I made a couple more bracelets this week. Pictures.

[puerco-bellies]

I am playing with twisted wire.

The first one is with Morenci turquoise. http://www.indianvillage.com/arizonaturquoisemines.htm






The second is with Royston Turquoise.

http://www.indianvillage.com/Nevadaturquoisemines.htm

[piesRsquare]

1. Damn, those are gorgeous!

Love 'em!

How long does it take you to make one?

[puerco-bellies]

2. About 6-8 hours.

I know a few really good Indian sliver smiths and they can make a wire bracelet (The kind I made) in about 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours. These guys have been doing it for 20 years or more. I would like to get to the point where I can make 3 or 4 per day.

[SeattleGirl]

3. Absolutely beautiful!

You sell your work don't you?

[puerco-bellies]

4. Yes I do.

I will shamelessly plug my website if I ever get it finished. I sell Native American jewelry at special events, rodeos, street fairs. I started out selling other people's stuff, and now I am including more and more of my own creations. Hopefully I can make a living at this soon. I don't want to go back to being a commodity's broker if I can help it.

[SeattleGirl]

8. Some day, I promise I will buy one of your pieces.

I'm not a real big fan of silver, unless it a Native American piece, especially with turquoise.

[puerco-bellies]

11. Some day I will have one that is perfect for you, and you alone.

We will both know when that day comes. Until then I hope you will enjoy the items I post from time to time.

[SeattleGirl]

12. I absolutely believe that.

And I will look forward to that day.

[Ariana Celeste]

5. oh my dear god

those are just beautiful.... you have some real talent :loveya:

[puerco-bellies]

7. Thank you.

That is very sweet of you to say.
:hi:

[From The Ashes]

6. Those are so pretty...

how much would that go for?

[puerco-bellies]

9. I will ask 180 for the Morenci.

And 175 for the Royston.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear puerco-bellies!

Those are just stunning!

You're doing incredibly beautiful work!

Congrats on these!

:yourock:

[puerco-bellies]

13. Hi miss C-P

Thank you for your complements. I am going to make some more pendants later this week. I have two show in the next two weekends. Hopefully I can sell some of my pieces, so I can make more stuff. I of course get better profits on my art, and that means a greater percentage goes to more silver and if I do well at a show TOOLS!!!

This weekend a buddy of mine will be displaying his wares at the Autry Museum.

www.autrynationalcenter.org/intertribal_market.php

If Native American Art is an interest of yours some the best of the best will be there. If you do go say hi to Andrew Redhorse, he was kind enough to show me some of the basics in jewelry making as well as some of the secrets of tufa casting. Truly a good man, and fellow Eastern Apache: Mescalero Redpaint clan, I am Chiricachua and we are a closely related, allied people.

[FloridaJudy]

14. Absolutely gorgeous!

I'm envious.

[puerco-bellies]

17. Thank you.

Why would you be envious? Anyone can do these bracelets.

[Connonym]

15. very lovely!

[puerco-bellies]

18. Thank ya, do you have a prefrence?

I think that the narrow one is a little "off beam" stone-wise, but decided to go with it anyway.

[MissHoneychurch]

16. Love them

they are beautiful. Too bad I can't wear bracelets. For some reason I react allergic to them even though I can wear earrings and rings and necklaces. Go figure. :cry:

[puerco-bellies]

19. Hi MHc

Usually people with high ph levels react to jewelry, especially silver over gold. Have you ever worn a gold bracelet?

[MissHoneychurch]

25. Not that I know of

since I prefer silver.

[BarenakedLady]

20. Those are really beautiful!

:thumbsup:

Great job.

[puerco-bellies]

21. Thank you.

They are fun to make, in a meditative sort of way. Of course there are moments of extreme frustration, but they pass if and when I take a moment to center myself.

[Midlodemocrat]

22. Those are gorgeous. I can't wait for you to get your website up.

[Whoa_Nelly]

23. Wow!

Unique and beautiful work!

What are the red stones?

