Handcrafted Wedding Bands

I was asked if I could make a Wren Pin for the "Womens' Rural Entreprenurial Network", (WREN) in Bethlehem, NH. They have a Gallery on main street, named "LocalWorks". 

Their website is www.wrencommunity.org

As you can see by the following slideshow, it began as a few sketches. Through the process of "Chase and Repousse" the metal is moved little by little , with the help of a chasing hammer and small steel chasing tools. It is a long process involving softening the metal periodically, because as the metal is worked, it hardens. This process is called annealing. The metal is worked from the back to give it depth, and then removed from the pitch, annealed, and placed in the pitch again to work it from the front. This goes on and on until the desired look is achieved. The pitch is a forgiving surface, which holds the silver in place while it is being worked, but has enough give to allow the metal to stretch and take dimension.

I hope you enjoy viewing this ancient process.

Creating Wren Pin/Pendant in Sterling silver

Buttons and Sweater

Okay, well I didn't use copper for the buttons- I decided on silver. I finally finished my sweater today. Does it fit? Sort of... it's a little short waisted. I'll just slump ;> Just kidding- it's fine. 

Sort of. 

Making Sterling Buttons

Well, no working in the studio today. I went to a baby shower (which was wonderful), and am finishing up a sweater I started , oh, about two years ago! Almost done, just finishing the neckline now. Next project in my studio will be making the buttons. I think it will be copper and silver for the buttons ;> The wool I knit the sweater with was from my Black Finn sheep, Luna. Not handspun this time though. I was was just aching to start knitting- didn't feel like spending the time carding and spinning, so I had it professionally done for that last fleece. Don't you hate it when you put a project down for a period of time and then try to get back to it and it feels overwhelming because you forget where you left off, or forgot the stitch pattern? Arghh... but perseverance pays off in the long run.

Recent Works

Thanks for checking in on my new blog! I hope to provide a glimpse here of the daily, weekly or "whatever" inspirations that go on in my studio. Some days the creativity flies and some days it doesn't. But that is the way it goes, and learning to go with the flow is all part of life.