With the holidays fast approaching - yes, holiday lights are up in the USA, and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet! 
I would like to encourage you to shop your local artists and give hand made presents this year; and I am not just referring to metals you could give a present that is sewn, knitted, wood , painted, and more.

Buy local too! Find out if there is an art guild in your area, go to a good art fair, ask friends, even GOOGLE it. 

AND DO NOT haggle on the price.  ​Is the cost of a Rembrandt just the price of the paint? I think not.

These artisans work hard at their craft and take pride in their work. Do not forget to ask them questions to find out about them and the piece you are purchasing and ask about how to care for the piece you buy. 

Maybe next year, you might consider commissioning a piece

I don't have much for sale this year; due to the relocation and starting a new job but I will promote (now), the calendar, for the Chasing & Repousse  Facebook group I administer, that has been put together.  This calendar has 12 great pieces of work for you to enjoy through the year and it is not very expensive.  It is printed and shipped directly to you by CafePress.

Buy it, you might like it. Here is the link.

It would have been nice if it was fairy dust but no such luck. 

Why am I covered in Delrin (acetal) dust - I just finished making more tools. I made 3 different types of tools in 5 different sizes for 8 sets which means I made a total of 120 tools.  

This time I added 2 new sizes - 1/4" and 5/8" and 2 new shapes one of which can be used for under cutting or lining when doing chasing and repousse. 

​So head over to the store and buy some! 

​Here are a few pictures to tempt you.

When I first started learning chasing & repousse, I learned how to use wood dowels to flatten the metal after the repousse was complete because it could be bowed from all the hammering. Why ? well you would like your piece to lay flat, if it is supposed to be flat.  So using a dowel allows you to get in close to the design because a mallet may be too big.  A flat down can be used to flatten large areas and a knife edge can be used to get close to the design, do a bit of undercutting and get in-between tightly grouped elements.  You can used a domed tool for repousse or to push the work out if that is what you need for something like a synclastic shape.

I also learned to use a knife edge dowel during fold forming when you need to pry your folds open. 

But over time, the dowel ends get all mushed and they start to break apart. This is not good cause you are always making new ones. 

Being the engineer that I am, I knew that a PLASTIC (and I use that term loosely) tool would last much longer.   I have been experimenting with various materials and have found Acetal (a.k.a Delrin) to be the best material as it is not brittle, it won't bend when hit, even on the smallest diameter tools, and it holds up really well over time.

I made my first 2 tools over 3 years ago and my set now has 12 tools - some are domed, some flat, some knife edge and all are different diameters depending on what I need for my projects. When I started to teach, I would bring my set to class for the students to use and of course over time, they wanted a set too.  

Last year I made 8 sets and sold them all before I even had a chance to put them up for sale in my store.  Making these 8 sets took time as I had to not only cut the rods to length but then shape them.  I have since done more research and found a new supplier who will cut the rod stock to length; which is a big time saver.   

So, here they are - 8 acetal tools: 2 different working faces in 4 different diameters with a length of 4 - 4.5 inches.  
With time, I will add domed tools and some other sizes but these should get you started.  

Use this link to buy a set for you or your metalsmith friends! 

This morning I completed the larger sea urchin II.  

I have been working on this shell, in-between various workshops and other trips.

I started this one back in April when I did the raising of the shell. Then in May it was my demonstration piece at the Palomar Gem & Mineral Club show.  And if you read that post you will see the first sea urchin shell that I sold to a fellow club member, Barb, who said she would purchase this one too.

But just in case... I have also put it up for sale in the store.

I am now ready to make one in sterling silver.

Enjoy the pictures.

There are some new items for sale in the store.  

The newest pieces for sale are the Etched Paisley Cuff . This cuff is made from sterling silver that is etched with a paisley design. Then the etched design is colored with a dye to make it pop; I have 3 colors for sale :

• burgundy red, 
• blue with teal, 
• orange with red
  

If you purchase one, I will custom cut the color you choose to length. This is so you can get the color you want in the length you need.    

Here is a closeup of one that has recently been sold (this one was violet/blue).

You can now purchase some items made by me!

I am starting off with the items I have made over the past few years and only had for private purchases. 

I am starting with the jewelry items - Wire Wrap pendants and soon, Chains, Earrings and some bracelets

And over time I will add Vessels, Other Wonderful Items,  some cabochons I cut,  and maybe a tools I made and even some supplies I have found to hard to source (which are better for me to buy in bulk and share with you). 

Here is a link to the store.