ebony and holly lock picks

These are a few lock picks I have made recently using ebony and holly.  I bought some tagua nuts this week, I have never worked with them before.  I will probably try those in combination with ebony next time, but they are too small to make an entire pick out of.  

new pendant

Last week I finally finished this pendant.  I did the design in ZBrush while I was living in Korea.  A customer wanted me to make them a custom piece and chose this one out of several designs I presented.  I am glad she liked the finished piece.  I am always worried the customer won't be happy when they see the finished piece.  I am mostly happy with how it came out.  The materials are 18k yellow and white gold and a yellow sapphire.  This isn't the first piece I have done with CAD, but I think it is the first one I have done all the work on, from designing it with CAD to finishing the metal piece.

Class at GRS soon

I'll be going to Emporia, Kansas in about a week and a half for the Advanced Stone Setting Class with Blaine Lewis at the GRS Training Center.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I've wanted to take that class for a few years.

Iowa State University Art Museum

Recently these 3 pieces were accepted into the Brunnier Art Museum at Iowa State University.

These pieces are all anodized aluminum and sterling silver.  This black ring I made in 2005 and gave to my ex.  A couple years after we broke up she sent it back.  I told her if she doesn't want it, just throw it away.  When I received it I seriously considered destroying it.  The stones are sapphires.  I wish I had a better photo of it.

Traditional Japanese Metalsmithing Kickstarter update

The Japanese Metalsmithing Kickstarter was successfully funded.  Now the person will start producing the videos.  I wonder how long it will take?  With my previous experiences with Kickstarter the projects all took much much longer than planned.

Anyway, it was successful.  I'm not going to worry about it.

LongHouse Reserve

I just found out one of my pieces was acquired by LongHouse Reserve.  It is this folded copper vase from 2008.

I am told it will be in a basket exhibition from April 29th.  It's not a basket, but I guess they think it looks close enough.

Master Classes on Traditional Japanese Metalsmithing Kickstarter

Today I learned of a project on Kickstarter for a series of instructional videos on Japanese metalworking techniques.  If this person reaches her goal of raising $10,000 she will go to Japan and make some videos about a type in inlay with Kazuo Kashira.  This is something I would really like to see happen.  I pledged $90 for 3 videos and I hope anyone reading this blog will also support this project.  For anyone unfamiliar with Kickstarter, if the $10,000 goal is not reached, the project will not be started and you will not be charged if you pledged money.  

This is the link to the project.