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 In real life I am an Organic Chemist. I am also a rockhound. I drifted into making WireArt Jewelry to pass the long winters in Buffalo, NY (and now the long Summers in Texas).
I always try to wrap to enhance the natural beauty of the stone and not let the viewer be distracted by the wire.
If you would like, read the article about my work (published in "The Wire Artist Jeweller") in the Information Set of my Flickr site.
You can also find examples of my WireArt on my Flickr Photopage (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_l_rock/ )
If you search the "DRL" tag on my Flickr site, you will find other pieces that are available. Let me know which ones you like and I can move them to Yessy.
If you see any pieces you would like to know more about, or have any stones you would like me to wrap for you, you can contact me at: dean_lagerwall@yahoo.com.
I only use quality materials in my work. The wire is either 14/20 Gold Fill wire or Sterling Silver wire.
What is 14/20 GF Wire?
14/20 Gold Filled (or GF) Wire is produced by bonding a layer of gold to brass with heat and pressure. The end result is a tube of 14 kt. gold which is strong, durable and resistant to tarnish.
It is a superior product to Gold Plated wire! You should not mistake this process for GOLD PLATING there is a very big difference.
There is 100 times more gold in 14 kt. Gold Filled Wire than in gold plated wire and
• 14/20 Gold Filled Wire will not flake and peel off when bent, hammered and heated.
• 14/20 indicates that 1/20th (or 5%) of the metal is 14 karat gold (the layer on the outside).
If you can wear 14 kt. gold, you should have no problems wearing 14/20 GF wire since the metal you are exposed to is 14 kt. gold.
This combination allows for the beauty and durability of 14 kt. gold to be exploited by the artist while keeping the piece affordable. (a solid piece of 14 kt. gold wire is not only 20 times more expensive, but it is too hard to lend to this art form, it would kink rather than make the graceful curves and bends).
Due to the hardness of 14 kt. gold, the outer layer will not wear off with normal use. These pieces are considered “generational” in that they are readily handed down through the generations with proper care.
What is Argentium Sterling Silver?
Argentium Sterling Silver is a recent development and contains less copper and more germanium than the traditional sterling sliver, making it virtually tarnish-free. Customers appreciate the lower amount of polishing required with this material.
What is "Dichroic Glass?
"Dichroic" is defined as the property of having more than one color, especially when viewed from different angles. Dichroic glass is a high-tech spin-off of the space industry. Thin layers of metallic oxides, such as titanium, silicon, and magnesium are deposited upon the surface of the glass in a high temperature, vacuum furnace.
The glass to be coated is carefully cleaned, and fastened to a planetary arm in the top of the furnace chamber. The oxides are placed in a crucible on the bottom of the chamber. Air inside of the chamber is removed with a high vacuum-producing cyropump, and the chamber is heated to 300oF. The metallic oxides are vaporized by an electron beam, and the rotating glass target is evenly coated with many thin layers. The resulting color is determined by the individual oxide compositions.
Dichroic coatings transmit certain wavelengths of light, while reflecting others, thus creating an interference-effect similar to the iridescence observed in Nature's fire opal, dragonfly wings and hummingbird feathers. The transmitted color is different than the reflected color, and a third color is produced by viewing the dichroic piece at a 45o angle. The resulting colors are pure, saturated, single wavelengths of light, that appear to originate from within the dichroic piece.
The glass artist will then layer pieces of dichroic glass and fuse them into a uniquely beautiful piece of art. Due to the varying properties of the different types of dichroic glass, the artist must use both knowledge and luck to avoid producing a lump of glass of little value. However, when successful, the finished piece will have metal throughout the glass and it will catch and reflect light from many angles.
Please Note:
I will have a show in Houston, TX on August 27th and 28th(Houston Annual Cat Show, George R. Brown Convention Center). Many of the pieces listed here will be available at that show and thus not available during that time window. If you see any you are interested in, please get them before January 8th to avoid missing your opportunity. |
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