January Project Blogroll - Show us your first piece

Color my World by Altered Abbey on Etsy

Welcome to the blogroll for January. This month the Aspiring Metalsmith team is posting about our first piece or pieces of Jewelry that we ever made. No matter how long ago this was, it will sure be a good reminder of how far we have come.

Check out all the participating blogs below:

Jessica - www.abellablue.com/blog
Clarity - www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com
Claire - http://brightstar109.blogspot.com
Stacy - http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/
Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Brandy - http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com
Gloria - http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/
Joy - http://www.joypeckjoy.blogspot.com/
Autumn - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Gayle - http://www.thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com
Sylvia - http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com
Esmeralda - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/

February challenge

Thank you, everyone who voted for me! It is such an honor to win an Aspiring Metalsmiths Team challenge. All of you who daily see the beautiful jewelry posted by our members know how talented they are.

For the next challenge I have chosen a theme that can be interpreted in a lot of different ways, and you are free to interpret it in whichever way you want. First of all, as mentioned in about every previous challenge:

Please participate!

I think we should all think of this as you would do of a yoga session. Yoga is about (literally) stretching yourself that extra inch that you didn't manage last week and be happy with that result. And even if you only managed to stay as inflexible as you were last week, you at least didn't get worse. You don't compare yourself to the person next to you because you have different bodies and it is completely irrelevant! Similarly, we are a team of very different skill levels, so some of you may not dare to enter, but please do! I always find that these challenges push me to do things I haven't been able to make myself do before, and even if that goal is just to enter, then you have taken that extra step.

Enough of that.
(except that we need more than four participants!)
(please!)

This month's challenge is movement. I will give you some examples.

This is a sculpture by a Romanian sculptor called Constantin Brancusi. The sculpture is called Bird in Flight.

See how he creates movement in the sculpture by the shape and shine of the brass. It almost looks like it's about to take off.

On the right is another way to interpret movement. This is Clarity's bracelet (you can find it in her shop, ScrollworkDesigns), and the stone slides on the silver wire. Dangly earrings would be a simple variety on this kind of movement.

Then there is the illusion of movement you create with tools. Melting, forging, chasing, fold forming, hammering, casting, there are so many options.

I hope you will have fun with this one. The deadline for this challenge is February 27th (a Sunday), at midnight EST. Put your challenge entry in the Flickr group and tag it 'February AMT challenge'.

Happy playing!

And the Winner Is.....

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Esmeralda of SilverBlueberry is the winner of this month's Aspiring Metalsmiths Challenge. Esmeralda is a molecular bioligist and her analytical scientist's mind came up with a completely original take on the heritage theme with this incredibly detailed hand-stamped mixed metal cuff. On the silver part of the cuff is where we, homo sapiens, lie in the classification system on the evolutionary tree.On the inside of the copper cuff is part of the DNA sequence of the foxp2 gene, a tiny part of which differs between us and apes. This gene plays an important role in giving us the ability to talk, which is part of what made us human.

A brilliant idea and excellently executed, this bracelet is truly a wearable work of art.



Autumn of Autumn Bradley Designs took second place with this entry was inspired by her grandfather's last name. This pendant was Autumn's first real bezel setting and it's been such a pleasure to watch her grow her skills.


In third place we have Asa of ASAP Designs who incorporated some treasured family photographs into this incredibly pendant and ring set.



As our winner, Esmeralda will choose the theme for the next challenge so be prepared to grow your skills and stretch your imagination as we continue our adventures into a brand new year.

Thanks to each of those who participated in this month's challenge!!

December Challenge Entries- Where You Came From

This month's challenge was brought to us by the lovely HEATHER of Misty Ridge Designs who challenged us to create a metalworked item that represents our pedigree. This was such an interesting challenge and we each interpreted it in a completely different way.

Asa entered this one-of-kind pendant and rings set which features sepia-toned vintage photographs of her family under glass and set in sterling silver. Asa actually has a great aunt Myrtle (left) and the adorable baby on the right is her great grandma Ivy. The picture in the pendant was torn down the middle and found in two different locations before Asa brought it back together for this necklace.


Esmeralda of SilverBlueberry's analytical scientist's mind came up with a completely original take on the heritage theme with this incredibly detailed hand-stamped mixed metal cuff. On the silver part of the cuff is where we, homo sapiens, lie in the classification system on the evolutionary tree.On the inside of the copper cuff is part of the DNA sequence of the foxp2 gene, a tiny part of which differs between us and apes. This gene plays an important role in giving us the ability to talk, which is part of what made us human.


Autumn of Autumn Bradley Designs' entry was inspired by her grandfather's last name which means "mace- a heavy medieval war club with a spiked or flanged metal head". This antiques brass, sterling, and lapis pendant is her interpretation of a modern day mace. It is also her first real bezel set stone so we're extra proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone!


Clarity of Scrollwork Designs drew on her family's celtic heritage to create this sword and shield inspired kilt pin. Featuring a Celtic swirl embossed texture the colors and motto of the McLeod clan, this set is the perfect reminder of where her family comes from.

As always, this month's challenge pushed us creatively while helping us grow our technical skills. Thanks to each and every one who has participated in our challenges! Voting begins now and runs through Thursday, Jan 20th at which point the winner will choose the next challenge. Good luck!