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!

Aspiring Metalsmiths: December Project Blogroll

Photo Credit - Print by Dreamerofworlds on Etsy

Welcome to the monthly Aspiring Metalsmiths: Project Blogroll!

Each month we will choose a different topic and each write a response on our own blogs. All posts will be up for you to view on the 10th of each month.

This months topic: What technique would you like to learn next?

There are always new techniques to learn on this metalsmithing journey, what one are you going to try out next? See what techniques we are wanting to learn by viewing the blogs below!

• Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
• Gayle - http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com
• Jessica @ Abella Blue - www.abellablue.com/blog
• Sylvia Anderson - http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/
• Autumn Bradley - www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com
• Scrollwork Designs - www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com
• Claire - http://brightstar109.blogspot.com/
• Carole - http://www.caroleaxiumdesigns.com/journal/
• Heather - http://mistyridgedesigns.blogspot.com
• Brandy - http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com
• Esmeralda (SilverBlueberry) - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/
• Stacy http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/
• Steph Stargell Designs - http://stephstargell.com
• 
  

Secret Santa Gift Exchange

Happy Holidays & Welcome to the Aspiring Metalsmiths Secret Santa Gift Exchange!


Photo Credit to ZuppaArtista on Etsy

All Team members are encouraged to participate. Come on this will be fun!

Here are the rules:
* 25$ limit and/or 30 min. production time
*If you sign up you have to participate, we don't want any sad teamies not get a gift.
*You must send your gift to your recipient by December 15th.

Other than that, be creative and have fun!


UPDATE: Sign ups for the Secret Santa has been closed. Each participant will receive an email with their recipient on Thursday, December 9th around 9am MST.

Thank you to everyone who signed up, we had a great turnout!

December AMT Challenge - The Best Way to Know Where You Are Going is to Know Where You Are Coming From

First of all I want to thank each of you for your kind words about my challenge entry this month. I am so excited and honored to have one. I truly feel this is a major accomplishment in my learning my craft considering the competition that I had. This is such a talented group of artists that my winning our challenge this month when placed in league with the other entries really helps to boost my confidence in my skills and my craft. Thank you again for your support and kindness. Now to get down to business.

Throughout history one of the most common uses for precious stones, metals, jewels and eventually jewelry as we know it, has been to convey information about the owner or wearer. Typically this information was directly related to identification and status. The most obvious examples of this would of course be the jewel encrusted crowns worn by nobility throughout the ages. For instance consider images of the contemporary British monarchy that we are all probably most familiar with to the jewel adorned head dresses of ancient civilizations like Egypt, Sumaria, South America and the Orient.

When we see these items we immediately think of someone of great importance and high standing. However, pretty metal and stone adornments where not limited to the nobility alone. Take for example the lovely coats-of-arms used to represent family heritage in England or the gorgeous kilt pins fashioned by the Scotts. The design of ones kilt pin and the pattern and color of their kilts were traditionally the most obvious means of knowing the lineage and heritage of an individual. 

So with  that being said please don't kill me but you will need to do some homework for this challenge. Since we are an international group of artists and even those of us here in the states probably exemplify a diverse number of nationalities, I want you to design a 21st century representation of your pedigree. Show us who you are and where you come from using metal and stones. This piece doesn't have to be a piece of jewelry. You can make it a plaque or larger piece of wall or table art if you so choose. Its totally up to you. Do try to be historically accurate and use items in your piece that represent your origins. For example think celtic knots for Irish, Scottish, Welsh ancestories and choose color schemes that have been historically representative of a lineage or family surname (this is where the homework part comes in). Be sure to provide a key with your submission explaining what each item, color, stone, figure etc. represents. So as we begin a new year and most everyone else is working on their New Year's resolutions and trying to decide how to be a new you in the new year let us take the opportunity to discover the old us. Like I said in my post title afterall, "The Best Way to Know Where You Are Going is to Know Where You Are Coming From".
So that is it. I hope you all will have fun with it. Make sure to add your submission photos to the group flickr pool by Midnight EST  Jan. 14th with the tag "December AMT Challenge"
You have from now until the middle of Jan. so I hope to see alot of participants. I know this is a very busy time of year with all of the holiday activities but if you chose not to do anything until after Christmas you would still have nearly two weeks to get something completed. So put on those thinking caps boys and girls and get to designing. Good Luck.