The redcatrun studio

Platinum

2010-01-20T16:39:00.006-05:00

Platinum 950 - one of the hardest and most enduring metals used in modern jewelry.

Platinum keeps its beauty and finish, is quite inert and hypoallergenic and has a gorgeous grey/white tone.

I carved the bevel edge design for this casting and it really suits the platinum extremely well.

The edges will stay defined and the shine will maintain.

A beautiful and timeless classic.

Art Deco I

2010-01-15T14:36:00.007-05:00

This ring was designed with my art deco influences in mind. The organic abstract shape is fluid and comfortable to wear. Coupled with a bright shine this gives the band an ultra smooth feel despite the high profile.

This ring was custom designed for a very special client in England.

Carved entirely by hand and cast in 18k rose gold.

Sterling Signet Ring

2009-11-10T07:07:00.011-05:00

A wider and narrower signet ring style in sterling silver. These rings look dramatic in the white metals and a white gold signet ring would be a great heirloom gift.

Polished to a bright shine, this ring can also be finished matte satin. These look fantastic as little finger rings, monogrammed or left blank.

Bevel Edge

2009-11-09T06:42:00.006-05:00

A new design for the redcatrun studio.

Developed with a lovely couple from Baltimore, this ring pair are cast in 14k white gold.

As with all my designs the rings are hand carved, no machinery involved.

The edges are bevelled and along with the sides, are polished to a bright shine. The top surface is matte which gives a subtle textural contrast.

These are a weighty pair of rings, substantial, solid and a great addition to my catalogue.

Thanks to my Baltimore couple for design development and giving me full permissions to offer these in the studio.

Asymmetric Silver

2009-11-07T19:47:00.005-05:00

A big hunk of silver, carved to an asymmetric, tapering, squared top ring. This is a bold statement ring which I am developing into a series.

This ring is polished up to a shine in this version, but would look just as dramatic finished in a matte satin conclusion.

Designed with a client in Alaska, it's a favourite of mine already.

Gold Signet Ring

2009-11-03T15:19:00.005-05:00

Signet ring in 10k yellow gold - polished and ready for a monogram.

I am working on some design elements to offer variety in shape and fit - squared, oval, round and rectangular.

Sterling Guitar Pick

2009-01-08T22:24:00.005-05:00

This guitar pick is hand cut from a sheet of recycled sterling silver, shaped smooth with the bastard, sanded smooth round the edges then finished matte.

Plays a gorgeous tone. This is a treasure for many of my musical friends.

I have been experimenting with some hand stamping. I purchased some just fantastic forged hand tools from Kirsten Skiles (etsy), and they are great to play around with. I have my mind wrapping around some art deco designs lately, so don't be surprised if some interpretation of the 1920's and '30s start to worm their way into my work.

Long Time

2009-01-06T19:56:00.003-05:00

It's time to apply CPR to the blog!
A new year seems as good a time as any to be thinking of taking this a bit more, not seriously, but maybe visiting more often!
I am designing new rings and just hope to get the time to spend in the studio to bring some of them to fruition!

Trois

2007-08-02T21:46:00.002-04:00

Trois, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

Three hand sculpted cuboid beads - two steriing flanking a single gold - suspended from a sterling silver snake chain.

Elegant to wear.
Fun to play with.
Crosses the gold/silver divide.

Square Rose Gold

2007-07-31T11:52:00.002-04:00

Square Rose Gold, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

I made this ring in a gorgeous 10kt rose gold which shimmers in the light.

It's burnished to a matte satin sheen and just wears with simple elegance on the ring or little finger.

It also looks pretty darned good paired with a sterling silver square to wear as twins!

Trunkt

2007-07-31T10:59:00.000-04:00

http://www.trunkt.org/redcatrun/

Trunkt is an art and design collective made up of talented painters, graphic designers, fashion accessories, apparel and home accents designers and other creative entrepreneurs that make a living from their artistic skills.

Their mission is to champion independent designers and small retailers to mainstream shoppers and to keep mass-market merchandise and big-box retailers from overwhelming the globe.

They pay for promotion and advertising to a wide audience of industry buyers, designers, galleries & boutiques, via a variety of monthly and seasonal print & online media, who trust Trunkt as a filter.

