This custom project combines two distinct components and materials, the bronze flower medallion and the hand dyed leather bracelet bands. The combination of materials is one of the things I love most about this piece.
Starting with the bronze flower medallion! If you haven't read about how I work with metal clay, you can take a look here. The post breaks down the steps I use when working with metal clay from beginning to end. I used bronze metal clay for this particular project, and you can see how the bronze flower medallion transforms before and after the kiln firing process.
After I hand cut, clean and fire the bronze flower medallion, I apply a blackened finish to give it my signature LPDstudios antiqued look.
The next component is the leather cuff bands for the bracelet, which starts as a single piece of raw leather. I cut the leather bands slightly bigger than I want the final measurements to be, which allows me room to shave off length and width when I smooth and shape the leather.
To coordinate back to the weathered look of the bronze flower medallion, I use hand tools to distress and wear-in the leather. This gives it the look and feel of a well loved, and worn bracelet. After the leather is distressed, I add a little bit of color! I apply several layers of dye to the leather until I achieve the desired richness. It gets a little messy, but totally worth the stained fingernails!
Next I had to decide how I wanted to join the two pieces together. I decided on cold joining the bronze medallion to the leather bands, because the alternative of soldering had the potential of damaging the leather.
In order to cold join, I made two brass plaques (with the LPDstudios logo on them of course!) and four posts. I fed the posts through small holes I made in the plaques, leather bands, and bronze flower medallion.
Next I gently hammered the brass posts down until they made a wide head that keeps all of the components in place. I taped around the area I was hammering to make sure I didn't damage any of the metal or leather.
And now this custom Bronze Flower Medallion Buckle Cuff is ready to go to it's new home!
Check out LPDstudios Custom Page to see more one of a kind work!
]]>I have recently started taking notes on the process writing down directions, sizes of components and even the paint colors I use on my leather.
The iridescent green fresh water pearls are just gorgeous and will compliment my copper and hand painted leather pieces.
The finished product is our Leather and Copper Trumpet Vine Motif Earrings with Iridescent Green Freshwater Pearl and Sterling Silver Beads.
Explore the LPDstudios Leather and Metal Jewelry Collection.
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I love the "hands on" etching process that I use to create these beautiful Holiday Ornaments.
My friend Sephi, of ARTZOOO cuts out my Red Brass, Copper and Silver Nickel shapes. After I clean and file, I begin by drawing my designs directly onto the metal with a paint pen. The ink from the pen prevents that area on the ornament from being etched.
Next, I prepare the etching solution using kosher salt.
Then, I hook up the converter that will generate low voltage current.
After plugging in the convertor, the salt water etching process begins. The electric current slowly erodes the copper from the metal, making the drawing take shape.
After sanding, filing, and a bit more magic, my ornaments are complete. They are ready for you to enjoy this holiday season.
To learn more about the process click on Salt Water Etching.
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I have assembled a vignette of the design process for these beautiful Leather Star with Copper Moon Mini Star Earrings. Just Click on the You Tube Link.
]]>This year I had a rare opportunity to be the costumer for this years high school musical "Legally Blonde". The kids were amazing, hardworking and very receptive to my ideas. I had a ton of fun playing into the old tropes and stereotypes of the characters, which where almost 12 years old. And, figuring out how to make a "Playboy Bunny" costume appropriate for a high school actress. I am sure we got some backlash along the way, but then isn't that what art has always done.
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I have always loved art deco paintings for the color, vibrancy and angular lines. Here are a few of my recent favorite art deco inspired artwork, found on pinterest, and you'll see a commonality in the attention to female elegance of the 1920's, flapper era. Visit my Pinterest Picks Board to see more!
What era of artwork are you inspired by?
]]>Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
The Family
The Dinosaur
We've had plenty of family time during quarantine and done a lot of hiking. But, Dinosaur Rock is in my top favorite. Even though it is full of colorful graffiti, this series of randomly emerged and perfectly stacked rocks emerged 200 million years ago. I don't know how many times I circled this structure, more amazed every time about how wonderful and awesome nature is, even with graffiti.
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My friend Payton enjoying her S'more this summer at Hershey Chocolate World.
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I just saw the most amazing Frida Kahlo show at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, titled Appearances Can Be Deceiving. Such an overwhelming and well curated exhibit of her belongings that have been locked away since her death in 1954. This show includes some of her paintings, her beautiful clothing, her corsets of painted plaster, her prosthetics, and even her medicines that she used to manage a lifetime of pain. I left the exhibit renewed, inspired and with even a greater admiration for her and her work.
]]>The whole gallery and shop was exploded with color, all kinds of color! I just couldn't get enough, from the sweet fairy houses.
To this insanely decorated RV featuring a painting of the Beatles on the back to Leoma's crazy trademark sunglasses on the side. All painted with colors that are her and South Florida's trademark.
Tons of rocking critter toys literally "rockin" in the Florida sun!
Who could resist taking a photo of this iconic sign, telling visitors where they are in the world.
Finally, a photo of me just hanging out in this gazebo, artwork everywhere from paintings to stained glass and sculpture, no rhyme or reason for being, just enjoying the beautiful color everywhere. If you want to see more just click on the link: http://www.leomalovegrove.com/meet-leoma/
]]>I just love our Couples Love Cuffs, in black and brown cognac. Our hand cut rivets add just a bit naughty.
Or, our Heart Motif Leather Wristlet, if you want something a bit tamer.
Maybe, you like to mix it up a bit and create your own unique gift. We just love the look of the Three of Hearts Vintage Leather Bangle and the Couple's Love Cuff.
]]>Maybe, a black leather cord necklace is more his style. We custom stamp both your initials and your special date onto sterling silver.
Check out our Valentines Day Collection for more gift ideas. Taking custom orders until February 2, 2019.
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