Silversmithing Class: Week 1

The first day at my introductory silversmithing class at Fitzgerald Jewelry was hands-on from the start. There were 8 of us, all women, and after brief introductions, we got right into it.

Metal Cutting
The teacher, Michael, and his assistant, Vanessa, each took 4 of us into small groups. In my group, we started with a lesson in using the saw blade to cut through a square sheet of copper. The first (and absolutely the hardest) technique we learned was how to load the saw blade. Most of us broke several blades within a few minutes! Next, we used stencils to draw whatever shapes we wanted on the sheet, and then we started cutting. I chose a circle. Then, we pierced a hole into the center to create a starting point for cutting out another shape, from the inside out. This time I chose a square. Finally, using a large file for the outside shape and a small file for the center-cut shape, we smoothed out the rough edges and refined the shapes. I could tell right away that filing is something a person (most likely a woman) could get obsessive about. Or maybe it’s just me, as I’m the type to file my nails often, working to shape them just right, and this felt quite the same.

I brought my unfinished copper pendant home and put it on a sterling silver chain, making it a memento. It may be too early to tell, but I see lots of pendant-making in my future!

Casting and Annealing Silver
About halfway through our 3-hour class, we switched places with the other group and learned about how to (correctly and safely) use a torch. Michael covered the process for mold casting and annealing silver. We each got to practice melting down the scrap silver with the torch while another one of us poured it into a mold, trying to pour as evenly as we could. It was amazing to watch the silver melt into a pool of silver lava. And even more magical? When the heat is removed from the silver, it hardens instantly! I imagine that at some point, I’ll be able to maintain the flame on the silver while pouring it into a mold, but right now, that seems like an impossible juggling act! Next, we learned about how to anneal a sheet of silver so that it can be shaped, like when you want to make a ring. Michael explained how to position and move the torch to distribute the heat evenly. It only takes a few seconds for the silver to start glowing red, and that’s how you know it’s annealed! Finally, we picked up the silver with pliers and dropped into water, then the pickle for a few minutes. After rinsing the silver, it’s malleable and ready to be shaped! Metal is fascinating.

At the end of class, we started our first “long-term” project, which is to make a hollow, structural ring. It’s supposed to take a few classes to complete. I’ll take pictures of the process to show you how it all comes together!

My Muse-ical Inspiration

Every day, while I sit at my workshop table at home designing and creating new jewelry designs, I hear music coming from Maurice’s studio downstairs. I listen as he plays the trumpet, or works on a new track, or discovers new (or old) music and then asks me if I’ve ever heard this or that. He is completely immersed in all that pertains to music, and he dedicates his life to it. This level of commitment to one’s art is rare and inspiring. He is indeed my artistic muse. I want to share his music with you, so you can hear what inspires all the jewelry designs I create. Click on the link and enjoy!

Maurice Brown’s new album

Love is… Fire and Ice

I’m proud to present to you some new designs from my winter 2010 series titled, “Fire and Ice.” My hope is that they’ll inspire your love, make you think warm thoughts, make you feel beautiful, and give you the perfect, unique gift idea for that special someone! If you would like to see more designs or learn more about these pieces, visit my online boutique. Select designs are on sale from now until February 14! To order a custom design for your loved one in time for Valentine’s Day, email me at abigailtramos@gmail.com. Orders are shipped daily! Thanks for stopping by! Comments are encouraged and appreciated.

new decade, new name, new look

For the new year and new decade, I decided it was time to re-focus my blog and expand its potential. It’s a work-in-progress for sure, but what I aim to do is share my new designs; the people, places, things and experiences that inspire me; and some of my creative process. I would also like to interact more with my customer base to get feedback about what they like. This will be in the way of taking polls and asking you all to comment about stuff I post.

And, in order to be a resource for my fellow artists, I’ll share valuable info I come across too! Like this introductory silversmithing class I’ve just enrolled in at Fitzgerald Jewelry in Williamsburg, for example. It starts this month and I’m super excited about it. I’m excited to learn new jewelry-making skills and even more excited about where those skills will take me creatively! I’ll keep you posted about the class and let you know how it goes!

A great year ahead? Definitely! This year, I’m looking forward to learning. And I encourage you to sign up to learn a new skill, too! Why not?

Need Last-minute Holiday Gifts?

Check out the Patchwork Crafts and Designs Holiday Craft Bazaar tomorrow, Sunday, December 20, at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg! Doors open at 10am and it goes until 6pm, so there’s plenty of time left to finish getting gifts for everyone on your list! Abigail Handmade Jewelry will be there along with lots more artists selling their unique, handmade crafts, such as knits, ceramics, clothing designs and accessories. The Knitting Factory is located at 361 Metropolitan Ave. near Havemeyer Street. From the city, take the L train to Bedford Ave. and walk just a few blocks over to Metropolitan.

