One world one heart

One world one heart is a beautiful initiative where bloggers from around the world are coming together and offering an arty giveaway . You are invited to visit blogs from around the world each one will offer a giveaway and you have a chance to win by leaving a comment the bloggers will have a random draw and announce the winners on February 15th.

So I decided to participate in this beautiful inspiring event this is my giveaway:

 

This is pin will decorate your bag it is handmade including 2 polymer clay beads made by me.

All you need to do in order to win is to leave a comment on my blog, it doesn't matter where you are on the globe this is an international event, and on February 15th you will know if you are the lucky winner .

Make sure that you click on the logo above in order to view all the other blogs and the giveaway the offer.

Good Luck!!

Knew concept Precision Hand Saw

I have already posted in the past about the big frustration of any beginner and it is learning to saw...

The Knew concept handsaw developed by Lee Marshall is here to make our lives easier.

The Knew concept handsaw's frame is made out of high strength aluminum and is both light and incredibly rigid.

  

Since the frame cannot flex in order to set the necessary blade tension, a unique tensioning system makes mounting the saw blade easy and without the usual dents in your sternum. 

Even the red color of the frame was specifically chosen because according to clinical trials the color red promotes accuracy. 

Most importantly -  this new frame reduces breakage of blade since the frame do not flex.    

People who already tried this new handsaw are telling:

"I have found I can put a higher tension on the blade than I would with the steel frame saw. This combination of rigid frame and easy tension adjustment makes it possible to put a controlled high tension on the blade and hold it so it does not flex excessively which makes for more accurate cutting and reduces blade breakage." James Binnion - metal art blog 

"I LOVE it! The blade tightening system reminds me a lot of some guitar tuning mechanisms I've seen, and eliminates the chest bruising mentioned in a related thread. And I could swear I'm sawing straighter!" Allan Mason - Silvermason 

The Knew concept jewelers handsaw goes right to my wish list.

Jumping jumprings

During the last two lessons we were busy practicing soldering jump rings and I have to say it's quiet a struggle. Funny enough I ran across this video as if somebody knew.




Looks easy ah? well I guess that after a lot of practice I will be able to preform soldering like he does

Look what I have got

for my birthday -

It was very funny to open the wraps and find a gas tank but then I got the torch and it all made sense:).

I am so happy - it is the first step for my own real metal smiting workshop.
Unfortunately I couldn't start working right away because I still miss a few things like Flux, heating screen and an appropriate soldering surface. I guess I need to pay a visit to the big city...



Thank you Koen I love you

Giovanni Corvaja

I would like to thank my gold smiting teacher - Merav Goldsmith kay - for introducing me to this great goldsmith artist  Giovanni Corvaja. 
Giovanni Corvaja is an Italian goldsmith artist. His idea of creating a fleece made of gold led him in the early 90's to develop a technique to reduce gold and platinum to the size of one fifth of human hair. 

Golden Fleece ring

Giovanni Corvaja

In his fascinating  "Golden Fleece" collection he created jewelry which are not only beautiful to the eye but also very pleasant to touch. Each piece requires thousands of hours of precise labour and hundreds of kilometres of gold wire.

Golden Fleece bracelet

Giovanni Coraja

Golden Fleece brooch

Giovanni Coraja

The Greek legend of the Golden Fleece has been told for 3,000 years. It is a classic hero's quest tale in which the hero embarks on a long journey into unknown lands, with a great task to achieve. He is in search of a magical ram's fleece, which he has to find in order to reclaim his rightful throne and power.


Giovanni's studio where he gives workshops as well, is one to be jealous of. This XV century building was renovated and transformed to specious fully equipped workshop and the whole space reflects the artist’s working ethic: the utmost respect towards Craft.

A view from the entrance 

Student's working stations

Discussing library area

I promised myself that one of this days I will get to see this studio from close and even participate one of Giovanni's workshops.

Enameling and jewelry

The use of enameling in jewelry is one of my favorite techniques, especially when it comes to jewelry from the art nouveau period.
Art nouveau was the period when enameling was for the first time combined in jewelry by artist jeweler Rene Lalique, by this he initiated a revolution in French jewelry design.
Lalique asserted that his work should be valued for its design and craftsmanship, rather than for the value of the materials used. And god the beautiful pieces he made.

Art Noveau

 Sunflowers & Maiden's head 

enamel & rose diamond bayadere

 pendant by R Lalique c1896-98

So what is enameling? Enameling is the fusion of a special powdered glass to metals in high temperature usually 750 - 850 degrees Celsius. The glass can be applied using different techniques, but all methods use heat to melt the powder.




An Israeli artist who uses enameling in a different way is Shirly Bar Amotz.
in her work she reflects the cultural and political situation in Israel she uses precious stones gold and silver

Shirly Bar-Amotz
Brooch: Precious stone 2008
Fine gold, enamel
8 x 4 x 0,2 cm
From series "A minor bump at the wing "

More examples of the different ways enameling can be used in jewelry - 

Regina Aradesian

Ring, Necklace, Bangle Set - 2008
35mm x20mm, 35mm x20mm, 95mm x 90mm

Pink Rings - 2006 - 07
Sterling silver and enamel
10mm high

 I guess I have found another challenge in my new journey of jewelry designing and I am definitely going to learn the enameling technique to use in my jewelry.

Have a great weekend

Finally something of my own

I am glad to share with you the first rings I made after 7 metal smiting lessons.

This rings called "Bombe" rings made of brass metal.

Soldering is a bit intriguing for me still but this time it went pretty well and I even managed to make the soldering area hard to find. 

I had lots of fun making them and I can't wait to the next lesson.

  Bombe rings brass

shirley van der veldt 2009