Do you ever go to the gem and mineral shows, like the big gathering held in Tucson each year?
Your artwork would be a total success there!

http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/gemshow/

[puerco-bellies]

24. The red stones are coral.

I go to the Tyson Wells show in Quartzite AZ. I go there to buy turquoise and try to stay close to So. Cal. to sell my jewelry

[applegrove]

26. Gorgeous bracelet. Wish I could afford to buy it.

[Westegg]

27. Those are truly first rate!

I shall now look for prices and probably run away with my tail between my legs. Beautiful work, though. Someday...!

[ceile]

28. Beautiful!

What's the difference in the turquoise (Morenci v Roystun)?

[puerco-bellies]

29. The difference between the two types of turquoise

Morenci is a mine in Arizona, and Royston is a mine in Nevada. Different mines produce different turquoise. Each mine produces multiple grades, and colors. Some mines are know for higher grades of turquoise, or are bigger producers. Royston has produces a lot of turquoise over the years, with some very good grades, and colors. Morenci has also produced some very good turquoise but not as much. Morenci is my favorite type of turquoise, it is my homeland. My great grandmother was born there and much of my family are from that area. Morenci is Chiricachua Apache territory.

[femmocrat]

30. Fabulous! Thank you for posting them!

I'm a huge fan of your work!

[Redstone]

31. Damn nice work, and I hope it makes you feel better when you it's coming from

from a guy who was a jeweler for a number of years.

I do hope that you're not doing one thing I used to see frequently when I repaired Southwestern jewelry back in the 1970s: Many, MANY times I'd remove a stone from the bezel so it would be safe while I was re-soldering metal, and found that the stone had been raised in the bezel by being bedded in a layer of sawdust or on a sheet of cardboard.

Please don't be cheap like those people were. It would only have cost them a few cents and a few minutes to make a circle of silver wire to sit in the bottom of the bezel to raise the stone to the proper height. Do that, not only because it's the right an honest way, but also to earn the respect of someone who may have to repair one of your pieces in the future.

(I offer this advice only if you're not doing it right already.)

VERY nice work, and you should be proud of it. Keep posting pictures of your new works, please, because I'd very much like to see them.

Redstone

[puerco-bellies]

39. Hi Redstone.

I have been using sawdust, and a pinch of ceremonial tobacco to raise the cabochons . This was the way I was taught sans tobacco. I will ask both my instructor, and my more experienced friends about the ethical issues involved with raising the cab in this manner.

My understanding was that using such materials shields the cab from shock and lessens the chance of the stone cracking. I have been adding the tobacco after offering it in a traditional way. I do this in a sense to "bless", for the lack of a better term, the piece.

I too have repaired a number of older pieces, a couple predating the 60's and each and every turquoise cab I've pulled has been set on sawdust, thin cardboard. or in one case a WWII era piece that had layers of a hand written letter or note beneath the cab.

I have always approached making jewelry with the hope that some of my pieces last a century or more. I have spoke with native artists that say that some day our jewelry and artifacts may be the only items left of our peoples. More then one has said that the Government has tried to wipe us out once and what is to stop them from trying it again. This is in the back of my mind when I make a piece, and I want to do things in a good way.

I still take classes on Tuesdays, and Thursdays and will bring up this issue with my instructor, and will PM you his thoughts, as well as my mentor's next chance I have to speak with him.

Thank you for your advise, I will take it under very close scrutiny, and act on it if there is and ethical lapse on my part.
Sincerely,
P-b

[Love Bug]

32. Those are awesome!

I love the matrices in the different turquoise! I make bead jewelry, but your pieces are definately a step above.

[puerco-bellies]

41. Thank you Love Bug

Art is art, in my opinion no form is above another. I appreciate the complement.

[swag]

33. Beautiful, man!

What a talent you have!

[puerco-bellies]

42. Hi Swag

Thank you for the compliment. It has been a while since I have seen you post here in the lounge (maybe I should pay better attention).

[KitchenWitch]

34. Your work is breathtaking!

I love turquoise and silver.

