Tag Archives: jewelry making

Student Spotlight: Aster + Antics

We met Juliana a couple of years ago when she started taking lessons with us. We’ve seen her work progress to the point of the launch of her jewelry line, Aster & Antics, and we couldn’t be more proud! Learn more about Juliana and her work below.

-When did you first start making jewelry?

I’ve been experimenting with beads, braiding, and knotting techniques for as long as I can remember. Growing up near the water, I would also make a lot of wire wrapped seaglass into pendants and earrings for myself and as gifts, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I got into metalwork.

AsterandAntics_SHOT10_1184_LAYERS

-What class(es) have you taken at Liloveve?

I’ve taken Intro to Silver, Wax Carving I, Flush Setting, Bezel Setting, and a few one day workshops.

-Where do you draw your inspiration when designing your work?

Much of my inspiration comes from the natural beauty of the earth and sea. I like taking an element that occurs naturally and re-imagining it into a design that’s new and unique, but that still maintains an obvious nod to nature. I’m also inspired by memories and past experiences, taking something so personal and turning it into something that other people can create their own meanings for.

-Where do you exhibit / sell your work?

I just launched my website and first complete collection! www.asterandantics.com

-Have you been featured in any press?

Not yet! 😉

-What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made?

Favorite is hard, but a piece that’s close to my heart is my Barnacle Cluster Ring, which was the first piece I ever made in wax. I got so many compliments on it from people that I decided to refine it a bit and turned it into an extended group of designs in my collection.

-If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I’ve always wanted to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef!

-If you could collaborate with another designer/artist, who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with someone like the artist Aurel Schmidt- she makes kind of dark, super intricate work that gets you thinking and errs on the bizarre. Also, the late MC Escher- I think the fluid, interconnected, maze-like patterns of his work would translate beautifully to jewelry.

-What’s the most fun aspect of being a jewelry designer?

Definitely being able to take the jumble of thoughts and ideas in my head and turn them into tangible, wearable pieces of art.

-Where can we see your work?

asterandantics.com

@asterandanticsjewelry

facebook.com/asterandantics

#benchtiptuesday – How to Carve Small Ring Sizes in Wax

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A common question we get in the studio is how to size a wax ring for very small sizes. Most ring blanks come in a size 5 – so that pinky ring you’ve always wanted to make will require just a few more steps than your average ring.

How to Carve Small Ring Sizes in Wax

Suggested tools

Via Otto Frei

1. Starting with a solid wax tube in the color of your preference, cut out a ring blank to your desired width and evenly file the sides.

2. Measure the width of your ring blank.

3. Figure out the middle point by dividing the diameter by two and marking that point with a scribe.

3. Figure out the middle point by dividing the width, or diameter, by two and marking that point with a scribe.

4. Make a bulls eye

5. Using a drill bit and your flex shaft, drill a hole where the lines intersect (don’t forget your safety glasses when operating your hand drill or flex shaft!).

After drilling.

6. Widen the hole using a wax bur.

I like to do this holding the flex shaft perpendicular to the wax blank. Always hold onto your piece while drilling.

7. Continue to widen the hole more with the same wax bur, or a cylinder bur.

I like to make small and gentle circles on the inside of the hole with the bur to slowly widen it.

I like to make small and gentle circles on the inside of the hole with the bur to slowly open it up.

8. Using a ring mandrel, continuously check your work while opening up the size. Make sure to push the piece gently down the mandrel to ensure accurate sizing.

8. Using a ring mandrel, continuously check your work while opening up the inside. Make sure to push the piece gently down the mandrel to ensure accurate sizing.

Et Voila! A size 2 ring for a pinky ring or otherwise teeny tiny hands! Learn more wax carving techniques in our in 6 week wax class listed here.