10:26:00.001-04:00

Many of my Clients are looking for an update to the ring that they received thirty years ago. Here is one I made using the original center diamond and many small stones from Grandma's old watch.

Farewell!

2008-10-15T09:02:00.001-04:00

Farewell, my friend! My "Koi in a Waterfall" piece is just being packed up to be sent to a collector in Arizona. I will miss this one. It is going to a good home.

Setter's elbow

2008-10-15T08:02:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, setting a few dozen diamonds can give one a case of setters elbow. This is hot off the bench and my elbow needs a rest. This is a revamping of a Client's engagement set. It has a little more pizzaz than it had in it's previous form.

Four Hours Later...

2008-10-03T14:31:00.001-04:00

All of the small stones are in. Soon, the big stone will go in!

Diamond Pavé Work

2008-10-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

Here is the start of what will be a pavé diamond mounting, about six hours into the project. Forty-two diamonds will be set, ear to ear, in the white gold mounting. A 1.5 carat diamond will be set in the center. This is an updated mounting for a beautiful antique diamond inherited by it's owner. I'll post some more pictures as the project progresses.

Cooking with leftovers

2008-10-03T08:23:00.001-04:00

We often get the question: "What do I do with these old stones?" We often get projects in the "cooking with leftovers" vein. Many times, the stone combinations are not suitable to exist in the same piece, but they worked nicely in this piece. It is a simple solution, inexpensive to make and easy to wear.

Show and Tell: A Midnight Snack

2008-08-22T10:56:00.003-04:00

Here is the nocturnal fellow himself about to enjoy a midnight snack. The metals have been colored and the gold really jumps out at the viewer.

Show and Tell: The Folia Bracelet

2008-08-22T10:56:00.001-04:00

The Folia Bracelet is a milestone in the history of our Design Studio. Not only is it item # 30,000 to come of our workbenches, but it is one of the finest pieces we have ever made. The eighteen carat work of art carries 5.41 carats of Ceylon Sapphires and 2.25 carats of diamonds.

Show and Tell: Another Folia Bracelet nears completion!

2008-07-23T10:20:00.001-04:00

After several months of intermittent work on this project, it nears completion. Why does a piece like this take so long to make? Aside from all of the design and developement that went into the project, there are one hundred forty six different pieces that must be made and assembled to make the Folia! Sixty-six cast pieces which are engraved, thirty three gems individually set, thirty three lock rings, and assorted clasp pieces. These eighteen karat pieces are assembled with some 160 separate welds. Each piece is tailored to fit. The first one that I made took me two solid weeks of work. I don't know where I found the time! The end result, however, is a work that is fit for royalty, and I am quite proud of it.

Show and Tell: A Midnight Snack, work in progress

2008-06-10T09:23:00.001-04:00

This pin or pendant is still in the raw, uncolored stage. I have carved a common bat in copper, placed him on a shakudo background and given him a 22k gold eye. When the piece is done and colored, the background will be deeply purple, the bat will be chocolate while the 22k moth and eye will stand out. More pictures will come as things move along!

Show and Tell: a better coiffure

2008-04-16T15:41:00.001-04:00

I like the way the hair spills now. She is looking more believable now. There is still fussy work to be done. In a piece this size, a quarter millimeter difference in a shape can ruin the form. I still need to attend to her left wrist and one eyelid.

Show and Tell: The hair needs cropping!

2008-04-16T15:40:00.001-04:00

Although I liked the hair in the drawing, in metal it is out of control now. A haircut is in order. I'll take a little off the back.

Show and Tell: Work in Progress

2008-04-16T15:39:00.000-04:00

The assembled pieces are carefully carved and chased with engraving tools and chisels. I've taken care to keep a spacial relationship with the layers of the composition.

The details are beginning to be roughed in. Certain areas have been corrected by moving metal around with a blunt chasing tool.

The volume and the subtler shapes of the form are coming along. This is a self developing process for me. Though things are always planned ahead, the working causes changes in the execution.

Show and Tell: Copper Redhead

2008-04-16T15:32:00.001-04:00

I was inspired by the color of oxidized copper to create a small brooch. The reclining woman will have a spill of red hair. She will be sculpted in fine silver, a mighty pale complexion. The background will be a dark black shakudo and the rim will be gold.

The pieces are cut from heavy stock...

...Carefully fitted and inlayed...

And are ready to be welded together!

Show and Tell: Granulated Pearl Drop Ear Dangles

2008-03-26T08:38:00.001-04:00

These are designed to show a nice pair of pearls as dangles. They might otherwise be obscured by hair. The gold beads on the rim of the trumpet give a nice little sparkle.

Show and Tell: Stars

2008-03-26T08:18:00.000-04:00

As mentioned previously, the teapot has inspired some other use of the same technique. Here are three starfish which enjoy the same granular treatment. I've also created them as earrings.

Show and Tell: Japanese Tetsubin, an Iron Teapot

2008-03-26T08:11:00.001-04:00

I was fascinated by the hobnail pattern of an old iron teapot that I have and I thought that it might look nice in gold. After a bit of carving, I came up with this miniature. It has inspired some textural work on some earrings as well.

Show and Tell: The Swan Pendant

2008-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is a large swan that I sculpted for a very nice lady. I think that it fits her nicely. It is large and will not be worn unnoticed!

Show and Tell: The Patina

2008-03-03T17:23:00.000-05:00

The piece now wears an elegant skin of oxides. I think that the colors really make the rich 22 karat koi come to life. This week, I will make a mounting for it so that it can become a pendant slide.

Show and Tell: Pre-patination

2008-02-29T08:09:00.000-05:00

This is a better picture of the piece prior to patination. When the metals are colored, the turbulence and the Koi will remain bright, but the background water will be more olive, the rocks will be purple black and the little branch will be chestnut colored copper. As soon as I pick up some more cupric sulfate, I'll be ready to go! Pictures of the work in progress are below.