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.

I was recently up near Bear Mountain, near West Point in NY. There was reference to "The Great Chain" in 1777 made to defend the Hudson River from the British. It was a forged iron chain, 1800 feet long. In this photo is a relic of the chain. One link is big as a bench. (There's more info and a better picture at this link.)

Is that cool or what? A chain big enough to stop ships! Sounds like something out of a pirate movie! And the story gets even more fascinating. This chain was the reason Benedict Arnold was discovered as a traitor. He was found out by a female spy named Sally Townsend, who's brother was a member of George Washington's Culper Ring of spies. (Read about the Culper Ring on Wiki..wow, history has such good stories!)

So, I started thinking,  how is something like this made? I know how to make chain small enough to wear, but never thought about how super large chain is made. I realized  chain used on ships must be made the same way. 

Well, it takes alot of muscle and teamwork. Check out this antique video of chain and anchor making. I find it fascinating. 

Thanks to Warren Townsend for giving me the link to this great video. You can see Warren's wonderful metal work on his website, Metalrecipes.

Here's my own tiny version of a great chain, big enough to make a ring around your finger!  I first made this a few years ago. Now, I'm inspired to make some super thick chains for a bracelet or necklace. 

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.

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. 

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.