Just before it becomes completely molten, red hot sterling reminds me of melting chocolate. Why is it so thrilling to witness the transformation of a solid to liquid and back again? In the case of metal, it is mesmerizing how this particular solid becomes red hot and pools into a mass that looks like mercury as it rolls around in the crucible. With the utmost concentration (don’t forget to breathe) comes the critical moment of pouring the liquid silver into the ingot mold, before it almost instantly freezes again. I’d never really thought about metal as frozen, but melting and freezing metal is fascinating good fun!

That’s among many things students learned in a new class taught by Bill Dawson in early December titled: Reuse, Recycle, Renew!

The process of turning scraps into useable metal, and deconstructing the old and transforming them into new pieces of jewelry appeals to my deeply ingrained reduce, reuse, recycle sensibilities. We learned not only how to melt down scrap and produce sheet metal and wire, but how to take apart old jewelry to salvage stones, settings and findings for use in new pieces.

Perhaps I was hungry or maybe it’s the season, but I couldn’t help noting the similarities between processing scraps into useable sheet or wire with cooking and baking. From melting and freezing to rolling out the resulting ingot into a flat sheet. Baker, baker bake me… a sheet of silver or a strip of wire!

This was the first time this class taught and based on the feedback from the students, it sounds like it shouldn’t be the last. Understanding how that sheet of silver or that length wire we all start out with came into existence through melting and freezing is fundamental to understanding working with metal. This should be required learning for all metalsmiths.

It’s a known fact that an essential tool for a metalsmith is hammers….I use the plural tense because you certainly need more than one! Whether you do chasing, repousse, raising, sinking, or any sort of forming  it is important that you have a quality tool for the job.  ‘Fretz’ hammers are a highly recommended brand that consists of stainless steel cast hammer heads that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  The polished hammer head sits atop a rosewood handle which has a smooth surface and marvelous feel.   Each hammer head has an appropriate sized handle and is therefore perfectly balanced.  Sound enticing? Well during this month of December only all ‘Fretz’ hammers at Danaca Design are 10% off!

And it doesn’t end there, we also have a variety of other quality tools such as pliers, files, burs and handmade chasing punches created by Bill Dawson.

Danaca Design’s tool shop:

Bill’s Chasing Punches:

Whether you are looking for a gift for your metalsmithing friends or want to treat yourself to a new tool during this holiday season, Danaca Design has what you are looking for!

Tis the season. The season that keeps many jewelers extremely busy. If you were to witness Open Studio at Danaca Design in the recent weeks, you would see some fine elfmanship, live and in person. Hammer, hammer, hammer. Winter holidays are prime sales time for metalsmiths with holiday shows galore in the region. Even this amateur got caught up in the production frenzy, working busily to produce a few pieces for the Danaca Design House Rules Show. Other shows past and emminent include Best of the Northwest, the Pratt Fine Art Center Holiday Art Sale, Dec. 2-11; the Winter Festival and Crafts Fair at the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Dec. 4-5; and, of course, the Danaca Design 7 Year Anniversary Party and Show Dec. 11. Winter is a fine time for metalsmithing. If you are new to the craft or have some experience and want to learn something new, check out the Winter Class Schedule. You’ll be glad you did.

Hey everyone!

For those of you who did not make it to our annual ‘House Rules 2010!’  we are posting some new pictures to catch you up on all the fun you missed (don’t worry, we will have another one next year…) and to reminisce with those of you who were able to attend the event.

It was a great turn out, all the delicious food (catered by ‘Cafe Paloma’) disappeared, so did the wine, and so did some of the fabulous jewelry that was on display by all our Danaca Design peeps….but there is still some left and it’s on display/ for sale during our regular business hours until December 4.

Next event coming up at Danaca Design:

Seventh Year Anniversary Party and Show

Featuring Jewelry by Danaca Design Students and Teachers

Party and Show reception: Saturday, December 11, 6-10pm

Show runs: December 8 – 31, 2010

See you there!

In anticipation of our ‘Using the ‘Smith’ Mini Torch’ class coming up this weekend with Seattle’s very own Micki Lippe, we’ve decided to let you in on the secret of what makes this hot little piece of equipment so handy….

The mini torch is a mixed fuel (oxygen+ propane) system, commonly referred to as the ‘Smith mini torch’ – ‘Smith’ being the recommended brand name of choice.  The torch tip is significantly smaller than most other tips and can be great for doing very precise, small projects.  It’s small size makes this piece of equipment very easy to move and transport.  A great local source to find this equipment is ‘Cascade Air and Gas’ and there are lots of online options if you are looking to order your equipment (Otto Frei is one example).

The mini torch looks like this:

Micki Lippe is the Master of the mini torch…Her light, delicate silver work is a perfect example as to how the mini torch can serve you.  Scroll down to see a few examples of her production line of jewelry, you can see more at :

www.looselyhinged.com

More about Micki:
Micki Lippe is an internationally known artist who has exhibited her works throughout Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her works can be found in the collections of the Racine Art Museum and the Tacoma Art Museum. Lippe has a studio in Seattle and has served the Pratt Fine Arts Center as a trustee and an instructor.

If you have not had the pleasure of taking a class with Micki, there are still a few spots open for this sunday (nov. 14) class! Or, keep on the look out for another ‘smith mini torch class’ at Danaca Design in the future.

Mark your calendars, we’ve got a big event coming up at Danaca Design!

As a newcomer to Seattle this is my first ‘house rules’ show.   I’m excited to see what all the Danaca Design people have been working on, not to mention maybe I can win the amazing bead necklace we are raffling off this year.  ‘The House Rules’ creates an opportunity for the Danaca Design crew to show off a little bit and present their new line of jewelry just in time for the holiday season.  The opening reception is a great time to come and meet the jewelers and your fellow jewelry enthusiasts…join us  Saturday November 13, see some jewelry and enjoy some refreshments – See you there!

