Category: Lapidary

• Copper Flutes and Hand Dyed Hemp

  These two copper flutes were based on D (small) and Bb (large) 6-hole English tin whistles that I bought years ago.  I played the whistles quite a bit when I was in high school, but quit in college when my asthma became too severe.  The new copper flutes have a larger bore than the tin whistles and a…

  ironwing

  March 2, 2012

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary, Needlework

• Smithsonite Necklace

  I finally finished a necklace to hold the smithsonite beads that I carved back in August.  My Pink Bead Necklace is so comfortable that I made this one in a similar style.  Forged from high-carbon steel and black steel wire, with bronze spacer beads cut from a broken Tibetan singing bowl.  The copper beads were cut…

  ironwing

  December 14, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• Earrings for the Autumn Equinox

  These Cat Eye and Claw earrings seem appropriate for the Autumn Equinox, with their balance of brown and blue, transparency and opacity, receding earth and rising water.  I carved the “claws” some time ago and only recently made the “cat eye” cabochons to go with them.  Settings are sterling silver with fine silver bezels and…

  ironwing

  September 23, 2011

  Cats, Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• We’re Back

  OK, we’re back, and the computer has a new graphics card.  Meanwhile I’ve been working in the shop, drawing, staring at a “to-finish” list of too many projects, and setting priorities.  I re-did the Pink Necklace to include some forgework and more stone beads, which frees up the iron beads to use for something else.  It’s also more comfortable (and…

  ironwing

  September 15, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• Handcarved Smithsonite Beads

  Today I measure wealth and abundance in the ancient way, with a handful of skystones…although these aren’t turquoise.  I cut this set of smithsonite beads from a single chunk of pale bluish-white, chalky-looking rock that I picked up at an old copper mine.  The black material is mostly manganese oxide but there are also a few…

  ironwing

  August 10, 2011

  Lapidary

• Pink and Iron Necklace

  I’ve had these beads for awhile, intending them for several different projects, but they work very well together.  I’ve always liked the pink/black color combination, especially when one of them is metallic.  Today the idea of a simple necklace of earthy, comforting, and familiar materials was very appealing.  It made an easy, peaceful project for the…

  ironwing

  July 28, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• Mined and Refined: Amethyst Rings

  Mined and Refined:  Amethyst is a set of two rings that can be worn together or separately.  The larger one is made from a piece of iron pipe that was hot-forged to the proper size, then drilled, carved, and polished.  The silver bezel cup is riveted to the iron ring.  It is set with a very…

  ironwing

  July 17, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• Ring: Ogun as a Silver Miner

      Ogun as a Silver Miner is a forged sterling silver ring that pairs a rusted 19th century handforged horseshoe nail with a natural goethite pebble set in a fine silver bezel.  Goethite is an iron ore and is also one of the iron oxide constituents of rust.  This shiny dark brown metallic pebble is…

  ironwing

  June 29, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

• Copper and Stone Flutes

  This is a copper flute made from 1/2-inch copper tubing, just under 11 inches long.  It is made in the style of a Japanese shakuhachi (rim-blown crescent-shaped mouthpiece; four soundholes in front, one in back; tuned to a pentatonic minor scale; decorative “root end” at bottom).  True shakuhachis are at least twice this size, and are bamboo…

  ironwing

  March 30, 2011

  Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary, Nature, Uncategorized

• Handmade Stone Beads

  To honor the ancestors on this last night of the year, I offer one of the most ancient and universal of human treasures:  handmade stone beads.  They have rich autumnal colors, too.  These are hand-polished beads made from pebbles that I collected in the Empire Mountains.  They are not fancy and the stones are not as…

  ironwing

  October 31, 2010

  Lapidary