69/365 shibuichi

sterling silver, etched shibuichi

Bad things happened when I made this ring. I dapped a ding in the center of the 'cab', and the etch really wasn't deep enough to be abused so. The solder joining the bezel ran when I soldered on the band, and in my attempt to file the line smooth I filed too much. Oh well, at least it's finished.

52/365 bummer

I am so bummed about this ring. As you can see, I forgot to invert the image before etching. I noticed it when I was at Officemax having the print made, it's a 30 minute round trip drive and I was feeling rushed so I just decided to give it a try. (Of course they could have inverted with their copier, but I didn't think of that while I was there.)

To make things worse, I didn't patina and check the image before making the ring. It actually looked pretty good to my eye, for some stupid unknown reason. You can see what it should look like in the top image of Malcolm, and you can also see that the etch turned out GREAT by comparing it to the bottom image. I know what my ring will be tomorrow.

sterling silver, etched shibuichi

Today is the 45th Anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X. His life and words are a profound inspiration to me, and I like to believe that if he had lived race relations in this country would be different today.

51/365 elements

Another Elements ring. Shibuichi, brass, sterling silver. This will be in my etsy shop soon.

50/365 shibuichi

I have been experimenting with shibuichi, a Japanese alloy of silver and copper, and I am in love. It is extremely hard, etches like a dream, and is made from 100% recycled metal like the sterling that I use. I have etched it with my fish skeleton pattern and soldered it to a sterling silver base, another design for my growing Elements Collection.

I like the way these post-set pieces float above the ring band.

elements pendant

A big focal point pendant that can be worn alone or in combination with the others, silver spacer beads can be added as well. Recycled sterling silver, etched copper and brass, steel cables.

elements collection

These are not rings, but I am very excited about my growing Elements collection and I had to share. Based on my stacking rings, these pendants can be arranged and rearranged by the wearer, worn separately or together. I am working on additional, more complex pendants, and earrings as well. My friend Sara Westermark suggested the name Elements, since that is what I have been calling the focal pieces. I love it, Sara, thank you!


The pendants are made of recycled sterling silver and feature etched brass and copper, and are strung on steel cable.

44/365 stackers

Today I made four more stackers, circles this time. Three in etched brass and one plain silver. They break up the angularity of the other rings.

42/365 stackers

I finished 10 more stacking rings today, these are all the same size, and I am officially sick of making them. I'm also working on small stands, not happy with those yet.


My girlfriend was over earlier and we had fun arranging the rings in different ways. She likes them all jumbled together and doesn't use the spacer. The elements are all at different heights, so they slide under one another.

Made of recycled sterling silver, etched copper, and etched brass.

41/365 stackers

Still playing with stacking rings, I am very pleased with these. I added a third bar to the spacer, which affords more design possibilities. They combine nicely with the stackers that I made previously. I've got some sketches of rings stands to display them on when not being worn.

39/365 stackers

Stacking rings that I started yesterday, made from sterling silver, etched copper, and etched brass. I've never made or worn stacking rings, they are very comfortable. I made one that acts as a spacer between the etched elements, so they don't get all jumbled together.

38/365 stackers

Today and made three little stacking rings from sterling silver and etched brass. I will make the rest tomorrow.