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Hello, my name is Ben. Welcome to my gallery. I am currently enrolled in the Tyler School of Art BFA program and will get my specialization in jewelry and CAD-CAM by 2010. I know there isn't much to show in this gallery as of yet but I will continue to add to it throughout this summer and the next few years. I run a very small business that I call Fallen Sun Jewelry, and I'm usually out in Allentown, PA in May at the Parkland Festival of the Arts, contact me and let me know if you wish to buy.
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College Metals Class, first project that our class had to do. The Assignment: incorporate chain into a piece. I don't think I'll ever want to saw another piece of titanium in my life!
It all fits neatly into the palm of my hand.
Metals:
-Bronze Sheet
-Sterling Silver sheet & wire
-Fine Silver wire
-Copper Wire
-14k Gold Filled wire
-Titanium Wire
Stones:
-Completely Pyritized Ammonite (Colorado)
-3 6mm Tiger's Eyes
-2 8mm Moss Agates
-2 Quartz Laser Points
-6mm Blue CZ
(4 images, 2 comments)
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I got this beautiful malachite point at a store near where I was attending night school for bartending. It was just too good looking to pass up.
-Sterling Silver Sheet & Wire
-Brass Sheet
-Fine Silver Wire
-14k Gold Filled Wire
-Copper Tubing
-93mm Malachite Point
-3 small Quarts Laser Points
-12mm x 16mm Rectangular Cut Tiger's Eye
-5mm Lapis Lazuli Cabochon (Brazil)
-5mm Amethyst Cabochon
-12mm x 16mm Oval Snowflake Obsidian Cab
-Unknown Iridescent Irregular Cab
(9 images)
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This is the final finished piece that came from the wax model. Anatomically correct with the concept being something like a suit of armor or a car engine. I antiqued the leather a bit so that it would have a klnd of ancient feel to it. It gets attached to clothing via magnets & is worn in the center of the chest. This piece will continue to evolve a little bit more in the next month or so, into a neck piece I think. The pewter side is the side of the heart where deoxygenated blood pumps into from the body, and the brass side is where oxygenated blood pumps out of & back into the body.
Materials:
-Cast Bronze
-Pewter Sheet
-Brass Sheet
-Brown Suede Leather
-Brass Hex Bolts
-Rare Earth Magnets
(4 images)
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This is an in progress shot of what I'm currently working on. This is another college project and I decided to go anatomica with this one. As of now this is just a wax model of what it will be. The wax and acrylic tubing will become cast bronze via the lost wax method at the end of this week. The spaces and gaps in the model will be covered by brown leather and rimmed in pewter and brass which will be screwed down over the top of the leather. This particular object is immense and will have to be sectioned into 3 or 4 parts so that it can be cast. It will attach to clothing with rare earth magnets that will be set inside the brooch before the leather & plates are screwed down.
Media:
-Pink Sheet Wax
-Blue Wax Wire
-Acrylic Tubing
Projected Media:
-Cast Bronze
-Pewter Sheet
-Brass Sheet
-Brass Hobby Nuts & Bolts
-Rare Earth Magnets
(3 images)
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My first blacksmithing attempt.
When I was in Scotland for the month of June I had the privilege of working with John Creed, a prominent silversmith and blacksmith in the UK. So I made a knife that ended up looking very Albert Paley-ish.
Not bad for an afternoon's worth of work.
Materials:
-Mild Steel
(2 images)
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I am an die hard Alien fan and I look at a lot of HR Giger's work for inspiration. I was watching Alien 3 one day and looking at the cover for the movie and decided that the infant Alien creature - or "Chestburster" - would make a perfect ring. So I created this piece as a tribute to HR Giger and got in contact with his agent Les Barany and got the go ahead to produce this piece.
This piece is an extremely limited production as there are only 4 of them in existence, one for HR Giger himself, one for his wife Carmen Giger, one for Les Barany, and one for myself. Giger & Carmen's rings were presented to them in June on the 30th anniversary of the HR Giger Museum in Switzerland.
