Silver walking stick ferrule

I’ve just delivered a sterling silver ferrule for a customer’s walking stick.  Here is a photo my customer took having fitted the ferrule.

SIlver ferrule for a 16mm diameter  walking stick
SIlver ferrule for a 16mm diameter walking stick

“It’s a lovely fit and has reallly finished the cane off – it looks great”

 

Silver clothes peg

Everyone needs silver clothes pegs!  Mine are solid silver with a silver spring, which doesn’t have much tension.  They are great as ornaments or maybe paperweights, but not fit for the washing line!

Full sized solid silver clothes peg
Full sized solid silver clothes peg

Available from the shop where there are other options available too.

Silver belt buckles

I’ve just made three silver buckles for leather belts – two were comissions, but one is available in the shop.  this image is of one of the commissions with a heavy duty black English leather belt.

Silver buckle with black leather
Silver buckle with black leather

The buckles were cast into a cuttlefish bone which was treated to bring out the bone structure and the delicate pattern seen here.

Silver AK47 bullets

Sterling silver AK47 bullets
Sterling silver AK47 bullet

This is a delft clay cast of an AK47 bullet or more accurately cartridge. It is solid silver weighing 34 grams and is fully hallmarked. It is not a perfect replica, due to the limitations of my casting method.  Available from my shop.

Solid silver dog collars

These two collars were commissioned for two large dogs – the circumference of one is 60 cm and the other 65cm.  My neck is only 37 cm!

Sterling silver dog collars
Sterling silver dog collars

They are solid sterling silver. After the stage shown here when they had been hallmarked, they were engraved and then the owner arranged for the insides to be lined with leather for the dogs’ comfort.  Each contains close on 400g of silver – not too heavy for this size of dog, but needed to cope with their strength.

I could make similar versions – maybe smaller and lighter – for decorative rather than functional use.

 

Orange quartz and peacock ore jewellery

Two new pieces just added to my website shop.  I bought a rough lump of orange quartz and made some slices.  This piece is the ‘crust’  – one of the outer edges mounted on a simple silver mount.

Orange quartz and silver pendant
Orange quartz and silver pendant

The pendant below is a salt casting with a platform created for a small slice of peacock ore.

Peacock ore  saltcast silver pendant
Peacock ore saltcast silver pendant

Textured small pendant

Small round textured cast pendant
Small round textured cast pendant

This pendant is the size and thickness of a popular round mint. The five small circles and small cyclindrical bumps. The piece was cuttlefish cast to give the rich texture. The centre has a thin gold plate to add contrast.  It is on sale in my shop.

Silver starfish

Solid silver startfish
Solid silver startfish

The one on the left weighs 17 grams and is about 40 mm across. The other weighs 7 grams and is about 35 mm across. There’s a half loop on the back for the chain. Both are hallmarked as sterling silver.  This was a new departure for me.  I created the two starfish shapes using a mouldable plastic called ‘Polymorph’ and these plastic models were used for delft clay casting.  They are on sale in my shop.

New boxes for sale

A silver matchbox – that must have accessory to keep decorative but otherwise useless silver matches in

Silver matchbox and matches
Silver matchbox and matches

Whilst I was in a box making mood, I also made a sames sized conventional box.  It would also hold matches, but more usefully pills or some little treasures.

Small rectangular silver box
Small rectangular silver box

Both are available from my shop

Silver rim for a wooden bowl

Silver rimmed wooden bowl
Silver rimmed wooden bowl

A wood turner asked me to form a silver rim for a bowl he had created.  The picture shows the result. The rim is made from fine (99.9%) silver and you can just make out the hallmark at the back.  It’s black and was laser imprinted by the London Assay Office.

If you are a wood turner and are interested in me making a similar rim, please get in touch at an early stage in your project.

Copper/ silver/ brass chain bracelet

I made this for me as I wanted to move on from the style of copper/ silver bracelet that I’ve been wearing for some years now.

Copper/ silver/ brass chain bracelet
Copper/ silver/ brass open curb chain bracelet

This has silver, copper and brass links to give an interesting variation of colour.  Because I’m hamfisted, I’ve made a matching toggle and loop clasp which even I can operated quickly.  Unfortunately it doesn’t stay this shiny for long.  Maybe I should make a red/white/yellow gold version!