The House Rules! 2010 is a Group Jewelry Art Show and Scholarship Fundraiser which features jewelry by the Danaca Design Studio Crew

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 13, 6-9:30

Show dates: November 9 – December 4, 2010

This year we are showcasing 14 artists:

Allan Thorn, Barbara Knuth, Birna Sigurbjornsdottir, Charise Randell, Chrissy Burd, Dana Cassara, Geoffrey Barker, Kathleen Kennedy, Kristin Holden, Nancy Hom, Ramona Bell, Rima Zikas, Sylvia Kantor, Tegan Wallace.

The reception and fundraising event Saturday, November 13, 2010 will feature a silent auction with jewelry and other donated items including tools, stones and private instruction. In addition we will raffle a collaborative neckpiece composed of fabricated beads donated by the show participants.

Proceeds from the auction and raffle will be used to endow the Danaca Design Jewelry Art Stimulus Fund, a scholarship for Danaca Design Students. This year the fund will be set aside for Seattle Public School high school students in need.

Raffle tickets are available now for only $5.00!

If you win, this  could be yours!

Silent Auction will close at 8:00pm, Saturday, November 13, 2010

Raffle ticket will be drawn at 9:00pm, Saturday, November 13, 2010

You do not have to be present to win, however the party is sure to be a good time so you won’t want to leave! Find a perfect gift and maybe a great bargain while supporting the jewelry arts! Spread the word. Catering will be provided by Cafe Paloma.

Hope to see you there!

Upcycling was the name of the game at a recent 3-day Arthur Hash workshop sponsored by the Seattle Metals Guild at Danaca Design following yet another fabulous Metals Symposium.  This workshop focused on transforming found materials into exciting and innovative jewelry.  Rubber washers, shrink tubing, ball bearings, clown noses, emergency stop buttons, zip ties (just to name a few) were among the ‘kits’ each student was handed during the workshop.  From there, everyone got busy slicing, dicing, folding, layering, connecting, and creating.  The results were truly unique, at the end of the workshop we all marveled at all the different ideas that were sparked during this workshop.  I think most of us who participated can agree that now when we look at a discarded zipper, bicicyle tubing, or candy wrapper we may think….could I make that into jewelry???

Monday, October 25, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Greg Brancati is a highly skilled lapidary who has been cutting stones for the last 25 years. His experience includes several years of work in the jewelry field. Greg has expertise in faceting a wide range of different materials. Several of his faceted stones have won “Cutting Edge” awards from the American Gem Trade Association. Greg will be showing us stones in a wide price range starting at around $10.00 so don’t be afraid to stop by and have a look!

5619 University Way NE Seattle WA, 98105

Find unique “man jewelry” at

this local show, just in

time for Father’s Day

By Kathy Schultz

June 17, 2010

 Special to NWsource

Erin Staples of Erin Jane Designs created these simple, but urbane sterling silver cufflinks ($64) for style-conscious men.

“Do you have any jewelry for men?” was a refrain that Dana Cassara heard on an increasingly frequent basis. Cassara, owner of Danaca Design, Metal Crafting Center & Gallery in the University District, typically steered men in the direction of the largest rings available, with the growing realization that she needed to carry more “man jewelry.”

In response, Cassara arranged a special show, “Jewelry for and Inspired by Men,” featuring approximately 50 jewelry pieces from more than a dozen artists. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Along with a chance to chat with many of the artists, stop by to watch jewelry-making demonstrations and snack on Mediterranean bites provided by Café Paloma.

It’s perfect timing for the opening — you’ll have a chance to find something different for Dad for Father’s Day. Among the man jewelry offerings are money clips, cuffs, bracelets, cufflinks, pendants, bolo ties and pins. Artists use materials ranging from silver, brass, copper, leather and natural elements to more alternative media, like beer bottle caps.

What makes a piece of jewelry manly or conducive to men’s style? “When we think of men’s jewelry, we typically think of leather and natural objects,” says Cassara. But ultimately it’s a matter of individual style and taste. Cassara explains that many of the artists designed with their male partners and friends in mind, envisioning what pieces they would wear. As with other jewelry designs, inspiration came from a concept, sentiment or idea the artist wanted to explore. Most of the artists will be present at the opening to discuss their pieces and inspiration.

The collection is as varied as the artists behind the work. Designer Erin Jane Staples‘ sterling silver cufflinks ($64) with cross-brushed texture are simple, urban and industrial. She prefers a timeless, modern aesthetic for men. The result is an understated, yet rustic style.

Tegan Wallace wanted to create large, organically shaped pieces. “Men don’t want small or delicate pieces, or design elements they consider too feminine or impractical,” says Wallace. Her gold and sterling silver Fissures bracelet ($160) was inspired by her father, a mountaineer and hobby geologist interested in volcanic activity. “I wanted to create a piece that showed some activity below the surface,” she said.

Allan Thorne‘s  pieces are inspired by classic western themes. “I like to use the traditional iconography of the West in new ways to express modern ideas,” says Thorne. As a fan of bolo ties, I like Thorne’s rendition entitled “Trilobites Have a Vision of the Future” ($400), which combines sterling silver, brass, leather and Trilobites. Thorne says “The bolo tie is an attempt to evoke thoughts of species extinction using a traditional object.”

The Danaca Design Studio is a wonderful space serving multiple purposes. It’s a metal working studio where classes are held, a gallery showcasing and selling the jewelry artists’ designs, and a small store offering basic jewelry fabrication tools and supplies. You might just be inspired to take a class and start designing for the man in your life.

If you miss the opening, the show runs through July 17.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company 

 

Irresistible colors and fun wall art pieces by Focus Line Art!