I am proud to announce that I received a 2nd place award (Div B – Rings, earrings) for a ring that I entered in the Juried competition this year.. Congratulations to all the other awesome artist who received awards as well… Big props to brother Pat for receiving the Conrad House Innovation Award, (I Jewelry and Lapidary Work) “Iridescent Opulence” and Second Place “Hexagonal Study in Color” (Div C – Buckles, bow guards, pins, pendants, hair ornaments).
A big thank you goes out the Heard museum, Guild, Staff, Volunteers and fellow artists that help make this event possible… here is the Best of Show list if you would like to see the other award winners….
A few years ago I ran into a company closing down in Albuquerque and they were liquidating some equipment.. I seen the post and happened to be in town at the time so I dropped on by….This was the first time my eyes had seen a manual bench press like this (the hamster wheel in my head was starting to spin)….. I thought this can work in my studio, not only cutting the disc but providing a center divot to drill a hole too ….So I committed to making it work, I mean after all it was designed to punch holes right!. After lugging the little beast home I started looking for the other punch and dies that I could use in it.. Collecting 20 separate punches and dies over a few months, I was ready to rock and roll.. Well I still had to cut and fit the urethane stripper for each size set, fab a little aluminum chute for the saved discs.. It took a little getting use to but once it was set up and running smooth, I was knocking out discs to make beads.. In the time consuming practice of making beads by hand, this press is helping with production time. Now I’m not saying drop everything and go buy one, I just want to remind you to think outside the box and there will always be more than one way to crack the same peanut…
Enjoy the pictures and check out the short YouTube video at the bottom…
Here is a short video of a nice set of graduated beads I made for a great client..
If your in New Mexico or planning to drive around the Land of Enchantment, taking in all the wonderful scenery and culture our state provides, consider contacting your favorite Jeweler/Artist for a Studio Visit. Most of them may be willing to make time for clients, friends, new acquaintances to come by and see where there creations come alive. I always have creations working and items available to the public. Feel free to contact me at chris@chrispruittjewelry.com for Studio Visits (by appointment only). You can also shop available work while here and order custom items in my Square Market Page. As well as visit any of the wonderful Gallery’s that carry my work ..
