Hand Forged Custom Jewelry

new feedback, new blog

2009-06-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

its official, I'm now moved to WordPress for regular jewelry studio updates and feedback from my custom jewelry design clients!

check out new feedback from two clients I've just posted at www.heather-reilly.com/sdmetalsmith plus pictures of Glenn's cool organic pendant and Miranda's seven diamond wedding ring/

and if you haven't seen the first video of my LifeChain jewelry project, that posted over there, as well as here-- but the rest of the series will only go up on the newWordPress version of this blog from now on.

jewelry studio video

2009-06-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, we shot video of me in the studio talking about and working on pieces for my contribution to a very special show happening in San Diego this summer. Titled "Little and Large", this show of jewelry and sculpture actually takes place in multiple galleries across San Diego with a number of different artists that work in both scales: "little" (jewelry) and "large" (sculpture).

Find out more about "Little and Large" from the San Diego Visual Arts Network who organized this show in honor of the Alexander Calder jewelry exhibition coming to the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park this summer.

Anyway, here's the video, its the first of a series of short clips about my "little" piece for the show, something I've been planning for a while called the LifeChain project. Enjoy! and check back here in a few days for the next installment.

five-diamond ring

2009-05-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

finally getting to posting the the five-diamond engagement ring that is a mate to the man's wedding ring pictured in the last post. The yellow gold "studs" on his ring match the pattern of the bezel set diamonds on her her ring. Both rings are hand forged from 18k palladium white gold.

man's wedding ring

2009-05-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

this is one of the 18k palladium white gold wedding rings I was working on (and writing about) last week, just getting to post today.

the yellow gold ingots fused to the white gold of the groom's ring echo the pattern of the diamonds set in the bride's ring, but those pictures need to wait until tomorrow.

hammered man's ring

2009-05-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Finished forging and polishing out this sterling silver ring today and fit right onto the finger of our friend photographer Mike Brown.

The aggressively hammered texture and polishing that stops short of "shiny" shows well on men and leaves room for the inevitable wearing away of the metal over time, a softenign that shows *very* well on men who never take their rings off.

Remember these pictures are only a few hours after I finished polishing the ring, so there is no wear or even oxidization on the ring you see here.

I'm always very happy when my clients really love the final product-- actually that's part of why I make jewelry-- but I'm especially happy today because Mike is as stoked on his ring like I am of the gorgeous picture he took of me in my studio that now graces my site and my profile pic here-- thanks again, Mike!

platinum engagement ring

2009-05-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

i asked John to reshoot the new platinum ring I'm so pleased with before I finally ship today (post office next!)

so if you wanted a better look at this ring, here are some different views in two different lights that show it more clearly.

platinum engagement ring

2009-05-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Finally finished the three current wedding rings on the bench. Here's an almost final picture of the platinum ring I showed you in process two posts ago. This ring features the client's own diamonds set in one yellow gold and two platinum bezels, with two more diamonds flush set down the sides.

More pictures coming!

forged bar bracelet

2009-05-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

i seem to be having a wee love affair with one of my creations of late.

yesterday, the sale of another of my wide forged sterling bar bracelets, made me feel so proud, finding i identify with the solidity of the bracelet and feel a kinship with those who choose to have me hand forge one for themselves or another.

John and I both wear one, and the size and weight of the wide bars (i make a narrow version, too) REALLY suits a man well, though these pictures were done with my dear friend Loren the model.

last november, a client whose wedding rings i had forged from afar, came to san diego and visited me in the studio. he is an incredibly talented and erudite man and when he asked me to forge this bracelet for him, well, i believe i blushed.

this is what he had to say after wearing the bracelet for a month, of which, as a lifelong artist and artisan, I have to say, I'm very proud:

"Dear Heather-

Hope your vacation was a spot of bliss for you. Thought you might like to know that the bracelet has fused itself to my being - hard to explain why. People have commented not only on how interesting and great a piece it is, but also how naturally and well it seems to suit me. Feels that way from the inside as well.

