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