making wedding bands from wire

I love the process of turning a length of wire into a wedding ring. 

Here's a brief tour.....

cut length of wires according to the size of band

hammered, formed and ready to solder

after soldering, the rings need lots of filing and sanding

finished rings have a polished interior for comfort and patina

Right now I'm having a sale on my custom handmade wedding bands in my Etsy Store!  I can also sell them individually if you would like just one.  As always thanks for reading!

Medieval Rings and Moon Rings

Today I'll be listing some rings in my Etsy store!  The light was perfect in my studio this morning, so I took photos.  The medieval rings have the barbells through them while the moon rings have the wide bands with holes.

L-R: Tapered Moon Ring with London Blue Topaz, Big Bang Moon Ring with Citrine, Medieval Ring with pink tourmaline, Twin Moon Ring with London Blue and Blue Topaz, Medieval Ring with London Blue Topaz, Aquamarine and green Tourmaline, and Big Bang Moon Ring with Prasiolite.

Don't forget to use coupon code SAVE20 to get your 20% off a purchase of $50 or more!

Save 20% when you spend $50+ at my Etsy store!

Thank you all for being the best customers!  Here's a coupon code to thank you for your continued support of my work. Click here for my Etsy Store or go to http://www.sarawestermark.etsy.com.  Use coupon code SAVE20.

Wedding Season is Here! Come celebrate it with me!

I have always loved weddings--and I have been to many weddings--some very traditional and some very non-traditional in which the bridesmaids dressed in their favorite comic character/heroine! For me the act of two people pledging their commitment, friendship, and love for each other is very moving and an enduring sign of hope.

I've been excited about the low prices of metal--so why not celebrate it during my wedding season with sales on my wedding bands!

photo by Ben Forster

This picture was taken at an Etsy customer's wedding by photographer Ben Forster.  What a wonderful photo of my square wedding rings.  These rings were created for my friends April and Mic, who are still blissfully married!

artist photo

At the Orange Street Arts Festival I met a sweet young couple who were both actors.  This was the wedding set created for Tia and Matt which reminded them of tree bark.

handmade round wedding bands, artist photo

Each set of bands are listed in my Etsy shop for $50 off regular prices.  I don't know how long this sale will last, so order soon!

Thanks again for reading!
Sara

Experimetal's RAD no. 22: My favorite Ring a Day

rad 22 (left)
Originally uploaded by experimetal

Since the beginning of the year a group of international artists have been participating in a project to create one ring a day for 365 days of 2010. We have abbreviated our "Ring a Day" title to simply "RAD." We post our work on flicker in a "Ring a Day" group.

So after 31 days of straight ring making and 228 members, I had to pick one, only one favorite ring to blog on for the blog carnival. There were so many rings that I wanted to pick as my favorite ring of the day, but this one by Victoria Takahashi of Experimetal, really left an impact on me. This ring is so perfect to me in many ways. To begin with it is visually appealing in its industrial setting. I can't help but to see a bit of the 1980's version of "Superman" here. Perhaps the fond nostalgia I have at seeing "Superman" with Christopher Reeves on the screen for the first time as a young girl impacts this decision. Nonetheless, It is brilliant how Experimetal anchored the beads in this setting and then echoed the crystal towers look in the setting with the strips of sterling on the sides. Sometimes my head spins when I see another one of her pieces. She has a vision and endless creativity that I admire. To me, and she would hate that I would say this, is one of the most talented metalsmiths I know. Her work is cohesive, skillful, playful, and is distinctly hers. I hated to pick just one ring from all the other smiths out there, but there is something in this piece and in her body of work as a whole that really resonates with me. To see the rest of her work on flicker click this link.

To see more blogs featuring our favorite Ring a Days please see these arttists:
Alisa Miller
Colleen Baran
Danielle Miller
stacey hansen
Chris Parry
kerin rose
Victoria Takahashi
Su Trindle
Nina Dinoff
Maureen "Cosmo's Moon" BZ
Thomasin Durgin
Beth Cyr
Caitlyn Davey/discomedusa
Catherine Chandler

Ring a Day nos. 1-9

Ring a Day nos. 1-9
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I've really loved participating in this challenge. They say that a habit is not truly formed until you have been doing it 21 days. These self-imposed limitations help me to work. Everyday I'm inspired to see what my friends make. I'm the kind of person who won't go workout unless I have to meet my friend there too! This challenge makes it fun and I feel that all my friends are there plucking bits out of the collective consciousness. I really wanted something that would allow me to be creative a little bit every day. So far I'm not selling my collection yet, but I can remake most of these for anyone who just has to have one!!! If you want to see more rings from a lot of different artists, then check this link to the RING a DAY.

