We finally did it - Wood Ring Project!

the raw wood before treatment

Two tone jewelry really looks wonderful

the wood natural grain enhance the beauty of the ring

All the while I think wood should be pair with metal to enhance its grain beauty as well as to make it more elegant. We were planning to make something out from wood only the matter of time. Finally there came this  lovely lady same "taste" as us who want to make the special wedding for her future husband.
I personally prefer Ebony wood but the colour is to dark for the customer.
So Chin went to source for different local hard wood and finally settle with "Chengal". This is a kind of wood with rich resin which means more "tahan lasak" to water. We did some treatment on the wood before going for setting. Chin broke 3 pieces of wood rings before succeed. To enhance the wood grain texture, we applied some wax on it. The wax will also act as a protector to the wood.

Source from Malaysian Timber Council www.mtc.com.my

Why Chengal hard wood ?

Chengal wood is one of the hardest wood found in Malaysia. It comes with densities of 800 to 1,120 kg per cubic metre at 15%, moisture content. It is naturally durable, containing substances which repel wood-destroying agents. It can safely be used without preservative treatment in all climates. Main uses are in heavy construction and flooring, railway sleepers, door and window frames.

On top of that, every piece of Chengal Wood Carving retain the value over the years, because  it is a piece of art work, not just a piece of wood.

simple wood ring sets with palladium silver

beautiful two tone colour design

The Most Expensive Souvenir

the sketch from customer using google sketch up and the final 3D art work  

the front view with hand writing font

This is a very special 21st birthday gift for a young lady. The designer is her handsome boyfriend with very thoughtful heart. 

80 x 30 x 2 mm is the dimension of the heart shape key. The base metal is brass with 999 gold and rhodium plating. Due to the dimension, the mould cost was high.  He emailed the sketch using google sketch up which he learnt when helping his girlfriend on some of her college projects. The draft was clear with precise measurements. The only thing unsure was the font and relief part. He decided to use his own hand writing for "JuYi" and "EK" alphabets. Two art works were presented before he agreed on the final 3D results. Today is her" BIG" day, so hope she likes this special gift (^L^)

"INGLOT" Unisex Bracelets - From Concept to Delivery In 7 days

back view

19cm length stainless steel ball chain

front view

Classical Two Tone Bracelets

Look like bullets, is it?

Pendants: Brass
Ball Chain: Stainless Steel

Did I say about the heart shape pendants is our last urgent project (deliver in 10 days)?  I am going to eat my words, in fact we enjoyed the "torture" of deadline. Taking challenge then enjoy the harvest from success or lessons from failure.

Meeting An Old Friend - A Gift With Heart

her basic concept design

the final approved art work

smooth couture of Chinese calligraphy - "heart"

sapphire blue cz with bezel setting

the sand blast like texture shine elegantly under the sun

 A two years back project worked with a very soft spoken pretty lady. She has this beautiful idea in mind, wanted to make the very unique wedding gift for her sister. I presented 4 for similar designs and ended with the most simple one - her very origin idea. We took about half-a-year to complete this assignment. The most challenging but interesting part was the ring finishing. CAD has it limit and the art work did not present whole of her idea of the finishing. So Chin, the pretty lady and me crowded in front of the jewelry bench to discuss about the finishing. We carefully stamp each holes, big and small, near and far, deep and shallow. The results did not show until a few trial attempts. The moment we manage to capture her image in mind, we rush out for the sun set. Cause wanted to see hows the ring shine under the natural light. And the shines like thousands of tiny little diamonds scattered around the "heart". The results was marvellous.
After two years, she brought back for retouching. I just can't stop admiring this master piece, the beautiful curvature of the "心", the diamond bling-bling effect and the antic-rustic finishing. Just like meeting an old friend (^,^)

Crazy Project - 700 Pieces of Brass Pendent Delivered In 10 Days!

