Mary Lu Wason Studio Art Jewelry
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Rings
  • Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Boxes

Pirate's Freedom Silver Wedding Band Ring

5/17/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I made this ring this week. I call it the Pirate's Freedom Silver Wedding Band Ring. I am so happy that this design sells so well, because it's one of those rings that I never get tired of making. Although it's alot of work, it is repetitive work, that allows me to enjoy some good music while I file away. I truly get in the zone, enjoying the process and sending good thoughts to the couple who will soon be married. 

You can see more about this ring here. It is part of my Pirate Tides Collection.

0 Comments

Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection is now available online!

11/22/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture
What a Ship Is...Pendant
Finally! I have gathered all my pirate themed and inspired rings, earrings and necklaces and put them together into my new collection - Pirate Tides.
Please take a look. I've separated the forms and have included an Art Rings section. You can click on each image for a detail page and a purchase option.

As you know, if you've been following me this year, I've been caught up in telling a story through the metal. The most obvious tales are in the art rings, where treasure maps are hidden. This spilled over into more "every day" jewelry, with an X marking the treasure (your loved one)  and sometimes just a rustic hammered ring band that anyone, pirate or not,  who likes a rugged style, would wear.

I watched every pirate movie ever made (some of them several times), while sitting at my bench and creating these treasures. I have a little dvd player on my bench. It's pure bliss to sit and file a ring, moving the metal grains on the surface, and watching a sword fight on the little screen.  I love Erroll Flynn in Sea Hawk and Captain Blood. Of course, I love all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies too (especially the first one). All that swashbuckling splashed onto the metal. I think you can see it, if you look. If you like those movies, I think you'll like my jewelry too.

Thanks for your support this year - my personal Year of the Pirate. 2012 is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to discovering a new story to tell in the new year.

Till then, please take a look at my Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection. Let me know what you think.


Picture
X Marks My Treasure Diamond Ring
Did that put you in the mood to watch some pirate movies?

1 Comment

Pirate Tides - Progress on the newest jewelry collection

6/28/2011

1 Comment

 
I just wanted to share a few peeks at my new collection today. It's not quite done, but it's getting closer. Actually, I have a few items already in the Etsy store. But soon, the whole collection will be available here at Pirate Tides Collection.


Picture
What a Ship Is..
What a Ship Is.. Pendant - "Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs, but what a ship is..what the Black Pearl really is...is freedom."
-Captain Jack Sparrow

Double sided pendant made of sterling silver and a blue agate.


Picture
Pirate's Freedom Hand Cut Faceted Ring
Pirate's Freedom Ring - I used an antique design to figure the placement and technique to cut facets right on the silver for this ring. It looks like it's hammered - a very rugged look. I stamped the word FREEDOM inside the band. I think of this as a pirate's wedding band.

Picture
Mixed Metal Earrings
1 Comment

Ship's Log Pirate Ring

3/28/2011

2 Comments

 
If you've been following my blog this year, you know that I've been working on a new collection, inspired by Pirates. The idea of this actually started several years ago, when I made my first Secret Pirate Treasure Map Ring. Since then, I've made about 6 rings in this series.

This weekend I created another piece in this series.

The Ship's Log Pirate Ring

All the captain needs, in a portable, battery free, finger top model.

Features - swivel desk for any orientation (suggested use on non-dominant hand).
Attached inkwell.
Attached, replaceable quill.
Leather bound log book with decorated endpapers.
Genuine blue Kyanite stone.
Engraved "Ship's Log" and "Respect the Sea".
Special holes for tying down in rough seas.

Materials - copper, brass, silver, Kyanite, feather, cork, paper, leather.

I'm finally starting to embrace my inner Pirate and go full tilt boogie on this collection. It's so much fun. I plan to update the site soon, so that you can see all the pieces in one place. Some items will be more collectible than wearable and there will also be very wearable and affordable pieces.  Please follow the blog so you'll be notified when it's ready.

2 Comments

How to Make a Clasp

3/15/2011

0 Comments

 
Just in case you ever wondered - there are many ways to get to the same result in jewelry making. Most people, jewelers included, will just buy a clasp from a jewelry supply store. Most of those pieces are made overseas where the workers are paid pennies, or they are stamped  out in factory machines here, so that there is little labor cost.

I'm still trying to find a good balance between making every part of a piece from the raw metal or buying some of the components like chain and clasps.

Anyway, here are some pictures of a clasp I made recently. First the pattern is copied onto tracing paper and glued onto the metal. Then I use a jeweler's saw to cut it out. This is not too easy, as it must be thick metal to be strong enough for a clasp. When the pieces are just sawn out, they are flat. I use files and sandpaper to round them and smooth them. Then the components are put together. This is a very simple clasp, called a sister clasp, or fold over clasp. It took more than an hour to make.   The only way it is cost effective for me, is if it is attached to a necklace that is outstanding.

So...back to the bench.


0 Comments

X Marks the Treasure - New Pirate Post Earrings

2/4/2011

0 Comments

 
Valentine's Day always comes up on me quickly. As a jeweler, I never feel ready for it. I always think that next year I will have lots of new romantic designs available. Ah well...maybe next year.
Picture
But this past week, I DID create one new design that I think would make a perfect Valentine's gift. An X - which can mean a kiss - is also used by Pirates to mark their treasure. What a perfect symbol for a simple pair of post earrings!

I made these to be rustic enough for a man, yet interesting enough for a unique woman. These are available as both a single earring and as a set.

Every part of these earrings are handmade in my studio. I designed these to be sure that sterling silver is next to the skin. There are sterling wire posts as well. The copper is antiqued and the X is engraved.

