April 16, 2023 | Permalink
I have trillium blooming in my garden now in piedmont N.C. and was inspired to make this pin in order to "preserve" one. Trilliums usually grow in the mountains or in Northern states, but I bought these from a local nursery & they have done well. This sterling piece can also be used as a pendant with a converter that I made from a piece of sterling tube.
April 08, 2018 | Permalink
This is my favorite traditional quilt pattern and will be a treasure for a quilt lover. I make it by sawing out openings in one sheet of sterling to form the interlocking rings of the double wedding ring. Then I solder it onto a solid sheet of silver and hammer it for a cloth effect. I apply an oxidizing agent to darken the background and then polish it. It measures just under 2" on a side and has the name of the pattern engraved on the back.
February 20, 2011 | Permalink
The intricate details of the traditional Carolina Lily quilt pattern make this sterling silver pin stand out. I make it in a two layer process by first sawing out the pattern from a sheet of sterling which is then soldered to a solid silver sheet. I give it a woven fabric-like hammered texture and then apply an oxidizing agent, prior to polishing. It measures 1-1/2" on a side and the name of the pattern is engraved on the back.
February 20, 2011 | Permalink
I make this sterling silver pin by first sawing out openings in the top sheet of silver to form the Grandmother's Tulips quilt pattern. After hammer-texturing it, I then solder it to a solid sheet of sterling. I add oxidation prior to polishing it so the pattern will stand out. This pin measures 1-1/2" on a side. The name of the pattern is engraved on the back.
February 20, 2011 | Permalink
I make this sterling silver pin by hand-sawing the top piece of sheet silver with the Bear's Paw quilt pattern. This pattern is thought to have been developed by American frontier women who found 4-clawed bear tracks around their cabins. I then hammer-texture a cloth effect into the surface and then solder it to a second solid square of silver. I oxidize it for an antique look and then hand polish. This pin measures 1-1/2" on a side. The pattern name is engraved on the back.
February 20, 2011 | Permalink
The Trillium is a favorite flower of mine that is found growing wild in the NC mountains in the Spring. It ranges from brilliant white, to yellow, to deep red in color. The parts of the plant grow in "threes"; three petals, six stamen, series of 3 leaves on the stem. As with all of my flowers, I hand-fabricate all the parts of the flower. The petals and leaves are sawn out of 20ga. sheet and then textured with "chasing" tools and hammers. Then I solder the parts together with 2 solders that melt at 1325 & 1250 degrees F. Finally, I hand polish with 2 polishing compounds and buffs. This pin can also be worn on a chain or choker as a pendant. It is about 3" on a side.
October 03, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
During a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, I noticed many beautiful iron gates and fences that had been crafted by local blacksmiths. I gathered a collection of photos of some of my favorites. This pin design was part of a gate to a cozy back garden. I crafted it from square sterling stock, similar to the iron that was used for the gate. It measures 1-1/2"x3".
October 02, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 06, 2008 | Permalink
January 06, 2008 | Permalink