Soldering-on's jewellery and news blog

Large silver ovoid necklace

2009-07-12T17:34:00.001+02:00

Finally making stuff again ....

kitsch experiment

2009-06-12T16:34:00.007+02:00

I've been wanting to make some kitsch jewellery with a sense of humour and have been playing around with throwing different materials together.

This ring is made in aluminium and silver with a large synthetic ruby.

It was also a bit of an experiment in setting and turned out to be impossible to set neatly.
The "first go" had to ba abandoned: originally each claw was independent, but with the aluminium giving rather that the thick prongs bending it ws never going to sit still.

So I cut the number of indenendant parts in half, and made the claws on each side out or one peice of silver instead. This helped somewhat, but it was still a real pain to get sitting still.

Still experimenting was fun, and it's always useful for kicking off more design ideas.

Pink Tourmaline ring

2009-05-19T21:50:00.002+02:00

Said goodbye to this ring today which was picked up from the workshop by it's new owner.

This is a good example of why I need to do more "real world" selling: because it really needs to be handled (played with).
It was snapped up at my first show I've done in Germany.

Some new stuff

2009-04-06T13:18:00.004+02:00

I've been sidetracked for an awful long time with the HCJ Project, but need desperately to get back on track experimenting and making.
My partner has cajoled me (rightly) into actually stepping out into the "real world" and doing a show. So I'm in the process of flailing around seeing what I can come up with which is (hopefully) appealing, but doesn't break the bank in the current financial climate.

This is the first prototype of something I've been toying with for ages. Made in nylon with a handmade magnetic catch in aluminium.

There will be other examples with a silver catch for people who want a little more "finery", but I like the ways the materials are working together currently.

Hello Udo

2009-02-24T22:33:00.002+01:00

I'm no longer alone in the workshop (at least sometimes not).

This is Udo, hopefully spelt right, who has joined me as a sub-tenant.
The main reason Udo's arrived is the finacial crash caused by doing too much "unpaid" work, but it'll also be nice to have some "life" in the workshop and should be good for my German too!

Present in the post

2009-02-15T14:58:00.003+01:00

I was delighted to receive a copy of Metalsmith magazine in the post.
The magazine itself looks very readable: I'll be devoting some time to it when I have a quiet moment.

What delighted me about it's arrival wasn't the magazine: but rather what it signifies for me personally.
It was sent to me buy Jon: someone I have never met personally.
Jon is one of the HCJ Project "early worms": helping to discuss and shape the HCJ Project in the forums.
This kind gesture helps convince me, that although progress has been much slower and the work required much greater than I ever expected; that bringing artists and gallery owners together and building a stage to represent handmade contemporary jewellery isn't a crazy one.
It's just allot more work than expected!

Thanks Jon!

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-18T10:51:00.003+01:00

In all the rush I forgot to post to let people know that the point has been passed where I can have orders made and delivered before Christmas '08.

I am spending Christmas with the family, which is always a real treat: time to put up my feet, enjoy the warmth and digest the large quantities of food I am forced (no unwillingly) to consume.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and "einen Guten Rutsch" into the New Year!

Gallery Map

2008-11-14T09:21:00.007+01:00

Use this map to quickly view contemporary jewellery galleries by country on the HCJ Project site.
Embed this map on your site

View Larger Map

Not quite myself

2008-11-12T12:12:00.003+01:00

I had a rather odd weekend in hospital. I'm back home now but still feeling rather peculiar.
I was "discovered" by some kind sole, out for the count face down on Saturday evening (no I hadn't been drinking etc).
I had damaged my eyes earlier and was suffering quite acute blindness, which is why I gave up the idea of cycling home and was headed towards a friends house when I must have blacked out.
I have seen an optitian since coming home and he said there isn't any damage to my eyes he can see, but today has been a very trying day, and things are still decidedly odd.
I had to finish a couple of items today, and there are a number of things which are "pressing", so I can't take a break.
Hopefully things will "look" a little clearer tomorrow.

Slow progress ...

2008-11-05T12:35:00.003+01:00

Well it has been ages since I last wrote anything here....

I have been doing NOTHING else apart from working on "the HCJ Project".

I have even (shamefully) left a couple of customers waiting longer than normal for me to pull my finger out and do some "real work". Generally people are sooo nice: I will try my hardest to make sure the "wait" provides them with more than they hoped.

I have been developing the handy "search gadget", a slightly "slimmed down" version is running on this blog.

What does it do?...

Well I have always been struck by the tripe that often floats near the top when you do a jewellery related search. That's because you search everything in Google's index.
This gadget searches only jewellery related sites which have been "cherry picked" to be included.
So the results will all be jewellery related and not just a high ranked page on an unrelated site, which happens to include the search term.

Neat eh?

Satin finished wedding rings in 585 gold

2008-07-26T16:13:00.011+02:00

These wedding rings are in a "light yellow" 585 gold alloy, satin finished with first names and the wedding date hand engraved.

They are nice and heavy, the gents ring (the lower) is 5.5mm wide and weighs just over 11 grammes, the ladies is shallower but wider, at 6mm, and weighs 9 grammes.
A commission.

Rolling rolling rolling...

2008-07-02T00:21:00.003+02:00

Well not rolling exactly, but rather moving.
After, coming up for, five years in the same workshop in this country ("this" being Germany) I am upping sticks and making the epic journey (two streets) to a new workshop. I handed back the keys to the old workshop today and am working on new bits and bobs of furniture over the next few days (until a door arrives, which is kind of obligatory) before installing all the tools etc.