Many thanks."

custom ring in studio

2009-05-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

We were taking some progress pictures to email one of my current clients, and this one really appeals to me becuase of how raw, yet pure, the metal looks, so I'm putting it up here really quick:

Mother's Day regroup....

2009-05-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

I had quite a Mother's Day weekend, beginning with my daughter Logan's Friday night trip to the ER. All four of us are very grateful to everyone at Rady's Children's Hospital for their awesome care, patience and kindness, despite the heavy Chargers presence in bright yellow and blue throughout-- the ward we were in is dedicated to Chargers legend Stan Humphries daughter, who had cardiac surgery there when very young.

Even though John was wearing a Steelers' shirt, they took excellent care of us.

I had another nice note to pass along and some pictures to put all together here, but it will keep until tomorrow.

palladium white gold

2009-05-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

I have been working a lot in 18k palladium white gold this spring for enagagement ring and wedding ring commissions. I'm really having a new love affair with the alloy and discovering a myriad of reasons why the combination of palladium, a member of the platinum family, and 18k white gold make this a superior choice to regular white gold alloys.

first, 14k and 18k white gold both contain a percentage of nickel...not compatible for many with sensitive skin. when alloyed with palladium, white gold needs no nickel.

second, in my opinion, white gold has the color of dirty dishwater. that is why traditionally jewellers plate white gold with rhodium. this imparts a fabulous white luster, however, the rhodium will wear away rather quickly and the piece will need to be plated again and again. this is not only tedious, but a bit costly.

third, white gold is notoriously brittle. i hand forge almost everything i create, thus i really prefer a malleable alloy. platinum is amazingly malleable, yet extremely dense, which is a great combination from the metalsmith's point of view. alloying white gold with palladium, (a member of the platinum family)

Increases its melting point

Increases its modulus of elasticity

Increases its strength

Increases its hardness

Turns yellow gold white (depending on the amount added)

there's more, but here's a picture of the first of this spring's finished palladium white gold wedding rings and this client's email to me upon receipt.

man's wedding ring in 18k palladium white gold

"I just got the ring today!! it's exactly what I was looking for and fits great! thank you sooooooo much!"

-Ryan Flanigan

gold wishbone pendant

2009-04-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Heather,

This is to let you know how pleased I am with my wishbone pendant! It is so
exquisitely made and everything I hoped it would be.

It was unusual how we got in touch because in the past, being a cautious
person, on those rare occasions where I purchased fine jewelry I would most
likely go to Gump's in San Francisco; never thought I would do so by e-mail.

However I was intrigued by your ad in the New Yorker and decided to take a
chance.

Your work is beautiful! Happy New Year!!"

Barbara Davis, CA

engagement rings

2009-04-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

i'm making a lot of these rings this spring while trying to wrestle all the old pictures into some organized shape as well.

this picture I had forgotten about as well, his and her wedding bands in platinum design ed closely with our and for my friend architect Brett Farrow.

We took this picture at their wonderful wedding in Baja, where John and I were pleased to be invited, right after the ceremony. The clean lines and simplicity of these rings reveal his architect's vision, which is set off nicely here by the lush flowers of Heidi's bouquet.

silver bar choker

2009-04-13T00:12:00.001-07:00

wide bar choker
Originally uploaded by heather reilly hiemstra, metalsmith

Flickr has really made it easier to collect all the jewelry photos (15 years worth!) in one place for sorting.

Since building the new site, we've been collating images from three different computers, two hard drives and about a dozen different cd's, trying to make sure we have everything.

Some stuff, like this hand forged bar choker shot on my dear friend Loren a few years ago, I'd totally forgotten about even though this is one of my most lusted after pieces.

hand made, custom forged platinum wedding bands

2009-04-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

I was just presenting a bid for a pair of hand made, custom forged, simple, heavy platinum wedding bands for a really lovely couple who i have had the pleasure of meeting in my studio (most of my custom clients come to me from afar, via the internet).

