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

New Charm Necklaces

12/10/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
My inspiration for these charm necklaces are the simple collections of shells, beach glass, crosses and coins that I see strung on leather cords, worn by those who walk the beaches here on the Jersey Shore. Each charm is a found object or a gift representing a personal memory or a  talisman of good luck. Do you wear something like that? Let me know what it is in the comments. I'm always interested in how the soul is reflected in what we choose to wear about our necks. It's our most ancient and most human impulse.
I added these unique, one of a kind charm necklaces to the Pirate Tides Collection. Each of these is a treasure and has a special story to tell. They will reveal the story to you, as you wear them on your life journey. They are made to layer easily with your other tokens you collect along the way. I have had so much fun making them.  Take a look by clicking each picture below. If one of them speaks to you, please consider buying it. There will never be another one like it, when it's gone.

These are all ready to ship within 1 business day from the order. 
0 Comments

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

Jeweler's Rolling Mill - Tools Tuesday Blog Series

8/28/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
Mini Jeweler's Rolling Mill now in my studio
Have you ever used a penny machine? That old fashioned, gear driven machine that squashes a coin into an elongated souvenir? If so, you've used a version of a jeweler's rolling mill. A mini rolling mill is the latest addition to my jewelry studio.

Picture
Sterling Silver "X Marks the Spot" made by Rolling Mill. Bronze X made by etching.
The cool thing about making jewelry is that there is always more than one way to perform a task, to get to a similar end result. I've been getting by for several years without a rolling mill, but I finally bought a mini, to make my tasks go a bit quicker. I still intend on saving up for a full size top of the line Durston mill...someday..to make everything even quicker and easier.

Anyway, above are two examples of how I've put an X onto metal. (I use these in my Pirate Tides Jewelry Collection.) The bronze X was created using etching acid. The sterling silver Xs were made with my new Rolling Mill. I used the bronze X that I had etched, and pressed it with annealed silver, so the etching was transferred to the silver. This is how your penny comes out with "Souvenir of ..." on it. 
Picture
Side view of Rolling Mill, a manual, gear driven tool for the Jeweler and metalsmith.
Don't let the image fool you. Even though it's a machine, it is still hand powered. My strength and adjustment of the gears is needed to perform the tasks. This is true with most "machines" in the studio jewelers shop. Come back next Tuesday and I'll tell you about another tool in my studio. 

This post is the first in a series, titled Tools Tuesday. On most Tuesdays, I will share some pictures and information on the tools I use to create the jewelry I make for you. 
2 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

Secret Journey and Discover Earrings - Stars, Shell and Blue Enamel

6/29/2011

0 Comments

 
Sometimes, when I'm making orders I work on something just for fun during the minutes while I'm waiting for a piece to cool, or soak or ..well..whatever.

So, this is the latest "fun" piece I just finished yesterday.

Picture
Picture
The two strips of blue enamel hold a secret inside. Look in this picture and you will see the top two strips are etched with the words DISCOVER and JOURNEY. I love those two words. Life is a journey and every journey is the opportunity to discover. Wear these earrings and you'll be ready for the journey, ready to discover your one of a kind life.


Picture
I covered the words with several layers of Prussian Blue enamel. It's so rich and deep, like a night sky or the Atlantic waters. The natural shells have a mystical swirl pattern. They dangle from sterling silver posts that I made by hammering for texture. I couldn't resist engraving a little star to top it off.

Picture
These are long statement earrings. They measure 3 inches long!

I think they would be a perfect birthday or graduation gift.

I put them on the Etsy store this morning. I'm not sure if I'll make anymore. What do you think? Should I add them to the Metal Sky Collection? Or maybe they fit into Pirate Tides? I'd love to know what you think.

0 Comments

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

    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
Art Rngs
Brooch a Day 2013
Ring a Day 2010
Ring a Week 2011
Bookmark and Share All images copyright Mary Lu Wason
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Rings
  • Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Boxes