Think of the website as a virtual, always-on trunk show featuring amazing independent artists and designers. The members create LookBooks of their work to attract new customers. LookBooks are free but membership is juried and therefore quite selective.

They drive traffic to your website and etsy store for either direct purchase or wholesale propsals.

This is a great marketing platform which I am pleased to be a part of and I want to thank the staff of Trunkt for selecting me.

Promo Card

2007-07-28T16:03:00.002-04:00

Promo Card, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

So there is this cool tool at etsy whereby you can put together posters of a selection of your work.

This is my first pass at this; I have many more configurations up my sleeve that I need to play with to put together some more postcards, posters and brochures.

I have a feeling that the Toronto coffee shops and a few other venues are going to be seeing some of these around come September.

The marketing plan has been put in gear and is slowly pulling out of the driveway...

Wave

2007-07-24T15:18:00.002-04:00

Wave, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

My latest commission - a sinuous wave of silver standing tall on the finger. It's a little wider than the one in my shop, as the client requested, and it looks good for it, I think.

Big Bay Point

2007-07-24T15:14:00.001-04:00

Big Bay Point, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

When I need a break, we wander to the end of our street - to take in some fresh air and take a dip.
I do know how lucky we are, honest!

Raw Silver Rings

2007-07-24T14:59:00.002-04:00

Raw Silver Rings, originally uploaded by redcatrun.

A common sight in the RedCatRun Studio - silver rings in their raw state just after casting and being cut from the tree.
Next comes some time sawing off the sprue stump and then various grades of file from Bastard down to fine files. The silver is then taken down through the grades of sandpaper and finally through the buffs and brushes on the flexshaft.
Its a process that I love. Revealing the beauty in the silver and then deciding on the finish - matte burnish, satin or bright brush shine - is highly satisfying.
Just one reason I love working the metal.

Water Wheel

2007-07-07T21:39:00.002-04:00

This new design was inspired by a chinese bamboo water wheel in the movie "The Painted Veil"
The dynamic of the organic meeting the industrial function was a powerful one and my interpretation of this into my latest design has been pleasing.
Sometimes designs work - from concept to execution to finish and I have to say that I am thrilled with how this has turned out.

Available now in my etsy shop.

Studio Shots

2007-07-02T22:37:00.001-04:00

What a great weekend - studio time and a long weekend to boot.
Happy Canada Day!!!

CURE - Rings for Cancer Reseach

2007-06-04T23:22:00.000-04:00

Here at last is some of my recent work!

First and foremost, I am donating 25% of sale proceeds from each ring in my CURE range to cancer research.

This is just one of a range of sterling silver rings that have been hand stamped with the word CURE, hammered and then oxidised to a gorgeous dark patina, and finally filed back to reveal a leopard spotting finish. I have sealed them with beeswax to help preserve the patina.

Each ring is unique in finish, colour and width, so you will be assured that they are one of a kind. On top of that I had a heck of a good time making them!

I will be promoting these on Etsy, as well as locally, and I hope that you love them as much as I do.

Please visit my shop to view more of these wearable, stunning rings with a conscience.

More Studio ++

2007-06-02T16:11:00.000-04:00

So my dear husband is, as I type, working away in my studio. Bless him he is banging away building me a more stable work bench and incorporating my new shiney locking cabinet into the whole kit and caboodle.

Yay for him. Husbands rock! I know I do the odd spreadsheet for him, but it's so great to have him work away at these surprises for me.

I can't wait to find some time to get in there and make my new concepts.....

My next promise to myself is to actually make and put up on this blog some of the pieces I have been talking about recently. I have vowed not to talk about any more pieces before they are ready to show - I have talked enough - time for action!

Wild Life

2007-05-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

So I am out in my studio at the bottom of my property yesterday afternoon - it's a gorgeous day, sunny, 30 degrees (mid 80's for those south of the border!), wind in the trees, radio burbling away in the background, and I am happy at my bench creating some new rings and necklaces.....

I look up and there's a HUGE racoon coming into my studio - I leap about 4 feet in the air and scream, racoon takes off up the nearest tree (60 foot oak) and then all hell breaks loose!! He has disturbed some birds who are nesting, obviously he is threatening their young brood - they are dive bombing him and creating the loudest cacophony you can imagine... this goes on for about half and hour or more. I am feeling so guilty, its my fault the racoon is up there...

