Hello,
I do hope that this reaches you in good health and preparing for spring. Where I am, we are only praying for spring.
You are on this list because you have ordered jewelry from me, met me at a show, or are a friend/ colleague that might appreciate an update. I have no intent to annoy or pester. So, tell me if you would prefer not to receive these emails from me. I will not be sending more that 3- 4 a year. |
At this year's rather spectacular and truly fragrant World Orchid Conference in Miami, FL, I was honored with a first prize in the 3d/ mixed media category for my silver version of Cypripedium acaule, gold version on the right.
That got me a luxurious blue ribbon, an out-a-sight glass trophy, a small check, and bragging rights. The same piece in gold (shown here) got a second prize at the Mass Orchid Society show, but only because I one-up-ed myself with a first in the same category. Who says 'you can't win them all'? |
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The Cypripedium acaule is our local lady slipper. It grows in the Northeast. It is named from the Greek, Kypris (Venus), pedilon (sandal). It shows its lovely pink face just as spring turns ripe. Mariko Kawaguchi took me on a pollinating and photographing excursion last spring.
I had the luxury of photographing it from all sides and all angles. It inspired the above piece. I carved the original in jeweler's wax and it was then cast in silver and gold. I think it is one of the best carvings I have ever done. It also inspired two more versions of the same specie. |
| This version, to the right, is a one of a kind jewel. The frame around the center is carved and hand finished coco bolo wood with rose cut diamonds and emeralds inlaid using 24k gold. I inlay the stone by cutting a well into the wood, then undercutting so that I can fit a strip of gold into the well and slip the stone into that. A very thin sheet of platinum is put into the bottom of the well to bounce back light, the stone is fit in and the gold is burnished to capture the stone. |
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The image to the right is embossed 24k gold. To the left is the preliminary drawing. I roll a 24k gold blob into a very thin sheet, then I anneal it. For those who might not know the term, it means that I heat the gold to cherry red, and then let it cool. This loosens the crystalline structure and in effect, softens the gold. Then begins a series of burnishing, annealing, burnishing again, and again with bone and then steel tools to form the image from front and back. The assembled piece is attached to a bi-metal back (22k and silver) with my own gold pin findings attached. |
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Both of the above efforts could not capture the beautiful and subtle color of the lady slipper. I joined forces with Lucinda Sheldon, a fine enamelist and Ed Russel , an equally fine wood worker to make a wood box.
On the right is the sketch that I worked from. I took broad liberties with the placement of the leaves around the flowers, artistic license. |
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I then taped the drawing to a prepared piece of jewelers' wax and 'pounced' the design onto the wax. That means I poked through the paper with a sharp tool leaving an outline on the wax. Below is a photo of the wax partly carved with the tools I used to carve it with.
Note the pin pricks on the back of the drawing. |
This is a picture of the silver casting from the wax with the casting sprues still attached. |
I hope this brings you inside my workshop and let's you know what is involved in the making of the jewelry. It is my pleasure to inform and correspond with you. Please feel free to call and chat (781-367-9307) , email or even order a piece. I am always open to ideas, special orders and commissions. Don't forget to see my revised website (www.orchid-jewelry.com) always a work in progress.
If you have asked for a special something and I have not gotten back to you, it is most likely that you request has been misplaced or lost (there was a couple that wanted my greenman pendant). Please try again.
Till my next missive, my best to you,
Sumner Silverman, Elegant Orchid |
