Forged Iron Jewelry

BLACKSMITHING inspired by Nature and the sacred Black Metal....graceful, exotic, and unique.
I am a self-taught blacksmith and have been designing and forging jewelry, bells, blades, and other small "sacred iron" objects since 1994.
I use a small propane gas forge and a minimum of tools. Finished, polished pieces are heated and quenched in peanut oil for a nontoxic rust-resistant glossy black finish
With wear, this finish develops a beautiful shiny warm gray patina.

CARE OF IRON JEWELRY: Jewelry that is worn frequently does not usually rust.
Pieces may rust if stored in a damp environment or exposed to some chemicals.
Unless it is very heavy, rust is easily removed with a fine steel wire brush.

IRON AND STEEL: What's the difference?
Steel is iron that contains a tiny amount of carbon. Carbon makes the metal harder.
The words "iron" and "steel" can be used interchangeably. They are both the "BLACK METAL."

About Me
HOW TO PURCHASE
Forged Iron Bells

PICTURE JASPER


Sacred Mountain $268 Hand-polished double-sided Oregon picture jasper disc. The black steel wire bezel is set into a channel cut into the side of the stone. Handmade bur-textured sterling silver swivel bead on silver wire. Copper beads made from recycled tubing. 4mm leather cord. Total length: 3" Stone disc: 1 3/8" diameter	Rock Shelter $250 Hand-polished double-sided Oregon picture jasper disc. The black steel wire bezel is set into a channel cut into the side of the stone. Handmade bur-textured sterling silver swivel bead on silver wire. Copper beads made from recycled tubing. 4mm leather cord. Total length: 2 1/2" Stone disc: 1 1/4" diameter


Picture Jasper Big Cat Claw $280 Carved Oregon picture jasper, hammer-textured fine silver bezel, sterling silver back and forged accents. Forged iron, tapered, twisted, and drilled. Copper wire spirals, leather cord.	PENDANT - FRONT The carving is in moderate relief and has a soft polish. The pendant is 2 inches long.	PENDANT - BACK The back of the carving is flat.

EARRINGS
Handmade sterling silver earwires. Length measurements do not include wires unless stated.


Natural Peridot $65 1 3/8" Rough facet-grade Arizona olivine crystals wrapped in copper wire.	Copper Triskeles $45 1 1/4" Antique African iron beads	Multispiral Lunulas $30 Black steel 15-gauge wire, 1 1/2" long.


Black Steel Wire Torc-style Bangle Bracelet $25 Four 14-gauge wire strands wrapped with a fifth strand. Spiral terminals. Slightly flexible and adjustable. Inside diameter: 2 5/8" x 2 3/8"	STEEL WIRE RING $18 Two 15-gauge strands wrapped with a third. Equal spiral terminals. Slightly adjustable. Size 5 - 5.5

OTHER JEWELRY


Silver Pod Wand or Hairpin $125 4.5", hot-forged sterling silver.	COPPER VINE $350 20" Hot-forged and cold-hammered recycled copper wire.	BARRIER ISLAND $60 2 1/4" Oregon picture jasper. Sterling silver back, fine silver bezel. (pendant only)

STERLING SILVER & HANDMADE RED GOLD


Glacier Fire $260 2.5" including sterling silver earwires Covellite cabochons, sterling silver, handpolished mammoth ivory, red gold	Ocean Sparkle $150 3/4" long, not including earwires. Teal-colored tourmalines, red gold, silver, 14K gold-filled wire. Sterling silver earwires.	Desert Rain $85 1" long, not including wires. Moonstone cabochon, faceted rutilated quartz, sterling silver, red gold, reticulated bronze.

All work shown below has been SOLD.


Fancy Forged Iron Necklaces Click thumbnails for larger photos.

Women's Ritual Knives: Primitive blades handforged from 1095 high-carbon steel.

In Memoriam: Whittaker Freegard

On March 10, 2006, I lost a beloved friend and the world lost an outstanding master gem carver. Whittaker specialized in gemstone flutes and ocarinas, as well as beautiful nature-inspired netsuke and ojime. He worked in various gems, quartz crystals, and several types of jade (including Guatemalan blue jadeite, the recently re-discovered stone of the Olmecs.) His art reflects his love of the earth and personal connection with the stones. It literally embodies the strength of his heart and will, and his pieces are treasures that transcend all time and culture. As a friend, his gracious warmth, humility, and deep gentleness were as precious as his creative talent.


Flint Nodule Ocarina in Key of F by Whittaker Freegard, 1995. I commissioned this piece. It is a river pebble from Salisbury, England. He left part of the stone rough and natural, and polished the rest to reveal iron oxide patterns in the hydration rind and fresh gray flint underneath. It is a powerful shaman's tool with a shrill, wild, primitive voice.