 

Gifts for christenings and new births

I make several designs suitable as gifts to mark the birth of a new child or as a christening or similar ceremony for the young child.  Please give me notice so that I can get the item hallmarked in the right year – retrospective date hallmarking is not possible!

Trapezoidal napkin ringRound sterling silver napkin ring

Here are a couple of examples of napkin rings made for my children.

 

You can see more napkin rings on my website .

Alternatives are christening spoons.  More variations here.

Silver spoon engravable

or maybe a nappy/ kilt pin?

Sterling silver nappy or kilt pin

Treble clef pendant

A new addition to my treble clef range is a delicate treble clef pendant.

The clef is about 23 mm high with a fine trace chain, but I could make any size with a range of chains.

Small treble clef silver pendant
Small treble clef silver pendant

Silver paperweights

My wood turner friend, Richard Shock, has a line of paperweights with inlaid centre.

Silver disc paperweight
Silver disc paperweight

This is one from his range with a silver disc centre.  I provided the discs and also the silver matchstick that is use to displace the disc by pushing from the rear.  The disc can then be cleaned without the cleaner damagiing the wood.

silver matches
silver matches

You can buy this paperweight from Richard’s website

If you lose the matchstick – come to me!

 

Cleaning silver

My website has a page on cleaning silver.  Recently I’ve started to use anti-tarnish cleaning cloths such as these.

Anti-tarnish polishing cloth
Anti-tarnish polishing cloth

They are handy for a quick clean and very good for flatter surfaces.  In fact I’ve decided to give one free with every commission sale or you can buy them from my shop, though to avoid postage costs they are better bought as part of an order.

St Brigid’s cross in sterling silver

St Brigid is one of the patron saints of Ireland.  I have just delivered a commission of a full sized (30 cm) St Brigid’s cross in sterling silver.

Sterling silver St Brigid's CrossThe cross is traditionally woven from reeds.  This one has been constructed by weaving in the same way, but using oval solid silver wire.  The cross  has loops for wall hanging on the rear horizontal arms.  It weighs about 450 grams – one imperial pound.

On arrival, my client said, ‘it is stunning!  Thank you for accepting this commission’.

Since then I have made a couple of smaller versions.  They have been sold, but I can make others to commission.

St Brigid's cross pendant
St Brigid’s cross pendant

 

 

Variation on silver hazelnuts

Following the commission from the PTES for 21 silver and gold plated hazelnuts, I’ve had steady sales of these hazelnuts – including one to a Hatton Garden jeweller.  I have recently been commissioned to produce another set of three, but from the client’s collection of natural hazelnuts that have a high sentimental value.

Silver hazelnutsI was delighted to get the following feedback.

“The necklaces arrived today!  I am so delighted with them- they look even better than the photographs.  I was surprised and delighted with the weight of the hazelnuts- you made such a fantastic job of them.  Thank you for your excellent communication throughout this process- I really felt you did your absolute best for me.  I can’t thank you enough- it’s a lovely reminder of our ……”

9ct white gold wedding ring

Not only did I take my daughter up the aisle for her wedding last week, but I made their wedding rings.

I wonder how many brides and grooms have their Dad’s mark in their wedding rings?

9 ct white gold wedding ring
My daughter’s 9 ct white gold wedding ring

The profile had to match with her engagement ring both in material and  shape.  No – I didn’t do the engagement ring – stone setting isn’t one of my best skills.

Here’s a picture of the rings after the ceremony.

9ct White gold wedding rings
9ct white gold wedding rings in use

 

Medal clasps in sterling silver

I’ve recently been commissioned to make some clasps for minature medals in silver.  By agreement with my client, the implementation was not as complex as a provided silver plated brass example as you can see here.

Silver minature medal broochHere’s what it looks like in use.  My client is very pleased.

Silver minature medal brooch on medal

Slot cuff bracelet

This bracelet is a special order.  The customer liked the concept of an existing piece (in the shop), but wanted the texture to match a pendant also purchased.  This is the result.

Bark pattern sterling silver  slot cuff
Bark pattern sterling silver slot cuff

Iron, haematite and silver

This striking piece of jewellery resulted from a special request to have a pendant containing a haematite (hematite) of a certain minimum wieght and and a minimum quantity of silver and iron.

