New Year, New Challenges

For the past several years, I have participated in jewelry design challenges that were organized by my fellow EtsyMetal members.

• 2010 was the RAD challenge: Ring-A-Day
• A group of international artists accepted the challenge to create, photograph and upload (to a flickr photo group) one ring per day for the entire year. This was a wildly successful challenge which also inspired an exhibition and a book! Sadly I could not finish the entire year, but I made it through 100 days and had several of my rings included in both the exhibition and the book!

• 2011 was the RAW challenge: Ring-A-Week 
• A similar challenge to the one above but weekly instead of daily. Once again, I could not finish the entire year and only made it through 18 out of the 52 weeks.

• 2013 was the BAW challenge: Brooch-A-Week 
• I don't know why I thought I could manage enough time to make 52 brooches. It sounded like a good idea at the beginning but I only made it through week 5! LOL!

Despite the fact that I have never been able to fully complete any of these challenges, I still feel like they were successful endeavors. They are always a great source of inspiration, rejuvenation and motivation. I believe they help me grow as an artist and a jewelry designer. 

So-----Despite my lack of follow through in the past, I have decided to participate in yet another jewelry design challenge this year. 

• 2014 is the Rx3 challenge: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle from all the stock in the studio.
•  I will attempt to create one jewelry piece every week for the entire year using old stones, pieces-parts, half finished projects, old sketches, etc. Below are my first two pieces of this year's challenge:

Rx3 week #1 - Black Diamond Chiseled Ring:

1.3ct rose cut black diamond, .013ct rose cut grey diamond, 14k yellow gold, .950 palladium

Rx3 week #2 - Peach Druzy Chiseled Ring:

Druzy quartz, 14k rose gold, 14k & 18k yellow gold

Stay tuned to see how this challenge continues...

Stone Setting Intensity

sample rings we used to learn stone setting techniques - my week's worth of work!

Last week I went to the New Approach School for Jewelers to take the Stone Setting Comprehensive class. I brushed up on my skills, learned some new techniques and tricks and had loads of fun! It was a fabulous and intense week! Now I can't wait to carve out some time to make new designs to utilize my new skills!!!

Danielle hammer setting

Danielle using a loupe and graver to cut a seat for a princess cut stone

One Swell Engagement - Alexa & William

I always love hearing my customers' love stories, so when I received an email with a link to a blog post about a customer's proposal, I was THRILLED!

Here is Alexa & William's story in her words...

I know I don't share too much personal stuff here in blogland, but I wanted to share with you the big news of my engagement to my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years William! I knew this was coming for a while, but I had no clue when and I really wasn't expecting it to happen at the beach, but it did. He's a sneaky little fella!

Since it had been his week off from spring break, he had planned a couple night getaway for us. Everyone at work kept teasing me saying it was going to happen, but I still wasn't getting worked up over it. I've always been very rational and not tried to get overly excited for something in fear of disappointment. To me, if it happened, it would happen, and if it didn't that would be ok too.

On Friday night, we got in late to town in Morro Bay and most everything, but the restaurants were closed. We had a nice dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Morro Bay Rock. It was absolutely beautiful. It's been a couple years since I've made my way to the coast, so it was special!

On Saturday, we checked out the town and the shops, then went to Pismo to the pier and beach. We hung out at the pier for a while. Everything was so nice and relaxing. Not a care in the world. Afterward, we walked the beach and went to sit by the sand dunes. We were talking, laughing and enjoying our time. Before I knew it, William started talking about spending the rest of our lives together and he asked me to marry him! He pulled out the ring (I had picked it out on Etsy a few months back) and of course I said YES! I think he had to ask twice just to make sure, though. He's the best thing to have ever happened to me and he's my best friend. I love him so much and it's so amazing to feel his love in return. He even made me emotional and made me cry (for those who know me well, this is a very rare feat.) Haha, William's always looking over to see if I'm crying in sad parts of movies, most of the time I'm not.

Anyway, that's our story. I love my ring and I'm so excited to get to share the rest of my life with him. He truly is an amazing person. We have so much in common. We have the same sense of humor and I love his boyish charm and compassion for others. He really is my perfect match. Some may say we even look a little alike. All the best couples do, don't you think :)

A detail of my ring from Etsy seller Danielle Miller jewelry. Her rings and jewelry designs are SO unique!

And for the curious, we did meet on EHarmony. I really didn't think I would meet my soulmate online! Maybe we should be in one of those goofy commercials. I better get Neil Clark Warren on the line!

Thank you Alexa for sharing your lovely story! Hop on over to her DYI blog for some crafty, creative inspiration: The Swell Life.

Rowena and Zack

Thanks to Rowena for sharing her love story and for writing this post for me....