So, I am unable to do any work for the next few days.
I caught up on orders before the move to give me some breathing room; so if all is well (and the door arrives) I should be ready to go again soon.

I'll let you know when I'm back on track.

Fine silver ring

2008-03-14T23:11:00.002+01:00

This is the first ring I made from the fine silver bar which is pictured in the last post.

This is only available on the new web site.

Forging fine silver

2008-03-13T23:59:00.001+01:00

I have had some fine silver lying around for ages and today finally got round to picking it up and starting the process of making something with it!
Once I had bashed it into a more reasonable size, I chopped a bit off and made a ring, which I'll get round to taking an image of soon.

Jewellery /jewelry designers call to arms

2008-02-24T16:54:00.008+01:00

It has been a while since my last post because I have been rather busy developing a new site.
It's not completely finished, there are still plenty of features to be added etc, but I am now at the stage where I could do with some responses from a second party, as it's very easy to get stuck in a design rut.
The new site hopes to be a number of things:

A place to find contemporary handmade jewellery.
An information resource.
A community, where contemporary jewellery designers can show off their latest work, exhibitions etc.

Things I still have to do with it...

Add more items. (Update: getting there slowly)
~~Add a commenting system~~.
Proof read.
Translate most of the core content.
Optimize the URLs.
~~Set up site feeds~~.
Loads of other bits & bobs.

I would be grateful if people would take a look, see if they "get it" and can find their way around.

Update (4th Sept '08)
I have been very disappointed at how slowly things are moving along. Either I haven't made myself well understood, or I have misjudged people's enthusiasm for free promotion on what I hope is a nicely presented information portal for contemporary jewellery.
I have since seen so many other "great ideas" which have fallen flat: but will battle on until the penny drops!

Update (3rd Jun '09)
Today we added the Global art Jewelry / jewellery conversation page on the HCJ Project main site.
I have added the conversation gadget to the sidebar here on my personal site's blog as well as on Soldering-on.
I'm hoping that some other "brave souls" will want to add the gadget to their sites, so that we can converse with each other from lots of jewellery sites across the web!
There is also a forum thread if you would like to talk about how using the gadget works.

Gold filled / filled gold wire

2007-12-12T00:25:00.000+01:00

This post is a rant about a question which periodically returns to bug me.
If you have a view on the subject please leave a comment.

I spend a fair amount of time looking at web sites relating to jewellery (jewelry), primarily because I am currently fixated upon trying to regain a decent placement in Google's search results, and I often see entries for items made using "gold filled wire".

The term is used (as far as I understand) to referrer to wire, which has a gold skin and a base metal (usually brass) or silver core. There is some legislation (depending on where you are) which details the minimum percentage of gold weight that the wire has to have in order to be able to use the term. Which is what makes it different from gold plated wire etc. If I sound a little unsure that's because I don't use the stuff myself.

But: shouldn't it be termed "filled gold wire" instead of "gold filled wire"?!

To me "filled gold wire" implies gold wire, with a "filling". Where as to me "gold filled wire" implies that the filling is gold, which is quite wrong!

I can only assume that this is a marketing term designed to "add value". By shift the emphasis in the phrase towards the word gold.
Moving the word "gold" to the front of the phrase gives it more "weight" psychologically, and "gold filled" also increases this effect. e.g. If I have a bucket filled with water; do I have more "bucket", or more "water"?

If this counts as deception, then it's deception on a grand scale. When I googled "gold filled wire" I got 71,300 results. Where as there were only 796 results for "filled gold wire".

Maybe I am wrong, or my weak grammar has me painted into a corner.
Is there a difference at all?!

Gold filled wire, or filled gold wire?

Christmas delivery

2007-11-30T10:44:00.000+01:00

Well we are almost at the beginning of December, so I should / must really call a halt for orders which can be guaranteed for delivery before this Christmas. I will also, as soon as I have finished the orders I am working on, get round to answering all the other emails which have gone unread. Sorry to keep people waiting on email, but it is the lesser of the two evils.

I just noticed that I have (sort of by mistake) already written this post as last year. I wrote the wrong date! Doh

You are of course as always very welcome to order something from the site for delivery early in the new year: it could even reach you before Christmas, but I have reached the point now where I can't continue to guarantee it. There is only me here!!

p.s. If you have already placed an order and not yet heard from me do not panic. All orders already placed will go out before the 14th of December.

titanium and silver bookmark

2007-11-25T19:41:00.001+01:00

There are other images of this handmade bookmark and price etc here.

oval(ish) link silver necklace

2007-11-14T20:20:00.001+01:00

This handmade silver necklace has large off round to oval links.

Here is a link to the items page where there are more pictures etc.

Can you help?

2007-11-13T23:27:00.000+01:00

My site has recently suffered a big drop in where it is placed in search engine results.

Specifically in Google, after they tweaked their search algorithms a couple of weeks ago.

I think that this is because I don't use very much text, so they can't really get a grip of what the site is about. I designed the site with more an emphasis on the visual, which appears now to have been a big mistake.

So I am asking you, if you would please be so kind and to link to my site.

thank you!!!

Sad day for the BBC

2007-11-12T23:10:00.000+01:00

I was rather dissapointed this evening when taking a short break to check out the BBC web site, (which is a regular haunt for me), I was very distracted by four advertisements on the front page!

