Thursday, December 9, 2010

Concha Earrings

Teacher gifts!  :)

I really hadn't given much of a thought to teacher gifts this year.  Last year I gave bars of handmade soap from DeShawn Marie. 

This year I wasn't sure what I was going to do. 

Then I started getting some orders for some really nice teachers gifts.  Nicer than anything I've given teachers in the past. 

And I started thinking.  And then I started feeling like a cheapskate.  I mean, these ladies give a lot to my children.  I really wanted to do something special to show my appreciation for everything they do throughout the year.

Rounds of sterling silver, richly textured by a hand stamped pattern.  Stone beads securely wire wrapped to each.  Brushed by hand for a matte finish.  
About that hand stamped pattern....I sat down with my metal stamps and a piece of copper.  I began stamping, and this pattern is the first that came out.  I tried some other things, but nothing came as quickly or as easily as this one did.  

So I went with it.
A distinct Mexican, Southwest American vibe.  And as I sat sanding each patterned round, I realized that they reminded me of something.  

Conchos?  So I looked up Concho Jewelry, and sure enough....Very similar concept.  

I know it sounds crazy.  But sometimes a design comes from your soul, and this one came from mine. 

We recently  had a challenge with the Aspiring Metalsmiths.  It was to make something that represented where you came from.  

At the time I read it, I remember wondering what in the heck I was going to make that represented me, and where I had come from.  

My Mother is Mexican.  My Father always called himself a mutt, and my Grandma said, English, Irish, and German Jew.  And I know my Grandpa had a Native American Great Grandmother somewhere in the family tree.  

My people are from California, Nevada and New Mexico.  I am from the American West.  I grew up influenced by the Mexican culture, and it continues to influence my life today.

So when I made these, at a time when I just sat down intending to make some teachers gifts I came out with much more.  

Just sitting down and creating.  No pre planned designs in mind.  I am so satisfied at what I created.  I am really proud to give these gifts to some wonderful ladies this Christmas season.  

6 comments:

  1. Very generous indeed, but you know what? As a former (and soon planning to continue) teacher I can tell you from time to time to get an amazing gift is something really special. I have literally cried sometimes when given something special that you know was lovingly picked out (or made-those are the best). It's just nice to feel appreciated when you feel day in and day out under appreciated from nearly every angle. So good for you!

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  2. These are so pretty...I wish I was one of the teachers :-).

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  3. They are all just beautiful and the thought is bound to be so appreciated by those lucky teachers!

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  4. Well done Amy! I really love and appreciate your entire project. While I can certainly identify with making fine production work like this by hand, I am equally tickled that I can continue to enjoy the educators in my family too. Good work. Lots of hard work. Stay challenged!

    Bobby Teller

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  5. Thanks everyone! We gave the first gift tonight to my daughters art teacher. She loved them! I gave her the ones with turquoise, coral, and smoky topaz. They were my favorites.....:)

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  6. I love the look of these! What wouldn't they go with? ;-)

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