the 1st art work presentation

the final product

Material: Based brass with silver plating
Necklace: 90cm length Stainless Steel 

 This mission impossible was completed in the month of early Sept, which is less then 3 weeks from design confirmation to final product. No doubt 3 weeks delivery is always our practise, but this time we are talking about 700 pieces of big and small pendants with necklace. In fact, from mold to casting then to the actual polishing was less then 10 days due to casting failure. Another challenge was the job has to be done with less then 2 and a half full time workers. All I can do was the CAD designing and the mold part, then the rest has to pass to Chin. He worked like zombie for 2 and a half week. The toughest part of the whole project was the 4 x 4 cm pendant finishing.The fishing task was 3 times of 2 x 2 cm one. If time was long enough, we will be able to produce a better results. Sign! So we decided to be firm next time, to make sure more time spear for the manufacturing process. One and a half month time, AT LEAST!

Touch By Passions

"Protections Shield"- a sensuous hammer texture pendant design by Caroline for her mother

"Ying Yang" -  masterpiece design by Caroline for her Tai Chi Master

"寿桃"-

Peach Pendant

classical design birthday gift by Irawati for her grandpa

Amoeba ring design by Irawati (set with CZ) 

Irawati very first piece of "Silhouette Butterfly" charm - finely crafted

"Moon Walking" - Fabiana very fist design 

 Those beautiful works are done by three of MC Square Studio students. All come with passion to gain knowledge for jewelry making. 

 Caroline - a physicist cum dancer who took 2 hours each forth and back trip just to attend the classes. ["Thanks" to KL traffics!!! :P] Jewelry making was her childhood dream and she manages to fulfil it at the age of early 30s. Since this is a right timing and opportunity,  nothing can stop her from making her dream come true.  During the whole learning process, she has to let go some techniques like soldering, due to her back injury. Chin and I were touch by her hard working attitude, she did a lots of practise on brass sawing before settling on silver plate. And the end results are stunning. (as per pictures) She dreams of these beautiful pieces. And managed to capture into her sketch book the middle of the many nights . And she truly believe that this pendants will help to protect her loved ones in a way, I think the same too. Cause those pendants were created out from her "sincere heart", and that can be feel from the people who received it.

 Irrawati - a charming young lady travel all the way from Indonesia just to learnt about jewelry making. She spent 8 days with us to learn about basic CAD (3 hours morning class) and silver smiting (3 hours afternoon class) - Intensively! She is a smart and fast learner. Chin named her - the most talented metal smiting students.  I still can remember that moment when she first did her sawing. I thought Chin was doing the sawing cause when listen to the sawing rhythm, it was continuously without pause and full of confident. No breaking of single saw plate.  And her first masterpiece - Silhouette Butterfly charms was splendid. She always complaints "This is hard" but in the end she still mange to did it well - I meant very well! The most gifted attitude she has is being a good listener. She listens, asked questions if got doubts and digest then executes well. I think these are the most important character of being a fast learner - passionate, hard working, humbler and a good listener.

 Fabiana - a housewife who taking care of 4 kids, 1 dog and two cats(?). I like to describe her as supermom. Besides, of being a driver, chef, house keeper and etc., her energy in jewelry making and designing never fade but double.  Her great passion of making her own jewelry designs is always there and her design ideas seems fall from the sky. She has all the character of being a professional jewelry designer. 

 Passions is a positive energy that can be feel by people around you. It is like a smile or laughter that make others happy too. To be passionate is the great instinct to do things right with all our might and heart. 

The More We Get Together

Left foot belongs to HIM and right belongs to HER

inspiration make new design infinite

Meet this lovely couple early this year, presenting very unique ring design - engraved with feet print. I love the concept and suggested them to scan and put their own foot print on instead. They loved the idea. 

The scanning process was easy until the computer touching process. I struggled a lot on deciding the foot print shape. (Decision is always the tough part of design, Always Does!) The ring structure and the finishing type (we call this jewelry make-up) was also an uncertainty. 

Finally I did a few concept designs during the art work presentation i.e. round and flat ring structure, normal and blacken foot print, and finally with or without stones. 

