BACK TO WORK!

Well... It has been a very busy 7 months since my last blog post! I am terribly sorry about the lack of new info but time flies! What else can I say.

Aside from not doing much blogging lately, I have been busy in the real world and fortunately, I have some new work to share and some exciting developments as well.

First and for most my proposal to be the 2015 International Artist in Residency at Montana State University was accepted! I will be living and working on the MSU campus from the end of September until the beginning of November. I will also be creating a new addition to Monetary Bondage. The new addition will be of Chinese currency, here is a little sneak peek of whats to come...    

In conjunction with the creation of a new body of work there will also be a solo exhibition of the complete Monetary Bondage collection at the Helen E. Copeland Gallery. I will also be giving a lecture and hopefully give a few workshops as well. As I will be a busy bee producing new work for the upcoming show I will be sharing as many pictures of the progress as I can.

In the mean time here are some of the new pieces I have been producing over the past 7 months.

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Buckle with Sodalite and White Turquoise on a Hand Tooled and Painted Leather Belt.

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Buckle with Sodalite and White Turquoise on a Hand Tooled and Painted Leather Belt.

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Pill Box with Red Garnets, Red Agate and Glass Bottles (Salt, Pepper, Sugar). Video 

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Pill Box with Red Garnets, Red Agate and Glass Bottles (Salt, Pepper, Sugar). Video 

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Hand Fabricated Chains. 

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Pill Box with Locking Mechanism, Cloisonné Vitreous Enamel Lid and Glass Bottles. Video 

Daniel Icaza, 2014, Sterling Silver Pill Box with Locking Mechanism, Cloisonné Vitreous Enamel Lid and Glass Bottles. Video 

Those are a few of my favorite pieces from 2014. If you would like to see more pictures of my work please feel free to visit my Instagram Page, Flickr or Behance, I post different pictures all over the place so you will have to visit them all to see every thing (sorry...).

I will be sharing more pictures and blog posts as things develop so stay tuned for more news. 

Until next time. 

Peace and Love  

Filigree Workshop / Taller de Filigrana

Hi everybody, just wanted to give every one a little warning .. I am going to do this blog post in spanish as this filigree workshop will be in Costa Rica… But if you speak English and are in the neighborhood feel free to join us. Just send me a message and I can send you a copy of the syllabus in english. (Contact Me) 

En el mes de Julio se van a llevar acabo los talleres de filigrana en la Escuela de Joyería Artística Crisol. Pueden leer todos los detalles del taller en la descirpcion que sigue.  O también pueden ver mas información en la pagina del evento en Facebook:

Taller de Filigrana por Daniel Icaza 

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Esquema del Taller: 

• Una charla sobre la filigrana

• Demostración de la técnica y preparación de material

• Tiempo de trabajo en el taller

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Objetivos de los Talleres:

1. Proveer a los estudiantes información general de la filigrana.

2. Mostrar a los estudiantes cómo crear la filigrana.

3. Mostrar a los estudiantes cómo soldar las estructuras de filigrana.

4. Mostrar a los estudiantes como formar la filigrana para crear volumen y dimensión.

5. Ayudar a los estudiantes en la creación de una construcción de filigrana básica/tradicional.

6. Producir una pieza terminada utilizando la técnica de filigrana para completar el taller. (Por ejemplo, anillos, colgantes, broches, pendientes, etc...) Algunos estudiantes avanzados pueden ser capaces de crear piezas múltiples.

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Habilidades Necesarias:

¡Debe saber como soldar plata con antorcha!

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Lista de Materiales para el Taller:

• 26ga alambre de plata mil .999 (1/2 oz)

• 20ga alambre de plata .925 (1/4 oz)

• Soldadura de plata en pasta (para ser compartido con la clase)

• Pinzas de acero de precisión diseño AA

• Herramientas de torsión de alambre

• Cepillo para la pasta de soldadura

• Algunos materiales adicionales pueden estará disponibles para su compra en el taller

(Paquete de material para la clase trae todo los materiales por $60)

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Duración (horario de clases):

Taller / s

2 días, 16 horas en total

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Día 1: 8 Horas

Conferencia: 1 Hora

Demostración: 2-3 horas

Tiempo de trabajo: 4-5 horas

Día 2: 8 Horas

Día de trabajo: 8 horas

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¡Cupo limitado, 8 personas por grupo!

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Grupo A

Día 1: Sábado 19 de Julio

Día 2: Sábado 26 de Julio

Grupo B

Día 1: Sábado 2 de Agosto

Día 2: Sábado 9 de Agosto

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Costo del Taller:

• $200 taller

• $60 paquete de materiales

• $260 (USD) total

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Para matricularse, por favor llamar a la Escuela de Joyería Artística Crisol (Jordi Costa):

tel: 2288-2321

cel: 8712-3165

Espero ver los todos en el taller! 

Until next time.

Peace and Love

3rd Annual World Championship Belt Buckle Competition

The results are in!

It was an incredible experience to co-judge this years World Championship Belt Buckle Competition 

Congratulations to this years winners! 

There were so many great submissions, be sure to visit the competition web site to see the full gallery.

Special thank you to Bryan Petersen and Stacie Smith for taking such good care of me during my time in Montana.  

To all of the wonderful buckle makers out there, thank you for all the great submissions and keep up the incredible work!

As always, I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love 

2014 Event Update

My my, it has been a long time since I write a post... 

I apologies for the lack of new content, life has been pretty busy and I just haven't sat down to write in a long time. 

Here are some of the exciting developments so far for 2014. 

I started teaching this year! I recently finished my first work shop on acid etching and champleve enamel on the 8th of March. I really enjoyed the experience and had a great group of hard working and productive students. 

Here are a few practice/test pieces I made during the workshop. 

