Dan Dye Designs

Argentium sterling silver Dragonfly pin

With Springtime in mind, I just finished this dragonfly pin.  I added the texture to the wings by crushing lace into the silver sheet with my rolling mill.

Argentium silver dragonfly pin - sold

This dragonfly pin was a custom order for a friend to give to her mother.  It was interesting to make and I plan to have another one made for my next public show in April at the Lasting Impressions Art & Craft Show.

Angel White Veracite in Argentium Sterling Silver Pendant/Pin - sold!

Just in time for Christmas, I made this angel pin/pendant  using a natural white veracite stone from Cerrillos, New Mexico as her skirt.   She measures 1-5/8"  high and 1-7/8" across.  Designed primarily as a lapel pin, I am including a converter that I made from sterling tubing so she can also be worn on a choker or a chain as a pendant.  To get the "feathers" on her wings, I rolled the sterling sheet through my rolling mill with lace on both sides, which crushed the lace into the surface of the silver.

Argentium Sterling Trillium Pin

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.  

Argentium Sterling Men's ring with Cerrillos turquoise - sold

   I recently made this masculine looking turquoise ring using a nice piece of turquoise from the mountains of Los Cerrillos, New Mexico.  It was mined and cut last year by my young friend, Andy Brown, who lives in that area. The stone measures about 1-1/4" in length and the ring fits a size 12+ finger.

Argentium Sterling Silver Dogwood Pin

It is Springtime again in North Carolina and I was inspired by the dogwood trees in my garden to make another dogwood pin.  I like to cut a stem to use as my template, so I can make a flower that looks as realistic as possible.  

Argentium Sterling Silver Trillium Pin - Sold

I have a beautiful white trillium that blooms in a shady spot in my garden every Spring.  While not native to the NC Piedmont, they are plentiful in our mountains.  When I found one available at Niche Gardens in Chapel Hill years ago, I had to buy it.  Trilliums are so named because all its features come in threes, 3 petals, series of 3 leaves, 6 stamen.  I made the 3 petals from .999 fine silver and the 6 stamen are 14K gold.  The rest of the piece are made of .925 Argentium sterling.   This pin was quite challenging to create, but it will last for decades and will become an heirloom to somebody.

Argentium Sterling Silver Valentine's Day pins

Just in time for Valentine's Day, 2 new pins for the lady in your life!  She will also enjoy wearing them throughout the year. 

14K gold wedding band set - custom

I custom-made these wedding rings for a couple who wanted their bands to be constructed from the same gauge of gold wire and in a "meandering stream" style.  Her wedding ring fits up to her engagement ring and they can be worn together or separately.

Sterling Silver Dogwood Pin - SOLD!

It is April in NC and dogwood trees are blooming now.  This always inspires me to make a dogwood pin.  Each one is slightly different in shape and the one that I picked last week to use as my template is different than the flower that is in this photo.  I form my silver flowers from fine (.999) silver & the stems & the leaves are made from sterling (.925) silver.   Note: in July 2015, this pin was bought by a smart husband & he is giving it to his wife for their 25th anniversary!!

Sterling Silver Rose Pin - Sold

I created this sterling silver rose pin for the lady who loves roses and who wants to have one that will not fade or drop it's petals.  The petals are formed and forged by hand from .999 fine silver sheet and the leaves & stems are made from sterling silver for a realistic appearance.  The pin is about 3" in height and will look stunning on a jacket lapel or pinned to a scarf.

Sterling Silver and Turquoise Ring - $225 - sold

I bought this piece of turquoise in Cerrilos, New Mexico in May 2013.  I decided to mount it in a clean and contemporary style that would accent the variations of the natural stone.  It measures about 1-1/4" from top to bottom.

Sterling Silver Trillium Pin with 14K gold - sold

This beautiful wildflower grows in my garden in North Carolina.  Each Spring the greenery emerges from under a bed of oak and hickory leaves and then produces a single white flower.  As the weeks progress, the flower becomes more and more pink.  Trilliums get their name from the characteristic of producing parts in multiples of three; series of 3 leaves, 3 petals, 6 stamen, etc.  I made this pin with very white .999 fine silver petals and 14K yellow gold for the stamen.

