Sunflowers and Opals 09/04/2011
 On the Mohawk Trail in Charlemont, Massachusetts, we discovered this beautiful field of sunflowers in full bloom. Sunny bright yellows to chase away those end-of-summer blues!  Back at the bench, I made recycled gold settings for these custom earrings, and now they are ready for the opals to be set. 1 Comment Salvaging old, discovering beauty 04/05/2011
 Here are some rings I recently completed. I made the sapphire ring (top row, middle) from the owner's family jewelry. The rest are made from recycled unwanted pieces. The process is compelling, and in a somewhat similar light, I recently came across more on John D’Agostino's fascinating work. He photographs the beauty of light meeting a rescued shard of Tiffany glass. "Luminous Moods in Shards of Tiffany" is best viewed in full screen. If you have a minute, please take a look and then share your thoughts here if you like. The physicality of fabrication 01/30/2011
 Translation: The Lord is my light I love the physicality of fabrication: the hiss of quenching precious metal, the smell of the materials, the sound of my hammer ... Tonight I made this pendant, starting with molten recycled sterling silver and old world hand methods. One sparkling vintage diamond is bead-set on top. Embellishing the personalized message is a cross on the bail, as well as detailed leaves and shell. Offering a glimpse into the past, the designs in this pendant were all handmade by a 19th century English craftsman, which I carefully embossed and then oxidized. Gingerbread! 12/22/2010
 Click the photo for how to make this sweet cookie house on a mug ... Ah, the spicy aroma of baking gingerbread! Making a gingerbread house from scratch is one of our favorite yearly traditions. Isn't this sweet little house perched on a mug wonderful?  Click the photo for detailed steps ... This house looks exactly like ours. Well almost!  Many happy hands built our gingerbread house, which as you can see is piled with candy! Maybe one year we'll get serious and make one for show. Enjoy these festive days! In Light of Family 11/06/2010
 Cuff links of Great Grandmother Aurora, her 22K gold chain and tablecloth Long before she came to America, Great Grandmother Aurora owned a steamer trunk with beautiful hand-embroidered tablecloths passed down from family, including a few she made herself. Some sections are so elaborate that the supporting linen appears to be hidden. She's gone now, but the tablecloths are kept safe in the same steamer trunk with one or two brought out on special family occasions. Reminders of the importance of time, care and attention to detail.  When Great Grandfather Antonio married Aurora, he gave her a very long 22K gold chain. A traditional gift for the bride that took Antonio years of saving. With much of that from working the farm, there are a few family stories having to do with hard work, ingenuity and making do with what one has. Before she passed on, Great Grandmother Aurora asked me to divide the chain in three. One for each grandchild. (One is shown in the very first photo above.) Around the time I worked on the chain, I came to realize something that family was telling me all along: What changes isn't as important as what never changes.  A favorite suit of mine. One day I hope to own one made by Lorenzo. Cousin Lorenzo is a tailor who specializes in custom suits. He lived in New Jersey for a while but has moved back home to Italy. Passed down to him from his father are old world hand methods that he carefully applies even to the layers that will never see the light of day. Without any real discussion he managed to teach: Value without compromize. Affordable luxury. Quality without cutting corners.  Family strengthens one's identity and connects us to what is important. And so my work is an alchemy of traditional techniques and sensibilities as I strive to create an aesthetic that forges an emotional connection. Highlight of the day 10/24/2010
 Near the Main Street Bridge in Fairhaven. A Sunday drive, enjoying the foliage, followed by a visit with friends at a nearby car show.  My friend Jon made a template for me so I could present the photos as shown here. To see some of his other creative work, click the photo. Then another picturesque drive, this time stopping at a big old barn. Inside streaming light revealed a DeLorian underneath a plastic covering thick with dust. What a find!  Discovering this DeLorean in an old barn was the hightlight of the day. A refreshing break away, and then back to finishing a custom project.  Reflections of a Master 09/15/2010
 Gold. Warm and glowing. Tonight when I was refining 24K gold to hand forge into wedding bands, the treatises of Benvenuto Cellini that I reread earlier today came to mind. I'm drawn to the techniques of old masters to preserve methods of the Old World, and Renaissance Italian goldsmith Cellini wrote in detail with a conversational style. I forgot the page turning, and as if transported to the 1500s, standing next to him, observing his work first-hand it was as if he spoke to me: "Now my friend, in order to keep my promise with you as to the real practical things, and to show you that I'm not one who goes cribbing other people's ideas & methods but has worked them out with his own hands ..."Preserving the story. Untouched by mass production. Nights are cooling 08/22/2010
 There is a centering clarity to my work. A discipline that allows being in the world while still being in touch with the soul.  With the window open, the fragrance of flowers is carried in on a breeze. A breeze with the slightest chill, reminding me that warm autumn hues will replace bright summer colors very soon.  And so the pace quickens just a little because I refuse to rush my work. I've got new designs to finish and favorite pieces to reshoot ... Postcard from New Zealand 07/17/2010
 Yesterday I received this beautiful postcard from a faraway friend.  This postcard from The Nelson Provincial Museum features "Weave", designed by Jo Ogier and constructed by Robyn Hall and Glass Craft of Nelson. On the back is a detailed description of the work, the process, and each panel. The luxuriantly-colored stained glass represents historic and natural symbolism tied to the Nelson region. Reflections of the Shore 07/11/2010
 1. Precious Finds..., 2. Out to Sea..., 3. Soap Sea Shells... Funny how a few finds, like the ones above, can stir up old memories. Hot summer afternoons on Short Beach in Stratford: gentle waves cool clear salty water and treasure hunts for starfish, hermit crabs, and tiny smooth bits of cobalt blue glass - - just to name a few. Al and I spent so many childhood days exploring this tiny beach. We didn't know until it came up in conversation. It seems we were thrilled by the same things, including the small planes that would fly low overhead, and once in a long while a bright orange creamsicle from the snackbar. We like to think that several hundred beach days ago and before third or fourth grade, Al and I met on the shore one sunny afternoon. And as brief childhood friendships go, shared a treasure hunt on Short Beach. |   Al and Caroline The art of light inspires, and its play with color captivates. Light's transforming quality fascinates, especially when it is captured by gemstones and antique stained glass that glow from within...
... When not in the studio or taking turns answering your questions, we like to blog. Thanks for stopping by! Al is skilled in the arts of goldsmithing, diamond setting and jewelry designing, and all of the jewelry here, except for mixed media, is Al's - - all meticulously done by Al, no outside assistance. Although there are a few collaborative designs with his wife Caroline, and there are her occasional oohs and ahs and what-if questions. Well, maybe a little more often than that! Most of the photography is done by Caroline, and she designs and handmakes mixed media art jewelry.                                            If you would like to leave a comment to a post on this page - - it's easy! Look to the right of the title, and you will see a link all in red letters. Click that, and you will be able to leave a comment. Oh, and if you try to leave a comment but this site acts kind of funky, just hit refresh and then the window should come up. Thank you very much! www.flickr.com
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    Stained Glass Association of America The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows Metropolitan Museum's Gallery devoted to the Works of Louis Comfort Tiffany Corning Museum of Glass Museum of Glass The Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion The Blenko Museum  If you like something you see here on beyondtherockz.com and you would like to post our links onto your own site, we'd be flattered! Just please be sure to note our site on your post - -   September 2011  |
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