Believe in someone

New rings

I'm pretty smitten with this new ring style. I was skeptical going into it, I wondered how comfortable they'd be to wear and I have to say they are very comfortable! I have a hard time wearing rings of substance they often cause my fingers to swell and are uncomfortable. This style going underneath two fingers leaves lots of room for movement and makes a big statement ring really easy to wear.

I've got some ideas kicking around in my head for one with some etched brass in a pattern I've been hoarding for months now, it's got a lovely swooping pattern to it that would stretch across the second finger and possibly show off a couple small stones. It would be more than double the size of these though so I need to make sure that it will be wearable before tackling it.

No remote

Tin Types

I had the pleasure of watching the tin type photo process done. Ken Miner of Zulu Dog K9 Services did a photo shoot with one of our trucks. The process is lengthy and complicated (at least it seemed complicated to me!) but the end result is so worth it. I really like the feeling the tiny type photos have, almost like they have a life of their own.

Here's one of the finished photos on the drying rack!

Valentine's Day sale

Happy Valentine"s Day! Since this IS MY special day I'm offering 25% off in my etsy shop use coupon code VAL2013 at checkout to get 25% off.

Be positive

Stamp Textured Ring

Start with a plain ring stock cut to length.

Using a stamp texture the stock leaving the last 3-5 mm on each end UN textured.

Using pliers roughly round and solder seam. With files and/or sand paper clean up solder seam.

Slide ring onto ring mandrel. Note I do not hold the ring mandrel while I am hammering on it. My ring mandrel is clamped into a steel block clamped to my anvil.

You can also use this method, I used it for years before having the steel block on my anvil. Bore out a hole in a sturdy bench leg that your ring mandrel fits snuggly in.

Not the block added underneath the hole to add bracing to the ring mandrel when you hammer on it.

Again, place your ring stock onto your ring mandrel with your solder seam up. I place my stamp onto the solder seam that we left un textured when we initially textured your ring stock. Strike stamp with your brass striking hammer while holding it steady. Move ring stock and/or stamp a few times to achieve your desired texture. I prefer to do this as opposed to texturing the entire ring stock and soldering it. I find the texture doesn't match up nicely where the solder seam is when you texture the entire piece before soldering. It's not a look I like, so this is how I do it!

Buff, patina and finish ring!