Rowena and Zack met while students at Oxford University. Originally from the States, Zack stayed on in London after grad school and two years later he popped the question at the couple’s favourite place, the tropical conservatory at the Barbican Centre in London. Zack wanted Rowena to choose a ring that was just right for her so he proposed with a little silver bow to remind her to go out and find her perfect ring. That’s where Danielle came in! She created a beautiful (and eminently wearable!) ring with a chiseled silver band, one large black rose cut diamond set in a 18k yellow gold bezel and the second tiny white brilliant cut diamond set in a 14k rose gold bezel.
Having moved to the States for Rowena to attend grad school, Zack re-proposed at his childhood relaxation spot, Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu, California with the dream ring now in hand!

Danielle has also designed and created Rowena and Zack's wedding bands for their 2012 wedding at Boston’s Museum of Science.

14k yellow gold & 950 Palladium Reverse Radius Wedding Rings

Congratulations to Rowena & Zack! May your life together be filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Centrifugal Casting Gold Rings

I recently shot a video while my husband and I cast a pair of gold rings. This is my first edited video using iMovie, which was pretty fun. I hope you enjoy watching this jewelry making process...

I plan on shooting more videos in the future...hopefully they will get better. ;)

14k gold Chiseled Wedding Bands

Elaine and Waylon

Artists Elaine and Waylon met a an iron pour in Brevard, NC in 2006. Fast forward 4 years, 4 states, one BFA, one MFA and another MFA in the works...and Waylon proposed in dramatic fashion at an 300 lb sand mold iron pour in Kentucky, much like the one they met at earlier.

Fast forward 8 months later...

A picture perfect wedding occurred!

I am honored to have made the rings which represents their enduring love.

Elaine's engagement ring is sterling, 18k gold, tsavorite and diamonds.

Her wedding ring is a "chiseled" sterling band.

Waylon's ring is "chiseled" palladium band.

Elaine, a talented ceramic artist, made the centerpiece platters, the cupcake tier and all the dessert plates! With the couples names and wedding date inscribed on the bottom, the sweet little dessert plates not only served yummy cupcakes, but also served as the guests' favor. Elaine and her friends also handmade the lovely paper flowers arrangements for the centerpieces.

CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful and talented couple...Elaine and Waylon! Wishing you both the happily ever after that you deserve.

Photopgraphy by Ryan Bumgarner

Elaine Quave, ceramic artist/sculptor

Waylon Bigsby, sculptor

Nervous Habit Rings

There is something particularly intimate about a ring---Not only because it is used as a symbol of love---but because it literally surrounds and becomes a part of the wearer more so than other jewelry. Our hands are the main source of our gestural language...we wave hello, we hug, we shake and hold hands...

Nervous Habit Ring #7. Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997 and "1000 Rings", Lark Books.

I have always liked to make rings that are gestural, playful, kinetic....
Rings that can be enjoyed by the wearer and viewer, rings that are conversation starters, rings that are more than just rings...

Revisiting my love for kinetic rings in the Ring-a-Week Challenge has made me think about some of my older designs. I recently rephotographed them since I had no digital images of them---only slides! (How old school is that?!)

Nervous Habit Ring #8? Made in 1996-ish.
Published in "Fidgeting in Style" Lapidary Journal January 1997.

Ring-a-Week : ring 3/52

Continuing with the kinetic theme this week...

Fidgeting Marquise Ring
Sterling silver w/ patina. Marquise elements freely rock back and forth.

Ring-a-Week: ring 2/52

My second ring for the Ring-a-Week challenge was inspired by some other pieces in my Mod Collection. It is a combination of my Mod Rocker Rings and my Mod Slider Necklace.

Mod Slider Ring - sterling silver, amethyst and garnet.It doesn't see-saw up and down like my Mod Rocker Rings, but the stones settings do freely slide back and forth. This is a quick video I shot with my little digital camera, so please excuse the poor video quality...

New Year, New Challenges...

You may or may not know, a year ago, I embarked on a challenge entitled "A Ring-a-Day" in which I was to create one ring every day for as long as I could...

I lasted 100 days. (see my RAD rings on flickr.)
Some brave and VERY creative souls lasted an entire 365. (see everyone's RAD rings on flickr.)

Now in 2011, I am embarking on another challenge...a little less demanding but equally as inspiring..."A Ring-a-Week". I have committed to making one ring per week for the entire year...52 rings! I hope to continue to explore some of the ideas that I began with the previous challenge, to make some rings that have been brewing in my mind for a while and to be inspired to new levels.

This is my first ring for the Ring-a-Week Challenge:

18k gold & green tourmaline.
The stone setting freely slides back and forth.

I hope to not only blog my rings but also to share with you some of the amazing rings made by my fellow Ring-a-Day artists....stay tuned! In the meantime, you can view everyone's RAW rings on flickr.

Some recent special orders

An apology is in order....I have been preoccupied with some big projects that have been time and energy consuming so my blogging has suffered terrible neglect.

So where do I begin? How do I get back into the blogging groove?

I guess I'll start with a quick post about some special orders I made this summer...

This was a 950 Palladium and 18k yellow gold engagement ring with antique diamond passed down by the customer's grandmother.

This was a custom ring I made for a customer who was entering a 2nd marriage. The 12 stones are birthstones of the husband, wife and 10 children...2 families uniting into one.

