Roseus 2.0

Same stone new look. 

BEFORE: Roseus, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Rose Quartz

The first time I made a ring with this stone I created the odd little ring above. It was a nice ring and really did the stone justice, unfortunately I knew that the setting was not very stable and that it would probably not hold the stone for long.

Whenever I make little experiments like this I always let friends (usually Kaylee) use them to see how they hold up. Sure enough after a few months of wear and tear the stone became loose and I was compelled to make some thing new as this experiment was not very succesful (as I had forseen).

AFTER: Roseus 2.0, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Rose Quartz

As sad as it is to not have our efforts work out the first time, one of the great appeals of metalsmithing is that one can always melt stuff down and try again...   Hopefully this reincarnation lives longer (I'm pretty sure it will).

More new things on the way, so I'll be back ASAP!
Until next time.
Peace And Love

Back in Action!

I'm back... After a very long break I have returned to my computer.

So very much has happened over the last few months, its very difficult to put it all into words.
Instead of writting everything out in nauseating detail, I have decided to make this more of a photo blog post and I may add a few comments in here and there.

To start things off, I have had the honor of being featured in a few publications recently so I figured I would share those links in this post as well.

La Nacion Costa Rican Newspaper (in Spanish)

The Tico Times Costa Rican Newspaper (in English)

Milenium Pyme Magazine (in Spanish) 

I have finally been able to get lost in the studio for a while, so here are the newest creations from the past few months.

5 Colones? (front), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Copper, Fine Silver, Paper Money  

Very excited to finally start making the Costa Rican series of bills for "Monetary Bondage". I had the idea for bonding this specific bill a few years ago and I am very happy to finally have it done.

5 Colones? (back), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Copper, Fine Silver, Paper Money

Jeweled Rings, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Gemstones 

Some new ring concepts!!! As always each ring is hand fabricated one at a time, so each one is unique and special in its own way. I hope to start making many more gemstone rings in this "style". 

Jeweled Rings, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Gemstones

Candy, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Copper/Nickel Mokume-Gane,  Watermelon Tourmaline 

 I made this ring a few months ago as a commisioned piece for my friend's college graduation. Now that they graduated I can share the picture with all of you.

One Cent? (Blue Indian Head), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Copper, Silver, Vitreous Enamel, Cubic Zirconia, 1898 Indian Head Penny

Some times I have to trap a penny just for kicks.

10 Euro Cent?, Daniel Icaza, 2011, Copper, Silver, 2000 Spain Ten Euro Cent Coin 

I  am also very happy to have bonded my first Euro! I hope to add many more pieces to the "Monetary Bondage" collection in the coming months.

Well I guess that is basically the last few months in a short and sweet photographic summary.
I hope to start posting regularly again, so I plan to be back with more things to share very soon.

As always,
Peace and Love

Biennale of Chianciano 2011

Hello dear friends and new visitors,

I recently returned after being selected to participate in the 2011 Biennale of Chianciano Terme (Italy, September 17-24).

It was a great honour to be selected to participate in this prestigious event and an even greater honour to have been awarded the "Leonardo Award for Applied Arts Second Prize" among so much international talent.

It was a marvellous and unforgettable experience and there are sure to be many new things happening soon.
To watch an interview with me and my work at the Biennale please feel free to click below...


I'll be back soon with more news and updates.
Until next time,
Peace and Love

A Fresh New Look

Hello there! I'm Kaylee Hinrichs, an artist/designer/craftsperson, and I blog over at Birch & Bees. I'm popping in on Daniel's Blog while he's off showing his art in Italy, to tell you a bit about Daniel's new web design. I hope you enjoy! 

Designed by Kaylee Hinrichs

I'm quite proud to say that Daniel's new blog design was created by myself. Daniel had a brochure, business cards, and fliers designed by another talented graphic designer. My challenge was design his website, blog, and shop around that established design. Daniel has given me the seal of approval for the blog design, and I'm quite happy he likes it.

Daniel's new web design will expand to a home page, a portfolio page, and a shopping page. The idea is to create a simple, functional, and seamless experience while looking at Daniel's websites. I'm going to be completing the rest of the designs and the whole project should be completed by 2012 at the latest.

When Daniel returns from Italy, we'll be finishing up the last touches on his blog and making everything complete!

More exciting things to come in the future! 

Peace and Love,

Kaylee

Roseus

It's Kaylee's Birthday today!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE!!!
In celebration of her big day I decided to look through the good old rock pile and make her something pretty.

"Roseus" (front), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver, Rose Quartz

I took a glance through the collection and was immediately drawn to this very smooth and soft piece of rose quartz. It reminded me of her and I felt it was very representative of my special girl.

"Roseus" (back), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver, Rose Quartz

Another spontaneous creation this ring almost didn't turn out the way I had envisioned it in my mind, but in the end I was able to make it work.

"Roseus" (side), Daniel Icaza, 2011, Fine Silver, Sterling Silver, Rose Quartz

I have been having a lot of fun playing around with my rock collection and will hopefully be able to make some more rocky pieces when I have the time.
For now I get to go have some fun with my sweetie! and give her her presents! (I sure hope she likes them)

Until next time,
Peace and Love