Happy December!

turquoise ring
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I decided to start off this month with a section in my etsy store for December birthstones. The traditional stone is blue topaz, but the alternate is Turquoise. I really love mottled turquoise with lots of green. I have a section on etsy where I have all my turquoise and blue topaz listed. If you need a birthday gift this month, then you know where to go!

Cyber Monday Sale!

I really wanted to see how the Cyber Monday Sales are going to go, so I put a few special items in my sale section in my etsy store. If you want to see them, go to my sale section. Free international shipping until Midnight on Monday too.

I've stocked up at Blue Moon Gift Shops and Port City Pottery, so you can always find my work there as well!

See you Saturday at Art for the Masses

labradorite ring 006
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Well today I'm busy getting ready for one of my favorite Wilmington shows, Art for the Masses by Creative Wilmington. All art work is between $25-$250 and there will be over 200 local and regional artists there. I hope that you will come out to see me on Saturday, November 21 in the brand new Bank of America building at 319 North Third Street in downtown Wilmington. I'll have my newest work with me at this show. If you want the first pick, come at 8:00 am and pay $10 to get in early! The show opens to the general public at 9am and ends at 4pm with a suggested donation of $3.

See you there!!!

Hey you Guuuuuuuys!

head shot
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

In case you need something pretty for yourself or for Christmas gifts, I just wanted to let you know that I'm taking part in a Weekend Deal Sale with my fellow Etsymetal Team Members. See this picture here? I'm just sitting by my work bench just waiting for your order!

We are offering 10% off any purchase this weekend. See this link for participating team shops.

This weekend only from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15 you can receive 10% off in any of the fantastic shops listed below!

So, how do you get 10% off?
1. Pick a shop (or several) from the lists below, that you want to buy from.
2. Add your items to your cart.
3. When the "Message to Seller" window comes up at time of purchase, write in it: "Weekend Deals."
4. Follow through with your payment.
5. Wait for your 10% refund from PayPal!

of course you can start with my shop!

:D

Bach's "St. John's Passion"

Bach's "St. John's Passion"
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Its called "St. John's Passion". I used an old score from Bach's "St. John's Passion" for the paper. It killed me to use a score, but this was a modern adaption by a former choir director who basically edited it and then printed out the scores at a copy shop. It was a score in progress, so there were still edits being made, so it was okay to destroy it. I used the beginning chorale and the first aria.

A "passion" is a gospel story about the crucifixion of Jesus. There are four all together written by different authors in the New testament and typically used during Lent leading up to Easter. This particular passage comes from the book of John, hence the name, St. John's Passion. Passions were very popular in Bach's time and later because during lent people refrained from going to the opera house and this was a "blblical dramatiztion", so it was acceptable. Bach wrote hundreds of church cantatas and has a little over three years of church cantatas written--one for every week.

These passions are still being performed and they are like sung mini plays. They are not acted out, but there are parts for someone to sing the Narrator often referred to as the Evangelist, Jesus, Judas, and other characters in the story. The piece is largely choral set for a typical church choir interspersed with recitatives and arias. Recitatives are the "spoken-like" sung solo passages with lots of text and the Arias are the solos for characters reflecting on their particular mood. The arias are more melodic.

This piece is a made to complete the Etsy Metal Project Runway Challenge, season 6, episode 5. To read more about out challenges coinciding with the hit show on Lifetime (formerly on Bravo), read the etsymetal team blog.

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.........

forgotten. . . . .

forgotten-dumortierite tourmaline and peridot 016
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Ever been walking in a garden at the end of summer and spot a neglected corner? You see in the corner the leaf from the vine that bloomed so spectacularly in the summer. Upon closer inspection the leaf is mottled with the characteristic holes left by a caterpillar. Its still beautiful though. Its almost as if the process of feeding the caterpillar has enhanced its beauty. With its missing pieces it is still functioning, it is still breathing, it is still eating. It is a brave survivor who gives a part of itself to another and does not apologize for anything.

Visit my etsy store to see more....

