EMJC-PR Nostalgia Bone Cuff

EMPR 6:4 Nostalgia Bone Cuff
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

My challenge for this project was to create a piece from these parameters: bracelet, bone, and Byzantine/Victorian. I knew right away that I wanted to do the Victorian style.

I did some research and this hinged style of cuff was quite the rage in the Victorian Era. Most of the pieces found were 2 styles: wide band bracelet with hinges or a wide wire with ornamental balls on the end that overlapped in the front. I used the same square wire reinforcements on the edges to add to the strength. It was fun to use my experience with antiques to help guide my work on this piece. As a young girl I helped my father with his antique business. I love the jewelry part the best!

I had Hans (my stone cutter hubby) cut a section fossilized bone for this project. He had to recut a second stone since I broke the original bone. He trimmed down another one to make it work. (Did I say how much I love my digital calipers?)

The clasp is my favorite part. Its a spring pin clasp with a spinel set into to top of the pin. There is a safety chain as well. The side where the pin lives is secured by a wire that is soldered across the tubing and goes through the pin. (I really sweated this one out!!!)

I am so grateful for Vic from Experimetal for all her hard work on this project to help motivate us to reach for higher and higher artistic goals. I've decided that these challenges are just as important to me as commissions. I learn so much from each challenge. For more on our team challenges, please visit the etsy metal blog.
etsymetal.blogspot.com/

I am also grateful for my sweet Husband and my oldest Alyssa, who are my very best diamond finders! I managed to drop both of these on the floor and they found both of them for me! Everyone in my family is so supportive of my work and I am truly grateful that they lend a hand when I need it. I will have this piece for sale for my local shows. I'm not sure if I will list it on etsy yet.........

lilly

lilly
Originally uploaded by hanswestermark

I'm so excited!! My husband Hans just won his first photo contest with this photo. It was featured on the Indecent Exposure Blog for photography.

This photo was taken at the local New Hanover County Arboretum here in Wilmington, NC.

Here's the link to the blog!
Congrats Hans, I'm so proud of you!!!!

Keep eyes open for SALE

Well, I'm gearing up for a huge Holiday sale in my etsy store. I want to sell the old stock, so that I can be motivated to make some new pieces. Sooooo, keep an eye out for some of my old works to be on sale in the SALE SECTION of my etsy store.

Yesterday was lovely at Port City Pottery. Once I was all set up it was fun to greet everyone. Hans remade our wedding cake for our event (not looks, but taste), complete with hazelnut layers, apricot preserves and swiss buttercream. It was lovely and reminded me of our wedding! (I didn't tell him that it kinda slid in the car and the sides were all messed up) I think that was his signal to say "I miss you sweetie" because I've been working so hard lately. Everyone at the event loved it--I made sure that I had 2 pieces! YUMMY!

Louise did such a beautiful job organizing the event and it was lovely to see all her work out in one place. She has such gorgeous scarves and wraps. I'm not a wrap wearing person, but I'm really contemplating one wrap in particular.......I'm not going to tell which one.

So after all of this sale stuff, I was feeling completely beat, but I had to go to a rehearsal for the installation of a new rector at St. John's Episcopal Church. Now most of you know that I'm a classical singer too. I was going to help with their choir at the last minute, which is typically called being a "ringer". I was exhausted and hoped that I could muster some energy to sing. Anyway, Lisa Nichols runs an organized and fun rehearsal and has a dedicated group of singers, so it was fun to sing with them. Everyone was so happy to have me there and was so complimentary of my singing--made me feel like a super star! (Don't worry Larry, I'd never leave you!) It was a lovely way to end the busy day.