Adapting tools to your work…

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..

Studio Visits are becoming a weekly thing.

 

 

20150718_092849

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 ..

 

 

Square Market new Online Sales

Its here folks the Square Market brought to you by the same creaters of the infamous  Square Up reader.  The Square Market offers the same great service as the tiny reader but with a little bonus. If you already have a Square account or ready to start one its simple. Simply create your items in your library once ( or edit from time to time) and sync across your Square Register app. and It will do so for your online store.

 Come by the new Online store : Jewelry By Chris Pruitt  

 

Contemporary Inlay Buckle..

 

Here is one of my latest creations. A Contemporary Belt buckle consisting of sterling silver, Black Jade and Coral. The  “Spyderweb” texture on the silver is unique, all components of the buckle are hand fabricated and asselmbeled by myself. Texturing is done by placing a patterning medium ( canvas, screen, manila folder etc.) with a piece of annealed silver and putting it through a rolling mill, transferring the pattern onto the metal. Brighter results are achieved by pre polishing the silver prior to rolling.

It is currently for sale in the Shop Buckles Section with further information and extra pictures.

 

Cpruitt

 

 

Great things at Tom Taylor.

On one of my journeys to Santa Fe, I went to Tom Taylor shop in the La Fonda hotel. There you can find a slew of fine quality leather belts, sterling silver jewelry, buckles out of sterling silver, stainless steel and titanium. Along with many other fine quality leather goods.  While there we (Philip and I) chatted about the new and exciting items I will be making for them, to have in the shop during the Santa Fe Indian Market festival. Some of the items they will have but not limited to: new earrings , M&M pendents, Dogtags and some inlayed buckles.. As always I had a great time talking shop with Philip and Kim Spiers. During my visit Jessica, employee  for Tom Taylor took that opportunity to snap a few pictures of me in front of the shop. We had fun laughing on San Francisco street while people passed by wondering about the photos being taken.

They will be hosting the “Black Jade and Diamonds” cuff and the “Coral, Lone Mtn turquoise and Diamond” inlayed bracelet for a limited time. If you are in Santa Fe stop on by to chat and see what new items adorn their shop @ 108 East San Francisco Street.

Thanks to everyone at Tom Taylors..

Cpruitt

 

Black Jade and Diamond Cuff

Recently I took some time off to have my tonsils removed. Which allowed me to relax and take things slow. After recovering I made my way back into the studio. Things were slow to start, but my time away has brought up some new ideas. Here is one such design that has come to light . I still haven’t come up with a name for it yet, so in the time being  it will be ” Black Jade and Diamond cuff “. It started almost 13 months ago, when I was working on a cabochon of black jade, natural Royston turquoise and coral. Spending only a few hours to cut, slab and polish these stones to create the interesting cabochon above. It sat on my desk staring me down and wondering where it would lead too next.. As time passed it was shuffled from place to place, until last week. I began to work on a silver cuff, texturing, forming, sanding and polishing the piece. When I remembered one of my recent sketches, that incorporated a cabochon of similar shape and design. The decision was made, I would combine the two. I started on the setting for the cabochon and braised it onto the new silver cuff slightly risen and off center. This design element took advantage of the rule of thirds (which I use in a majority of my work), thought to me by another great artist, teacher and friend Mrs. Jean Thurow. Next I created the seating for the 6 diamonds (2mm, 0.24 tcw) and set them into the cuff. The final stage would be to set the cabochon, this would be done by chasing the silver bezel around the stone. After one last polish and cleaning all the elements had fallen into place. At last,  It was complete.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in my recovery and all who wished me well and a speedy recovery.

 

 

Heard update..better late than never…

I would like to extend my gratitude to the family, friends, patrons, new acquaintances and the Guild, for an outstanding show this year.. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without all of you…   Thanks

Congratulations to the Award winners, as well as all who participated.. As for myself, I didn’t make it the Preview night to see the award winners. I’m sure it was awesome… but I did get the good news from my brother Pat on some of the winners.

Honorable Mention Pat Pruitt (Laguna Pueblo) “Tactical Cowboy Spurs”

Honorable Mention Carolyn Concho (Acoma Pueblo)  “Summer Blessings”

Judge’s Award – Max Early (Laguna Pueblo) “American Holiday Creche”

First Place Christopher Pruitt (Laguna Pueblo) “#8 Bolo” Div A – Personal Adornment (necklaces, bolos, pendants)

#8 Bolo

Photo courtesy of P@ Pruitt..