Here are a few new designs I’ve just made. You can come get ‘em tomorrow at the craft fair! Also check out my etsy page at www.abigailramos.etsy.com to see more one-of-a-kind jewelry designs.

Thanks for stopping by straight no chaser!

Holiday Sample Sale Success!

My Holiday Jewelry Sample Sale on Saturday, December 12, was a smashing success and a really good time! It was a day full of eating and drinking, meeting new people and shopping for beautiful, handmade jewelry. Thanks to all who came out!

Here are some of the designs that found perfect new homes today! All pieces are made with an organic combination of natural stones, glass, mixed metals, and rare treasures from all over the world.  To see designs that are currently available, visit my online boutique at www.abigailramos.etsy.com. My online holiday sale will last until December 31, so don’t delay. If you’d like to have a special piece made, please send me a message at abigailtramos@gmail.com. While each piece I create is a one-of-a-kind, I can replicate any of the styles you see here and customize a piece to your preference in metal, stones, colors, design, occasion, etc.

Garnet, onyx and pearl earrings

Long Goldstone and Gold Earrings

Turquoise and Brass bracelet

Dancing Lights bracelet, made with 14k goldfill and sterling silver

Rose Quartz Drops on sterling silver

Lariat Necklace made with coins from Denmark and Japan

Photos 1, 2 and 4 were taken by photographer and artist, Aki Hirata Baker. Visit her website at akiackee.com to see her amazing work.

Winter-inspired Designs

In preparation for my next jewelry sample sale, which is this Saturday by the way, I’m making designs with chunky Turquoise stones, black Onyx, Hematite and mixed metals. Here are a few new pieces I just finished! And if you’d like to stop by on Saturday to pick up that perfect gift for your mom, sister, daughter, niece, wifey, girlfriend, best friend, secret santa, etc… here are the deets:

Holiday Jewelry Sample Sale, 1285 Atlantic Ave, Suite 2, Brooklyn, NY 11216. We are two blocks from the A/C train at Nostrand Ave. If you’re not in NYC, visit my online boutique at www.abigailramos.etsy.com.

Helping Sri Lanka Heal and Rebuild

This month I donated a piece to the Nesting Project, a group installation at Jivamukti Yoga dedicated to helping Habitat for Humanity rebuild homes in Sri Lanka. The month-long silent auction features local artists’ interpretations of “nests,” which includes photographs, paintings, sculptures and jewelry. My contribution is this lariat necklace called “Ganesha: Earthly and Divine.” It beautifully mimics the colors and shapes in nature and represents the rebuilding of my own lost nest, New Orleans. The silent auction is going on now through December 30, 2009, at JivamukTea Cafe, located at 841 Broadway in Manhattan. Stop by to see the Nesting Project installation and bid on original art by local artists! Click on the photo for more information.

Photo by: Aki Hirata Baker, http://akiackee.com

Thanks for stopping by Straight No Chaser!

Get Enlightened at Jivamukti

On Monday, November 30, from 3p to 9p, I’ll be having another fabulously zen jewelry trunk show at Jivamukti Yoga Center, located at 841 Broadway, near Union Square.

As promised in my last post, here are a few more pieces from the series entitled, Enlightened, created specially for my Jivamukti trunk shows. It was important to me to create pieces that are not only unique and fashionable, but also spiritually meaningful. Click on the images to learn more about them.

To shop for Abigail Handmade Jewelry online, visit my etsy shop at www.abigailramos.etsy.com.

Photos by AkiAckee.com

The Most Relaxing Holiday Shopping Experience!

On Monday, November 16th, from 3p – 9p, Jivamukti Yoga Center in NYC will host a trunk show exclusively for Abigail Handmade Jewelry! The one-day event will showcase my unique, organic — and completely vegan — earrings, bracelets and necklaces, made with metals, stones, wood, and rare and vintage treasures from all over the world. I’ll also be debuting a new design series entitled, Enlightened, created specially for this event!

Jivamukti Yoga is conveniently located right by Union Square. They have a popular vegan cafe, JivamukTea, where Russell Simmons is known to dine regularly. The boutique features lots of great gift items, from jewelry and clothing, to more yoga-inspired ideas. And the class schedule is great for busy people who work late since their last class starts at 9pm! You can eat, take a class and make a good dent in your holiday shopping list… all in one place!

Here’s a sneak peek at a one of the designs from my new series, Enlightened. I’ll show you some of the new earrings and bracelets next time!

Turquoise Ganesh Lariat

Ganesh pendant

Turquoise Ganesh is a lariat necklace made with Turquoise, onyx and rose quartz stones, and 14k gold and sterling silver chain. The brass pendant, which I found at a cool shop called Kruz in the French Quarter in New Orleans, shows the hindu deity, Ganesh, on one side, and the Om symbol on the back. This lariat is my favorite right now; I’m really into the chunky stones and mixed metals.

Thanks for stopping by Straight No Chaser.

Photos by: AkiAckee, www.akiackee.com