...and i was sort of overcome with emotion for a moment as i thought of what these rings will mean to this man and this woman.

okay, so i sound a wee bit dramatic, but seriously, you saw Lord of the Rings....forging a ring out of a noble metal with simple tools, hammer, fire, is moving...romantic, symbolic.

i am seeing more and more couples asking for round wedding bands, hand made, custom designed, seeking the symbolism a perfect circle offers.

a couple of years ago, most everyone who came to me was interested in the square, comfort fit ring.

the square ring, perhaps a bit different and certainly comfortable, but now i see this return to round wedding band and i love it!

custom gold pendant

2009-03-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

"Hi Heather,

I just want to let you know that I received - and love - the Leo pendant. I can't wait to give it to K. Thanks, also, for the personal note that you included.

I don't know if I told you this, but I have been sole parent for K. since she was 18 months old. We have a very special relationship and her turning 21 is a big milestone for us. I wanted to mark it with something special and nothing off-the-shelf would've adequately expressed the occasion.

Thank you for forging my feelings into something that will mark and enrich us for the years ahead.

Warmest regards and best wishes,"

-Mark

platinum | tourmaline ring

2009-03-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

"Heather,

I love how the funky bezel lights up my stone--
LOVE IT!!

Thanks so much for coming up with something so special for me."

- Mauren Burke

graduation gift testimonial

2009-03-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

"Heather,

I wanted to email you and let you know how much Kyla loved her ring. She wears it all the time and was so excited to open that for her graduation gift.

I just want you to know how happy we all are with the workmanship and the originality of the ring. Thank you for all your help on the phone in choosing just the perfect ring for her.

I also referred you to my friend who is looking for a ring for her son and I think she had picked out one she liked off your website and she loved it. She may be contacting you very soon."

-Claudine Jones

forged sterling silver bar ring with white diamonds

platinum wedding rings

2009-03-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

To: Heather Reilly Hiemstra
Subject: They're here!

And they're GORGEOUS! I LOVE the blue diamonds! I love your
little pouch and the sprig of rosemary. I love how substantial
they feel. Basically I'm a fan all around! Oh yeah, Eric loves
his, too. We briefly discussed starting to wear them now but I
guess we should hold out for another month. :)

Thank you!!!

Zoe (and Eric)

platinum wedding rings for him and her with blue diamonds

engagement ring testimonial

2009-02-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

"Heather,

My fiance requested that you make the brown diamond engagement ring for me; it is so beautiful! Rich is such a techie and encouraged all our family and friends he called to see the ring on your website.

Thank you so much!"

-Ashley Tisdale

"Heather,

The ring arrived today, and after much secret maneuvering, I gave it to her, and she loves it! I think she may have sent you an email a little while ago saying so. The rosemary sprig was a nice touch. Thanks a ton! :-)"

-Rich

custom gold rings testimonial

2009-02-27T20:55:00.000-08:00

"Heather,

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to tell you that I absolutely loved the rings you made for me. My girlfriend loves them as well and told me she hasn't taken them off since I gave them to her. Also, thank you for doing a custom order at the last minute. I really hope that everything is going well and hopefully we'll get the chance to meet one day.
Thanks again!"

-Krista Weber Marcy

wishbone pendant testimonial

2009-02-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

"Dear Heather,

This is to let you know how pleased I am with my wishbone pendant! It is so
exquisitely made and everything I hoped it would be.

It was unusual how we got in touch because in the past, being a cautious
person, on those rare occasions where I purchased fine jewelry I would most
likely go to Gump's in San Francisco; never thought I would do so by e-mail.
However I was intrigued by your ad in the New Yorker and decided to take a
chance.

Your work is beautiful! Happy New Year!!"

-Barbara Davis

14k yellow gold wishbone pendant