Steampunk

These are some fun objects I'm working on. This is my interpretation of steampunk style. Steampunk is the anti cyberpunk, focusing on the Victoriana, industrial revolution and the mechanical. The style is also encourages the over engineered functionality of an implement. The best thing abou this counter-culture movement is the idea of Do-It-Yourself aka DIY. There is an appreciation for the handmade too! These are in process, with much more to come.

The magnifying glass handle with finger holder. I'm working on a arm that comes off of the lens frame that houses another, smaller lens for extra magnification.

This pipe is intended to be used with blowing bubbles, not tobacco. I'm working on a lid that can hook to the cup for when in use, and a mouthpiece.

Pink tourmaline & Peridot Crusade

So I got some pics for you all to see the match I landed on these 2 custom projects. I found a perfect match to the pink tourmaline earrings for one client (stone shown here), which will serve as the pendant. It is about the same size. I have tried to find bigger while following criteria of color, clarity, and cut; but no luck. Second pic shows all three together with my fingers in there to give you idea of scale. (Those teardrops on the left are another earring project I'm working on)

The third image here is showing all the peridot being used for the second client. I'm making a full set of earrings, ring, and necklace. The stone to the top right is a true cushion cut with those checkerboard facets on the top and bottom. The top left is almost a mine cut on top and cusion elsewhere. Mine cut meaning the stone has a lot of facets on the top supporting a very high table (flat part). The cut actually makes the stone a little more sparkly in my opinion and also more noticable if damaged. Therefore will be putting that one in the pendant, and leaving the cushion cut in the ring.

Stone sitting (temporarily) in bezel a top raised silver which will soon become her pendant. My fingers again are here for scale. Nothing is soldered yet, but wanted to illustrate how it will look. Note on all the stones: they tend to appear darker in the bezels right now because they are not set. They are just sitting in the bezels and haven't been sanded down all the way either, so they cast a bit of a shadow.

Custom Jewelry

The sketches here are for ideas to satisfy to discerning young ladies who are currently traveling in Chicago. They have asked me to create some pendants that can fit over their current favorite chain. Along with that, earrings and such to match. For al projects shown I will be using Argentum, which is a new sterling silver alloy that is tarnish resistant.

These are photos of my sketch book, showing some ideas. The first is to create a large silver shape (here rectangle and circle) set the stone in the middle and cut a decoritive motif out of the silver around the stone that emphasizes it as well as makes the pendant larger to go better with the chain without dwarfing the stone. (the cutting out technique is called piercing) On this I'm thinking a cushion cut pink tourmaline. Notice that the bail (the part the chain will go through) also has decoritive piercing to match. The request is also for two-tone, so I will be using 18kt yellow gold wire to draw a line around the bezel and a rim around the outside. This picture here shows a setting for a cushion cut peridot, matching earrings and a ring, along with another design for a buff top london blue topaz (bottom left). The peridot would be bezel set in silver with 18kt yellow gold wire lining the bezel. and then edged with a decorative rope design in silver. The pendant is shown square, however I could turn it on it's point to have a diamond shaped pendant. The rope wire will also edge the bail for continuity. The earrings here are drawn with a post but I think I will convert to a french hook to encourage movment from the earring when worn (it will sparkle that much more). Same idea in two-tone as the pendant, but with a diamond shape riveted (loosely) on the back so that it swings even more. This will make the earring a little longer (easier to show off) as well as do away with any rigidity from a longer piece. The ring will be simple and lightweight with a minimal bezel that is accented with 2 gold triangle shapes. (I think I still might sit on this design a bit). The london blue topaz is designed to have oversized prongs big enought to have cz's set in them for extra sparkle. This is in proportion to the size of the stone (it's a little on the bigger side) without making the overall piece huge.This last page shows some designs that are an attempt to be more contemporary, but I'm not completely happy with the concept. Can't win them all.

Sterling Silver Baby Spoon

A friend of mine runs a child's consignment shop in Duluth, and we were talking about possibly making some stuff for here store. On a whim I came up with this: Sterling silver forged baby spoon.

Globe Ring Series in Sterling Silver

These are some newly completed rings I made. I will be posting them on my website for purchase in a few moments. These are hand fabricated in sterling silver. The top is a size 6 and the bottom a size 8. I plan on making several more of these (same aesthetic, different details), and if you would like one in a specific size, just shoot me an email. Hope you enjoy.

Art & Craft Classes Now Available

Hello Everyone,

I have finally gotten around to it: My list o' Classes. If you are feeling crafty and don't know where to begin, this list is for you. Or if you are looking for a new hobby, help on completing a crafty project or would like to add a little more creativity to your life, this is for you. I could also help you with other types of art/techniques, just ask! First timers welcomed.

Basic Bead Stringing $35.00
In this class you will learn how to professionally finish beaded jewelry. We will discuss in depth which materials to use, different types of tools, clasps, and beads, as well suppliers. Supplies are included and tools provided and you will leave with your very own beaded bracelet (which you made yourself!). Limit 5 students per class

Pearl Knotting $40.00
In this class you will learn 2 different techniques of knotting. We will discuss different finishing techniques and stringing materials, tools, etc. that pertain to this technique. Supplies are included and tools provided and you will leave with your very own knotted pearl bracelet (which you made yourself!). Limit 5 students per class

Wire Working $40.00
In this class you will learn how to manipulate wire to make beaded chains. We will discuss different types of metal, tools, beads, and suppliers. Supplies included and tools provided and you will leave with your very own earrings or bracelet (which you made yourself!). Limit 5 students per class. See Picture for sample.

Drawing 101 $65.00
In this class you will learn everything you were supposed to learn but didn’t in your high school art class. We will discuss drawing & shading techniques, lighting, drawing materials & paper, as well as view current artist’s work as examples. This is a 6 hour workshop. Materials provided but please be sure to bring a bag lunch. Limit 8 students per class.

Painting 101 $65.00
In this class you will learn the basics of color mixing, painting techniques, and surfaces. We will experiment with watercolor, acrylic, and oil paint, and different types of brushes. We will also view current artist’s work as examples of these techniques. This is a 6 hour workshop. Some materials provided, class supply list will be available before the start of class. Please bring a bag lunch. Limit 8 students.

Coming Soon…..
Make a Silver Ring $85.00
In this class you will learn how to make a ring from a piece of silver. You will learn polishing, sanding, and filing techniques, as well as soldering. Supplies included and tools provided and you will leave with your very own silver band (which you made yourself!). Limit 3 students per class.

Interested in a class? Please call me to sign up. Jackie (909-438-1811)

New Jewelry on my website

Hello everyone,

I have been going through my jewelry inventory and have realized that I have a lot of things to add to my website. So I will be working on that for a while, so please check my website often (www.sylasstudios.com) to see new jewelry. I just added 5 new sterling silver pieces to the website, all 5 were made in my new-found studio in Corona. Every piece of jewelry I make is one of a kind and unique. Below is one of the newly added pieces: this is a silver ring with a turquoise stone. There is silver vine wrapped around the ring and bezel and a silver leaf on one side. it is a size 6.75 or a tight 7. Priced at $45.00. To purchase, click the link above to go to my website, once there, click the "Store" button at top of page. You can find the ring under the "precious metal jewelry" category listed on the left hand side.