Approach The Bench

Show and Tell: Another Folia Bracelet nears completion!

2008-07-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

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

2008-06-10T06:23:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-16T12:41:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-04-16T12:40:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-16T12:32:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-26T05:38:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-26T05:18:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-26T05:11:00.001-07:00

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

2008-03-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

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.

Show and Tell: A Japanese Motif in Mixed Metals

2008-02-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a new project. The composition is based on an age old Japanese motif of a Carp charging upstream over a small waterfall. I have liked the look of the fish and it's scales contrasting with the rough stream bed and the water.

I've chosen a variety of metals for their colors. They are the familiar fine silver and 22kt gold along with copper and the exotic alloys of shakudo and shibuichi.

A great deal of carving and engraving has gone into the surface.

The gold for the fish has been inlayed.

After the carving is done, the surface is burnished in preparation for cooking on a patina.

Stay tuned!

Engraving Marathon

2008-02-15T11:07:00.001-08:00

Today was an engraving marathon. I had several pieces to put the tool to. Most notable was a haiku poem with twelve words engraved on a 7/8 inch gold disk. Thank goodness for my microscope. We make special things for special people, so engraving is the frequent choice for making something extra personal.

Another Fun Project

2008-02-14T05:29:00.000-08:00

A Gentleman from Rhode Island commissioned me to make a model, in gold of his Herreshoff S racer, which is about sixty years old and in perfect shape. Shown above is the working model in sterling. The best part is that part of the fee is an afternoon afloat in the old girl!

Golden Retrievers

2008-02-13T14:02:00.001-08:00

I've been asked for years to make a golden retriever charm. I decided to make one... in two sizes. I like the detail on the larger one better, but it is more expensive. Woof!

Show and Tell: The Folia Bracelet

2008-02-13T13:19:00.001-08:00

This is one of my best works, and I just have to add it to the show and tell category. It is the Folia Bracelet. It is eighteen carat and set with pink sapphires and diamonds. The stones are set into individual pieces which are firmly anchored to each other, but very flexible owing to a unique joining method that I devised. There are more than one-hundred thirty separate pieces that were made and joined to make the piece. This piece was made for someone special for a big birthday.

Show and Tell: New Engraving Sampler

2008-02-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

I finished this engraving sampler recently. I really enjoy engraving in different styles. Engraved sterling cufflinks are so much nicer than those dreadful chrome plated things that one sees at some clothing shops.

Show and Tell: A Fun Project

2008-02-13T13:01:00.001-08:00

I got a fun commission this season and I thought I would show and tell about it. I have many wonderful customers, but their taste is usually fairly conventional. I have a few that are adventurous. I have a couple that are really fun and can afford to indulge their whims. One of my favorites was in looking for a good idea. His wife is a fine artist, and historical basket maker. She had completed her finest work ever, a "Mattapoisett Basket" that she made in ten months full time work. It is made of pine needles, raffia wood and ivory. She was thrilled to sell it this November. Her Husband was understandably proud. I suggested that we make a gold model of her finest work for him to give, so that she might celebrate her finest work. With a wide grin, he said "What an idea. Do it!". I said "It is going to be expensive" He said "You know I don't care what it costs."

He is my kind of customer. So here is the result, about 1.25 inch wide, in green, yellow and white gold, ....carved, cast, inlayed, engraved and chased. All of the parts work. The hinges are oversized to work for the long haul in metal. The recipient was tearful and very happy. My customer should remain out of the dog house for most of the next year.

Welcome

2008-02-13T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hello... and thanks for your interest in our work. We are a small goldsmithing studio on Cape Cod and we make most of what we offer for sale. We are a group of five professional jewelers, plying torch and hammer to make lovely baubles for our clients. Each of us has unusual specialties and talents that we bring to our respective benches. We hope to offer a little insight into the practice of jewelry work, diamond setting and the care and feeding of heirlooms.

We will show a few examples of work in progress as well as interesting aspects of our daily toils. Expect good photos, inside information and some irreverent observations. Enjoy the ride, and if you're in the neighborhood, come in for a visit! Steve