Later I hear more mayhem from across the yard - my cat Moby is having a field day with an injured young bird - of course this I can deal with - Moby is chased off and the wee bird recovers enough to fly off. Is this the same bird family traumatised earlier?

Can't wait to visit the peace of my studio again this afternoon...at one with nature..

Tagged!

2007-05-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged
(thanks reneedesigns!)
So seven facts about myself:

1. I have a neurotic cat with an electrical wire fixation named Moby (assoc. Dick, Starbuck, black coffee....black cat)
2. I love travelling to remote corners of far flung countries for extended periods of time
3. I have a serious chocolate habit
4. I have zero talent for languages (and have recently gone deaf in one ear - perhaps I really am meant to focus on the visual)
5. I have never been so happy since escaping the clutches of the corporate world. I do not miss cubicle life or middle managers in the slightest!
6. I adore HOT spicy Thai curries (followed by a small piece of the highest quality chocolate I can afford!)
7. (OK - two out of six facts encompass food, perhaps that says more than anything!) - I am writing a cookbook based on favourite family recipes of ancestors and relations, illustrated with their photos. (Make that 3 of 7.....)

I will now as per the "game" tag the following 3 talents:
simonewalsh, flickaalice, allthingslittleput

Leather & Gold

2007-05-15T11:26:00.000-04:00

My next project, beyond the simple organic rings which are my passion, will be some organic plain and tactile pendants linked with leather.

They will evoke the wild west and the earth and will be simply irresistible for those in love with ergonomic shapes.

Simple. Sexy. Soon!

Playing With Metal

2007-05-09T11:35:00.000-04:00

So my latest love is palladium white gold! - when burnished to a matt satin finish its just glows and vibrates a gorgeous gun metal grey.

Some history of white gold
White gold has always been popular as a platinum alternative. It was traditionally alloyed with nickle, but this brought along with it some unwanted cousins: irritating allergy risks and a brittleness that was difficult to work with.
There is also the issue of plating with rhodium to improve the colour.

So, a gold alloy was developed using palladium, which is a great gold whitener. It's non-allergenic, it does not need plating, and as I mentioned already, the colour is epic!
It is not inherently brittle, and it works great with the drill.

I will be posting a cross in my store made of this most delicious of metals; check by the end of the week!

Jewelry on Etsy Team

2007-05-09T10:20:00.000-04:00

I have just joined with a wonderful team of fellow jewelry artists at etsy under the team name JET.

We plan on participating in cross promotional and cooperative activities as well as providing a great way to find some eclectic and talented artists.

Weddings

2007-03-24T15:30:00.000-04:00

I seem to be making more and more wedding rings at the moment.

Maybe it is that whiff of Spring Time in the air....the snow melts and we think of better, warmer times ahead! Or maybe we are heading into the season of the nuptial....either way I am honoured and priveliged to be a part of the occasion. To think that the ring I create with care will be a significant part of someone's life and love for ever is a terrifically inspiring thought.

New Designs

2007-03-19T13:38:00.000-04:00

Its snowing outside again, so I am working on some new designs for my etsy shop.

Some I am carving and shaping by hand from wax, and some I have already cast into silver. My next step will be to clean these up in my studio, using my files, and progressive grades of sand paper, and my trusty dremel.

I am currently taking my inspiration from an industrial slant; mechanisms, machine parts and clean lines. Conversely I also look to the past, particularly the bronze age and the byzantium era. The juxtaposition of these two thought lines gives me some variety and interest, and an eclectic range.

Carve On.

The redcatrun studio is open!

2007-03-15T16:13:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my showcase blog for the redcatrun studio

I work mainly in silver and gold, creating original jewelry designs and taking inspiration from the woods and lake surrounding the studio.

I will be discussing the creative process, showing the steps in pictures and how I arrive at a finished piece.

Inspiration is the eco-friendly fuel of the artistic mind! I'll throw mine up here on my blog, leave it there to marinade and see what becomes of it!!!

Please feel welcome to browse through my Etsy shop at http://redcatrun.etsy.com