New Work

Well, Kelly has been super busy these last couple of weeks, which is usually the case this time of year.  Here are some photos of work he has recently completed:

Diamond and gold wedding ring

Tiger's eye heart and pearl pendant

Amethyst spoon pendant

Citrine Spoon Pendant

Hope everyone had a good Turkey day!

Day 43 Bloodstone Cross Sterling Silver Ring

Bloodstone Cross Sterling Silver Ring, size 7. Cross is 12mm wide, $100.00

Call me crazy, but I think this is the perfect Christmas remembrance ring. You have the red and green mix in the bloodstone, coupled with the cross shape.  

Chalcedony, which is found worldwide, is the name for a group of stones made of a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline variety of quartz. Stones that are members of the chalcedony group include bloodstone, jaspers, agates, dinosaur bone, chrysoprase,chrysocolla, onyx and carnelian amoung others. It is thought to increase vitality, stamina, and endurance and to promote emotional balance and charity while relieving melancholy, fever, gallstones, and eye problems.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61610062/100-rings-100-days-day-43-bloodstone

Day 42 Le Fleur

Le Fleur Lacy Floral Silver Dome Ring set with Deep Red Faceted Garnet, hand sawn. Garnet is 5mm, Ring is 21mm wide, size 7, $130.00

Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61521487/100-rings-100-days-day-42-le-fleur-lacy

Vintage Triple Strand Faux Pearl Bracelet with Beautiful White Crystal Vintage Clasp

 Vintage Triple Strand Faux Pearl Bracelet with Beautiful White Crystal Vintage Clasp, $45.00

Elegant, classy, dressy. We know you desire this bracelet. It's ok, we give you permission. Bracelet is 8 inches around including clasp. Clasp is nickel plated, Faux pearls are glass. No makers mark on the clasp. Beads re-strung by me on silk with sterling silver bead cups. Wouldn't this look great on you for your Christmas party this year?

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61186525/vintage-triple-strand-faux-pearl

Vintage Electric Blue Swarosvki Ball Drop Clip Earrings

Vintage Electric Blue Swarosvki Ball Drop Clip Earrings, 1 1/2 inch hanging length. Brass settings, nickel clips, $30.00

My husband's grandmother recently passed away, and let's just say she loved vintage costume jewelry. We went through four drawers full while helping clean out her apartment in Wisconsin. Since we have experience in restoring vintage pieces and we now have a large new colleciton of pieces, we decided to branch out to the vintage jewelry market here at Etsy. Vintage pieces are a wonderful way to be able to wear very beautiful designs affordably.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/61185246/vintage-electric-blue-swarosvki-ball

Day 40 is "I'm 50"

Sterling Silver and Rhodolite Garnet Ring, size 7 1/2. This ring is in honor of Molly Shannon and her SNL skit. The ring features two Rhodolite Garnet cabs.  $135.00

Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Rhodolite is the beautiful pink variety of garnet. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60885906/100-rings-100-days-day-40-im-50-sterling

100 Rings 100 Days Day 39

Cerillos Turquoise and Rhodolite Garnet Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. Bigger turquoise piece is 11mm x 9mm, smaller teardrop is 11mm x 6mm. Rhodolite is 5mm x 3.5mm, $155.00

 

Yes, we fell off the wagon a bit but now we are back on track!

The mystic Turquoise (December's Birthstone) seems to blend the clear blue of the sky with the green of the ocean's depths. This potent magic may explain why cultures around the world have revered Turquoise as a holy stone.

Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Rhodolite is the beautiful pink variety of garnet. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Avaliable at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60816182/100-rings-100-days-day-39-cerillos

100 Rings 100 Days Day 38

100 Rings 100 Days Day 38 Apple Green Chrysoprase set in 18kyg on Sterling Silver Band, size 7 1/2, $346.00. Chrysoprase is 15mm long, 6 1/2 mm wide.

The gemstone Chrysoprase is an opalescent apple green colored variety of chalcedony (quartz) and is one of the star signs for Gemini. Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color, it is often mistaken for Imperial jadeite. Chrysoprase is associated with gentleness, soothingness, friendliness, and spiritual protection. It is thought to prevent depression, increase grace and equilibrium and is said to increase fertility.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59674028/100-rings-100-days-day-38-apple-green

100 Rings 100 Days Day 37

Raw Crystal Amethyst Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2, $170.00. Crystal is 17 1/2 mm by 16 1/2 mm.

