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

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

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.

champagne diamond stacker

champagne diamond stacker
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

I just finished this today and I'm really excited! I already listed it in my etsy store and I hope to have more ready soon. I want to do a series of gemstone 18k and sterling stacker rings in round and square ring shanks. My next project is to begin on the 18k chocolate diamond ring for the 7th Annual Chocolate Festival here in Wilmington!

Ashley Akers Jewelry

Blue Topaz Starburst Ring
Originally uploaded by ashleyjewelry

Great Sale at My Friends Store!
Ashley Akers makes gorgeous jewelry and I've just bought 4 of her rings--2 for me and one for my mom and one for my sister. I'm currently wearing the ring pictured. You need to go and check out her shop, but don't forget her sale section! I have a serious ring problem! I always seem to need a new ring!

Last week I made a few rings that I hoped would give me practice for a gold and diamond series I want to premiere at Wilmington's 7th Annual Chocolate festival. My supplies finally arrived, now I just need to find time and right mental space to create. I need to work quickly, but I'm still not rested from the Christmas rush.

Branch necklace

I love to make these copper leaves! I have had this necklace in my brain for a while and I finally had time to fabricate it. I just listed it today on etsy, in time for holiday shopping.

Now introducing! Largest Simple Plain Hoops!

Here is the largest hoop that I feel comfortable doing. It measures 1 and 1/4 of an inch across. It is completely hand fabricated by forming and hammering.

Free shipping through Cyber Monday!