I guess that they probably don't appear to a UK audience, and are there to supliment the costs of providing access to the BBCs' site for the rest of the foreign world.
The size, number and placement of the adverts was certainly rather intrusive. They don't seem to have paid any consideration as to what the adverts are for either; i.e. they don't seem to be tied into content, which would make them less irritating (and possibly more attractive) to the viewers. Maybe they only have a very limited number of advertisers with pockets deep enough for the fees? That can be the only possible explanation as to why they would have four gaudy animated ads for Airbuses's new A380 on the home page.

My one positive thought, was that maybe, possibly they were planning on using the advertising revenue to pay for the cost of delivering some video content outside of the UK: but that hope was quickly dashed with the, as usual, failed attempt to pull any video (news etc) off the site when browsing the "UK version".

I listen to the radio almost daily via the internet. Hopefully they aren't planning on pulling the plug on that too!

flower necklace

2007-11-09T10:21:00.001+01:00

Materials: aluminium, titanium, silver, gold.
Hung on a rubber thong with a handmade silver catch.

This is the latest one of this necklace, I have added a larger image and another close up image as part of my keeping up with the take-up of broad band etc.

titanium brooch

2007-11-08T16:15:00.001+01:00

This is the uncoloured version, of the titanium and silver brooch.

You can get straight to the items page for more images and details here.

titanium & silver brooch

2007-11-08T15:47:00.001+01:00

This titanium and silver brooch has been heat treated by hand to produce the bright peacock blues.

Here is a link to the brooches page where you can see more images and info.

Silver tension earrings

2007-11-01T22:04:00.001+01:00

more details, info and price details here...

Silver wire box earrings

2007-11-01T22:03:00.001+01:00

more details & images here...

wide hammered silver ring

2007-10-29T10:37:00.001+01:00

I am struggling currently with how I present the jewellery on the site.
This looks very pretty I guess, but I always think that it's better to have a unified look by having a standard background. The one I was using for ages is now too yellowed with age, so until I find a new one to settle with things will be a little hit and miss.

A link to this rings item page for more images, info, cost details etc.

OOPS!

2007-10-27T00:35:00.000+02:00

While writing the pages for a couple of new items I found that the larger images were not working. That's the ones which open up when you click on any image on an items page, to give you a closer look etc.
Somehow the permissions on the folder where the close-up images are stored got changed, so the image couldn't get called.

Very sorry about that. It's now been fixed.

If you find any other bugs on the site please let me know so I can get them fixed.

Stackable silver and gold rings

2007-10-26T13:17:00.001+02:00

I like them, and the idea too; that you could by just one with the possibility to add rings later.

On the item page you can see more images info and cost etc.

handmade kiss ring in silver

2007-10-05T08:52:00.001+02:00

This delicate silver ring features an impressed "kiss" on a light hammered silver band.
Only €45

empty handed

2007-10-01T11:27:00.001+02:00

I have fallen behind somewhat with orders which have already been placed. There are a number of reasons for this. Last week Moritz had an inner ear infection, so had to stay at home. This coincided with my partner having to work full time, instead of part time for the whole week. Then I banged my head rather hard on a stone floor, so spent Saturday hanging around in hospital waiting for a CT scan etc.

I am working to catch up, and will have orders out as soon as possible, but thought I'd post a general "sorry I'm a bit behind" to let you all know at once and assure you that you won't be left empty handed.

If you have a problem with waiting, then let me know and I'll refund your payment.

sliver wire ring

2007-09-30T20:26:00.001+02:00

Randomly wrapped soldered silver wire ring, set with a peridot.

This is a version of this ring, but set with a periot instead of a sapphire; as requested by the customer. This ring type can be made with most stones, but there maybe an additional cost to add depending on your preferred stone choice, e.g. Choosing a ruby would add cost. I only add the extra cost of any more expensive stone chosen: the basic ring price stays the same.

Road trip

2007-08-19T21:21:00.000+02:00

For the next three weeks I am taking a break with my family, visiting people in the UK whom I haven't seen for some time. During that time I will be checking mails only intermittently, so please allow a little more time for a response.

I am back on the 8th of September when it will take me a couple of days to catch up completely.

While I am away you can still place orders as normal, and they will be made / completed, strictly in the order that they have been placed, upon my return.

Where would you rather be?

2007-08-15T16:45:00.000+02:00

We all know that feeling I think. I don't want to be here. Do we have to do this now? Can't we do this another time?
So here, for all the ladies (sounding like a pimp!), is that rather snazzy tell'em t-shirt.

I'd rather be somewhere else.

You can put where, you'd rather be too, if that's what rocks your boat: but I don't have a fixed "I'd rather be ......" etc, and normally I'd just rather be somwhere else.

Follow me....

2007-08-15T02:24:00.001+02:00

Just packed up an order for an arrow necklace and the earring which are similar.
I am trying when possible to revamp the images plus add more to the items already in existence on the site; new items will have more images too.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

Firstly, I have had the new camera for a while, but recently got a new lens, which although it's not a macro lens, still gives me better (hopefully) results.

Secondly, when I last revamped the site there were still legitimate reasons to keep image sizes small. But it seems that most people (with internet access) have now moved up to some type of broadband service, so those concerns are now somewhat diminished.

That means more and bigger pictures!

