I don’t (really don’t) like writing, and I like a hard deadline to get things done. But I love doing research as much as most people love going on vacation. Maybe more. Much of my research has led to improvements in my manufacturing and design processes, so research always has always had an economic benefit … More Love to Research, Hate to Write
Do you think a person’s essential personality shows up in the way they cook? In my case, it might. I’m the primary cook at our house, so I’ve had some time to think about this. Some people follow recipes to the letter, other people don’t use recipes at all. I use recipes as a starting … More Papayas, Tacos, Metal and Creativity
You may already know that the story of Mokume-Gane is a story about swords and samurai, but did you know it’s also a story about fashion and status?
Making mokume-gane is a pretty complex process, and those of us who do it become immersed in the physical science of how metals behave (or don’t) when heated, punched, carved, cut, and handled in dozens of ways. In fact, I write scientific papers about making mokume-gane about once a year, and my ability to get … More A Bit of Heat, A Bit of Pressure, and a Lot of Skill
When you build your business around an ancient, not-very-well-documented art form as I have, any opportunity to see the work of past masters is pretty exciting. It was 2002, and I was scheduled be in Massachusetts to teach a class at MetalWerx School for Jewelry. I contacted the Museum of Fine Arts Boston to see … More A Private Showing at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
No, I will not make you a copper & silver mokume ring. It is not because I don’t like the color contrast. I love the color contrast that copper alloys have with silver in mokume gane. The original Japanese work in mokume gane was almost all done in copper alloys and copper alloys with silver. Those strong color contrasts are one … More Why you don’t want a copper and silver mokume gane ring.
So here is that ring from my last post all done and ready to ship. Hope you all like it. Wide flat and flat comfort fit bands are some of the most challenging ones we make.
Today I’m making a replacement ring for a customer. It is made from palladium 500 and sterling silver. This is a big ring: size 13.5 and 10 mm wide, It will be quite striking! Given its size and width you will see a lot of pattern.
James Binnion Metal Arts 