CHARM SWAP 4 Work in Progress

Work in Progress by Charm Swap creator, Experimetal

This summer twenty of our members have been working diligently on the 4th generation of Etsy Metal's Charm Swap charms. Charm Swap 4 participants make 22 charms for the swap with 20 to trade with fellow members. The two extra charms from each of the twenty participants will be available for sale at our etsymetal store. All sale proceeds go towards a charity designated by members of the charm swap. The deadline is fast approaching (August 31) and everyone is keeping me updated with their own works in progress.

Box charm by Quercus Silver

Pierced Flower charm by Blazer Arts

Beginning of Flowers on Vines by Bijougirl Designs

Beginning of the Tree Charm by Kathryn Riechert

Silver Acorn Cap Whistles by Aubergine228

Soon to be stamped dandelion charms by Nina Gibson Designs

Riveted industrial skyscrapers by Maggiej's

Jigsaw Charms by Sara Westermark

Cast Organic charms with Rough Diamonds by Beth Cyr

Pinwheels by Nova Designs

To see charms from earlier swaps, please visit the Etsy Metal Store.
Thanks to all the participants for all your hard work on Charm Swap 4.

Happy Birthday Sale

flush 4 sapphires
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Today's my birthday and your lucky day! I'm having a sale in my store until midnight tonight. Every purchase over $30 qualifies for a 20% off discount and free shipping--domestic and international! Come and shop at my etsy store and get that piece that you have been saving up for!

500th Etsy Sale SALE!

In honor of reaching my 500th etsy sale and my birthday, I'm having a sale until Monday, March 30th at midnight. Every purchase over $30 in my shop will receive 20% off and free domestic and international shipping. Just pay with paypal and I'll refund you the sale price--or request a revised paypal invoice if you prefer.

Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 Finished Charms

Deadline for the Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 was this past Saturday. I've already received 9 sets of charms in the mail and I love it! Its a bit like Christmas being the curator. I have all these interesting small boxes and envelopes arriving and I am thrilled to get a first peek. Here is your first peek of the finished charms. Limited edition individual charms make great pendants and will be for sale in the Etsymetal store. There will only be two for sale in the store, one for sale as an individual charm and one in a complete charm bracelet. Be the first to get yours!


Experimetal sterling shielded rock charm.


TreAnelli sterling concentric circle charm.


nyhedy with her unique castings.


erosas 14k gold foil and sterling charms


deliasthompson's cobblestone collection


Tuizui's enameled copper and sterling charms


Maggiejs petal and gemstone charm.


NinaGibsonDesigns brass and sterling teacup


KathrynRiechert hand stamped sterling disks with brass rivets.



IstanbulDesigns etched bronze owls.


Ashleyjewelry's charms use copper and polymer clay


rubygirl has filigree and enamel charms


sarawestermark copper and sterling leaves

Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 *in progress*

Nina Gibson's charm design from NinaGibsonDesigns. Her charm is going to be a teacup!

Etsymetal's Charm Swap is now in its third generation and I'm very excited to be the curator of this generation. I am very grateful to have the collected wisdom from experimetal and stamp (former currators) to guide me along the process. Here's how it works. Twenty of our team members sign-up to take part in this project. We all donate 22 charms and ship them to the curator. As the curator, I get to sort through all the lovelies and send them out to each participant. The two extra charms from each of the twenty participants will be available for sale at our etsymetal store. One set of charms will be put together as a charm bracelet and the other set will be for sale as individual charms. All sale proceeds go towards the cost of maintaining Etsymetal.

The deadline is fast approaching (Feb 28th) and everyone is keeping me updated with their own works in progress. As a member myself, I wanted to be sure that my charms were done before any of the packages arrived on my doorstep!

Here are some of the other team members and their "works in progress":

experimetal with hand-formed and enameled heart charms.



rubygirl experimenting with colors creating a filigree patterned charm.



IstanbulDesigns hand sketched this Klimt inspired owl to be etched onto brass charms.



aubergine228 has taken orders to make each member's charm from her nature castings. I've requested a fox claw and a seahorse for the EtsyMetal Store.



KathrynReichert is stamping intricate nature scenes on sterling hand cut disks.

tuizui is water casting sterling cups that will be enameled and riveted on to a textured copper square.

sarawestermark is using leaf textured copper ornamented with sterling barbells.

Sara Westermark, Etsymetal member and Etsymetal Charm Swap 3 curator.