[puerco-bellies]

43. Thanks KW

I will be in down in Carlsbad this Sunday. If you take a drive south this weekend stop by my booth and say hi.

[KitchenWitch]

45. We just might!

That would be awesome.

[Ellen Forradalom]

35. WOW!

Beautiful work!

[puerco-bellies]

44. Thanks E F

Love your avatar!!

[Ptah]

36. I know you have heard this before

Your craftsmanship is top-notch.

:applause:

[puerco-bellies]

46. Thats very kind of you Ptah

What mine is that picture from? BTW on a previous thread your posted a picture of the Silverbell Mine. I was wondering if that is where a type of turquoise called bluebell is from. Have you heard of bluebell turquoise?

[Ptah]

51. The picture in my sig line is of another developer, building more homes.

I've not heard of bluebell turquoise.

SliverBell mine isn't known for any special gems that I know of.

Here's a link to a friend's web page.

He might be able to answer your question.

[deadparrot]

37. Those are breathtaking.

Wow. :wow:

:thumbsup:

[puerco-bellies]

47. Thank you.

Is your sig-line from Doctor King?

[deadparrot]

50. No, actually,

it's from a musical called Ragtime (based on the novel). The character who sings it is a young, idealistic black man, during the Ragtime era. Throughout the book/musical, he is the victim of white racism and violence; finally, he lashes out. The song in my sigline takes place as he realizes that he's going to be killed for his actions. Sad, but gorgeous, song.

[Capn Sunshine]

38. Fucking absolutely gorgeous

I'm approaching a time when I will wear bracelets again. Those look just like what I pictured.

[puerco-bellies]

48. Thanks. I don't know when I will be in the valley next.

If the place where the cowboy poetry festival survived the fire, I will be there again next summer, if your ready by then please come check out my wares.

BTW I check your profile and noticed that you longboard. I have took up surfing a little over a year ago (9'6 Wegener). Do you ever go to Surfriders beach? I've wanted to try that but I am a little intimidated from what I've heard. Don't want to paddle out there not knowing the scene so to speak.

I am doing a show in Carlsbad this Sunday. I have a campsite at the state beach there and will paddle out San 'O first thing Saturday morning. That is a mellow place and the only trouble there is paddling fast enough to catch an oddly slow moving swell.

[Capn Sunshine]

55. Yeah, avoid Malibu

It's just too weird these days. I prefer farther north around Zuma and Trancas and Matador. If you want a cool scene, the cats at Sunset are always cool- the polar opposite of Malibu. I know that wave at Carlsbad! It's the current that does that. Solana too. Lots of deep water, break way outside.

[SPKrazy]

40. wow do you sell this stuff

it is very very good!!!!!

very talented

beautiful turquoise

love it

:hi:

[puerco-bellies]

49. Thank you and yes I am trying to sell it.

Most of the stuff I've made I have given away. Now I feel I am becoming more "marketable" and I am incorporating my own creations in to my inventory. You can count on me whoring my website if I ever get it up.

[SallyMander]

54. Keep us updated if so!!

I would be proud to own such a beautiful piece of jewelry! And even better if it were hand-made by a fellow DUer! :-)

Absolutely beautiful work!!! :toast:

[YDogg]

52. beautiful!

very, very nice! I love me some turquoise.

[mwdem]

53. Beautiful, as always...

When are you going to get that website up? I always buy a piece of Native American jewelry when I'm in Santa Fe (not often enough), and I shop the Dallas/Ft. Worth Indian Market. I love silver and turquoise, and I have three authentic Pena paintings. He's a neat guy, but he autographs everything now! Waiting for that website....

[puerco-bellies]

56. Screw it.

I'm going to call my nephew tomorrow. I'm to A.D.D to get the damn thing done.

[mwdem]

57. Hey, let us know when that happens.

Good luck!

[fortyfeetunder]

58. These are drop-dead gorgeous!

do you make earrings too?

[WinkyDink]

59. WOW! You are mad-talented! Those bracelets are beautiful!

[Maraya1969]

60. I am so impressed! They are beautiful.