I would like to thank the McKnight Foundation for the funds awarded to me to complete my “Storyjewlz” collection! Stay tuned for updates and postings of future works in progress. The collection will be featured at the Lanesboro Art Center in Lanesboro, MN April 2013. 
This activity is made possible in cooperation with the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc. through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature and the McKnight Foundation.
Birth Of The Moon-Ring
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- Onyx and Opal sterling silver ring.
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- Onyx and Opal sterling silver ring.
Last year I introduced the “Birth Of The Moon Pendant” which is part of my Storyjewlz collection. Each piece in this collection is designed around a short story I’ve written. I am happy to present the “Birth Of The Moon Ring” to accompany the original pendant. You will find the story to this work below.
Birth Of The Moon
The ocean silt swirled softly in the salt water. The seabed cracked and rocks turned in an earthquake unknown to the crests of the waves above. The earth pushed forth its birthing to the surface. A white and pitted stone rose through the water, above the waves and lifted to the night sky. A moon was born to stand in the sky inspiring the wild eyes of nighttime lovers and thieves of hearts.
This sterling silver ring features a high dome round 11mm onyx with a 4mm inlaid opal.
Size 7.5 (Each ring can be sized or custom made in your finger size.)
Cost : $550.00
Michael Seiler-North House Folk School Class
Found Beach Stone Keepsake Pendant
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I had a great class at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota this past weekend. The students worked with found stones they collected from the North Shore. By cutting and grinding the rough stones into polished gems they set their collected treasures into sterling silver pendants. Each student hand fabricated a pendant in sterling silver using a variety of metalsmithing techniques. With fire, hammers, saws and a few tips they each created a wonderful keepsake. Great job to all my students!
Check out the class description and new upcoming classes at the North House Folk School.
Click here to sign up for upcoming classes.
Ever wonder what to do with those special rocks and beach glass you find on the shores of Superior? In this jewelry class we will create a sterling silver keepsake pendant that will hold a stone or object of personal significance to the wearer. You will learn the basics of metalsmithing including soldering and fabricating as well as lapidary instruction. Michael has been making found stone jewelry for over 16 years and is always surprised at the amazing pieces each student creates. Bring your creativity, a memorable keepsake and your happy hands! All the tools will be provided to create your stone masterpiece. Extra sterling silver will be available for purchase at the time of the class.
New! Sat, May 19, 2012 – Sun, May 20, 2012
(Early bird tuition deadline: 04/07/12)
New! Fri, Jun 29, 2012 – Sat, Jun 30, 2012
(Early bird tuition deadline: 05/18/12)
New! Sat, Aug 04, 2012 – Sun, Aug 05, 2012
(Early bird tuition deadline: 06/23/12)
http://www.northhouse.org/courses/courses/course.cfm/cid/411
Escape Of The Purple Martin
Escape Of The Purple Martin
At a window, a Purple Martin sang imprisoned in a cage. She had been caught and sold to an old man whose sight was slipping away. She longed to stretch her wings above the countryside that rolled out before her window. A mighty ant crawled by one day with a purple stone and the martin promised to teach the ant to fly if it would open the cage and set her free. The ant agreed, and leaving the stone in the cage in place of the Martin they flew away. It is not known what the old man thought when he realized his bird had turned to stone.
Golden citrine earrings
This pair of earrings spotlights two golden citrines. Smaller citrines and rubies drop down from the top of the earrings and hover over white and yellow bead set diamonds in 14k leaves.
Super sweet bling!
Dragonfly Protector Of Truth
Dragonfly Protector Of Truth
Dragonfly Protector Of Truth
Across the pond, a stout and proud dragonfly listened to the liar telling tales of huge fish, far away places, stories of women he had never met and wealth he had not earned, offering misinformation aimed to impress local fishermen. The dragonfly’s wings lifted him into the air bringing him closer to the man. Passionately he waited for the man to tire. At last the man lay down in the tall grass, feeling good about his impressive and false tales. Sleep washed over the man and the dragonfly glided in to quiet his lying tongue. The man awoke with a perfect stitch of silk over his lips, quieting his lies, if only for a while.
Opal inlay rings
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- Blue Lapis and Australian opal
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- Blue Lapis and Australian opal
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- Dinosaur bone and Australian opal
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- Dinosaur bone and Australian opal
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- Painted valley jasper and Australian opal
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- Painted valley jasper and Australian opal
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- Leopard skin jasper and Australian opal
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- Leopard skin jasper and Australian opal
Here are a few interesting inlay rings that I have been working on. I am using Australian opal to inlay into a variety of different gemstones including lapis, jaspers and dinosaur bone. After the inlay work has been completed I bezel set the stones into a sterling silver ring with a heavy shank for a longer wear life. Each ring runs between $325.00-$350.00
Peridot Yellow Sapphire Ring
This is a 7×5 mm oval peridot and a 3mm round yellow sapphire set in a custom sterling silver ring mounting. I came up with this design after taking an early morning walk this past summer. The sun was peeking over the rolling hills of Lanesboro, Minnesota and the light was illuminating the green leaves of the trees. A sliver of the moon still hung in the sky as the sun started to wake from its slumber. It was one of those moments in time that would only last for a few minutes and then disappear.
I chose the green peridot to represent the leaves of the trees and the yellow sapphire to represent the morning sun. In the center of the ring I added the sliver of the moon. The bottom of the ring has a wide jetting bottom to express the rolling hill that created a beautiful and sublime backdrop for an early morning celestial event.
This ring is $750.00
Working honeybees
Working honeybees
With my hands deep inside the violent hive it occurred to me most of the things I love come with a certain amount of angry buzzing and poisonous stingers. But a sweet and sticky reward will make most people do almost anything. Give me the pain of the journey so I may truly enjoy reaching my destination.
This is the fifth installment to Storyjewlz. Each week I will publish a new piece of jewelry with a story so stay tuned.
Birds and the bees and the cannon ball.
Birds and the bees and the cannon ball.
Wars past had left a cannon ball glistening in the sun. The raven’s eyes caught his own reflection in the cannon ball and he was taken with his prize. He was not alone. A bee buzzed around the large black sphere. She too was taken by her reflection. Neither one knew that their new obsession was capable of destroying them both.
This is the forth installment to Storyjewlz. Each week I will publish a new piece of jewelry with a story so stay tuned. This pendant is made of sterling silver and a black onyx 8mm bead.