Hanging flower necklace

2007-08-13T01:09:00.001+02:00

This is a close-up shot of the latest version of this necklace.
Made from fused silver, titanium, and 18ct yellow gold. It's hung on a rubber thong, which is a chocker length, as the pendant part is quite long.

What ring size do I need?

2007-08-12T18:38:00.001+02:00

There are a number of things to consider when checking what size your finger is before ordering. Many of the rings I make are not easily sized so it saves both parties allot of time and hassle to double check what size to order.

The width of the ring has an affect on how tight the ring "feels" on the finger. You may know that your ring finger is size X for example, because you have previously bought a ring that "fits". But if the previous ring was 2mm wide and the one you are considering buying is 11mm wide like this one for instance, then you will need a larger size in order to have the same "feel" of "fit". This is because a finger is bone with a bit of flesh and skin around it; the ring needs to grip the finger (a little) to stop it sliding off. but the wider the ring is the greater the surface contact with the finger making a wider ring of the same size "feel smaller".

The best thing to do is try on a few rings, of a similar width to the one you are considering buying, and then measure, or get the rings size measured.

I considered this advice fairly fail safe until recently, when an order containing seven rings ran into problems with all the rings reported as "two sizes too small!"

The size of a ring, (assuming it's round on the inside, and not square like this one), is the internal diameter. That may seem obvious, but some jewellers make a habit of taking the size which is under the ring. This is OK if the ring is oval or round in section etc, as the middle in that instance is the narrowest internal diameter; but if the ring is parallel inside, then reading the size under the middle of the ring, when it's on a ring stick (especially if the ring is wide) does not equal the rings' internal diameter / size!

The size should be taken from the leading edge, (A) which equates to the internal diameter of the ring. If the size on the ring stick under the middle of the ring is quoted (B), then the ring will be too small.
I think this is what happened with my last order, where "all the rings are two sizes too small". So I thought I'd write this, and link to it from the ring size chart page, so that it can be avoided in the future. Hopefully.

Multi metal rings

2007-08-12T12:05:00.001+02:00

A custom version of this ring, with 18ct white gold, copper, stainless steel, 18ct yellow gold and silver rivets.

Girl on a swing 2

2007-08-08T15:04:00.001+02:00

This is the latest version of this item. I thought I'd show how all items are handmade and therefor, although I try not to make anything too radically different from what was ordered, they are all a little different from each other.
The customer gets a unique item of jewellery and is (hopefully) happy with the result!
I was feeling in quite a jolly mood when I made this example, which I guess is reflected in the character of the piece.

I have also added a new image to the items page.

Fine silver hand forged rings.

2007-08-06T10:33:00.001+02:00

These heavy hand forged rings in fine silver are not for the timid. The large one weighs in at 33.3 grams, is 10.5 to 13.8mm wide and 3.3 to 4mm thick.
The rings are made in one session and left finished with all hammer marks left in giving them a very elementary feeling.

There are other images with more details and prices etc on the items page.

Spreadshirt shops back up!

2007-07-27T11:06:00.000+02:00

I finally got round to sorting out the issues with the clothing shop, which had been thrown up by Spreadshirts change over to a new web site layout and system.
The change over for me was a pretty bumpy one. I didn't take heed of some change over warnings (didn't have time) and so was left with some fiddling and late nights to get everything working: but I now think I've got my head round all the new changes.
To celebrate I have reorganized stuff, added some new things and reduced costs! The shirt pictured for example is only ten pounds forty pence (still haven't found the damn pound sign key on this German keyboard! I guess it's a combination).

American visitors remember to switch to the US shop from the flags if you are interested in anything.

I would like some feedback as to how people manage to find there way around if you have the time, so please take a look and then leave a comment here to let me know what you thought, or if there is anything that you had a problem with etc.

(I have just written a fourth email to someone who can't see how to get to the links section from my home page; so I feeling a little delicate about layout design.)

Edit: Oh I forgot to mention that currently you can also get an extra 10% off by using the code " Spreadlov " when checking out.

Ring with gold rivet

2007-07-18T16:10:00.001+02:00

The outer surface of the stainless steel is hammered, and it is then heated with a very hot flame (hydrogen oxygen mix) to the point where it melts and "burns". The ring overlap is riveted together with a silver rivet with an 18ct gold head.

A link to the items page for more info.

New improved stainless steel and silver ring

2007-07-15T20:04:00.001+02:00

This is a new chunkier version of of the R70.

I had forgotten what a pig this ring is to make. I always end up with bits taken out of my fingers and it uses up a couple of needle files too in the making process.

To compensate for all the pain, there is a new price tag which is (a little) more realistic, but current orders will still pay the price as quoted.

Here's a link to the items page if you want more info.

Am Rhein

2007-07-15T00:31:00.001+02:00

We had a great evening this evening having a barbecue down at the Rhine.
We weren't aware that this evening was Kölner Licht, which is a big firework display set to music; so there was allot going on which added to the evenings enjoyment.
Moritz is a big Zeppelin fan, this was one of the highlights for him. It flew over the trees and then proceeded to land on the playing fields right next to us.

Resizing / moving a disk partition

2007-07-02T11:56:00.000+02:00

I know this post will not be of interest to most visitors to then site, but I wanted to say a big thank you to Parted Magic.

