Sleeping Beauty is Finito!

I am happy to show off my finished Sleeping Beauty necklace. Thank you to those of you who stayed tuned in to the progress on this piece, and if this is your first time seeing it, I hope you enjoy and know that it is for sale and in need of a good home!

The finished necklace measures 16.5 inches, resting nicely across the collarbones. All of the settings are white gold, featuring a total of 1.5ct of fine white diamonds. The triple strands are gradient-colored fine sapphire beads that catch the light every which way you move.

The star of the show is a fine piece of hand carved Sleeping Beauty turquoise offset by a halo of diamonds with two free-hanging teardrop shaped diamonds to add just the right amount of movement. 

The clasp features a matching piece of Sleeping Beauty turquoise surrounded by fine white diamonds. As an added extravagance, the button of the catch itself is a diamond! 

If you feel this necklace calling to you, give us a call at 512-346-9423 and it can be yours!

Steve Kriechbaum, Designer Goldsmith // skriechbaum.com

Sleeping Beauty is Becoming More Beautiful!

In the midst of filling orders for my clients, I have been working on setting the diamonds around Sleeping Beauty's face. 

I am still debating whether or not to add two or three dangling teardrop-shaped diamonds from the bottom of the pendant. 

What do you think? More diamonds never hurt anyone, right? ;)

Wax Carving

My latest inspiration comes from a design idea that came to me when I happened upon a gem I've had laying around for a while. Here is the initial layout..

 I started with a chunk cut off of a big block of purple wax and carved a high sided bezel. The stone is a slightly heart-shaped Amethyst.

Top view with and without the stone in place. 

After achieving the shape I wanted for the bezel, I decided to carve a geometric design into the walls. The negative space will prevent the pendant from being too heavy when it is cast in metal while also adding some interesting detail for the eye!

I also hollowed out the bezel from the inside a little more. You can see the thickness of the bezel wall in the photo below, which shows the piece from the underside. 

I will continue the geometric cutout pattern all the way around the bezel and clean up each triangle before casting it in 14k yellow gold.

Stay tuned for more updates on this piece as well as the turquoise Sleeping Beauty and Mexican Opal!

Works in Progress Part II

Last week the new pieces were wax,  this week they are starting their new life as precious metal jewelry! The Sleeping Beauty piece was cast in 14k white gold and the grid work of lines across the back was removed for a more streamlined look.

 

 I'm playing with the idea of adding three pear-shaped diamonds hanging off of the bottom tubes. Who doesn't like more sparkle?

A view of the inside of the setting.

The Mexican Fire Opal piece was cast in 18k yellow gold. This is the top bezel piece, soon to have a sterling silver band soldered on. The yellow gold around the stone compliments the warm tones in the Fire Opal. 

What do you think of the designs?

Works in Progress

Hi Friends!
I am going to give you a look into the behind-the-scenes work involved in two original designs I am currently working on.

The first is a necklace featuring a beautiful carved piece of sleeping beauty turquoise. I have hand built the wax for this lady's face and will cast in white gold. The triple strands of gradient faceted sapphire beads will be attached to the tubes around the top of her face. The clasp will be a handmade white gold box catch featuring a piece of fine sleeping beauty turquoise to compliment the carving.

Each tube surrounding her face will feature a fine white diamond. 

A close up of the Sleeping Beauty carving. How serene.

A close up of the back of the piece, showing the gallery work and the jump rings to which the faceted sapphire strands will be attached. 

The second piece is a two-tone ring featuring a Mexican Fire Opal in Matrix. The wax surrounding the opal will be cast in 18k yellow gold and a sterling silver band will be soldered on.

The wax bezel surrounding the opal, soon to be 18k gold.

Another view of the flashing of colors in the opal.

Follow my blog if you're interested in the progression of these two pieces! I will be posting photos all along the way. Have a great week, y'all!

Hello 2015!

This year, I am making it a goal to keep up with this blog a little better in order to keep all of you people in the loop! 

There are things going on over here in the studio every day and I'm usually too busy to remember to post about it.

Not anymore!

I will be sharing photos and information on what is going on in my days of making stuff.

Feel free to comment and make suggestions if there are any specific things you would like to hear more about.

I hope this post finds all of you well and eager to start off a new year. 

Here's to starting 2015 off right!

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - 20th Anniversary!

Hello all!

The holidays are almost upon us, and I'm keeping up my tradition, with this being my 20th year as a part of the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. 

Come out and see me December 16th through Christmas Eve, 11am - 11pm every day, to enjoy live music, a plethora of wonderful art, and most importantly - the latest additions to my collection of unique jewelry! 

I have kept busy this past year traveling to multiple art shows, filling custom jewelry orders, teaching, playing music, dreaming up and fabricating new pieces to add to my inventory. I would love to see you come try on and take home some of the sparkly fruits of my labor! 

Wishing you & your family well this holiday season, and hoping to see you soon! 

-Steve

Midland Septemberfest

The place to be this weekend is Midland TX! 

This summer has flown by and now it's time for Septemberfest. If you're an out of towner like Steve, pack up the car and take a fun weekend road trip to say hello and check out the festivities. If you're in the Midland area, you have no excuse - we'll see you there!

The festival runs:

Friday, Sept 5th, 7pm - 11pm (preview party)

Saturday, Sept 6th, 10am - 6pm

Sunday, Sept 7th, 12pm - 5pm

Steve has been working on a surplus of brand new designs for this show, and as always will be bringing some time tested favorites with him as well. Come feast your eyes on his fine jewelry and check out the almost 100 other artist booths all while listening to some great live music. Pick out something shiny for yourself or a loved one... or both! 

2014 Rockport Art Festival

I'll be out in Rockport again for Fourth of July weekend, and let me tell you - it's a celebration like no other! Heaps of artists will be showing off their best work, along with lots of new inventory from yours truly. 

The festival runs Saturday, July 5th 10am - 6pm and Sunday, July 6th 10am - 5pm.

For more information, go to the official website here. 

Hope to see you there! 

Kerrville Festival of the Arts

It's about time for another art show!

Come out to Kerrville this weekend, May 24th & 25th, for the Kerrville Festival of the Arts.

The show is in the heart of downtown and runs from 10am - 6pm each day. Enjoy the beautiful weather and some great artwork! I have lots of pieces just waiting for you to try on and take home. Whether you're looking to treat yourself to something sparkly or searching for the perfect present for a loved one, come see me this weekend and I can help you out!