Totzeret Bait

This piece was made for Ran Damari, the composer of the band Totzeret Bait in Israel. Ran wrote and played the song you hear on my website http://www.silverartstudio.com/. It is a picture of his sister who has been a continuous inspiration to him. I sent a drawing to Stamp of Excellence asking them to make a stamp for me that could be used in metal clay. Patina was applied after firing to bring out the details. The ability to incorporate personal photos into your artwork makes each piece of jewelry you create more personal and lasting.

Bleeding Hearts

"Bleeding Hearts"
Bleeding hearts are delicate
As they hang on the vine.
Tiny hearts, just so fragile
Each and every kind.
Little baby hearts are
Similar in many ways
But when there’s one that’s damaged
It will bleed and hurt all day.
Every little broken heart
Has a message and a song
Bless the baby’s broken-heart
Trying to be strong.

© by Colleen Lee and Jen Lowe

Cameo

Working with silver paper can be great fun. This cameo was my first experience using silver paper. By cutting strips or squares you can achieve effects similar to those found in paper quilling. Tips: Since silver paper disintegrates with moisture you want to use the smallest amount of paste needed to attach the open ends. Once you have applied paste to silver paper, set it onto the firebrick to dry and do not handle it again. I found that if I fire my my quilled pieces seperately from the piece that I'm attaching it to I have better luck. I torch fire the quilled pieces on fire brick. Hold the torch back as you begin heating your pieces and slowly lower it closer to the pieces as they heat. Too much heat too fast causes the quilled pieces to spring open. I then attach the quilled pieces with oil paste and refire the entire piece when everything is in place. This also allows you to get a better finish on the background piece than you would if you attached the quilled pieces before firing.

I'll Remember

I’ll remember

I remember the day when they said that they knew,
That you would be born with something askew.
Your heart was not right and everyone knew
Any days we had would be precious and few.
I cried for awhile and then wiped my eyes
With great grandmas hanky I was saving with pride.
A miracle happened when you suddenly arrived
Beating all odds, you fought to survive.
Your cheeks are so rosy that no one would know
How sick you still are as you run and grow
Every day that you’re with us is wonderful indeed
As you surpass all odds and grow like a weed.
My love grows stronger and my faith remains true
How much time is left we wish we knew.
As each year passes, know in your heart
I’ll remember you as I design each and every “broken-heart”

© by Colleen Lee 2007