I have been using OpenSuse as my operating system since March this year and it has been a big learning curve for me with mostly nice surprises. I now have a system that I feel comfortable with, that is stable and secure, and provides me with the functionality that one expects from a modern operating system (all free).
The other day I finally got video editing working on linux using Kino and Cinelerra but then realized that I hadn't known enough about disk partitions when I originally installed th OS. When one installs windows it grabs the whole of the disk, but linux politely allocates itself only a portion of the disk in case you want to install and run other operating systems including other versions of Linux, or Windows too! Not knowing this meant that I ended up with not as much space as I wanted, for video capture and editing etc. So I needed to find out how to resize the partition linux was using and give myself more space.

I tried a number of live CDs (so I could mess about with the partition without it being in use) but most of them had problems with the type of hard disc I am using (a SCSI drive but most are EIDE).

Parted Magic booted without problems though, and it was a very simple process to shrink the "unused" space and "enlarge" the main partition, so I have plenty of space to play with.
Without it I would have ended up wiping my hard drive, reinstalling OpenSuse and all the other software and settings etc which I or the system needs.

So I thought I thought I'd post a thank you, as well as throwing a couple of coins in the "tip jar" for other people searching for leads about how to resize a partition without a great deal of technical knowledge.

Silver ring with fine gold

2007-06-24T22:36:00.000+02:00

A simple ring with a subtle texture and fine gold detailing.
Here's a link to the items page for more info.

Intreflora

2007-06-23T20:14:00.001+02:00

On May day this, and every year, there is a tree which is decorated erected in the market square. It is financed by someone different each year, and when they take it down it is "delivered" to the person that paid for it. On this picture you can see how it sticks out the other side of the house.

Spam, not spam

2007-05-30T23:36:00.000+02:00

Earlier this year I moved my email system over to Google's mail system. Which has made it much easier to keep tabs on who I'm speaking to and what I'm supposed to be making next: I'm generally very happy with it. But I was called today by a lovely woman from Dubai, who was a little worried presumably after reading my "i won't answer you if you're spam" comment on the "thank you" page which is displayed after people send me mail from the site, showed that it's still a battle that's being fought.
It was lucky that she called as her mail was one of the few that slips through the net and landed in the "spam folder". So I would most likely have missed it had she not called.
This post is more a "note to self" that although my mail system is no longer thoroughly depressing to log into, I should try to do better with scanning the titles and not enjoy quite so much clicking the "delete all spam" link which is really a joy to use.

Holidays May / June '07

2007-05-29T13:59:00.000+02:00

I am away on holiday from 31st May 2007 until 14th June 2007.

I am not sure if I will get access to a computer over the holiday, as we are staying in a very small village etc. I will try to get round to mails as quickly as I can upon my return; but as is always the case orders always take precedence, so it may be a while until I have responded to all email after my return.

Problems with my Spreadshirt shop

2007-05-19T10:37:00.000+02:00

I am currently having some layout problems with my Spreadshirt shop, (this doesn't affect jewellery sales).
It's due to Spreadshirt changing their template completely. They did send out a general warning but that was somewhere in the dim and distant past, which meant that I was certain to forget, which I duly did. So, until I have the time to fix it the t-shirt side will look a little cranky, but will still function as it should if you wish to buy something.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

May Day

2007-05-01T21:26:00.001+02:00

Today was the first of May, which seems to mean more here in Germany than back in the UK. Our local celebrations seem to involve fish for reasons that are not completely clear to me, (Our street is "Salmstrasse" which may mean Salmon street, possibly).
Anyway we had fun: the weather was great, there was music and plenty of stuff to eat, which is always a good combination.

1-2-cha-cha-cha

2007-05-01T09:21:00.000+02:00

I added this design to the clothes part of the shop quite a while ago, but things sometimes get buried in the site, and as this was one of the designs I spent quite a long time making I thought I would bring it back to the surface.

The design is the men's basic Cha-Cha steps. You can see all the items it's currently offered on here. I personally like it in quite a subtle combination like here: but it even comes in glow-in-the-dark (as pictured).

Silver ring with gold rivets.

2007-05-01T09:12:00.000+02:00

This handmade ring is in silver with gold (9ct/375) rivets, which have been spread slightly with a hammer to fix them in place and leave them slightly raised from the surface.

Small flower ring

2007-05-01T08:33:00.000+02:00

This small neat little flower ring is made of silver with some 18ct (750) gold used as the flowers center.
It is a more reserved version of this ring but with a round shank and sturdier petals.

For a bit more colour take a look at this ring too, but currently this one is my favorite flower themed ring I offer.

The whole ring has a light matt brushed surface to finish.

Large "Thorn" ring in silver

2007-05-01T08:22:00.000+02:00

This ring is handmade in silver, with a light brushed surface finish. You can see more details on the items page.

Boy brooch

2007-03-26T00:17:00.000+02:00

This "naught boy" brooch is in silver and has a light "brushed" finish.

You can see more on the items page here.

Button ring in silver

2007-03-26T00:05:00.000+02:00

A wide silver satin brushed ring with a pearlescent button.

You can see more images and purchase here.

Cheeky boy necklace

2007-03-25T23:56:00.000+02:00

This fun necklace is cut out buy hand from silver sheet, it has a brushed satin finish and is hung on a clear rubber thong.

You can see more images and purchasing details on here.

