My Favorite Tools from SNAG

During the SNAG conference I frequented the vendors' rooms and keep looking at tools.  When I get home I will order the 2 of the red saws from Rio Grande.  I used it on my ring a day project while I was here.  It cuts better and is lighter than anything I've ever used before.  I also enjoyed trying out the textured hammer on the "stool stump" with a huge anvil.  For me the red saw is a must have tool.  (Knew Concept Jeweler's Saw in 3", 5" and 8").  I got to meet Bill Fretz and ask many questions about his line of hammers and stakes.  I am interested in looking into the ring doming set of bench stakes.  Mark Nelson is the Rio employee who is on the youtube instruction videos, (most recently in the video on using the swantstrom cutter to make a seamless ring) recommended some tools for me to add to my "want" list.  He suggested a hammer handpiece 15-D for setting cabs and a Bench Mate kit.  I hope my husband reads this because my birthday is at the end of this month!

I also liked the layout of the Rio sales booth, it was easy to see the tools and benches were available to watch people work.  The folks at Rio were helpful, easy going and nice to talk to, plus they are great dancers!  (I had no idea that so many people would dance!  Many danced until the DJ finished).  They are truly committed to service and that really shows.

Knew Concept Jeweler's Saw from Rio Grande 5"

Textured hammer 

bench stump and beautiful anvil

I am going to sort out my finances and save up for a Potter hydrolic press from Otto Frei.  I got to meet the maker, Kevin Potter and makes his own presses and die plates.  On the way to the conference I studied Susan Kinsley's Book on Hydrolic Die Forming.  (You can still buy it on Amazon from the author for the original list price). Potter Presses are exclusively available at Otto Frei.

Kevin Potter and his 20 ton hydraulic press

Bracelet form on the press

Handmade Stakes and Forming tools by Potter

Custom Dies for the Potter Press

Otto Frei Durston Mill 4" 

Otto Frei  Electric Sparker

I already have one and I love it!

SNAG Exhibition in Motion

My first SNAG conference has been quite a whirlwind of activity.  There is something to do everyday.  The lectures have been excellent and I'm thrilled to keep learning.  I've gotten to meet some of my metalsmithing hero's like Tim McCreight and Andy Cooperman.  Last night was the SNAG fashion show at the Houston Museum of Art.  I was thrilled to participate in it and documented Marthe Le Van's transformation from a book editor to avant garde fashion model.  

The artist I represented is Erica Stankwych Bailey.  She lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina and drove down to my house to deliver her piece titled, "unwanted".  It is made of junk mail and the color is from the original colors of the paper.  She used recycled copper from construction sites to create links.  

I give credit to all the designers as soon as I locate that bulletin.

Etsymetal Charm Swap 3

CS3 in progress 007
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I am very excited to be the curator of the Etsymetal Team's Charm Swap 3. There are about 80 members in etsymetal team and the first 20 to sign up to volunteer to make 22 charms (2 for sale in the etsymetal store to benefit etsymetal) are now making charms. We are 2 weeks away from our deadline and I can really see many of the ideas begin to form. I have been so impressed with the designs and ideas that my team have been working on. I will put together a bracelet from the EM3 Charm Swap and it will be for sale in the etsymetal store. I will also have the second set of charms listed for individual sale in the etsymetal store. This way you too can collect and take part in our excitement of our collaborative effort.

These are my charms in progress. They are made out of recycled copper and sterling silver barbells. I love to roll metal with my favorite leaf texture and then form in different ways. Another one of my loves is to use sterling silver barbells in my work. The charms still aren't done. I'll do some final clean up filing, polishing and add a jump ring to these little leafs.

I'll try to blog about each member as they finish their charms.