Iron, silver and hematite pendant
Iron, silver and hematite pendant

The result is a geometric design with two iron rings, one either side, to get the necessary weight with a white metal triangle and stone bezel.  Formally because of the mixed metals, it cannot be assayed and hence the formal description of the triangle is white metal, though it was constructed with standard sterling and fine silver stock.

More cats

A bespoke cat brooch – required to be like a treasured but lost brooch without a picture.  After several discussions and an intermediate visit, this is the result.

Silver cat brooch
Silver cat brooch

The owner is very happy.

Gold plating

Thanks to Nerissa Parker and Sam Buckley, I’ve developed the process of gold plating.  I also do Keum Boo which is fusing a thin gold layer onto fine silver, so Keum Boo is thicker and more robust than plating, but less flexible.

Here are a couple of examples.  The first is a pair of fused style earrings, before and after.

Silver fused earrings - original
Silver fused earrings – original
Silver fused earrings with gold highlights
Silver fused earrings with gold highlights

 

 

 

 

 

These are my standard ammonite pendant.  One is plated on one side, but with the ribs further polished so expose the silver again to enhance the contrast.

Solid silver ammonite pendant
Solid silver ammonite pendant
Solid silver ammonite pendant with gold plated highlights
Solid silver ammonite pendant with gold plated highlights

Silver eucalyptus seed

Within thanks to Amanda, who I met at Art in the Barn, here is a delft clay cast of a eucalyptus seed which has a fascinating five fold symmetry. It’s about 20mm diameter and weighs 12g.

Eucalyptus seed cast in sterling silverI tried hard, but the picture doesn’t quite do the casting justice.  I shall be making some buttons using the seed for a featured button on a single button coat or cardigan.

Silver matchsticks

A special request for a silver matchstick to complement another artwork.  As you can see these are real size, but purely decorative.

Sterling silver matchsticks
Hallmarked sterling silver matchsticks

Not shown, but these are hallmarked.  What next?  Silver toothpicks?  They would be more useful!

 

Silver frog

Silver frog broochA special request – a silver frog with a gold eye.  Quite harmless – likes sitting on coats or scarves.  No frogs were harmed in the making of this brooch.

Three penny bit jewellery

The British brass threepenny piece is a very characteristic coin and one that brings back the era before decimalisation to many. I’ve made several sets of cufflinks with these coins – usually to reflect a date of birth.  Here is an example.

Brass 3d coins in a  silver cufflink mountThese have a bezel/ wrap over setting, but I do other styles.  I have pairs of coins for 1937,1938,1940 to 1945, 1952-55, 1957,1960-1964,1966 & 1967, but most dates between 1937 and 1967 are available (at a price).  There’s no reason not to use the coins in brooches or pendants too.

New Roman style brooch/scarf/toga pin

Roman style silver brooch/ toga pin/ scarf pinThis is a classic, at least Roman, design of clasp.  This has been inspired by a design that I saw in a case at the museum at Wroxeter.

It is available for sale in my shop and is from the first batch from the batch assayed in 2014 with my new 1.75 mm sponsor’s mark punch.

Time for (a) ‘P’

The UK Assay Offices are using the date letter ‘P’ for 2014.  I’ve just had my first batch of work for the year assayed.  Here is ‘P’ (much enlarged).

 2014 date letter

Treble clef earrings

A development from the brooch available from my shop.  The earrings are available with loop or stud fittings.

Silver treble clef earrings

Filigree jewellery

I’m developing a new skill – filigree work.  I thought it looked easy – but……

However, I think I’m getting the hang of it.  Here are a couple of examples that will be in the shop shortly.

Filigree teardrop silver earringsSilver filigree pendant

Chalky paper tester

Serious stamp collectors like to know whether the stamp is printed on chalky paper or not.  I’m told the only accepted way is to make a mark on the perforation with a piece of pure silver.  I was asked to make a tester and here it is ( with the help of my wood turner friend).

Chalky paper tester for stamp collectors
Chalky paper tester for stamp collectors

This particular handle is bubinga wood.

Commissions for Christmas 2013

Now Christmas has passed and the gifts have been given, here are some of the commissions I’ve made recently.