Postage black holes

2007-02-26T23:48:00.000+01:00

What if an item goes missing?
Lots of people have legitimate concerns when ordering on-line as to whether or not the item in question will ever turn up.
I send things out "international signed for", which means that someone has to sign for it at the other end and one should be able to track it to it's destination. There is a small problem with this though, in that "international" means different countries and the different countries are not always that good at speaking to one another. This is not usually a problem as more than 99% of orders arrive without problems.
When things do go astray however, it can be a headache getting any information.
I recently had a couple of items, which should have been delivered to the UK, mistakenly sent to America; and both the customers and I were left waiting for someone across the pond to notice that the items were not only in the wrong country but the wrong continent. Eventually they did arrive at the intended destination, and although I would much rather they hadn't gone walkies, I am left with a very pleasant feeling of how people in general are "good eggs".
Lots of emails saying "it has been sent", "it may have gone astray", and "it's in America" could leave one thinking that someone was telling porkies: but the two customers in question never gave me that impression, and for that I would like to say a big "thank you".

To date, in five years I have only had one item "missing in action".

If you would like an order sent by courier, then I am happy to oblige at extra cost.

Gmail hopes

2007-02-04T00:47:00.000+01:00

Having more or less got my new computer running as it should be, getting to grips with opensuse. Which I am very pleased with so far, being what appears to be a real world alternative to continuing to be tied in to Microsoft's next big thing (currently Vista).
Also took the opportunity to make the jump to using Google's Gmail service to help me sort all the emails.
This should make it much easier to deal with the amount of spam that gets sent to the accounts and help me organise responses etc.

Long weekend away

2007-01-11T17:05:00.000+01:00

I am off to "Bonny Scotland" for a long weekend with my partner Claudia and son Moritz, so there will be a short delay in email response for a few days.
We have been invited by my "other" family (they would probably say one* of my other families) for a birthday bash-up in the rather fab looking Hoscote Country House, where hopefully a fine time will be had by all.

Update: Back. It was FAB with a capital F. The weather sucked, (we were lucky to get there and back what with all the storms) but the company, fine food and fantastic setting made for a great long weekend away. I didn't take many pictures because of the dull light, but the image here gives a hint the location.

Large emerald ring in silver and gold

2007-01-06T10:57:00.000+01:00

This ring was made for a customer who provided their own stone, which they had bought while travelling.
It is quite a nice way to have a unique item of jewellery made which has a sentimental meaning already attached.

There is more information on this items page on the site.

small beta headache

2007-01-03T23:22:00.000+01:00

I failed to resist the temptation of clicking the "move to the new blogger" link, so I am now halfway towards using the fab and groovy new features on offer.
Google did keep to it's word (more or less) and not mess with my layout, but they didn't really make it clear that after moving I would have to "upgrade the template", which basically means choosing one of the ones on offer, loosing all my layout and then having to fiddle with the code (and a new language) to get it looking the way I need it. Which is a bit pooey. In the magical transition I gained only the "nav-bar" which again messes up my layout: poo.

Sorry if it causes any confusion. I will sort it out as soon as I have the time, which looks like it will be around the end of the month.

Update:
I have now more or less sorted any issues out and am busy adding lables to old posts so that it is easier to get at the content in the way people want to.

Earth calling Greta, come in Greta...

2007-01-03T11:31:00.000+01:00

This is a post to try to contact Greta H (full name not published). You ordered a ring from me after I stopped taking orders for Christmas delivery. I have written to you three times so far, I know you didn't get the first as a mail you wrote indicated you did not receive the email conformation and I don't think any of the rest have gotten thru to you either.
I am a little stuck as to whether to now go ahead and make your order which you wanted for Christmas, or whether you would prefer a refund, so I thought I'd try and catch you here first and then I will write to you (snail mail) if I don't have any luck.

Fingers crossed....

Update:
Well I received and email from you asking when the ring was likely to arrive. As it was sent after Christmas, it sort of answered my "do you still want it although it won't arrive for Christmas question?". So I finished it off and posted it out today (11/01/07), rather than delay further by writing a good old fashioned letter to you.
I'll leave this post here by way of explanation which you may stumble across if you pop back to the site.

...and a happy New Year!

2006-12-20T20:58:00.000+01:00

Well Christmas is almost upon us, and I like most of you am winding down work wise and uncorking the Christmas spirit.
We are pootling off south for a week to the in-laws, where we will be stuffed like the Christmas fowl have been for the past three months; except with us it won't (hopefully) be fatal.

I return to the workshop, and computer, reasonably early in the new year and will then crack on with orders in an effort to burn of some of the Christmas fat.
I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to look around the site, and let you know that there will be a batch of new stuff to see faily soon into the new year; I have a number of fresh ideas I want to play around with and an amount of fine (pure silver) that I want to see if I can forge into some appealing rings. So, until the next time wishing all a very happy Christmas and good wishes for the New Year!

Robert.

p.s. Order earlier next year!!!

That's your lot

2006-12-07T22:58:00.000+01:00

Hello!

This is a post to indicate the nail biting end of this years frantic Christmas season.
Meaning I am no longer accepting orders for delivery before Christmas 2007.
I am still happy to take any orders which aren't Christmas critical, and I may even get to send them out before Christmas, but I have to call a halt sometime before to make sure that I can get all the orders currently waiting out before I run out of time.
If you have tried to contact me by email recently and are still waiting for a response; I am very sorry, but I tend to deal firstly with the payments that come in and then actually getting them made first, and sorting thru all the other mail that comes in has to wait until after I am done.

Happy Christmas one and all!

