Art Fire Artisan Jeweler Guild.

Jul 02

June 2011 Members Gallery

June 2011 Artisan Jewelers Guild Members Gallery Members of the Guild have been invited to submit a piece of jewelry to be displayed in a monthly gallery.  For June 2011, two members submitted pieces for display.

Iris K. Stuart I began making jewelry 6 years ago after purchasing an expensive pair of earrings labeled “hypoallergenic” and “sterling silver” that were anything but. I have a serious allergy to nickel so I’m very conscious of the metals I wear. This wasn’t my first experience with falsely labeled earrings so I was pretty aggravated. I’ve been making things with my hands since I was a kid, so I decided to make my own earrings. After awhile I needed necklaces and bracelets to go with the earrings so I got into beading. Then I wanted earrings that were a little fancier so I learned some wireworking techniques, and from there into making chainmaille. Then I discovered metal working — which is my real love. The ladies at work liked my jewelry and wanted some of my designs, and a business took form.

Every piece I make is hand fabricated from only the finest materials - sterling, argentium or fine silver - with beautiful cabochons and gemstones. You will never find nickel in any of my work. My style runs from office conservative, to weekend kick-around, to pieces that make more of a statement. If you see something you like but would love to own it in a different color or with a little more of this, or a little less of that, please email me and let’s design something just for you.

John Atwell Rasmussen   I have had a passion for rocks and rockhounding since I was a small child. I followed this into my education and was a geology major in college. Graduate Geologist for the past 40 years (BS and MS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.) This passion led my wife to start me on my journey into gemology and jewelry design and manufacture. She bought a parcel of gemstones and brought them to me and said “You’re the geologist, what are these?” That started my journey into gemology. I am a current student for Professional Gemologist (International Gem Society). I have completed the theory examination and need to complete the practical examination. Then I started doing lapidary and cutting my own stones. This led me to join Western South Carolina Gem and Mineral Society.I furthered my education with classes and became certified as an Accredited Jewelry Professional (2009) (GIA), and Jewelry Design and Repair Certificate, Penn Foster Career School (2010). I am continuing my love for gemstones by making unique pieces at my bench and offering them to the public. Most of my work is custom pieces for individual customers.

Jun 01

Purple Passion

Purple Passion involves Fluorite and Amethyst cabochons which were cut this week. I started Monday morning cutting three amethyst, one fluorite and one ruby cabochons. I have finished cutting the cabochons, and have completed two as necklace pendants. First to be examined will be the Fluorite. This gemstone is quite soft (Moh’s hardness = 4) and must be set in a protective setting. So I designed a bezel setting for the freeform stone. The fine silver bezel wire had a 20 gauge Sterling silver wire soldered to the bottom of the bezel to support the back of the stone in the setting. Then I hammered the bezel to produce dimpling. The top edge of the bezel was scalloped with saw and file. Finally, a bail ring was soldered to the back of the bezel. Now that the bezel setting was crafted, the stone was placed in the bezel and the scalloped edge was burnished over the edge of the cabochon and here is the finished product: The rest of the 20 inch necklace was made with fluorite chips and silver colored ball chain. The next necklace was made with an amethyst cabochon. I had an amethyst crystal about 5 inches long. I cut the crystal into two pieces along the c-axis and then cabbed each stone. One has been completed with wrapping with 22 gauge Sterling silver square half hard wire in a criss cross pattern. The resulting pendant is about 3 inches by 1/2 inch. Here are my two pictures of this beautiful wire wrapped pendant. Now I am watching the first game of the finals for the Stanley Cup, Boston playing Vancouver. Even though Boston beat the Flyers, I will root for them as they are one of the original six teams.

May 30

Ruby Necklace

My granddaughter will be celebrating her birthday this July. As with the other recent birthdays, I try to make her a unique artisan piece of jewelry. This year, I am also honoring her for being inducted into the National Honor Society at her high school. Less than 1% of the students in her school receive this honor. Debbie and I mined in Franklin, NC (the Cowee Valley, where there are active ruby and sapphire mines) and found several pieces of ruby. I have had this piece of rough for a couple years now, and thought it would make a great cabochon. The stone is not of facet quality. The associated mineral us Fuchsite (a form of Muscovite mica, usually green). The rough was basically a drop shape, so I followed that and cut the cabochon using a Genie cabbing machine. The result is a 148.95 carat cabochon, with a wisp of fuchsite still attached. Then I designed a “frame” of wire, sheet and bezel wire to hold the stone to make a necklace. All components are Sterling and Fine silver. The wire wrap was soldered to the back of the piece, then wrapped across the front to hold the bottom of the stone in place. Fine silver bezel wire was soldered in place to hold the top point of the cabochon in place. Finally, the bail was added and soldered together. The pendant was then hung from an 18 inch Sterling Silver chain. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I had crafting it.

May 28

Facebook Group Page

This is the official Artfire Artisan Jewelers Guild blog.  Carolyn Good is the lead point artisan for this blog.  She will be contacting members and soliciting blogs, however, please feel free to go to the submit page and submit anytime.

AJG has one official facebook group page.  It is restricted to membership from the Guild.  Kay Sommers will be the lead artisan for Facebook.  You can find the group page here:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_202374129805268

John

May 24

Thanks You!

After three years I am stepping down as Guild Master of AJG. It has been a pleasure working with each and every member.

I am moving in another direction from the guild and thought it only fair to resign.

John, gemlover has agreed to take over as GM.

Do follow my Personal page!

Thanks bunches! Dee

Father’s Day Ring - Sterling Silver Wire Wrap Ring

Find this ring for that special father or man in your life. Its in my artfire studio at www.secondnaturedesigns.artfire.com

It can be custom made to size and either oxidized or left shiney silver.

May 23

Fathers Day Suggestions

From some of the members MAN Gifts!

Lukelys - Silver Cratered Moonscape Cufflinks

2goodclaymates - Motorbike Tie Tac/Lapel Pin

Silver River Jewelry - Double Opal Copper Pendant

CreationsbyCarolLadine - Skull Guns and Roses Ring

exquisiteartfire:

Apron Mother Daughter Vintage Matching Valentine Pink Hearts Polka Dot by Auntie M Boutique

V is Valentines and these sweet pink and brown hearts are the theme for these vintage style aprons. These one of kind retro looking aprons are a matching mother/daughter set. Each apron is fully lined, has rick-rack as accent trim and a little of white lace on the pocket. A pink polka dot is the perfect contrast.

The mothers apron is a size med to extra large and has extra long waist ties. The daughters apron is a 5-6. Your cooking duo will always know they have your “heart” in this very pretty matching set.

Spread the word…

exquisiteartfire:

So if you like Exquisite Artfire thus far, please follow us, and spread the word on FB and Twitter and anywhere you think appropriate.  The idea here is quite simple.  Add a picture and link to your exquisite creation or wares from Artfire.  So far the only rules are -

be polite

only Artfire pictures and links

you may most certainly post links to your items, but also find some examples from other studios on artfire - reseller’s may be deleted at our discretion…

exquisiteartfire:

Tree of Life Ring - Cute Solid Copper Ring - Can be Made to Your Size by popnicute