Custom Ring, part 1

Here is an image of the very awesome metal to be used in a custom ring I am creating. The metals are Argentium Silver (the long bar), 14k Rose Gold (the shorter bar), and Silver/Shakudo mokume (the swirly sheet). The mokume is truly stunning, yet hard to capture with an image. It's has a random pattern woodgrain look that is rosy and silver, but will finish to a silver and almost black pattern. (I added some images below of the other metals and the gems!)

For those who are not familiar with mokume, it is an old asian metalsmithing practice where many layers of fine metal, in this case about 27, are fused into a single sheet. Holes and patterns are then cut into this thick sheet, and then it is rolled very thin, creating this unique pattern. The Shakudo used is a mix of 4% pure gold and 96% pure copper.

This first drawing is the design that all this metal will

soon become. I forgot to include an image of the Malaia garnet that is going into the ring, but I will eventually.

This is another custom ring, with some of the same metals, that I will be building at the same time, also using Malaia garnets.

Dragonfly Book

As promised here are a few images for the inner pages of the dragonfly book.  Still in the beginning stages, but these look 1000 times better rough than the first draft.  I'm trying to make it more artsy than just informative.

It's May!

So today is the first official day of this blog, and I will try to keep a post going at least every other day.  All the silver and gold I ordered is slated to arrive today, then I can take pictures and show everyone what I'm building.  

The page layouts for the dragonfly books are headed to the printing press next week so expect to see images from those by this weekend!

More tonight!

About this time last year I completed my mechanical dragonfly, the "Anax Imperator Machina".  I've decided to make a collection of jewelry based on the dragonfly its self, primarily the wings. 

 The little wings I made are just like the ones on the dragonfly but slightly smaller, they'll be earrings and necklace, and hopefully a ring and bracelet as well, but we'll see once I have them.  The castings are supposed to be headed my way May 12th, later then I hoped but still in time for May!

I'm also making a limited run of handmade books about the dragonfly.   This will include the sketches and drawings I used to create it and photographs as well.  I'm really excited about making these!  Like most of my packaging they'll be made of sustainable Lokta paper and recycled paper, and I've been working diligently working on the inner page layout to get it finished this week.

Here are some images of the paper and bookmaking supplies to keep you intrigued. 

New bag

So I don't treat myself to many new things. I'm one to wear something out until it's rendered useless, but I've been eyeing this messenger bag for months now and finally gave in.  

My old one lasted a solid 5 years, which was pretty impressive for such a cheap army surplus bag.  But alas the holes are getting to big and the fabric too worn and tattered to salvage... I could literally tear it in half if I wanted to.

Photos are by Moop, check them out on Etsy here and at Supermarket.

Neglected

I've neglected this poor blog for almost 4 months now, but that's about to change.  I'm revamping this and a few of my other pages because I have lots of projects coming up to build and I'm going to be posting all the progress here.  Check back soon, all the changes will take place in the next few days.

For Sale at Last!

I have the new pieces up for sale on my Etsy page. Check it out for all sorts of fun and excitement! I'm working a new batch of designs now, but it's great to start getting pieces out there.