Sterling Silver Black-eyed Susan Pin with Chocolate Pearls - sold

I made this pin for a special customer who orders one each year to give his wife for Christmas.  The seeds form in the center of the flower in the dark brown/black button.

Sterling Silver Double Wedding Ring quilt pin - $160

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. 

Sterling Silver Carolina Lily quilt pin - $160

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.

Sterling Silver Grandmother's Tulips quilt pin - $125

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.

Sterling Silver Bear's Paw quilt pin - $125

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.

Sterling silver angel pin with 14k Gold halo - $160 - Sold

While this piece has been sold, I can make a similar one upon request.   The price may vary with the precious metals market.

I fabricated this little angel from multiple pieces of sterling silver sheet for a 3-dimensional effect.  Her wings were roll-printed with lace to simulate feathers. A solid 14k gold halo disk sits at a slight angle above her head.  She measures ~1-1/2" x 1-1/2".  This cute little angel can be pinned  to your lapel or hang from a chain around your neck. 

Sterling Silver Holly pin with Carnelian beads - $225

This holly pin features 4 natural 8mm carnelian beads at the center.  It will add a striking look to your holiday wardrobe.  It measures ~ 3-1/4" from point to point of the holly leaves.

Sterling Silver witch pin - $80 - sold

I sculpted this sterling pin by fusing molten silver bit-by-bit until I achieved the look that I wanted.  Then I oxidized the silver before polishing the face, hands and broom.  It measures ~ 1-1/2"x1-7/8" and will be fun to wear at Halloween!

Sterling Silver Pin with jasper - $145 - sold

The beautiful blending of purple, blue and dark gray hues in this stone reminded me of Portuguese Man-of-War animals that I see washed up on our coast.  They float along on the ocean's surface, with their tentacles hanging down to capture small fish.  This unusual pin measures almost 4" in length.

Sterling silver pin with Atlantic whelk - $175- sold

   I have always taken much of my inspiration from the shapes that I see in Nature.  The graceful curves and spirals of seashells is especially appealing to me.  I found this grayish white whelk shell on the beach at Emerald Isle, NC this summer and decided to incorporate it in a pin. After I polished the shell, it now looks more like a piece of porcelain.  The pin measures about 4' in length.

Sterling Silver Christmas Camellia pin- $375 - sold

   This camellia blooms each year around Christmas and is a beautiful rich red color with an explosion of bright yellow stamen at the center.  I picked a nice bloom early in December to use as my example because later flowers grow smaller and smaller.

  The petals are made of 20 ga. .999 fine silver and the stems, stamen and leaves are made of sterling wire and sheet.  This piece measures ~2-3/4" by 3-1/2" and is totally hand-hammered and fabricated.

  This beautiful piece was commissioned by a collector, but I can make a similar one upon request.  Price will vary, depending upon the precious metals market.

Sterling Silver Oak Tree Pin - sold

The old oak trees in my yard inspired this beautiful pin.  It was not cast, but rather I crafted it by fusing melted silver together. I worked it with steel tweezers to texture the trunk and leaves while the metal was molten.  This one measures 2-1/2"x2-3/4".  Available by custom order.

Sterling Silver Pin - sold

I roll-printed a sheet of silver with a design that I cut from heavy pasteboard.  I then added the gracefully curving sterling silver wires that followed the lines of the sheet to create a fish image moving through water.  Pin measures ~ 2"x3".

Sterling silver Dogwood Pin - Sold - $525

The dogwood is a flowering tree that I look forward to seeing each year in early Spring.  As it's snowy white blooms are seen all across my state, it is obvious why it was officially recognized as the North Carolina State Flower in 1941.   I am inspired and challenged by it's simple beauty as I try to capture the details of it's form. 

I make several of these pins in the Spring, when the dogwood trees are in bloom in my yard, so I can pick a blossom to use as a template.  This one has petals made from .999 fine silver and leaves & stems of sterling silver.  It measures 3" x 3".

There are photos of the construction of this piece here.

Sterling silver Trillium Flower Pin - $325

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.

