Floral Creation

In the world of building engagement and wedding bands rarely do we get to push the boundaries from the classic and traditional styles, after all it can be an overly bold move to get too funky on a traditional act that you do not want to fail. We can guarantee the workmanship but we do not guarantee the success of the engagement, and really, the rings seem to be doing their job. Keeping it classic creates a lasting design that will always represent the long-term union it symbolizes.

Although outside of the engagement ring world there is all kinds of room to get funky and bold and have some fun with artistic license. There are definitely a few new collaborative projects that Glenn and I are working on that fall into this category that will make there way into a post soon. The aim of the craftsman is to take what ever the customer wants, which for the most part is pretty clean and simple, and to execute the construction to the highest degree of quality and craftsmanship, creating a long lasting object of sentiment.

Here is a neat ring I was asked to build for a customer to represent the provincial flower of Nova Scotia, the Mayflower. Created using a diamond from a family ring to deepen the sentimental strength of the ring. It is now happily on the hand of the receiver where it was built to be.

Homage to my conctrete roots.

There is more on the way for my endeavors but I want to put it out for people to check out my roots of training to this world of production and craftsmanship. I sewed the seeds to my love of jewellery production working in the shop at KONZUK Metalware in Calgary, AB. Since I left as Karen’s little helper in her studio it seems many ideas have been coming into fruition. The pursuit of the crafts person is the mastery of their materials and here I observe as Karen pushes her distinct and bold designs in concrete and stainless steel jewellery. Check out the new designs at www.konzuk.com. Absolutely fantastic!

A few more creations.

It is good to be able to share some of my work with everyone out there. Thanks for the possitive feed back. The work continues, so for now here are just a few more creations.

Wedding bands made for Chris and Salina. 14K White Gold, .10 ct diamond

14K Gold, Chrome Tourmaline

Pendant created using 14K white and yellow gold, 24K accent, meile diamond, rhodolite garnet, and synthetic ruby

Custom Cross

This cross developed out of a sketch from a customer. I was able to generate the model design with the use of Computer Assisted Design or CAD which was then outsourced to a company that milled the wax model. Once the model was in my hands I was able to locate the perfect Emerald and Ruby to fit the bezels and carry on with the process of casting, clean-up, and final finish. The cross was cast in 14K white gold and took some careful work to clean up but the end result was a creation that would not have been possible with out the use of CAD for its accuracies in detail.

It seems the way of the market these days but I still feel that the connection and understanding of a project that has been hand carved in wax is very difficult if not impossible to maintain with the use of CAD. If it can’t be carved by hand there is bound to be areas which pose problems in finishing. There were definitely some challenges with this piece but in the end it turned out fantastic and has found its place around its owners neck.

CAD file

Completed Cross

Latest Work

It has been a while since I have been posting to the world and it is time to share some of my latest projects. I have been busy working full time as an apprentice in a small custom jewellery shop in Halifax . I am at the bench daily working under a master of the trade, designing, carving, casting, building and doing what I love. The passion grows and grows. Here are two pendants that I recently finished for the shop, created in amongst the constant flow of engagement and wedding bands that thankfully make our world go round. In my designs I capture a simple beauty and a balanced flow. I feel these works reflect what I love in my work… simple and elegant.

Amethyst Pendant

Rhodolite Garnet Pendant

Sculptural Ring

After several weeks of design considerations and technical musings a sculptural ring has been created. My concept was to create an object that functions on or off the body and to defy the function of ring when off the body. I wanted the form to consider aesthetics in regards to its negative and positive space and to consider its environment. It had to be visually strong from all angles and to be a balanced and solid form. The project also had to include one tube set faceted stone which I chose to be an almandine garnet set upside-down.

Sculpture Ring

MAG Chasing Workshop

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to offer a workshop for the Nova Scotia Metal Arts Guild in the age old techniques of chasing and repousse. These are partner techniques involving forming of sheet metal over a pine resing pitch using hammers and punches. The difference being that repousse is working from the back of the piece pressing out the form and chasing is working from the front adding line and decorative markings to the form. For me it was great to gain perspective of the teaching side of my work. The workshop was a success and with limited resources we achieved some great results.

Complete!!

The first design pendant created for James Bradshaw was completed just in time for it’s exhibition on Valentines Day. Amanda Foran was the chosen wearer of the beautiful pink sapphire and diamond pendant which I designed and constructed under James’s guidance. Knowing that it would have to come back to the display cases in the

Jewellery Design Studio it was hard to imagine that it had not found it’s owner as it fit so beautifully. It shines and catches the eye from every glint of light. I was proud to see it exhibited. It was as though it could have been made just for her the way it fit and complimented her so well. I was stunned but you be the judge. Easily put on but not so easily taken back, the pendant will be for sale in James Bradshaw Jewellery Design Studio in Halifax in the coming week. More to come…

Pendant created by Blaine for James Bradshaw Jewellery Design

In The Beginning.

Welcome to my new design blog. Keep posted for updates on my work and my life. Currently I am interning with James Bradshaw Jewellery Design in Halifax, Nova Scotia which I hope will bring some interesting stages to my development as a Jewellery Designer and Builder. I am working on documenting processes and works to post to share with all of you. All feed back is welcome. Enjoy!