Tag: Jewel Envy | Page 2

STACKED

November 26, 2013August 7, 2019Jewel EnvyGeneral

The more the merrier!

Power in numbers!

Three’s a crowd but more is a party!

etc!

What I’m getting at here, is that sometimes one just isn’t enough. It is, after all, the loneliest number. So unless you are a hobbit (hehe), perhaps your one ring could use some company. To prove that point, we had another stacking ring workshop in the studio yesterday. The ladies, Kristina and Kim, were very worthy goldsmiths-in-training.

Here they are hard at work:

Here is amazing result of all their benchwork:

If you can’t make it in for a workshop, never fear! We have a great selection of stacking rings, already made just for you. Take a look:

Rings by Carolyn Cathcart of Cathcart Designs

Rings by Gillian Batcher of PASH Jewellery Design

Rings by Lauren Hanham of Lauren Hanham Jewellery Designs

Rings by Sasha Oda of Archerade

*Please excuse my manicure – the nails of goldsmiths never last that long!

Have a great week!

The Circle of Life

September 8, 2013August 7, 2019Jewel EnvyGeneral

I think we can all agree that Mufasa pretty much covered the circle of life, for lions and hyenas everywhere. If you happen to be a goldsmith, the circle of life is a little different. Luckily, I am here to impart some wisdom.

Here is me imparting wisdom:

The circle of life, for the sterling silver in my toolbox, begins as trial and error in wax carving. Here are some early attempts at carving balls:

Once I have a satisfactory wax carving, I use sterling silver casting grain to cast the ball into metal.

Surprisingly enough, I am not perfect, and when trying something completely new it can take a few attempts before I am happy with the results. Here is my ball graveyard, where bad balls go to die:

Thankfully, the trial and error period does not last forever. Below, success!

All the old sterling silver gets recycled, because recycling is part of the process. In this case, I raided the ol’ ball graveyard. The bad balls visited the chop shop (er, metal shears), and now have a brand new purpose in life as casting grain.

In fact I am casting tonight, and this casting grain will actually become two sets of weddings bands and a pair of earrings.

And that, my friends, is the sterling silver circle of life, goldsmith edition. Hakuna Matata!

New Class!

August 1, 2013August 7, 2019Jewel EnvyGeneral

Upcoming Saturday August 10th, 2013 we will be offering for the first time our Name Plate One Day Class.
Sign up today to design and learn how to hand pierce with a jeweller’s saw a name plate which you can wear on a necklace or bracelet. Make one with your own or a special someone’s name or initials or maybe even just a random word!

The class sample made by onsite goldsmith Alexis using brass.

January 12, 2013August 7, 2019Jewel EnvyGeneral

It has been ages since I have gotten around blogging in these here parts. I am going to go ahead and blame my neglect to be due to the fact that I am a creature of habit. Change things up and it throws me out of whack. I just have to get used to using the computer and working in our new location. I have to say I am in love with this neighborhood. Roncesvalles is such a friendly part of the city and I have been enjoying discovering little shops and cafes nearby. The 7th Sister has quickly become one of my staples, I love dropping in for a coffee, snack and a chat with the lovely Liz or Penny. Otherwise I have been getting REALLY excited and working hard on several pieces that I am working on for calls for entries as a part of the SNAG conference in the spring.

Me hard at work pre-holiday.

I hope that 2013 is going swimmingly for all thus far – be sure to visit the big blue house in Roncesvalles to come check our work or take a class.
-Alexis