At the end, she made the final decision of flat ring structure, blacken foot print and CZ stones setting. The end result was beyond her expectation. She loves it! Me too! 

Apparently, this is a cute and unique pieces of wedding band. Looking into depth, it means no matter What, When, Who, Where and How, they are committed to "walk together".

Ring Making Workshop Shared By Bloggers

These two ladies shared some nice pictures and ring making steps in details.

http://peepintofashion.blogspot.com

http://laydeh.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/shiny-happy-bling/

When "g" meets "b"......

the very 1st concept of her design

chosen fonts

CZ is firmly hold by initial "g" and "b"

never though of triangle shape highlight gives such unique result

the initials is position in such a way that the flowery shape shown

She emailed me the sketch and the fonts and was very sure of the type of stone setting she requested for tension set. However the ring structure is too delicate to set a 4mm size CZ, then we amend a bit to have a loop to support the bottom of the stone and apparently it still visible as tension set from the top. Her basic idea is to make the letter 'g' and 'b' to design this way so from far the ring looks like a flower with sparkling stamen.

1st Ring Making Workshop

This jewellery work bench for 6 pax was completed in 2 days. Major parts were DIY. (We love recycling and reused, that's why you will see many familiar things in MC Square Studio appear/us in different form) Chin took 2 days to complete. This is the first time we handle 5 people in a group. The 3hrs workshop end up to 4hrs plus. Some steps have to be simplified so everybody can bring home their ring on time. 

Love Symbols In Bronze

Purposely blacken the bronze to create rustic gold finishing

This is a set of jewellery project assign by a student who is still studying in US. He plans to make a whole sets of custom made bag and jewellery as their anniversary gift as well as her graduation surprise. He contacted me with at least six 2D art works files and asking for quote. The first thing come into my mind is - Is this another competitor who is trying to spy on our price again? Feel sorry for him cause he did a few approaches until I decide to take his case seriously.  Finally he prove he is sincere by placing 50% down payment for the whole projects.

We meet at DBKL library and have some dimension discussions. Initially, we were not quite sure of the earring length.When he show me her picture, then I am sure she is fine with any length cause she has a perfect heart shape couture face feature.

This is Chin's first attempt on doing brass/bronze jewellery. (Previously, he did in silver then cast into brass/bronze) The biggest "GL" key chain with 3mm thickness, consume at least 3 of his saw plates. He have to replace two of his files before smoothing the rough edges. In short, brass/bronze is hard that cause high tooling cost. Another challenge of this project is to create the rustic gold colour effect. The original brass/bronze is like 18k yellow gold. Chin tried a few times to test on fire and solvent before getting similar rustic effect.

Matching 916 (22K) Gold Belly Ring

the existing sets of necklace and earrings

the matching belly ring

This project nearly fail to be deliver. Chin took a month went around Little India and KL to look for the exact design chain but couldn't find it until last minute. Thanks to the customer who are patient enough to wait for extra 3 weeks while we were sourcing for the chain. All the tears and sweat paid off when the customers are satisfy.
Chin and I want to share the joy when receiving such touching feedback:


"The bellyring you made for Mama is exquisite.  I will not be home until July to see it in person, but I have seen it on webcam.  It truly looks like it was manufactured right alongside the rest of the set by the same goldsmith.  I cannot thank you enough for it, and I cannot commend your skill enough either. You  have shown what an artist you are.  As I told you, we will be getting a series of portraits of her wearing that jewelry set with her bellybutton-keyhole evening gown.  When we post those portraits on facebook, we will be giving you full credit for that bellyring.  I strongly advise you put the pictures you sent us of the bellyring on your site as well, as it is a more involved job of goldsmithing than what you frequently do, and it will show off your talent to any potential customers.  I further suggest you post the pics of the necklace and earrings I sent you right alongside those bellyring pics as well so you can tell the world "See?  Look at the limited information this couple provided me,  and look at what I made for them just with that!  Imagine what I can make for you!"  We are very pleased with your work, and if ever I think up another gold item I'd like custom manufactured for her, you can rest assured you are who I will consider, and you are who we will recommend to all of our friends.
God bless,
Ken


