Following the Yellow Brick Road

I spent much of January through March of this year learning to ally and work with 22k gold using ancient classical goldsmithing techniques.  I've combined this with modern techniques to create some of my prairie pieces in a buttery gold.

Classical goldsmithing techniques require alloying of 24k gold into 22k using traces of fine silver, cooper, and a lot of fire.

I ended up with 22k gold blobs that needed to be made into something useful to make my prairie pieces.  

With some hammering of the metal and working with some modern metalsmithing tools, I created some sheet and wire.

And, with a little sweat and Oz magic, I then have a pair of earrings with granulation.  Mix in a couple of rose-cut black diamonds and two moons textured with Kentucky bluegrass, I come up with a glimpse of the night prairie sky.  Bright like a starry night under the wide-open sky of the prairie.  I find myself back home.

Follow the rainbow over the stream
Follow the fellow who follows a dream
Follow, follow, follow, follow
Follow the yellow brick road...

My goal is to create quality pieces that preserve our prairie in precious metals to be enjoyed for generations and to point the heart toward home.