Rolling Mill Pendants and Handmade Neckwires

My posts have dropped to about once a month - I've been busy adding tools, techniques, and new designs to my shop and my local artists' studio.  One tool I've been playing with again is my rolling mill - I still love this alternative to etching that is chemical and waste free!  Plus, it's more versatile too.

Copper pendant - patterned in a rolling mill and "painted" with fire.

Here are a pair of pendants that I created with the rolling mill - another cool thing about the mill is that when you make a metal sandwich to impress your pattern, you get two imprints at the same time!  I chose to use sterling silver and copper so the pendants are similar but different. 

Silver pendant - patterned with a rolling mill and hammer; painted with LOS.

I added additional texture to the silver pendant in the form of dots along the petals.  Both the copper and the silver pendant have been patinaed for create the variation of color on their surfaces.  Next, I made neckwires for both.

Completed necklace with handmade neckwire.

For the copper one, I flattened one side of the copper with the rolling mill and then hand twisted the wire.  For the silver one, I twisted gold-filled and sterling silver together and then finished it off with a handmade chain and clasp.

Completed necklace with handmade neckwire with chain.

Until next time!
Hannah

Art Piece - Castle on a Cliff

Petrified wood slab with a handmade copper and brass scenic art frame.

Newest art piece!  This one is significantly smaller, but really cool, too.  AND if you want to give me an opinion on it, you can win a prize here:  Silver Serpent Studio on Facebook

About 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide - this small piece packs a punch and lots of details!  The black background is painted wood with a picture hanger for mounting on a wall - it could also be displayed in one of the mini easels.  The metal frame is a mixture of copper and brass - the dragon is copper with a flame patina; the waves are also copper with a genuine verdigris patina (this isn't just painted on - I went through the whole process of creating this patina over 3 days); and the frame is textured brass.

Art piece with my hand as size comparison - about 12" tall.

The coolest bit about this piece, in my humble opinion, is the rock slab that I've framed.  It is a polished piece of petrified wood!  It looked like a scene to me, so I embellished upon it.  I see a castle on a cliff with a storm raging overhead.  I added in roiling waves and a dragon.

I have a small box of additional, really awesome rock slabs just waiting to be framed.  Next up:  cheetah agate!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hannah

NEW Metal Bookmark Sizes!

I'm so excited - I've designed two NEW bookmarks that are fully customizable!  They are both available in copper, aluminum, and brass - the copper and brass can be flame patinaed too for added color.

Meet The Skinny:

The Skinny Bookmark - copper and copper with flame patina samples.

The Skinny is half size to my Paperback Bookmarks.  These lovelies are personalized with stamping only - names and short phrases, as well as your choice in hammer texture and ribbon tassel color.

and The Shorty:

The Shorty Bookmark - brass, aluminum, and copper with flame patina samples.

The Shorty is half size to my Hardcover Bookmarks.  These cuties are perfect for smaller artwork pieces - scene, animal, or silhouette to be determined by you and drawn up by my!  Full tassel line, including leather, is available for this size.

I'm also offering matched bookmark sets!  Here is one set I just completed with 6 matched art bookmarks:

Matched Bookmark Set - Hardcover size, copper with flame patina.

I have one more new design in the works and will hopefully unveil it soon!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hannah

Art Bookmarks - Hummingbirds in Copper!

Since I've introduced Art Bookmarks, I've had several requests for hummingbirds!  These lively little birds are a joy to draw and color with flame - they really are vibrant with color and I have yet to truly capture their beauty in photographs!  Still, here are some of my designs (and a dragon that snuck in there) for you to enjoy:

Hummingbird Bookmark - custom order, copper with flame patina, hardcover size.

Hummingbird and Dragon bookmarks - custom order, copper with flame patina, hardcover size.

Hummingbird Matched Set - custom order, copper with flame patina, hardcover size.

Hopefully you noticed that each bookmark is unique - my art bookmarks are one of a kind, even if the subject matter is similar.  Truly heirloom quality!

Which brings me to my next big announcement - I will be releasing an Heirloom Bookmark line with additional sizes and options soon!  YAY!

Thanks for stopping by!  You can see more of my designs on Facebook or Etsy.
Hannah

Custom Bookmarks II - Copper Treatments

I've been so busy that I've missed a couple weeks!  Here are just a couple things I was working on - more custom bookmarks!

Copper Bookmarks - shiny finish (middle) and rainbow finishes!

This set shows how I can finish the copper bookmarks - shiny or with a rainbow patina!  I love the rainbow effect but it is nearly completely random what I'll end up with - differences in the flame, the density of the copper, the size of the cutouts - it all changes the boundaries of what the flame patina will result in!

Enjoy and happy creating!
SSS

Custom Bookmarks!

For Christmas last year, I made about a dozen bookmarks for friends and family.  They were a lot of fun to make, and I found a bookmark blank in a size I really like, so I'm now offering custom bookmarks in my shop!

Here are the newest bookmarks, in a similar size to mass-produced bookmarks at the store.  These are 6 1/4" long by 1 1/4" wide, and are available in copper, brass, and aluminum.  For more information & photos, please see my FB album or my Etsy listing.  Thanks and enjoy!

Custom metal bookmarks!  Quotes by R.W. Emerson, Aristotle, & Cicero.

Here's a "Before & After" shot of the cutouts!  First I write out the quote and draw the design, then I stamp the quote, drill the cutouts, saw the cutouts, file rough edges, and sand the entire bookmark.  In this case, I applied a rainbow flame patina with my torch before spraying on a clear coat to protect the finish.

"Before & After" of a custom bookmark.  Quote is adapted from Nietzsche.

This is one of my favorite cutouts to date - the boy and dog are so dang cute!

Happy Creating!
SSS