New Obscession or will it be an Addiction?

Well, I finished the repousse class I took last weekend, and have to seriously talk with myself to get my work done before I indulge in my new found obscession-hammering! I've done all sorts of metal working before, and can pretty much transform a piece of silver, copper or other metal. But...repousse is magical in the way a flat piece of metal rose before me, to unimaginable heights! Awww, too dramatic? No, really, it did, err, I did it!!!

I'm not good at this yet, -far from it- but I can see the possibilites are enormous! The only disadvantage is the time involved, time I don't have right now. There are blogs to write, sales calls to make, deliveries, and bench time to crank up before the holidays. So I'll have to practice restraint, and give myself a few minutes each day-like dessert at the end of a meal, -so I don't give in to the addiction!!

The photos show one of the pieces I started. I deliberately left all the hammer marks and random  scars of a beginner. Later on, I hope to show you the finished work. I also show the drawings of the various tools I used-I had to name them so I would remember which ones to use at each course around the piece. Later on, that should be 2nd nature for me.

See my notice on my FaceBook fan page, Growing Up Jewish, about my upcoming etching class, date to be announced. I posted a photo over there of an etched brooch I frequently wear.  
                        Night, now!

Growing Up Jewish: Hammering Away!!!

Growing Up Jewish: Hammering Away!!!: "This weekend will be my first workshop in a long time, learning, not teaching, a new technique from famous jewelry designer and metalsmith V..."

Hammering Away!!!

This weekend will be my first workshop in a long time, learning, not teaching, a new technique from famous jewelry designer and metalsmith Victoria Lansford!! I must admit that I've dabbled in this technique before, but with home-made tools and very old supplies. All I'll say now is that I'll be hammering for two days straight, from the front and the back of the piece of metal, and when I'm finished, I'll magically change a flat piece of copper or silver into a 3-dimensional shape, worthy of a fine piece of jewelry. BTW, if you are in southern California and you're making jewelry or other metalwork, and want to join a community of the nicest people around with similar interests, look into the Metal Art Society of Southern California. The website is massconline.com

Wish me luck this weekend!
Ruth

Another BTW: The silver bracelet pictured here is not done with the method I'll be learning this weekend, duh...It's a combination of fold forming and hydraulic press forming, plus a lot of sawing and filing. It's one of my favs!

Day4 Growing Up Jewish by Ruth Shapiro

Just a few photos today to celebrate the pomegranate as a very potent symbol in Judaism. I have used it extensively for the past 25 years, in Torah crowns and rimmonim, mezuzot, and in jewelry. Keep checking back for more examples. Secret tip: if you or someone you know wants to get pregnant, use the pomegranate as an amulet, and wear it around your neck! Count the seeds and pick the one with the most-but be careful what you wish for!!!

To see more go to : www.ruthshapiro.etsy.com
                              www.growingupjewish.com

Day 3 Blog

I went to the downtown jewelry section in Los Angeles to pick up some supplies and velvet pedestals for a show. Even though I was there and gone before noon, one could see the heat  rising from the pavement.  My sandals felt as if they were melting into the asphalt! I stayed only 20 minutes, and watched the temperature drop 11 degrees as I neared the beach!
Packed up an order and used Paypal to print a label for the first time. Very slick. Painted a wall in the garage, and finally gave up with the sweat dripping into my eyes.
Check out the mezuzah I sold today. It's from a drawing I made many years ago of a tiny palm tree growing up from the cracks in the stone pavement  in a doorway. I carved the piece in wax and then cast it into bronze. It is protected with a fine lacquer.
That's all my friends, stay cool .  Bye for now.

www.ruthshapiro.etsy.com
www.growingupjewish.com

Blog Day 2

Just finishing up in the studio, waiting for lacquer to dry on a bronze mezuzah. Not too dissimilar to waiting for paint to dry!! Actually, I wanted to finish painting an area of my garage today, but the paint I had saved from another project had dried up in the can! Off to the hardware store tomorrow!

I'm one of the featured artists in a Judaica Art Show at the Finegood Art Gallery, in West Hills, CA. I'll put up a link. The show begins Sept. 2, and the artists' reception is on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 2-4pm.  I have to deliver the work that was selected to the Gallery on August 30. Each piece has a bright yellow card that must be filled out in order that labels will be typed.Thank you to whomever must do this task! It's extraordinary how much work is involved in setting up such a show. That is, aside from all the work involved in creating the pieces to be shown...

I will be showing some of my larger, more complex works, such as spice boxes, Miriam's Vessel, Torah pointers, etc. They are made of large amounts of sterling silver, and who knows when I'll be able to invest in that much silver again!  Whew!!!!

Let me know if there is something you would like me to discuss. I'm new at this, and value all suggestions. Perhaps techniques, history, jokes, etc.!!

Be well and stay cool!
   Ruth

Blog Day 1 by Ruth Shapiro

Please be patient- this is my very first blog ever! I'm finally coming into the 21st century, kicking a bit, but looking forward to this new chapter in my on line life!

Here's a little of what I do: I create and hand make Judaica, including mezuzah(s), Torah pointers, tallit clips, and a variety of jewelry, both Jewish-oriented and not. Come back often and let me know what you would like to see at this site. Also, go to my website at www.growingupjewish.com and see some of my newer work at my Etsy shop, www.ruthshapiro.etsy.com

I have a fan page on Facebook, titled, of course, GrowingUpJewish.

Now, take a look!