Special Work

Appalachian Spring

Appalachian Spring has been on exhibit for the last year in Washington D.C.

at the Appalachian Regional Commission.  It just came back home to us last week.

This custom pendant, designed by Pat and Jeannie Tracie, of The Jeweler's Workbench fame, is being delivered today.

It is constructed of 14 K Gold, Sterling Silver, and hand set Diamonds.  The mountains were textured with a .5 mm burr and the background is oxidized with our favorite jewelers' Silver Black.  (As these two photos show somehow the camera's white balance setting is still not right!)

We've been very busy these last couple of weeks.  I spent a few days on some work for the Guild's Board.  It takes time but it really feels good to be able to help such an incredible and unique organization.  We had a great time at the annual Clay Day at the Folk Art Center.  The pots that we each glazed for the raku firing turned out beautifully!

In the midst of all of our work we've been spending the weekends working on the yarden some more.  Despite how much we have to get done, I took a couple of days last week to finish the trellis project.  We had bought two climbing vines at the Market a couple of weeks ago and they've been growing like crazy.  Since I promised Laura P. and Laure S. here are some before and after views.

The view from the bench three weeks ago, new plants being watered in.

The view Sunday morning after even more plants went in and we mulched.

Only three bags of mulch to go!  The lettuce has been replaced with more coleus.

Here's the bench and Inky three weeks ago.  Mandevillas and tropicals behind it.

The bench and new trellis this weekend.

We re-mulched the paths to the wildflower area too.

The two cherry tomatoes still need to be potted up!

After I strolled through the yarden taking pictures I found Inky holding my place!

It's already over eighty degrees today and by now the wax pot should be ready for me to get to work on waxes for the July Guild Fair!  Since the wax needs to be just over 160 degrees to flow well it's going to be a warm day in the office!  But I know that at the end of the day it's going to be beautiful and cool in the yarden.  I just hope Inky and Sam will share the bench with me . . .

Shipped!

One of the greatest and most satisfying things about being self-employed jewelers is getting to create really special pieces for really special people.  When our work is a gift for someone that is loved and cared for so much then our work becomes even more special, and more energized.  Since we both are Official Santa AElf Helpers it is a lot of Fun too!!!

We have been very busy this year, and this Winter!  And we have been snowed in for a few days (and I want to post some of the photos I took on a wonderful late night walk Saturday).  So we worked!  And I still haven't had a chance to post the in progress photos I'd taken of some very special Christmas gifts that we got to help design and then make real.  (And I am still determined to post the work shots because some of them are that cool!!!)

We shipped one of them out via FedEx today.  (Our shipper of choice!)  Nancy L. had the idea for this bracelet for one of nieces.

Since they can't share Christmas morning together, this is for Nancy and Norman so they can see what A. will see when she opens her Loving Aunt and Uncle's package Christmas morning!

Hand inscribed Christmas 2009  Bauman 14K

Her bracelet is constructed of 14 karat yellow gold.  The base of the bracelet is 6 mm wide and 1.5 mm thick, and was textured with a .5 mm burr after all of the soldering was completed.  We used twelve inches of 3 mm tall 20 gauge 14K sheet to make the individual ridges, which are individually soldered in place.  The AA Emerald is 3.5 mm wide and is set in a 14K yellow four-prong head.  All of the edges are carefully rounded and smoothed so that no part of the bracelet will snag or pull on something.

Nancy's bracelet turned out beautifully!  It is even more stunning in person.  The proportions worked out perfectly!

We hope that A. will have a Very Merry Christmas and that she will wearher bracelet for many happy years and that she will think of her Loving Aunt and Uncle when she does.