Each ring bears my name, trademark, "STERLING", a copyright, an edition number, and the year 2008 inscribed on the inside of the shank, and a corresponding certificate of authenticity.
There will be no more of these produced.
Carmen is currently wearing hers.
(9 images)
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Something wearable for myself. Contrasting finishes and a tube set stone.
-Sterling Silver Sheet & Wire
-Copper Tubing
-6mm Blue CZ
(6 images)
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"It slices, it dices, it makes Julian Fries! This very small steam driven* device will store any piece of information that you so choose to etherealize."
Did I mention how much I love the Steampunk movement?
Materials:
-C... tubing
-Brass sheet & tubing
-Bronze wire
-Silicone
-Leather
... USB drive guts.
Will build on commission, $55.00 for one, allow a week for manufacture; can do customized designs as well.
*no actual steam involved.
(7 images)
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Another CAD ring for you, This time I got my inspiration from a flywheel. A true flywheel is a massive wheel of heavy material that takes a lot of effort to keep going, but once it is in motion it is hard to stop. That's what was going through my mind when I did this one because I liked working on it so much that I had trouble stopping.
Rendered here at a size 10 in 14K yellow gold with diamonds.
Price Pending weight analysis.
(2 images)
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FOR SALE
More CAD work. This is a series that I'm currently working on that will be printed out in ABS Plastic. These are actuals at the moment, The tangibles (in ABS) would be just plain white.
Gun Creature II is for sale in ABS Plastic form. It's about 4 inches long by 1-1/2 inches wide by about 1 inch at the tallest. I can convert these to necklaces or pins or whatever you desire, and possibly do some post processing to accommodate stone settings, etc.
Base price in ABS is $110 for one, $200 for two.
*Please note, turn around time may be a bit long because I need at least 2 orders for my Rapid Prototyping firm to fill an order.
Materials:
-Rhino 4
-Flamingo 1.1
-ABS Plastic
(2 images)
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Metalsmithing midterm project and the first thing that I've ever raised. Took about 6 weeks to raise the top form from a flat bronze disc. One of my friends referred to it as "The Blood of Mine Enemies" chalice. Majestic and standing at about 12-1/2 inches tall.
Materials:
-Bronze sheet
-Nickel Silver sheet
-Deer Antler
-Leather
(3 images)
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I needed a new pair of sunglasses and i decided that I didn't want to pay $175 to Oakley for them. So I made my own pair of custom drill mount sunglasses for a fraction of the cost. And the best part is that they can be used for safety goggles and the lenses are cheap to cut and replace.
-Brass Sheet & Hardware
-Sterling Silver Sheet
-Nickel Silver Wire
-Stainless Steel Machine Screws
-Lexan Polycarbonate Sheet
-20% VLT Limo Tinting
(4 images)
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A pendant I made as a gift to my sister for her High School Graduation. It started off very simple but due to the fact that I don't have a tumbler to polish all the very tight spaces in my work, it got complex in a quick fashion. The chain attaches just behind the topmost point of the piece. This is the first Tube Setting that I've done.
-Sterling Silver Wire, Sheet, and Tubing
-14k Gold Filled Wire
-Brass Sheet
-6mm Blue CZ
-2 6mm Green CZs
-6mm Synthetic Tourmaline
-6mm Smokey Quartz
(8 images)
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I had a watch movement (watch guts)similar to a Rolex Perpetual Calendar lying around my studio. I'm trying to design a piece around it at the moment but before I really got into it I wanted to know how hard it was gonna be to make a mount for it. This is trickier than it looks as this movement is a little on the fragile side, and I wanted the mount to allow for the kinetics of the movement to still function. It turned out to be surprisingly quick to do, but as this was just a test, I wanted to figure out how to do it right the first time without paying much attention to the overall aesthetics of the piece. The mount may be a quick & crude one but it holds this heavy movement in place rock solid! this mount will probably be discarded once I finish the preliminary sketches for the piece that I'll be using this movement in.