Hurry hurry hurry...

2006-11-20T10:58:00.000+01:00

I guess everyone is now aware that Christmas is just around the corner. I am lucky that hear the "Christmas craziness" doesn't kick off until an acceptably shortish period beforehand, i.e at least I have taken to wearing a coat!
This post is really about asking anyone who may be interested in ordering something for delivery before Christmas to do so fairly soon, (now!). Most of the items have to be made up to size (the rings etc), as I don't keep a large stock of items in different sizes: they are all hand made!
So there is a cut off period where I have to stop taking orders for Christmas delivery, which is at least a few weeks before! I will post a "That's All Folks!" post once I stop taking new orders, but until then the you can place an order still, for delivery before Christmas.

Hopefully some people will read this note before writing to me to ask if I can make something for them before Christmas!

Wishing you all a happy run up to the festive season.

Robert

Site redesign three

2006-10-14T20:44:00.000+02:00

The new design / layout for the site is now (more or less) finished.

Hurahh!

The site design was promted by the site disappearing from Google's index, which is a rather shocking event for any web site author to have to deal with. The reason the site was banished to the "dark side" was (I hope) some "white on white" text which was there to try and keep the site looking nice and clean while still being visible to the robots that gather the data, (robots can't "see" images).
In the end it is probably a good thing that I was pushed to re-design: the site should now appear the same in (I daren't say all) browsers, validates as standards complient HTML, is smaller, tidier, and easy on the eye (I hope).

If you have any comments or questions about the "new look", you are welcome to leave a comment below.

vorsicht Kopf!

2006-09-11T23:46:00.000+02:00

It's been a bumpy ride the past couple of weeks, which has slowed work down somewhat. Firstly I was "under the weather" for about a week and then I arrived back home on Saturday to the news that my partner and son where in the same hospital I had attended a short while earlier.
My partner was only there as escort for Moritz thankfully. He had fallen and bumped his head, and subsequently developed a wobbly walk, so was kept in for seventy two hours for observation.
The image is him playing today in the hospital grounds, looking and walking much better.

Handmade gold signet ring.

2006-09-01T09:02:00.000+02:00

Most of the items I make don't fit into a standard jewellery chatagory, but this is definatly a gold signet ring. That doesn't mean however that it looks or feels like a shop bought gold signet ring: you can still see that this is hand forged, with the hammer marks left in around the shank to give it a unique feel. The weight too is much higher than normal, with a heavier shank and thicker top section, making it much more pleasant to wear.

Gold 750 (18ct)

What were the chances of that happening?!

2006-08-28T17:23:00.000+02:00

Just a note to let you know that I am back from holiday (were it rained for some part of the day, 20 out of 21 days!).
I am working away endevoring to find the needles representing genuine mail in my spam haystack, and will be getting back to the "real" people over the next couple of days.
The holiday was fun despite the rain: and the fact that our one gloriously sunny day resulted in the lobsterfication of my forearms and the end of my nose (which seems to have been inadequately shaded by the brim of my hat).

summer holiday

2006-08-05T20:54:00.000+02:00

Please note:

I am away on holiday from Tuesday 8th of August, coming back on Saturday the 27th.

So I will not be answering emails until I get back. I could do; with a cranky web-mail system from my web host, but it is painfully slow if used on a decent connection and on holiday I will be downgraded to an old morse code dial up connection, to sort thru the mountains of spam would literally take all day.

Do please continue to place any orders you wish; they will be listed and made according to when they were ordered upon my return.

robot designs

2006-07-14T23:13:00.000+02:00

I have added some new designs to the t-shirt shop. You can get to the start page from here, or clicking on either image will show just the new "Robot" design in all it's variations.

the future is inflated

2006-07-04T14:17:00.000+02:00

I was invited by a friend yesterday to go an listen to a music "workshop" type thing at Neumarkt, which is bang in the city center in Cologne. He did mention that they had a building in the open space which they were playing in, but didn't mention that it was a very interesting inflated building. There were lots of different spaces which were all differen colours, and what with that, being barefoot (so as to not puncture it), the ambient music and that everyone had to choose a coloured cape before entering (to keep count of the numbers inside), it was a very weird but pleasant experience.
The only negative was that what with how the weather outside was it was rather too hot inside. I didn't notice that for a while though, as I got rather carried away with taking pictures.

video mayhem

2006-06-30T00:37:00.000+02:00

Golly! Once you get into exploring video on the net, (which is shortly afer getting a decent internet connection) It does seem apparent that the net is set to change in a big way, and I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to keep up!

There is Google video, which is where I will put the videos I have stated making for some of the items I'll make from now on (like here), there is VideoEgg, which I discovered a short while ago and thought fab, there's Zeec, which is a cool video community made by someone over the river in my home town, there's Blip.tv, which is riding the "web.2 wave, but I think may have struck gold with there novel advert scheme (which allows users to opt into having ads placed at the beginning or end of the videos they upload and get 50% of the revenue), and that, I am sure just scratches the surface.

Makes my head spin.

