I haven’t been able to stop this obsession with cold connections and mixed metals. I don’t know what it is but I’m hooked – at least until my next obsession! Perhaps it’s because I can create artistic pieces with so few materials, just some metal sheets, rivets, hammers and stamps that I find it easy.
Sometimes I combine etching so that requires a little more but still, there are no expensive materials like gems or precious metals. I may add a chain and that involves some wire work.
Basically I love hammering and forging that hard metal material to suit my will and turn it into shapes that suggest the softest of things, like flowers or leaves. What a sense of power!
I’ve yet to use that jewelers saw or torch either. My metal cutting shears have sufficed so far. I’ll tackle those tools someday but not today. Today I just want to beat that metal into submission 🙂
Art-Z Jewelry 
Wow! These are absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks Diane! I’m having so much fun making these 🙂
You have been one of my inspirations in my jewelry making endeavors. I’m 48 & had a stroke in April of 12 and can no longer work as I used to. But, the good Lord gave me a way to manage little pocket money. I’m still learning every day, but I love your rustic & warm characteristics in your pieces. We follow each other on Pinterest…..
Thank you so much, Shelly. I am honored to have inspired you in any way. Good luck with your jewelry 🙂 Are you still on Artfire?
No. I only had a couple of sales in 4 months, so it didn’t justify the monthly cost at the time. I have been selling in local consignment shops & mountain Lake hotel (where the movie dirty dancing was filmed). I am going back online in the spring, I should have enough pieces ready by then. I just haven’t decided where yet.
Good luck, Shelly, where ever you decide to sell your jewelry. It does take time to become established on any online marketplace. I didn’t sell a single thing the first year.
Zoraida, Love the stacked hearts! The cross will be nice for Lent and Easter that is coming up. Beautiful work as always, Jan P
Thank you, Janice. I do like the way the hearts pendant came out. It was an experiment that worked out. The cross was a makeover from an earlier project. I like it better now 🙂
Wonderful! That middle piece, the oval, is spectacular. I like it a lot and the others, too. Cold connections is something I haven’t done yet, but would like to try. You seem to be doing everything right. 🙂
Thank you, Tela!! That oval celestial pendant is my favorite. I can’t even think of selling it. That same piece has morphed so many times. The brass oval in the center is actually covering up some words I had stamped and wasn’t happy with. I liked this pendant so much I made a bracelet with a similar theme. It’s rather big and bold and I named it my warrior woman bracelet –
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/zoraida/8668451/celestial_brass_and_copper_warrior_woman_bracelet/handmade/jewelry
Perhaps you can tell me what you think of it 🙂
Oh! I like it a lot. I love the stamping and the celestial feel. The construction is really cool, too. It’s hard to imagine there is no solder. This is such a great companion piece to the necklace that I’m surprised you don’t keep it.
My first (not messed up) soldered piece had a big boo boo that I covered with a wire. I’m glad I made the mistake otherwise I wouldn’t have added the wire and I really like it. Sometimes mistakes are a blessing. 🙂
Let me ask you…. do you burnish your edges? I can’t tell from the pictures. I think it would add a lot. It’s a really small thing, but it makes a big difference. Just thought to mention it. I do it with the silversmithing. It looks especially nice with patined copper.
Thanks for the suggestion, Tela. I thought something was missing. I usually file the edges with a jewelry file and then use steel wool. You’re right it could use a bit more finishing. Thanks for your fine, discriminating eye. I appreciate it, really 🙂
You’re welcome. 🙂 It’s so simple a process, too. You’ll like it.