Some of the workshops I am planing to teach in the future include mokume-gane, cold connections, enameling, alternative casting, filigree and patination just to name a few... 

Aside from teaching I also found out that I will be the co-judge for this years World Championship Belt Buckle Competition. So for all of the fellow buckle makers out there, start making and send the pictures in to the competition. This years prize buckle and belt should be quite the treasure. This years prize buckle will be donated by last years second place winner John Winston and I will be collaborating with a hand tooled leather belt! 

For more details/information please visit the competitions web site : http://worldchampionbuckle.com

If everything goes as planned I will also be teaching a mokume-gane workshop in conjunction with my participation in the competition. 

As I will be traveling around the USA to jury and teach I am also planning to visit some friends and colleagues in Colorado and San Francisco. Hopefully some interesting things develop during that time... 

A little closer to home and in time, I am also planning to participate with some colleagues here in Costa Rica in the upcoming month. I will be sure to list more details about those events as things develop.

On top of all these exciting developments and opportunities I am also working on a few new collections of work. Some new hand made rings, a few hopeful production lines and a collection of lockets and poison rings which I have been wanting to do for years! 

Here are a few pictures of some of the new rings and other projects I am working on... 

I think that should cover most of the developments so far... 

I will do my best to write a few more posts and try to keep things up to date. 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and news. 

I will be back with more to share as soon as possible. 

Until next time. 

Peace and Love 

Penannular Brooches

I got a new anvil and forge a while back... 

I really enjoyed blacksmithing during my time in the University. Needless to say I am really happy to have my own anvil and forge as it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me. 

Here are just a few of the goodies I have been making recently.  

I really enjoy these penannular brooches. Not only are they very practical and functional objects but, decorative and full of history as well. Many people think they are very interesting objects however, do not actually understand or know what they are for or how the are used... 

My favorite (and in my opinion the easiest) way to explain the function of a penannular brooch is to think of it as an antique button. They were traditionally used to fasten pieces (or ends) of fabric together such as a "toga", cloak, etc... and were in many ways replaced by the modern button we still use today. 

  Although this is the traditional application, they can be used for countless other purposes; having long hair I often use one as a hair pin. . . 

Besides having many possible applications, these brooches are easy to use as well. First the pin is passed through fabric (or other material), the hoop is then passed over the pin, so that it goes through the opening of the ring. The ring is then turned to "lock" the pin in place. 

Here is a rather dramatic picture I took of myself modeling a penannular brooch I made in silver. 

I hope to be making more of these (and other goodies) in the future. For now I have these available in my store; please feel free to CLICK HERE to see what is in stock.

As always, I will be back with more to share as soon as possible.

Until next time.

Peace and Love 

Super Nova Buckle and Belt

The "Super Nova" is the crown in many ways of the "Cosmic Belt" collection. 

Very much a statement piece, this buckle demands attention. 

Super Nova, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Super Nova, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

Super Nova, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

Super Nova, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

If you are interested in purchasing a "Super Nova" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit 

MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love

Nebulae Buckle and Belt

The "Nebulae" was one of the first inspirations to come to mind when I began creating designs for the "Cosmic Belt" collection. Elegant in its relatively simplistic design, this buckle demands attention and becomes the focal point of any outfit it acompanies.  

Nebulae, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Nebulae, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

Nebulae, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

If you are interested in purchasing a "Nebulae" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

Nebulae, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love

Binary Buckle and Belt

The "Binary" buckle is one of the most practical and functional of the "Cosmic Belt" designs created. 

It is a very comfortable buckle, a very good size and weight for daily use yet stylish and fashionable enough for any occasion.  

Binary, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Binary, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

Binary, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

If you are interested in purchasing a "Binary" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit 

MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love

Galaxy Cluster Buckle and Belt

The "Galaxy Cluster" buckle is the only "Cosmic Belt" design to be made entirely of metal (which immediately makes it one of my favorites). 

A compact yet very sturdy design, this buckle is intended to take the abuse of a heavy work day yet keep you looking sharp throughout.  

Galaxy Cluster, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Hand Tooled Leather 

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Galaxy Cluster, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Hand Tooled Leather 

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

Galaxy Cluster, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Hand Tooled Leather 

If you are interested in purchasing a "Galaxy Cluster" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit 

MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

Galaxy Cluster, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Hand Tooled Leather 

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love

Blue Dwarf Buckle and Belt

The "Blue Dwarf" is the most compact of all the "Cosmic Belt" designs. 

It is designed to be functional and stylish for every day use and life on the go!  

It is a very comfortable buckle yet fashionable enough for any occasion.  

Blue Dwarf, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Blue Dwarf, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

Blue Dwarf, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather

If you are interested in purchasing a "Blue Dwarf" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit 

MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love

Shooting Star Buckle and Belt

The "Shooting Star" buckle design is one of my personal favorites from the "Cosmic Belt" collection. Although it is quite difficult to pick a single favorite, this one is up there.

Shooting Star, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

A medium size buckle, it is a very comfortable and practical size for daily use. Although this buckle  can easily become a statement piece as it does have a demanding presence. 

Shooting Star, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Each buckle and belt is entirely hand crafted and no two are exactly alike.  

Shooting Star, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

Customization and specific belt sizing is available upon request. 

If you are interested in purchasing a "Shooting Star" buckle and or belt, please feel free to visit         MY STORE or CONTACT ME. 

Shooting Star, Daniel Icaza, 2013, Yellow Bronze, Red Bronze, Brass, Sterling Silver, Imperial Jasper (Variscite), Hand Tooled Leather 

If you would like to view the full collection of "Cosmic Belts" please CLICK HERE.

I will be back with more to share soon.

Until next time.

Peace and Love