Go and wake up your luck :: Ring A Week No. 42

Every now and then I visit my mistake drawer for inspiration. For my latest Ring A Week ring, I combined two pieces residing in that drawer. The etched piece, which reads "go and wake up your luck," was originally to be a pendant. I wasn't happy with the shape or the etched lettering and so it went in the drawer. I made the wide band from a piece of silver into which I had attempted to imprint some grasses for texture but didn't love the result. I sanded away the texture before fabricating the band and soldered the the organically shaped etched piece in place. I then gave it an oxidized, somewhat shiny finish. I am glad to have found a use for a couple pieces that had not turned out as I intended. It feels great on the finger and is a ring I will likely wear from time to time.

Amethyst Leaf Ring :: Ring A Week No. 36

It's been a busy month, but I've finally finished ring number 36. This ring, created for a customer, is a modification of an earlier Ring A Week design, ring number 7. For this newest ring I've set an amethyst cabochon, instead of peridot, in the center. I've also given the bezel and stone a lower profile so that it is a bit more protected, nestled among the leaves. Other than those differences the two rings are quite similar yet the change in stone color gives the ring a different look.

Ring A Week No. 33

For my latest Ring A Week ring, I've created a sterling silver band that matches my previous ring. The etched design is so detailed and delicate that I wanted to make a simpler piece to show off the detail of the etching. I like how it turned out.

Garnet Ring :: Ring A Week No. 32

I really enjoyed making this ring. I've set a 6mm almandine garnet cabochon into the center surrounded by my hand drawn etched vine lace design etched into a sterling saucer. The shank is also etched with the design and cradles the saucer. It is oxidized and hand finished and I really like how the patina shows of the delicate, lacy etched vines. I've recently created some pendants with the lace vine motif as well, which you can see in my shop.

Moonstone Ring :: Ring A Week No. 31

Several months ago, I purchased some lovely little 4mm moonstone cabochons. They've been sitting in my drawer waiting for a project until I thought of the idea for this ring. I've been melting and reusing a lot of my scrap silver these days and for Ring 31, I melted some scrap into a molten orb, flattened it just a bit and then filed interesting facets all around the silver nugget which sits atop a fabricated sterling band. I fabricated a bezel for the moonstone, which is inset. I love the rough, faceted texture of the silver (which I've oxidized to show off its angles) paired with the smooth, glowing dome of moonstone.

My Life is My Message :: Ring A Week No. 30

I recently came across this quote by Gandhi: "my life is my message" and it stuck in my head. What a powerful statement. Not only was it true for Gandhi; it's true for each of us. I decided to etch this sentiment into my latest Ring A Week ring. I started with sterling silver square wire, hand fabricating the band, hammering the outer surface and etching the handwritten words into the silver. I then oxidized the hammered texture and the etched lettering for contrast. What a great reminder to wear on the finger!

Ring A Week No. 26

For my 26th Ring A Week ring, I etched my delicate vine branch design into sterling and then hand cut the intricate shape, soldering it to a hand fabricated sterling brand. I oxidized it for contrast. I really like the dimension and texture of this vine branch. This ring gave me some trouble that I did not anticipate. The delicate vine was so fragile that it broke in a couple places. I had intended for it to remain in one piece, although I think it looks fine as separate pieces encircling the band. Solder did not flow properly and it took me a couple of tries. I also had some issues with firescale which took some work to clean up. Do you recognize the branch? I also used this motif for Ring A Week No. 14. The two rings are very different.

I've also made a matching pendant (below) which is now for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Circles :: Ring A Week No. 20

For my twentieth piece in the Ring A Week challenge, I've cut and soldered fourteen tiny sterling silver circles, forming them into a ring. I've oxidized the ring and hand finished it to enhance the dimension and texture. The ring reminds me of scales, or armor.