The birthstone of February, amethyst has always been associated with intense emotion. The story is told that Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, was insulted one day by a mortal. Enraged, he called forth vicious tigers to exact revenge on the next mortal who would cross his path. This individual was, unfortunately, the maiden Amethyst. On her way to pay tribute to the Goddess Diana, the innocent girl suddenly found herself face-to-face with the tigers of the vengeful God. To save her from the beasts, Diana turned Amethyst into a statue of pure crystalline quartz. So beautiful wa the maiden that Dionysus, in sorrow and remorse, wept tears of rich wine over her statue. His tears stained the quartz, thus creating the poetic gem which still bears her name.

Available at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59599815/100-rings-100-days-day-37-raw-crystal

100 Rings 100 Days Day 36

Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. 

 

Blue topaz is December's birthstone, and the name topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire.During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.

Available at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58559128/100-rings-100-days-day-36-blue-topaz

100 Rings 100 Days Day 35

Moss Feldspar Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2.

 

 

Minerals in the feldspar group are found in many places throughout the world, in pegmatites, even meteorites, and pass through all rock and ore-forming processes: igneous, metamorphic, hydrothermal and sedimentary, yet only rarely do they occur as gemstones. Feldspars are the most diversified and the most extensively investigated minerals on earth, though they only recently commanded the attention they deserve. The feldspar family includes moonstone, labradorite and amazonite, and were worn by anyone taking a chance to ensure success.

Avaliable at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58558204/100-rings-100-days-day-35-moss-feldspar

100 Rings 100 Days Day 34

100 Rings 100 Days Day 34 Ruby Cabochon Hand Carved Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2.

 

 

The "king of gems," ruby is one of the world's oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral Chromium is responsible for the gems beautiful red color. The birthstone of July, its fiery crimson color caused many civilizations to associate it with passion, love and romance.

Available at our online Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58556877/100-rings-100-days-day-34-ruby-cabochon

100 Rings 100 Days Day 33

100 Rings 100 Days Day 33 Deep Pink Rhodolite Garnet Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. Rhodolite is a 9mm 2.5ct stone.

No one, it's been said, can resist a woman wearing pink. This positive hue enhances not only the energy of its wearer, but also attracts the attention and energy of others.

Garnet is January's birthstone, and occurs in every color of the rainbow except for blue. Rhodolite is the beautiful pink variety of garnet. Garnet's powers include healing,strength, and protection, and in earlier times garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to insure that they meet again.

Available at our online Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58555715/100-rings-100-days-day-33-deep-pink

100 Rings 100 Days Day 32

100 Rings 100 Days Blue Green Chrysocolla Sterling Silver Ring, size 7 1/2. Band features polka dots.

The gemstone Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise. It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur especially in areas of the southwestern USA, Chili, Zaire, Australia, France and England. Chrysocolla is associated with tranquility and peace, intuition, patience, and unconditional love. It is thought to offer gentle and soothing qualities.

This ring available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58554335/100-rings-100-days-day-32-blue-green

100 Rings 100 Days Day 31

Sterling Silver Spiral Rattle Ring set with Pink Tourmaline

Hand carved details on bezel with a bead inside so ring makes sound. Size 7 1/2.No one, it's been said, can resist a woman wearing pink. This positive hue enhances not only the energy of its wearer, but also attracts the attention and energy of others.

Avaliable now at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58454077/100-rings-100-days-day-31-sterling

100 Rings 100 Days Day 30

Quartz Sterling Silver Ring

Day 30 Ring is not for sale.  Actually it is a present for someone's birthday.  So, Kelly and I were visiting a particular person, and like we always do we pick up rocks wherever we go.  This particular rock happened to be in this person's driveway.  Kelly says "Oh my gosh, look at this rock, isn't it beautiful?"  Reply "You go ahead and keep it if you like it so much" (said sarcastically).  So Kelly brought it home, cut it, and indeed it is a georgeous stone with beautiful banding.  So he set it in a ring, and she is getting it for her birthday with a little note that says "Remember this rock?"  So there.

100 Rings 100 Days Day 29

100 Rings 100 Days Day 29 Mint Green Spotted Agate Sterling Silver Ring, size 7. The Agate is 17mm x 13mm.

 

 

 

We continue on with our ring a day challenge. This shape is similar to the garnet ring of Day 28, I call it Byzentenian. Kelly has also carved the sides of this ring, more of a wheat sheaf design to this one.

