Process of working with iron.

This website is designed to showcase one of a kind necklaces that are available for purchase or are now part of private collections. In addition to seeing and purchasing my work online, I exhibit my work for public viewing at juried art shows and invitationals as well. 

If I had to use one word that describes my work, it would have to be intriguing.  It intrigues viewers to stop and inquire.  This is the reason I continue to create it.  I love feedback and positive encouragement.  The thing that intrigues people the most is the material it is made from, Iron, but also the unique way it is being used.  The process behind the material is the root of the intrigue.  For anyone who know little about blacksmithing or working with metal, I will explain the process of what I do. 

Basically I use different sizes of iron stock; either bars / rods or sheet.  I heat the metal using two different methods.   I have many elements that are very small compared to traditional blacksmithing products so I use a small propane and oxygen torch as my main source of heat.  For larger stock that requires heavier hammering, I use a forge.  By definition the noun, forge, is a special fireplace, hearth, or furnace in which metal is heated before shaping.  The verb, to forge, is to form by heating and hammering, or to beat into shape, which is what I do after the iron comes out of the forge red hot, around 2000 degrees.  I beat or shape the hot iron on an anvil using a hammer.

I hammer the iron into the shapes that I want and use other traditional blacksmithing techniques for function and aesthetics.  For instance the technique of riveting is found throughout my work.  I make my own rivets by forging heads on very small diameter rods.  When I join two pieces together, I drill small holes and press the rivet into the holes.  I then hammer the opposite end of the rivet and create a second pin head in order pinch the pieces together and secure the two parts.  This process is called riveting and was traditionally used by blacksmiths to join metal pieces together before welding was invented.  It is much harder to do on a small scale.  My rivets are typically 3/8" long and I use a 50 pound anvil and standard size hammer. 

I make iron beads by heating small pipe in a forge and hammering it into a smaller diameter.  I then cut the pipe into pieces with a chop saw around 1/4" length on average.  I then grind each piece, buff and file the center smooth. 

I make pendents, clasps, beads and other elements in iron to use as the focal points in necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are made with semi-precious stones.

I buff each finished iron element with a wire wheel to polish it.  The last step is to dip each piece into a two part urethane clear paint to seal the iron pores.

Once these stages are finished, I look through my collection of semi-precious stones and find unique combinations of stones that compliment the iron and each other.  The finished product is a one of a kind jewelry that continues to intrigue not only the person who wears it but anyone who sees it worn and compels the viewer to stop and inquire.  

Please click here  to see examples of the finished product.