Materials:
-Sterling Silver wire
-22 Jewel Mechanical Automatic watch movement.
(3 images)
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This is the second knife that I've made and this project fought me tooth and nail the whole time. I would call this project as more of a "concept model" or a sketch rather than a finished piece. There were some nice things about it but there were also some things that need to be addressed if I decide to make another knife in the future.
The textural elements on the blade, which were a happy accident, happened when I allowed the blade to go past the necessary point that it needed to go. The steel actually began to boil on the surface.
The down side to this blade is that I did not clay coat the areas that needed to stay soft this time so the whole blade has a hardness of about 60-63RC along the edge and something like a 54 on the spine and the tip of the blade only. This means that the tang stayed as hard as the edge and made it impossible to drill through. I destroyed a lot of titanium nitride bits on this piece of metal.
-4-5/8" blade
-11-7/8" overall
-Full tang design
Materials:
-Steel (started as a file)
-Nickel Silver sheet liners
-Brass sheet bolsters
-Red Oak scales
-Oak dowel pins
(1 image)
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Another CAD project for you. This is kinda like the Gun Creature Series of work that I did not too terribly long ago. The difference is that this new creature has a new skull geometry and a longer tapered body (11 vertebrae instead of 7).
This project is an actual in its current state, rendered to look like sterling silver cast from a Solidscape model. These little guys can be printed to order should you decide that you want one. They can be anything: Brooches, Hat Pins, Pendants, Keychains, and even Rings if you wish. In its straight variant, it measures about 4-1/2" long x 1-1/2" wide x 1" tall.
FOR SALE!!! Call (610) 295-7437 for pricing.
Materials:
-Rhino 4.0
-Flamingo 1.1
Materials in Tangible Parts:
-Sterling Silver cast from a Solidscape Wax Model.
(2 images)
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Got a few here. I know that this isn't metalworking specifically but it does involve metallics. And Natty suggested that I post these up.
Trying to make use of the canvases that I stretched in my freshman year of college. Never thought that I'd paint anything ever but this is kinda fun. I apologize for the image quality being slightly off as these paintings use a lot of bright metallic elements in them.
Untitled: This was the first one that I started on, partly because it was already gessoed black and ready to go. Trying to just play with the media. 15-1/4" x 9-1/2"; FOR SALE: $175
Mechanical Tear: I'm trying to explore the CAD element with the paintings as well. This is a perfect way to do this as all the stencils I used to create this were drawn out in my CAD program to get it perfect. Basically just involves blowing up a skeleton watch movement by freehanding it to size in Rhino and then printing out the schematics and using them for stencils. 12-3/8" x 12-3/8"; FOR SALE:
(2 images)
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This was just something that I did to see if I still had the gift when it comes to CAD as I haven't really used CAD for jewelry in a while. By quick I mean that it took me about 3 hours to create and half an hour to render.
This ring does not exist in its physical form as of yet. It is in Actual form and ready to be printed, cast and the stones acquired and set whenever anyone requests.
Shown here rendered as a size 7 (but can be made any size) in 14 K brushed white gold and 14 K polished yellow gold with a Diamond, 2 Smokey Quartz's, and 2 smaller Emeralds.
For sale on request, $2500.
(1 image)
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First Wallhanging piece that I've ever done. Measures 15 inches x 42 inches will eventually be turned into a sconce once I get the money for side glow fiber optics.
Materials:
-Mild Steel Sheet
-Copper Tubing
-Aluminum Sheet & Rivets
(1 image)
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I got a rough idea in my head so I put it down on paper... and turned it into this piece! I decided to only slightly buff the sheet in it because I liked the antique look that it gave. I used HR Giger as an influence as seen in the "hoses" as well as my own mechanical geometric style of creation. This piece is as of this moment finished, however the straight on back view is pretty ugly and I'm considering creating a brass backing for it which will mimic the quartz laser point in the center.
