Time to vote on the "MAN JEWELRY CHALLENGE"

Way back in January Sam gave us a challenge to make some not boring men's jewelry. He wanted to see color and some delicacy to the design.....he wanted something to hand down to his future grandson. Here's what we came up with......

Claire of BrightStar109 made this colorful ring, and says:
"A Drop in the Ocean

For the Aspiring Metalsmiths Team Challenge, a ring for a man, Sam mentioned how he would like an heirloom piece so that is what I tried to do, set in a 9ct gold bezel with gold wire inlays around the bezel and in the ring band itself, echoing the patterns in the gorgeous hand cut custom stone. A truly one of a kind piece, made to last forever."

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Autumn of Autumn Bradley Jewelry Designs made these lovely cuff links.... "Finally finished! Sterling silver and ruby cuff links for Mr. Tom Cruise. These nearly killed my hands but it was worth it. I think they turned out pretty good :)"

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S. Michelle of SMB Studios made this neat bracelet.... "Come Play with Me

Cloisonne enamel with basse -taille enameling, engraving, embossing, Handmade Viking chain. Sterling silver, fine silver"

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Jason of HappyTortoiseDesigns made this stunning cuff.... "Sterling silver cuff with a "construction" of brass and copper tubes and wires. The brass and copper are given a patina, of course."

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Ryan of RyanQuantzStudios worked all sorts of magic with this unique ring. "Ebony, Sterling and Mokume Ring- January ASM Challenge...Macassar Ebony ring, fabricated, hand-cut, hand sanded and hand-rubbed finish, inlaid with sterling/copper Mokume Gane, patinated, inner sterling liner hammer-fit and sterling "skid-plate" riveted to the liner. Size is about a 9.5."

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Julie from JulieMauerer made up this sneaky snake ring..... I guess if Cleopatra can have hers, Marc Antony should have a matching one!

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Elizabeth from ResurrectionSilver made a locket to keep loved ones close to his heart..."January Challenge Men's Double Copper Verdigris Locket 1. For the January challenge, I made my first locket! I tried to make something that would be sentimental, yet manly. So I created this double swivel locket from copper and gave it a rustic, uneven patina. I hope this meets Sam's standards!"

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Asa From AsaPearsonDesigns made up these cuff links.... Carved tiger eye shows off military history of the old world.... blue paua shells show a pop of color, only a little hidden from view!!

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Kharisma from Popnicute made this lovely set...."Cupid's Wings - January ASM Challenge

These wings were commissioned by a lovely couple for their 5th anniversary. His and hers pendants. Obviously the wing with flowers was for the girl. Handmade from argentium silver, sterling silver, and copper.
My entry is the pendant on the left for January ASM Challenge - Men jewelry :)"

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There you have it folks..... good luck picking a favorite....but when you do, make sure to vote over on the right side of the post!!!  The winner gets to pick our next challenge, and maybe a few guy customers!!

Voting ends on the 14th.....Good Luck!

I'm giving everyone a very selfish challenge!

I’m so excited that I won the last challenge….My little egg was a very fun (if time consuming) obsession. Now I get to pick the next one…..and it’s a really selfish one too. Please forgive the Bridezilla moment you are about to witness.

I need ideas for jewelry for my wedding next year. I need ideas for not only me and my groom, but for my bridesmaids, the groomsmen, for our parents and grandmas….you get the idea.

So let me tell you a little about the wedding: It’s taking place in a real 1930’s speakeasy where Dillinger played poker and Cab Calloway played his swinging jazz.

It has a very Art Deco theme (not to be confused with Art Nouveau) with Black and Silver being the main colors, but we are adding real peacock feathers for some rich blues, greens and purples.
We are going to have at least one live band playing great music from the era.
The boys will have Fedora hats, the girls will have very red lips!

Here’s a photo of what my dress will be like….only in PLATINUM silver silk










So think (or Google) Fred and Ginger, Jean Harlow









Think the Chrysler Building (especially the eagle heads!) and Rockefeller Center.






Think Cab Calloway, Satchmo, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies and Squirrel Nut Zippers for music.









Think geometric lines, with a few interesting curves, rhinestones, glass, and stainless steel ….clean lines!!

I’m excited to see what you guys come up with. I think this might be a new style for many, and I hope it's not adding too many restrictions to the challenge....If it is, forgive me for the temporary insanity that comes with planning a wedding!!

Remember this is open to everything from necklaces to hair picks, to cuff links to chunky cuffs and brooches! Let's show every Bride To Be out there that we have what it takes!

Asa

oops...forgot...Deadline Midnight on April 23. Yes, I changed it AGAIN....see I told you I was insane!!!

Post it over to the Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/aspiringmetalsmiths/ so we can all ohhhh and ahhhhh, and I can consider blowing half a wedding budget on all your wonderful creations!!