This was a custom pair of cufflinks I made using the customer's gorgeous Tahitian pearls.

A customer had purchased my Abacus Bracelet #5 and discovered it was just a tad too long for her. I removed a link and turned it into a pendant.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more frequent posts and to hear about those big projects that have been keeping me busy!

Palladium is HOT!

Last week I made a palladium wedding band and decided to take a few photos while I was soldering so I could share the process with you....

Palladium solder beads are placed in the joints.

Beginning to heat up the joints...

Metal is up to correct temperature and solder flows! Approximately 2300° F

That is HOT metal!

Palladium requires very high temperatures and the metal glows brilliant orange. As a result you must wear rated No. 5 or darker welding lenses for eye protection. (Making jewelry is not as glamorous as wearing it!)

All polished and pretty! Fin.

♥♥♥Congratulations to Jocelyn and Curtis!♥♥♥

Blog Carnival - Ring a Day

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are asked a question and then requested to blog about it. This month's question is: What is your favorite ring from the Ring-a-Day Project thus far?

If I had to choose one of my own rings, it would be my "Growth" ring from day #25. I had been experimenting with the folded leaf-like band since my "Orange Blossom" ring on day #13 and I really think the resolution of "Growth" is a perfect continuation of that experimentation. I will definitely be making more of these slightly whimsical, nature-inspired rings in the coming months.

"Growth" sterling silver. scored and bent, forged, fabricated.

The Ring-a-Day Project has given me the motivation to veer off my daily path and the freedom to explore concepts and designs that don't need to fit in with my production line. I have been yearning for this freedom for a long time and I am so glad I decided to join this project!

There are too many fabulous rings to choose favorites, but here are a few that I really love from others participating in this project. And don't forget you can always browse the entire group pool (over 3,ooo photos so far!) on flickr: Ring-a-Day.

Ring-a-Day #3 "Matchbox", Ring-a-Day #4, "Matchbox On Fire" by Maria Apostolou.

Bad Girl Button Ring 9/365 by Thomasin Durgin/metalriot

"cot" (in) , "cot" (on) by Victoria Takahashi/experimental

Please visit the other blogs participating in today's blog carnival to read about their favorites:
Alisa Miller
Beth Cyr
Caitlyn Davey/discomedusa
Catherine Chandler
Colleen Baran
Chris Parry
kerin rose
Maureen "Cosmo's Moon" BZ
Nina Dinoff
Sara Westermark
stacey hansen
Su Trindle
Thomasin Durgin
Victoria Takahashi

Have snow, will marry...

I love when my customers share their love stories.
While snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, he proposed.
Naturally, she accepted.
How romantic!

Blackened sterling silver, 14k white gold, .25 ct chocolate diamond

9 more rings...

Ring-a-Day truly is an exercise in creative thinking. No matter where you are or what you are doing, create something...anything that can be viewed as a ring. Here are my last 9:

1. Put a lid on it! (#15) 2. Silly Straw Ring (#16) 3. Silly Straw Ring 2 (#17)
4. Bubble Ring (#18) 5. Balloon Ring - inflated (#19) 6. To Do List Ring (#20)
7. #21, 8. Marquises Ring (#22), 9. Winter Flower Ring (#23)

Please click here to visit the entire Ring-a-Day group pool on flickr.

Week Two of the Ring-a-Day Challenge

Week two (Jan 8-14) and still going strong!
Last Friday I made a ring that was inspired by the Orbit Ring (RAD #6) I had made the week before. The new version is hinged, making it kinetic and wearable in several variations. Here is a video showing 3 of the 6 ways it can be worn:

Orbit Ring #2 - in motion

I don't get much (if any) studio time on the weekends, so I have been saving my "ready made" or "days-without-a-studio" ring ideas for those days. This past week's weekend theme was "Tool as Ring." Later in the week, I made a ring using a plastic orange juice lid that I had been holding onto for months---way before this challenge started. As soon as I saw it in the grocery store, I knew I wanted to make something with it. The RAD Project gave me the perfect excuse to just do it! (Just one of the reasons why I love this project!) I loved the way the band turned out on the orange ring, so I made another ring using the same technique---and I plan on doing more with this in the coming weeks and possibly adding it to my regular line.

1. Orange Blossom 2. "Chiseled" 3. Caliper Ring 2 -Tool as Ring
4. Caliper Ring -Tool as Ring 5. C-clamp - Tool as Ring 6. Leaf

Please click here to visit the entire Ring-a-Day group pool on flickr. There are so many brilliant rings there!

Rose Cut Diamonds : Pre-Valentine Sale

I am having a
♥♥♥ Pre-Valentine's Day Sale ♥♥♥
All rose cut diamond designs are on sale!
Each stone is one-of-a-kind, so don't miss this great opportunity to buy something truly unique for your special someone!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Click here see the available designs and pricing. A few more will be added, so check back!
"Chiseled" rose cut collection by Danielle Miller Jewelry
Yes, these are REAL diamonds. They are natural in color and conflict free.