This ring can be purchased at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/58162848/100-rings-100-days-day-29-mint-green

100 Rings 100 Days Day 28

Garnet with Floral Accents Sterling Silver Ring, size 7, $125.00

We are trying out a new ring shape here. Well, I shouldn't say it is "new" because it has been around since ancient Babylonian times. I like the curves of the lines, and Kelly wanted to add something special to the sides that frame the garnet, so he has hand engraved each with a floral pattern. Do you like the shape? Not only do the raised sides serve as a place for extra decoration, but they also protect the garnet from impact. Clever, no?

If you like the shape of this ring, you also might want to check out our Day 9 Ring, which is a Spiral Fossil Walrus Ivory Sterling Silver Ring, it has the cool shape and the Ivory Rotates!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/55436851/100-rings-100-days-day-9-rotating-spiral

Buy this ring on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57823588/100-rings-100-days-day-28-garnet-with

Etsy Boot Camp Pledge

I,Holly Kerkes of kerkesgoldworks, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

100 Rings 100 Days Day 27

100 Rings 100 Days Day 27 Red Titanium Rutilated Quartz Sterling Silver Ring, size 7. Quartz is 21mm long by 16mm wide.

Apparently rutilated quartz is very popular these days, been seeing them in all the fashion mags. At a large size, this is definately a "statement" piece, plus you get all the feng-shuei good luck benefit with the red color of the titanium rutiles, which by the way is the same material that gives strawberry quartz its name.

Available at our Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57740394/100-rings-100-days-day-27-red-titanium

100 Rings 100 Days Day 26

Chrysocolla and Sterling Silver Ring, size 7, $110.00

I love this ring, its blue-green swirls remind me of the ocean.  I feel calmer just looking at it.

Buy this ring at our Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57651413/100-rings-100-days-day-26-ocean

100 Rings 100 Days Day 25

We did it, 1/4 of the way to our goal!!!

100 Rings 100 Days Day 25 New Mexico Agate and Ametheyst Sterling Silver Ring

This ring is a size 7.5 and is $125.00 at our Etsy Store:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57538331/100-rings-100-days-day-25-new-mexico

100 Rings 100 Days The Bench

Kelly has given me permission to give you the inside scoop on what his bench looks like during the 100 Rings 100 Days project.  

It is not normally this cluttered or chaotic, but when making 100 Rings in 100 Days Kelly needs everything on the table in order to inspire his creative juices!

100 Rings 100 Days Day 24

   So has anyone begun to think of their Christmas shopping list?  If so, you may want to peruse our 100 Rings 100 Days collection.  Most rings are around the $100 mark, all custom made by Kelly.

100 Rings 100 Days Day 24 Peach Moonstone Sterling Silver Ring, Size 7, $75.00

 Buy this ring at our etsy store:

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/57474852/100-rings-100-days-day-24-peach

Thank you all for your continued interest in our challenge!

100 Rings 100 Days Day 23

Here is the new beauty--Day 23 Peridot and Tourmaline Sterling Silver Stackable Set

Buy it now! 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/57211757/100-rings-100-days-day-23-peridot-and

100 Rings 100 Days Day 22

100 Rings 100 Days Day 22 Carnelian and Neon Tourmaline Sterling Silver Ring

On we continue with the 100 Rings cycle.  Almost a quarter of the way to our goal!

You can purchase this ring at our Etsy store:  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kerkesgoldworks

100 Rings 100 Days

So I've decided to take the "Ring a Day" challenge leading up to the Christmas gift season.   Many groups have done it over the years as a challenge to push their members.  I will be posting every few days with photos of what is created, most will be in silver and gemstones, but I have a few wilder things in the sketch book that call for "wierd" materials....I'm gonna do 100 days...That's 100 rings...all sizes 7 or 10...all different...Any other Metalsmiths want to take it up, let me know, and we can keep each other on track.

I am going to be posting these daily,  however I started this challenge 20 days ago.  I will try and catch everyone up, but if you want to see them all so far you can click on our website page:

http://www.kerkesgoldworks.com/100_rings_100_days_challenge

Here is day 21's picture:

Gold, Sterling Silver and Diamond Wedding Ring.  The diamond is .04, with 14k gold rim and bead accents.  The band is 9mm, $175.00.  If you desire this ring please click on our Etsy store below.