Multi ring pendant
Multi ring pendant
This design is based on a customer's ideas as a gift for a sempstress
This design is based on a customer’s ideas as a gift for a sempstress
Hand polished jet earrings to match the pendant piece below
Hand polished jet earrings to match the pendant piece below
a special request for a pendant piece to fit on an exisitng neckband.  The side shown has the natural texture and the reverse i s flat and polished, so the piece can be worn either way
A special request for a pendant piece to fit on an existing neckband. The side shown has the natural texture and the reverse is flat and polished, so the piece can be worn either way
A shallow solid silver bonbon dish.  This one has been hand engraved with a special date
A shallow solid silver bonbon dish. This one has been hand engraved with a special date
One of two crosses of different sizes to match that owned by the giver
One of two crosses of different sizes to match that owned by the giver
A variation on my existing stock - hopefully the copper will help fend off rheumatism
A variation on my existing stock – hopefully the copper will help fend off rheumatism
A copy of two made some years ago as a special request for Christmas.  It is hallmarked sterling silver, gold plated and with a 9 ct chain
A copy of two made some years ago as a special request for Christmas. It is hallmarked sterling silver, gold plated and with a 9 ct chain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish!

Here is a working model steam engine made by my brother.  It’s about 8 inches long.  His skills are impressive and totally different to mine.

Frank's model steam engine
Frank’s model steam engine

It has yet to be painted, but somehow that will hide the workmanship.

Daffodil pin

A recent commission was this daffodil brooch

Sterling silver daffodil pin brooch
Sterling silver daffodil pin brooch

For scale – across the petals is about 20mm and the pin is about 50 mm.  The pin is stainless steel for strength, but the flower and pin protector are sterling.  It is not assayed as it only weighs about 3 grams.

The next development will making more and gold plating the trumpet.

1000 different designs

I’ve been silversmithing for years and I’ve a photograph of practically everything I’ve made.  I’ve just passed a milestone – kilometer stone would be better. Since I started tracking my work on a database, each photo of a design or variant has a unique number.  I’ve just passed number 1000! – it has taken  me 30+ years though.

Here’s number 1

Silver ornament based on a fossil fish withe etched shoal
Ornament based on a fossil fish with etched shoal

And here’s number 1000

Multi ring silver pendant
Multi ring silver pendant

The next target is the number of discrete items made – rapidly approaching 2000.

Silver Dish

A shallow silver dish about 100 mm (four inches) in diameter and weighing about 65 grams.  There is plenty of space for engraving.

A shallow solid silver bonbon dish. This one has been hand engraved with a special date

Shark’s tooth jewellery

I’ve a pair of shark’s tooth cufflinks back in stock.  (Dfferent teeth – probably not the same shark so each cufflink is silver copy of a fossilised shark’s tooth – I think the apostrophe is in the right place)

Silver shark's tooth cufflinksThe new pendant is a small single tooth, which I would anticipate being worn high on the neck.Small silver shark's tooth pendant

Silver wishbones

I’ve made wishbones as an ornament/ good luck gift for some time.  These have been either cast from a real wishbone or fabricated from wire

I’ve now made a tiny version as a necklet – just 25 mm long.

SIlver wishbone pendant
SIlver wishbone pendant

 

New candlesticks

A pair of simple candlesticks.  The sapele bases were made by my friend Richard Shock.  The base is 90 mm in diameter so these are quite petite.

Silver and sapele candlesticks
Silver and sapele candlesticks

Old friends are back in the shop

I now have a belt buckle back in the shop

Silver belt buckle
Silver belt buckle for large belts

Also Roman coin cufflinks

Roman coin cufflinks
Roma coin cufflinks – 3rd century AD

And a new line – cufflinks with silver 3d – threepenny  – bits

Silver threepenny cufflinks
Silver threepenny cufflinks

 

 

A silver nappy pin

An idea stemming from a chance comment.  This is a silver version of what may be known as a blanket or kilt or nappy safety pin.

Silver nappy pin
Silver nappy pin

This one has a silver heart attached which may be engraved with the recipient’s name.  It is about 6 cm long and is available from my shop.

Cheaper postage rate for low cost items

I’ve mastered a feature of my shopping cart to allow items under £29 to be sent by recorded delivery rather than special delivery – reducing the postage costs from £6.50 to £3.  The shopping cart sorts this out.

Napkin rings – a new variation on a theme

ss923 Img_1023 webWhen N & P got married, I was asked to make a gift for them which were a pair of napkin rings which interlocked.  So far so good – I’ve done that before.  When child C came along, I was commissioned to make a further napkin ring. The easy choice is to add it on to the side, but isn’t it better to put the child between the parents?