-Sterling Silver sheet and wire
-Brass sheet
-14k Gold Filled wire
-5mm White Spinnel
-6mm Green CZ
-6mm Yellow CZ
-6mm Peridot
-6mm Synthetic Tourmaline
-6mm Smokey Quartz
-Quartz Laser Point (Utah)
(4 images)
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I do CAD work on the side as well. I know it's not exactly metal work, and that it's heresy, but I'm actually starting to enjoy it more and more as the year keeps progressing. This particular project is a 2 part bracelet with movable components. The 2 spines come around to lock the piece in place around your wrist. All the components will be held to the wrist by rare earth magnets.
These images are what are known as "Actuals" which are renderings of the actual model. This particular actual will be printed on a ZCorp plaster printer and will then be strengthened with epoxy or cyanoacrylate. This process lends itself to some extremely interesting jewelry applications in that there are some things that can be done more precise and easier than can normally be done at the bench.
I'll have the tangible piece up as soon as it gets done building.
Materials:
-C... -Rhino 4.0
-Flamingo 1.1
-Photoshop
-Materializatio... -ZPlaster
-Epoxy
(1 image)
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This is another super cool CAD piece that I've done recently. The assignment that I got was to create a kinetic piece that incorporated seven movable components. This piece has eight movable parts including two tracks.
To operate it, you simply place this object flat in the palm of your hand and then place a fingertip from your opposite hand in the center hole of one of the three eye-like ends of the large arms, then rotate the piece. The central hubcap object stays stationary while the rest of the piece moves. The three arms move as one and the three disc-like objects move with them. The three balls in the middles of the three discs catch the underside of the stationary piece and rotate vertically as they go around. This piece will give you hours of enjoyment especially if you have ADD or a short attention span [like me =)].
FOR SALE!!!
-$70 for a plain white model
-$100 for a Silver or Copper Patina paintjob
*All models will be printed on a ZCorporation Plaster Printer and
(2 images)
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If you think that I haven't posted a piece up in a while, you'd be right! Here's why!
This is a watch that I've executed to look like an artifact from the steam age (mid 1800s to the early 1900s). It comes from the era where aesthetics were just as important as overall functionality.
This piece was drawn in CAD and then executed by hand with extreme attention to detail right down to the teeth on the gears. This is definitely a tribute to the tradesman and artisans of old!
The watch keeps perfect time too!
Materials:
-Brass sheet & screws
-Copper sheet & tubing
-Nickel Silver sheet
-Titanium wire
-Brass pin
-Gold plated 19 jewel wind up Watch Movement
-Acrylic and Mineral Glass watch crystals
-Brass Crown with Inset Black Stone
(7 images)
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This was a project that I finished last semester but didn't get a chance to document it until now. I have a new respect for the people that make these style of knives & swords because the process is very long, grueling, and must be done completely by hand. There is no machine in the world that can form the blade into the complex cutting device that it is. This project took a week of research on traditional japanese blades, and 3 weeks of non stop work. Ten of those days were spent grinding the blade geometry on an oil stone. Every single part of this knife was made by me from scratch.
The blade itself started out as a file because I didn't have a month to forge it out of the traditional tamahagane steel, but it was taken through the same exact process that you would take a normal blade through after the forging process was complete. After the normalization process the back 2/3 of it was coated in a special clay mixture. It was then heated to critical point (~1500°F) and then plunged into a bucket of water. This is called differential hardening which is how you get these things to sweep upwards in an elegant curve, and gives you a hard, razor sharp edge and a softer shock absorbing spine. It was then tempered in an oil bath.