Quote anything I said!  Include that I was very impressed with the extraordinary lengths you two went to to find the materials necessary to complete this job to make your customer happy, and please make sure to include how we felt the bellyring was such a match to the original set that if we hadn't comissioned you for this, we would not know two different artists had been involved in all 4 pieces.  I just hope whatever I've said can somehow increase the business you and Chin do.  Very glad to see a husband/wife couple working together.  Please give Chin my regards!

Take care,
 Ken

RM99 Ring Making Workshop Deal Extend to 50 more certificate.

beautiful CZ decorating your Twinkle Little Star Ring

After the deals sold out in http://www.dealmates.com.my/deals/June-MaterialiseCreativity-RM99 there were so many calls to enquiry about the class. So to make more people happy, we are going to run another round on Thursday (tomorrow) for limited 50 certificates. This is the maximum we can handle at this moment. Please remember to mark your calender and grab this opportunity on 9th June 2011.

RM99 Ring Making Workshop - Featured this morning and now left 9 seats.

dealmates.com 

This RM99 (86% discount of original price) Ring Making Workshop is going to end today. 9 seats left. Deal close at 100 seats. This is a great opportunity for people who want to try out on metal smiting. I think the price is low enough to break the barrier and bring the interested people to come over to experience the joy of making things by hand. So have you grab this awesome deal today?

Materialise Creativity Website Is Launched (^J^)

Go to: http://www.materialise-creativity.com

We are going more focus on courses. Basically we have two type of classes i.e. Fundamental Course and 1-Day Course.  These classes is design for whoever want to know about jewelry making and design. Please help us to improve by giving comments and suggestions. We truly appreciate your ideas and thoughts. Fun browsing! (^J^)

Starry Night

Little pillar supporting the diamond from the back

Material: Palladium Silver
Diamond: 3.75mm(0.16 ct)
Cert: AIGS

beautiful curves that hold the diamond

Painting: 

Vincent van Gogh. (Dutch, 1853-1890). 

The Starry Night Saint Rémy, June 1889 

This assignment was customer refers customer.

No doubt a challenging task due to:
. need to source a right size diamond which have to be within a budget plus must have a cert. (AIGS cert)
. communication was done via email cause customer (the artist) was overseas for a month
. left two weeks to complete the project (from the date of design and diamond confirmation)

When looking at the design, I keep thinking of Vincent Van Gogh's famous masterpiece : Starry Night. The big bright stars were capture in the magnificent swirling breeze. This remind me the great song from John Denver describing Van Gogh's story. (Only able to get song sang by Don McLean)

Celtic Knots Wedding Bands

CAD art works

lovely matching wedding bands

the rings even match the embroidery of her tops

the weaving knots

Material: Palladium Silver

My favorite Celtic wedding ring is the Celtic Knot. The rugged twists and turns of the Celtic knot symbolize the unending love that binds two people together in marriage, and are thought to symbolize the interconnectedness through life. 

In fact this is one of my favorite project. Ample of time to plan and execute, the rings were deliver half a year later. Thanks to this couple - both artists, have full trust in us. Never call until the last month and the timing was just right. 

I took about two weeks to plan (on and off) for CAD drafting. When seeing the knots go, feel just like playing a game. Knowing the restriction of the CNC machine, plus making sure the Celtic knot proportion is right, then have to calculate the total repeat pattern to be fit into their rings sizes. 

At first glance, I though the man ring is more difficult to do but most of the time, I was struggle with the lady's simple knot design. The man's ring was blacken underneath, which highlighted the complicated knots texture. 

Her wedding band is perfectly match to the engagement ring. (as you can see from the pictures) The rings picture was taken with her black fine embroiderer blouse and everything just came out right. Their stylemaah....