Ring in oxidised stainless steel with gold

2006-06-27T15:22:00.000+02:00

This wide ring is in stainless steel, which has been given a dark oxidised patina. The textured gold element seems to grip the shank like a "cuff", but it is actually held in place by tension exerted by the shank on the silver element the gold "cuff" is soldered to.

video views

2006-06-24T09:20:00.000+02:00

I can now offer "video views" of some items, and would be grateful for some feedback as to whether people think it is useful to be able to see a short video of an item?
So it's easier for people to give some feedback I have also embedded the video below, but as things are rolled out, (if people think it's helpful), they will normally be added as an image link or normal text link.
This all takes quite a lot of work to set up, so will only be added eventually to all items over a certain value threshold, and possibly to items where there is some kinetic element. Anyway I would be grateful for some feedback, just click play to start. If you like it you could go and star it or add a comment on Google video, which would help me attain a larger audience. Thanks.

more news

2006-06-22T12:38:00.000+02:00

I have spent a large part (too large) of the morning making a few changes to the site blog.

I will be posting here more often from now on; not just when I make a new item for the site or go on holiday, but also what I am trying to do workwise in other directions etc. This should make the blog and the site a more rewarding place to browse, and interact with "Soldering-on" and therefore a more interesting place for me too!

There, that's spelt out the intention; now lets see if I can keep it going.

slow email response

2006-06-22T10:14:00.000+02:00

I am currently struggling under the weight of a stack of emails, so response times for normal mail are currently running longer than I would wish.

This effects orders much less, as I obviously give the orders that come in (where people have already paid for the item) priority. Current order dispatch time around two weeks.

Hand forged ring in gold with ruby

2006-01-23T20:43:00.000+01:00

This ring is made in 18ct (750) yellow gold, with a fine quality ruby cabochon. Clicking the image will take you directly to the rings page.

Men's basic Cha-cha t-shirt design.

2005-12-11T03:17:00.000+01:00

Today I added this design to the t-shirt shop. It is available in a wide variety of colours on t-shirts and sweatshirts. I have a "ladies" version also in the pipeline, so if you would be interested in seeing that just let me know (writing a comment here would be the best way).

Have your say!

2005-12-08T08:42:00.000+01:00

Anyone can now post comments on the site blog.
Don't spam with links like "make $10,000 dollars doing nothing" (which always means spend money you haven't got on this rubbish book etc), the "rel=nofollow" attribute is applied to all comment links, which means comment links have no effect on rank (it's a waste of your time).
Any spam will be removed before the blood fully returns to your fingertips etc, and anyway it's just a shitty thing to do.

I'll leave all non spam comments untouched.
If you are just wanting a link to you site then please read the section on exchanging links and then mail me using the relevant form.
I don't answer link exchange requests that are sent to any other email address.

So, if you have a comment regarding my work, any specific item, or the site in general, have your say.

Silver necklace of a girl standing on a chain.

2005-10-30T19:48:00.000+01:00

I like the way she holds on to the chain and moves about. Her legs pivot around a joint at the back, so she kind of moves her hips as one would when standing on a rope.

Girl on a swing necklace in silver

2005-10-27T13:02:00.000+02:00

Her head can move from side to side and her legs jiggle as she swings.

Show them how you feel! Good - Bad - Ok - or.... Ugly!

2005-10-21T12:07:00.000+02:00

This is a fun cartoon style brooch. Made in titanium, aluminium, silver and gold. The silver disc is held at the position it is placed by a spring but can be rotated to show how you "Feel". As always click the image to see more.

Necklace with silver discs

2005-10-17T22:53:00.000+02:00

Necklace with silver and coral beads

2005-10-17T22:48:00.000+02:00

Simple yet striking necklace with lustrous red coral bead.

Black lava necklace

2005-10-14T11:23:00.000+02:00

A necklace with black lava beads and silver details on rubber.

Items with video

2005-10-10T22:04:00.000+02:00

Below are links to all the items which currently have video.

Rings

	18ct gold ring with ruby
	Diamond ring in stainless steel, silver and gold.
	Oxidised stainless steel ring with silver elements.

Necklaces

silver necklace (girl on a swing)

Other items

Fun style contemporary "mood" brooch

Shinny, large round link silver necklace

2005-10-09T20:01:00.000+02:00

This long necklace is handmade large links, which are hammered to give a unique quality.

Silver and coral pendant

2005-10-09T19:52:00.000+02:00

Don't know why, but after I had finished this pendant it reminded me of Doctor Who's main adversaries the Darlicks. Click the image for more.

Large hammered link silver necklace

2005-10-09T19:49:00.000+02:00

This long silver necklace has regularly hammered links, which are also domed slightly, and given a brushed surface.

Ju-Ju nut necklace

2005-10-09T19:45:00.000+02:00

I loved this nut when I found it: has a real tactile quality. It is fixed with a silver fitting to the rubber thong, which has a knot at the end which fastens in a catch cut into the back of the nut.

Custom necklace lengths

2005-09-30T20:19:00.000+02:00

I have had a couple of questions regarding the lengths of some of the necklaces, i.e. could I make them a little longer or shorter etc?
The answer is that if you know what final length you need a necklace to be, then I would be happy to make any necklace up to fit.
Just make sure you have the details before placing your order and then let me know what length you need by jotting it down in the “optional note” during the checkout process.

welcome

2005-07-01T16:44:00.000+02:00

Well hello and welcome to the beggining of the Soldering-on blog. If you stumbled here at random then please do take a look at the rest of the site. If, on the other hand, you navigated all the way back here from some point in the future, then I would like to thank you for the time you spent looking, and hope you liked some of what you saw. I will be adding stuff to the blog on a regular basis (hopefully), so do pop back and check it all out. Hell you could even subscribe!

Robert.