This thing was a definite endurance trial and I would love to do another! So contact me if you want one of these done custom for you to your specifications. Base price starts at $275.00
Specs:
-Blade... long with a 4.5" tang and around a .25" sori (curvature); between 1/8" & 5/32" thick. Barely visible Hamon line. Visible Kissaki (tip differentiation). Nihon-to blade geometry configuration. Convex Moran Edge. Laminated copper/bronze (high phosphorus content) Habaki. The tang is signed with my trademark.
-Koshirae:
S... red oak construction hilt. Bronze Tsuba with fine silver implants. Bronze Fuchi & Kashira. Sterling silver Menukis with titanium implants & cast in place red CZs. Faux black rayskin scales underneath synthetic black ito (wrap). Brass Seppas. Red oak mekugi.
-Saya:
Solid red oak construction. Black lacquered selectively sanded for aesthetic purposes. Oak Kurikata. Synthetic black sageo.
The stand that the knife is resting on is red oak with black felt in the cradles.
(8 images)
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This little beauty evolved out of copper pipe connectors. The security guy at Home Depot thought it was some kind of bomb detonator because of the balance wheel's constant movement. CAD drawn parts and designed on the fly, this piece is simple and elegant. It is very easy to disassemble in the event of the movement needing maintenance.
I will definitely be making more of these!!
$150 if you wish to acquire one.
Materials:
-Copper pipe fittings & copper sheet
-Brass sheet & nuts
-Nickel silver sheet
-Stainless Steel Screws
-Chrome chain
-Gold plated 19j wind up watch movement
-Mineral glass crystal
(4 images)
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I decided to take my work to the next level. Put a Pin Backing on it for the buyer.
Sterling Silver, 14k Gold Filled, 5mm Citrine, Teardrop Garnet
(2 images)
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This is a custom commission that my dad propositioned me with back in September 2008. He gave me these 3 rhodochrosites when he got back from Argentina that time and said that he wanted me to make something for my mother with them. This idea for it popped into my head over months of deliberation on trying to come up with the best way to do this. My mother is crazy about orchids, rhodochrosite, and gold so I decided to take all 3 and run with it. The orchid was CAD drawn (for perfection), built and finished by my hand, and then sealed to keep it from ever changing color again and to keep that awesome texture that it picked up.
This was also the first time that I was able to work with gold!
First finished project of 2009; SOLD!
Materials:
-10K Gold wire
-Fine Silver wire
-Sterling Silver sheet & wire
-Copper Sheet & Wire
-3 Rhodochrosite cabs (Argentina)
(5 images)
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As tribute to Heikki Seppa, who worked at our school for a while and developed the monoshell form, all students of the metals program must create a spiculum and incorporate it into a project.
Instead of doing just one, I chose to do three. They are joined together to make a massive brooch. The center spiculum has been given a blue patina using the ammonia/salt technique.
Materials:
-... sheet
-Brass tubing
-Stainless Steel wire
(3 images)
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Just a simple band ring that I made using trick solders and interesting textures. The copper and the piece with holes rest on a sterling silver bridge that I constructed to gap the shank. Size 12¼
-Sterling Silver sheet, wire, & tubing
-Copper Tubing
-Nickel-Silver wire
(5 images)
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Just an easy day project for the hell of it.
I got tired of looking at my plain old brass pipe zippo. Even though it has a different mantle in the fact that it is a pipe lighter and has to be tilted sideways to light, it still wasn't different enough for my tastes so I put two almost identical red tiger's eyes on either side. And then to top it off, I threw a wire brush wheel on my buffer and gave it an interesting brush texture that I might have to explore with my next pieces.
Materials:
-Brass Zippo Pipe Lighter
-20ga Sterling silver sheet
-2 x 15mm Red Tiger's Eyes (Chemically Dyed)
(5 images)
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Objects that carry one across the full spectrum of thought...
Benjamin Dickey
7760 B Penrose Ave
Elkins Park PA 19027 US
Phone: (610) 295-7437
http://www.jewelryartists.org/BFDesigns
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