Although I usually sell all my items here on my own website, I have put these earrings for a limited time in my Etsy shop. Order (and pay) by Monday, February 7th and I promise to mail them by February 9th, which should be time to receive by Valentine's day!

I'd love to be marked as a treasure by my Pirate, wouldn't you?
0 Comments

A Pirate's Life for Me

1/26/2011

0 Comments

 
Double Pearl Pirate Earrings
Improved design - Double Pearl Pirate Earrings
Finally, I have something completed to show for my playing with the Pirate theme this whole month. Here are the Double Pearl Pirate Earrings. They are mixed metals - copper, brass and sterling silver. Notice that the sterling silver is the ear wire - so only silver touches the skin. This is good for those who have a reaction to copper or brass.

The earrings feature bronze tone glass pearls. I didn't want to use real pearls here. Real pearls should be protected from metal rubbing against them. I don't usually use glass pearls, but this seems like a good place for them. They will keep the cost of these earrings down, too.
Picture

I've decided to offer these earrings in my Etsy shop for now. Once I have several pieces ready, I'll make a new Collection page here on the MaryLuWason.com site.

If you'd like these, but don't want to purchase on Etsy, just let me know. I can send you a Paypal or Google checkout invoice direct to your email.

Meanwhile, it's a Pirate's life for me. More metal bead making, more secret treasure maps to hide.

Hope you have a great, treasure filled day!


0 Comments

Would a Pirate wear Pearls?

1/24/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
This blog, which I started in January 2011, is a design journal, as I attempt to create new jewelry collections and also improve some existing collections.

Most of the entries so far are about a new Pirate Collection. I have challenged myself to create jewelry that is so rugged and true to the Pirate spirit, that it is wearable by both men and women.

So, my question today - would a pirate wear pearls? I love the look of big pearls paired with mixed metals with aged patinas. I'm wondering if I can pull this off, so that a few brave men might actually wear a pearl or two? I can't imagine a pirate that would be able to pass up a jewel of the sea itself.

Above is my first attempt at an earring with pearls and mixed metal. I have a few other ideas, I'll try in the next few days.

So, the question is, would a pirate wear pearls? Let me know what you think. Meanwhile, I'll work on creating some designs to convince you.


0 Comments

A little at a time, makes a Collection

1/21/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
On most mornings, I take a walk on the beach. I pick up treasures as I find them. Shells with nature made holes are great finds. Purple bits of clam shells, that I call wampum are also special.

I couldn't create a collection of these in one day. I just add to it, little by little.


Picture
That's how it is creating a jewelry collection, too. A little at a time, piece by piece.

Here, I've begun to create a ship's wheel in brass. I'm going to carve it from the thick metal. First I draw a sketch, then transfer that to tracing paper.

It would be easier, of course, to use a charm from a commercial jewelry suppply house. Many jewelers do that. But that has no appeal to me. If I put my name on it, I want it to be from my own hands.

It takes longer, this way. I work on a new piece a little bit, day by day. Eventually, I'll have a collection.

0 Comments

Another Secret Pirate Treasure Map Ring

1/14/2011

1 Comment

 
Yesterday I showed you my newest treasure map ring. Today I'll show you another treasure map ring that I made in summer of 2009. I usually make the first model in brass or copper, even if I plan on making it in silver. These first pieces serve as a reference for the future - better than any sketch on paper. They also allow me to test my designs.

This is a hollow ring. The secret compartment is the tiny space between the two rings. Just enough for a folded bit of map.

Around the side it says "Bring Me that Horizon". True pirate fans know that is what Captain Jack Sparrow says at the end of the first POTC movie.

Jack Sparrow and his love of rings have really inspired me to create a whole series of hidden treasure map rings.

I plan on remaking this in silver soon. In fact, I've already started it.

Picture
Modern day treasure hunting is fun with geocaching. Have you ever done that? I've been thinking about ways to incorporate that into the hiding places for treasure maps.

Hmm...perhaps geocaching deserves a whole jewelry collection of it's own.

1 Comment
<<Previous

    Blog Home

    Follow my blog with Bloglovin
    Picture

    Mary Lu Wason

    is a studio jeweler. Here she shares the inspirations, discoveries and process of creating her art jewelry collections.

    @PirateTides on Instagram

    Instagram

    Subscribe

    Follow on Bloglovin

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Beach Glass
    Beach Walks Collection
    Bio
    Bones Of The Sea Collection
    Brooch A Day 2013
    Celtic
    Coins
    Collage Pendants
    Crochet
    Cross
    Custom
    Enamel
    Exhibits
    Feedback
    Found Objects
    Gifts
    Hollywood
    #how-to
    Inspirations
    Jersey Shore
    Metal Sky Jewelry Collection
    Misc.
    Museums
    New York
    Nyc
    Opals
    Pendant
    Pins
    Pirate Collection
    Pirates
    Pirate Tides
    Press
    Ring A Day
    Ring A Week
    Ring A Week Raw
    Ring A Week - RAW
    Sea Glass
    Shells
    Symbols
    Tada365
    Tools
    Tools Tuesday
    Wearing Of The Green

    Archives

    April 2018
    November 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

SHOP BY COLLECTIONS
Sea
Sky
Soul
Street

SHOP BY TYPE
Rings
Earrings
Necklaces
Boxes

About Mary Lu 

Bio
Find
Contact
Mailing List

Orders

Payments, Shipping, Policy
Form to Send Sizes, etc.
Testimonials

More

Blog
Ring a Day 2010
Bookmark and Share All images copyright Mary Lu Wason
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Rings
  • Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Boxes