Centrifugal Casting Gold Rings

I recently shot a video while my husband and I cast a pair of gold rings. This is my first edited video using iMovie, which was pretty fun. I hope you enjoy watching this jewelry making process...

I plan on shooting more videos in the future...hopefully they will get better. ;)

14k gold Chiseled Wedding Bands

Mount Gretna Art Show

I will be exhibiting at the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show in Pennsylvania this coming weekend. If you are in the area, please stop by booth #146!

Saturday, August 20: 9am to 6pm

Sunday, August 21: 9am to 5pm

Elaine and Waylon

Artists Elaine and Waylon met a an iron pour in Brevard, NC in 2006. Fast forward 4 years, 4 states, one BFA, one MFA and another MFA in the works...and Waylon proposed in dramatic fashion at an 300 lb sand mold iron pour in Kentucky, much like the one they met at earlier.

Fast forward 8 months later...

A picture perfect wedding occurred!

I am honored to have made the rings which represents their enduring love.

Elaine's engagement ring is sterling, 18k gold, tsavorite and diamonds.

Her wedding ring is a "chiseled" sterling band.

Waylon's ring is "chiseled" palladium band.

Elaine, a talented ceramic artist, made the centerpiece platters, the cupcake tier and all the dessert plates! With the couples names and wedding date inscribed on the bottom, the sweet little dessert plates not only served yummy cupcakes, but also served as the guests' favor. Elaine and her friends also handmade the lovely paper flowers arrangements for the centerpieces.

CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful and talented couple...Elaine and Waylon! Wishing you both the happily ever after that you deserve.

Photopgraphy by Ryan Bumgarner

Elaine Quave, ceramic artist/sculptor

Waylon Bigsby, sculptor

Ridge Collection

My newest body of work, the Ridge Collection, will be represented by llyn strong fine jewelry (booth 108) at SOFA in Sante Fe! SOFA: Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair is a gallery-presented, international art exposition dedicated to bridging the worlds of design, decorative and fine art. The show runs from August 4-7.

llyn wanted images for a slide show, so I had the pieces shot by local photographer, Eli Warren. Some of them turned out great! Take a gander...

Waning Pendant

Ridge Cuff 1

Ridge Cuff 2

Marquise Beryl Ring

Ridge Earring 2

Eli edited all the images in white and gradated backgrounds, so I can use them for editorial or jury images.

Thanks for reading! Your comments are welcomed.

My (artisitc) Roots

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are given a topic or question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. I haven't participated in a while---in fact I haven't done any blogging in a while. I thought this month's topic was a good one to jump back into it with:

Our Roots
Where we came from. How our families have influenced us. Artists in the family.

When I think about my artistic roots, I immediately think of my mother. She has always been a "maker"---someone who uses her hands to create. I have childhood memories of her making clothes and going to the fabric store with her...looking at all the clothing patterns and wondering the aisles of fabric bolts. She painted pottery, did macrame, cross stitch, knit and crocheted. One of her longest lived hobbies is quilting. Over the years, she has quilted baby blankets, comforters and wall hangings for dozens of our family and friends.

One of the many quilts my mother, Suzanne Miller, has made for my children.

She has always been supportive of my artistic endeavors and enrolled me in pastel and oil painting classes when I was 10 years old. I was encouraged to follow the creative path that ultimately lead me to art college and my jewelry career.

Coincidently, my grandfather dabbled in metal work. When I was a teenager he gave me a cuff bracelet he made. My memory is foggy, but I think he said he made it when he was in the Navy during WWII. When my mother was a young girl, he took sheet metal/tin smithing classes and made cookie sheets, pitchers and containers for friends and family members.

Bracelet made by my grandfather (circa 1945?)

Last but certainly not least, I am influenced by my husband, Ben Gilliam. He is an amazing teacher and a talented metalsmith and sculptor. We have different styles, but we still influence each other in countless ways.

Copper vessel by my husband, Ben (aka: John B. Gilliam)

Please read the "Roots" stories of other EtsyMetal members. Follow the links to their blogs throughout the day:
2Roses
Artigiano Jewel Box
Erin Austin
Inbar Bareket
Beth Cyr
Cynthia Del Giudice
Evelyn Markasky
Nodeform
Elizabeth Scott
Twigs and Heather