Sterling silver Phalaenopsis orchid Pin - sold

This petals and buds of this orchid are made from fine silver (.999) and the stems are made from sterling silver. I bought a potted live flower to use as my pattern so I could better capture the details of the real bloom. I combined the overlapping hammered smooth texture for some of the petals with a mill rolled lacy texture on others. This pin measures 3"x4".

Sterling Silver "Charleston" Pin - $150

This pin is another in a series of designs that were inspired by the beautiful wrought iron gates and fences in the Battery section of Charleston, South Carolina.  A pair of these formed the pediment over a gate.  It measures 1-3/4"x 3-1/2".

Sterling Silver "Charleston" Pin - $150

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".

Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Pin with Black Pearl - Sold

This pin combines the beauty of textured white sterling silver with contrasting yellow gold and a black Asian pearl.  The piece measures 1" x 2-3/4".  It also has a loop on the back that would accept a chain or a choker so it can be worn as a pendant.

Japanese maple sterling silver pin - Contact for special order

I picked a branch from a tree in my yard to use as a template for this pin.  The seed "wings" form during the summer and help the tree disburse its seeds more widely.

Sterling silver nail tie bar - $40

This handmade Sterling silver nail measures 3-1/4" long and is patterned after a 16D framing nail.

Sterling silver concrete nail tie bar - $45

This handmade Sterling silver tie bar is 3-1/4" long and copies the design of a 16D spiral masonry nail.

Sterling silver golf club tie bar - $70

I made this tie bar to symbolize my golf game.  It is ~ 3-1/4" long and is handmade from Sterling silver and is a "driver".

Sterling silver Reindeer Pin - available by custom order

This whimsical  fellow  sports a  faceted  red  garnet  nose and  measures  ~1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

Sterling silver Santa pin - available by custom order

A variation of my popular Christmas tree ornament, this Santa pin  has a red faceted garnet as his nose.  Approximate size is 1-1/2" square.

Sterling silver Camellia pin with 14K gold pollen heads - $625

I picked a camellia blossom from a bush in my yard to use as a model for the petals and leaves of this pin.  Second photo shows a close up of the camellia flower with the pin. Size is 4" x 3 1/2"

Sterling silver Orchid pin - sold

I made this using a real Phalaenopsis orchid blossom as a model to capture the details.  Petals are .999 fine silver. Size is 3"x4".

Sterling silver Rosebud pin - available by custom order

This started out as a custom design, but I've had enough demand that I've made it part of my regular inventory.  Petals are .999 fine silver.  Approx size 3" long

Sterling silver sand dollar pin/pendant $160

Available as a custom order.  I use a real sand dollar from the beach in North Carolina to model the size, shape & placement of holes.  The hammered surface mimics the dappled appearance of this beach treasure.  Size approx.  2" x 2 1/4"

Sterling silver fused nuggets with 14K gold accent & black pearl $250 - sold

size is 2 3/4" x 1 1/2"

Sterling silver fused wire pin with pearl SOLD

This is an example of my free-form designs

Sterling silver Dogwood flower pin with 14Kgold center SOLD

This pin is seasonal, just like the flower.  I prefer to make these in the Spring when I can pick a fresh dogwood blossom from a tree in my yard in North Carolina.  I put the stem in a vase of water and use it as a pattern for the petals and leaves.  I am better able to capture the details of a real dogwood flower this way.  Petals are .999 fine silver while the leaves and stems are Sterling silver.  Available as custom order in all-silver for $375

Sterling silver "Comet" pin - sold

size is 3 1/2" x 1"

Sterling silver Iris pin - $450

Modeled after the iris growing in my yard in North Carolina.  Petals are .999 fine silver.  Stem and leaf are Sterling silver.  Length 5" x 2 1/2" width, a lovely piece of art to display or wear

Custom designed Sterling silver Pansy pin SOLD $375

Custom made for a friend whose wife loves pansies.  Petal are .999 fine silver.

Custom designed Sterling silver Fairy pin - SOLD $180

I used a rolling mill to press fine lace into the wings to give them a feathery texture.  Approx size 2" x 2"