Mother's Day 2013

Pearl and Opal Thumb Ring by York Avenue Studio

Happy Mother's Day to all the ladies!!!  I won't try to sound like a greeting card, but I will say that I'm the luckiest mom to have 5 children and there are no words that truly describe what being their mom means to me.  Past, present and future volumes of unconditional love for my kids!  And an always expanding love and appreciation for my Mom, as time goes on and I experience what she must have already known!

This Mother's Day, I decided to make myself a gift from materials that I had put aside as "scrap for future projects".  I used up some Goldie Bronze metal clay, a couple of White Opals that have gorgeous color but just too tiny and a Pearl that had a flat bottom and some natural "wavy" lines across the top.

Pearl and Opal Thumb Ring Golden Bronze

I made the band to fit my thumb and left it open with a slit just off to the side to allow adjustment to slip over the knuckle.  The gold color is rich and smooth and the tiny Opals flash so much color as the ring moves.

Pearl and Opal Thumb Ring by York Avenue Studio

My skin is super sensitive to Copper, I get itchy and turn green where it touches.  Bronze is about 90% copper and is alloyed with tin.  I'm much less sensitive to Bronze, and after I seal the metal with Ren Wax, I can wear Bronze as an everyday ring without any problems!  Pearls and Opals are soft gems, not ideal for everyday wear and can be damaged easily if they get bumped around or scratched.  This ring will get worn often and that's the beauty of having "scrap" to play with sometimes!  The materials would just be boxed up for "later" but I'm enjoying them today for Mother's Day and beyond!

Kathy

Updated with Round 2! - Ammonite Wins Round 1

Ancient Ammonite Matched Pair

Ammonite fossils from millions of years ago vs. Me - The wrestling match begins!

I absolutely love the organic beauty of these stones!  The colors, the pattern, the symmetry, love it all!  I have the idea to use these stones as the focal for some hair sticks.  The Ammonite at the top as the adornment and the stick part will be the wavy squid-like legs, made in glistening Goldie Bronze. 

The first challenge is how to secure the Ammonites in a setting. They are flat on top, the backs are rounded and curvy and uneven.  I am picturing a solid back that is curved to fit the stone, maybe some squid arms to curve over and hold the stone as prongs.  I spot a "perfect template" in the fridge!

The bottom of the coffee creamer is just the right size in the center, deep and has legs, hello!!!

 



 

After some hand carving on the dried bronze, I add the legs for the hair stick.  So far, so good....



Oh dear, there are several design issues now that I need to re-address:  size, thickness, shrinkage, weight, support during kiln firing, etc. etc.  The piece needs major repair, maybe a complete revamp in design, but I am convinced that I can win! 

The Ammonite won this round, escaping confinement and still has freedom, but I will be back for Round 2......Ding Ding!

 

UPDATE!!!

OK, I call this match at best a TIE!  The Ammonite is secure, but MAN, this is one heavy hairstick!  I ended up using jeweler's epoxy to glue the bugger in.  I repaired the cracks, adding more and more bronze that this piece would actually qualify as a dangerous weapon if thrown!  For now, I'll keep it by the front door in case someone tries to break in!!

 

 

In the Dark, I Saw a Cat Pendant

Tiny Kitty hand sawed in copper by York Avenue Studio

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, we were left in the dark.  Thankfully, we were just far enough from the Jersey Shore to escape the flooding (3 houses away!) but we were without power for 8 days.  After the sun went down, there was little to do and we settled into a pattern of going to bed earlier than normal.  When everyone was tucked in, I found some peaceful creative time, working at my bench by a camping lantern.

I was struck with the urge to "saw" something in the dark!  I cut a circle from some copper sheet and drew a cat with a black sharpie.  I punched a hole in the center and started my little pierced project.

The process of sawing a tiny design is very relaxing and stress relieving.  Staying calm and keeping the tension smooth and steady is important for good results, plus it benefits the "soul" to release pressure and have something creative to focus on, perfect remedy considering the circumstances.

Copper Cat Necklace by York Avenue Studio

I finished the design, cleaned it up and polished the copper.  I matched the pendant up with a sterling silver box chain that is plated in 14K Rose Gold and a handmade bail.  A little treasure that I have as a keepsake to remember the "calm" after the storm.