RAW 52/12 Kinetic - No Nuke Ring

No Nuke Ring

This week's Ring A Week challenge is to create a ring with moving parts, a kinetic ring.  I've never made one and thought I should.  It took me so long to decide on a design concept, but I know that I've been following the news on the recent Japanese disaster.  The reports have saddened all people around the world.  Imagine, even an economic and technological powerhouse like Japan is at the mercy of the natural elements and nuclear catastrophe. It reminds us how vulnerable we are.

Closer to home and as of this moment, I still haven’t heard from our 5 year old nephew, Rui, living near Tokyo. I can only pray for his safety, not just from the events so far but also for the tainted food chains and for the uncontrollable radiation.  Radiation particles have spread to the northern hemisphere.

My response to the ring design challenge is based on my views on nuclear power plants - we need to seriously focus on alternative clean energy.

Raw Materials - Sterling sheets, wires, and tubes.
I hammered 1 of the 2 pieces of sheet stock for texture.

The windmills spin and turn to catch the winds.

Another view of the No Nuke Ring

I'm having trouble loading the video, so you can see it on my flickr page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tkmetalarts/5572047268/

Labradorite Necklaces

Finally got a chance to make some new necklaces instead of rings for the Ring A Week challenge.  Two different styles, but both with labradorite which is one of my favorite stones. 

This one is more simple and contemporary.

Contemporary Labradorite Necklace

Vintage Styles Blue Labradorite Pendant Necklace

This one has wire formed scallops around the edges. It has a vintage feel, doesn't it?

RAW 52/11 - Steel Blue Flowers Larimar Ring

Steel Blue Flowers Larimar Ring

Steel Blue Flowers Larimar Ring

A steel blue and white colored larimar set in a rectangular sterling bezel.  Petite and comfortable ring.

RAW 52/10 - Latte Ring

Latte Ring, with Ocean Jasper

Trying to set this stone a little differently, using tabs.  Instead of using a thinner bezel wall, I cut strips of heavier gauge sterling silver to surround the stone.  The little tabs were cut and pushed over the stone to make a secure capture. 

Latte Ring, with Ocean Jasper

With this opaque milky white ocean jasper, it works perfectly with a darken bezel wall to make the stone pop.

RAW 52/09 - Copper Saddle Ring

I've always like forging - something about shaping metal with the hammer.  It's very relaxing and satisfying.  This week, I cut this ring from a flat sheet of copper and it has one solder seam.

Saddle Ring - with patina

Saddle Ring - without patina

Custom Moonstone Necklace

Posting a custom designed necklace for a client who bought my Ring A Week 52/02 Marquise Moonstone Ring.  Thanks, Nicole, for this wonderful collaboration opportunity.

Marquise Moonstone Necklace

Custom Moonstone Necklace, back