As I’ve already mentioned, my metalsmithing skills are self-taught and with a torch in hand, I learned to work with mixed-metals and hand-picked stones to create pendants, bracelets and earrings in Western, Southwestern and Contemporary styles. My mixed-metals are sterling silver and/or 100% copper and, while I use many different stones, I love to showcase turquoise shaped by master cutters.
I’m continually experimenting with different techniques and wanted to show a few pieces that I have added a texture to by hand – textures that are created by hand-hammering, stamping/pressing, etching, or the use of a rolling mill, as well as impression die forms – pictured right.
“Whisper My Name” Pendant features a centerpiece of Australian Variscite below a handmade impression die stamped accent – all sterling silver. A significant, new deposit discovery of Australian Variscite in 2003 is producing a wide range of colors – this calming color is one of my favorites. Variscite is known for being webbed with gold which is unevenly distributed in the stone and as “spiderweb variscite” is highly sought after for cutting cabochons. Variscite is considered to be one of the rarer and lesser-known collector's gemstones available today.
“Remembering Yesterday” There’s lots of movement in this pendant which features a Campo Turquoise as centerpiece, cut and shaped by Outlaw Lapidary, Tombstone, AZ. The backing is a combination of sterling silver and copper enhanced by a handmade impression die copper concho. The pendant measures 3” x 1¼” and hangs from an 18” copper Rolo Chain.
Impression die and hand cutouts/shapes were used to create accents on these pendants.
This is my workbench and the large green machine top right is the rolling press mill which I operate manually. Stamping (also known as pressing) is the process of placing flat sheet metal in either blank or coil form into a rolling press mill where a tool and die surface forms the metal into shape.
“Don’t Fence Me In” Pendant showcases a highly coveted New Lander Turquoise and has the beautiful clarity and depth of Variscite. Mined in Lander County Nevada, around Battle Mountain/Austin area, this stone was cut by Jason Brousseau, New Mexico and is framed by a cut out of roller printed sterling silver. My signature symbol Barbwire and an Arizona Sun accent the piece measuring 2¼” x 1¾” inches and hangs from an 18” wheat weave chain.
“Just A Little Secret” pendant of roller printed copper backing accented with bits of sterling silver, showcases a lovely Lapis stone. Pendant measures 1 ½” x ¾”and hangs from an adjustable antique copper 16-18” Viking Knit patterned chain.
Collector Jo E. Caruso enthusiastically acquired this piece: Just sayin'...can't wait...something about it I just love. Not to mention the Lapis, one of my favorite stones. Thank you, Kathy!!!
“Turquoise Arrowhead” is a perfect example of hand stamping with a very perfect stone cut by Tim Barney, Reshape Nature, Sparks, Nevada. The arrowhead, symbolizing courage, strength and protection, is set in a sterling silver backing measuring 2” x 1¼” and hangs from an 18” Viking Knit pattern chain. I think you’ll agree that this is a very much his/hers style of pendant.
"Heart Throb" Scarf Slide showcases an outstanding and expressive Turquoise stone, shaped by master cutter, Jason Brousseau, New Mexico. Classic antique style sterling silver hand-stamped heart with die accents measures 1¾” x 1¾”.
Because I stamp and texturize by hand, the imprints are not always uniform or perfect, but it is a characteristic that indicates the authenticity of my original works of wearable art.
