Bada bing

 I'm back to clean house.

Born and Made in Los Angeles. 

From the extraction of soil,

To global marketplace and toil,

I deal with packages and keys,

Known by a streetname with ease.

Every level of the game,

My trade brings fortune and fame,

Sourcing, producing, selling,

In many countries, my tale telling.

In my lab, scales and bags,

"Specialized" equipment, no hags,

Unique products well known,

On the streets, their fame grown.

International clients seek,

Discreet packages, no leak,

All goods stamped with purity,

Exactness and security.

But I am not free from strife,

An outcast since the day of life,

I pray every day to Lord God,

For direction, victory, and nod.

For deliverance from the evil one,

My lifestyle, hard work never done,

I deal with packages and keys,

A billion-dollar industry with ease.

Good and evil

Two affirms that there is another; while One affirms that there is not another.

Wax carving - skull ring

Wax carving is a popular technique for creating custom jewelry pieces, including rings. Here are the materials and steps to wax carve a ring:

- Jewelry wax

- Carving tools

- Ring sizer

- Heat source (e.g. heat lamp, candle)

Choose the type of wax you want to use. Jewelry wax comes in different colors, textures, and densities. You can choose a type of wax based on your design preferences and the tools you plan to use.

Determine the size of the ring you want to create. You can use a ring sizer to measure the size of the ring finger, or use an existing ring as a reference.

Heat the wax to soften it. You can use a heat lamp or candle to melt the wax slightly, making it easier to carve. Make sure not to overheat the wax, as this can cause it to melt too much.

Start carving the wax using your tools. You can use different types of carving tools, such as a carving knife, a V-shaped tool, or a round-tipped tool. Be gentle and take your time as you carve the wax, shaping it into the desired form.

Refine the details of the wax carving. Once you have the basic shape of the ring, you can add more intricate details to it. Use smaller carving tools to create finer details, such as lines or textures.

Check the fit of the ring on your finger. Once you have finished carving the wax, check the size of the ring and make any necessary adjustments. You can use a ring sizer to ensure that the ring fits comfortably on the finger.

Polish the wax ring. Use a polishing cloth to gently polish the surface of the wax ring, giving it a smooth finish.

Cast the wax ring into metal. Once you are satisfied with the design of the wax ring, you can send it to a professional jeweler to have it cast into metal. The jeweler will use the wax mold to create a metal casting of the ring, which can then be polished and finished as desired.

Some Tips:

- Work in a well-lit area to ensure that you can see the details of the wax carving.

- Use a variety of carving tools to create different textures and shapes in the wax.

- Take your time and work slowly to avoid making mistakes.

- Always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection, when working with wax and carving tools.

- Wax carving is a skill that takes practice to master, but with time and patience, you can create beautiful and unique jewelry pieces, including rings.

Various skull rings

Various skull rings. 

Titan Black Onyx Silver Ring

Titan Black Onyx Ring in Sterling Silver

Zeke - Silver Accessories

How cool is this Skull and Sakura (cherry blossom) bracelet?  SNR admires the clean details on this bracelet, as well as the skull bracelet and Japanese style skull ring, from Zeke.

Calligraphy Bangle + Ring - 3drinks behind

The Calligraphy Bangle and Ring from 3drinks behind - each piece is handmade in sterling silver, with matte finish, and set with a brown diamond.

below: 'Calligraphy Bangle'

below: 'Calligraphy Ring'

BigTwin - Revisited

Biker Jewelry and Leather last featured leather and silver goods from BigTwin in the summer of 2009.  Their collection hasn't changed much, since then, but their designs as well as craftmanship withstand the test of time.  Our favorites remain the same.  They employ fine Japanese and Italian leathers in making their apparel and accessories.  All of their leather goods are made in-house.  Below is a popular waist pack and vest with sterling silver hardware.  The leather on the vest is nice, sturdy and thick.  The skull conchos are extra large and very cool.

 

Visit the Bigtwin website in English or Japanese.

Silver Panther Thumb Ring pt II - 3drinks behind

By request, more photos for the "Panther" thumb ring, by 3drinks behind.

Esprit Silver

Esprit Silversmith Studio - Wake Up Skull Ring - Lion Ring

Many silver jewelry fans have already seen the knock-offs for the "Wake Up!" Skull ring and "Lion Ring," by Esprit Silver, floating around the internet for some time now. Below are photos of the real deal; the finely detailed artwork on the rings speak for itself. The "Wake Up!" ring comes with green agate and alexandrite stones, or carnelian, a brownish red semi precious gemstone. The skull ring also has a small stone (your choice) set in the "third eye," which is the only part of the ring Mr SNR dislikes - he doesn't want a third eye, maybe a sixth sense. Mr SNR especially likes the little angel on the inside of the skull ring and the words "WAKE UP" engraved over the right eye.

The "Lion Ring" has a Sacred Heart on one side and a scenic engraving of Africa on the other, with the word "freedom" written across a small banner. Mr SNR adores the Biblical connotations attached with the lion art work done on this piece. We heard there is a CHRISTMAS special going on at the Esprit Silversmith Studio web store, so please check it out!

Proverbs 28:1 "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

Talking Skull Ring - Silver + Brass

T.S.R. available in silver or brass by FLOWER SUN RAIN

 

Leonard Kamhout Accessories

Leonard Kamhout is a renowned jewelry designer and craftsman who has made a significant impact on the industry with his unique and innovative designs. He is the founder of Lone Ones by Leonard Kamhout, a private custom jewelry studio that was established in 1994 in Los Angeles, California. 

In the 1990s, Kamhout fell in love with France and moved there to initiate his first solo collection, Mating Flight. It was a total departure from Kamhout's previous biker niche and represented the evolution of his prior work under the Chrome Hearts label. Despite being a departure from his previous work, Mating Flight was an instant success, with fans lining up in the streets of Japan for the chance to buy their custom hardware. The early days of the collection were ignited by the endorsements of many Japanese stylists and celebrities.

Throughout his career, Kamhout has remained committed to craftsmanship, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. He believes that jewelry should be both beautiful and responsible, and he takes great care to ensure that his pieces are made with the highest quality materials and production methods. His commitment to these values has earned him a loyal following and cemented his reputation as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking jewelry designers of his generation.

Leonard Kamhout is a visionary jewelry designer who has made a significant impact on the industry through his commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation. His work with Chrome Hearts and his own brand, Lone Ones, has earned him international recognition and a devoted following of collectors and enthusiasts. 

LONE ONES by Leonard Kamhout
Known as the Original Chrome Hearts Silversmith

RizardHead

Visit the RizardHead Blog

Good Art Hlywd

GENUINE AMERICAN LUXURY - GA HLYWD

GOOD ART HLYWD - Josh Warner Josh Warner is the designer behind the GOOD ART HLYWD label that makes genuine American luxury jewelry in Los Angeles. It is easily observable from GOOD ART HLYWD pieces that the artist puts a lot of thought, talent and work into the jewelry collection. The results exhibit real American styling and ingenuity, avidly focused on making people happy, through good wearable silver art pieces that are classy, luxurious and unique. To Josh, GOOD ART HLYWD pieces mean "something hearty and earnest in character; shiny; always well-made by hand and luxurious.”

(above: 2 pound silver jack skull no.11 / band rings)

When we chatted with Josh, he was upbeat, personable, candid and sincere. Josh uses the words “good” and “happy” quite often in interviews and via the GA blog; it seems to be a major theme for the brand. The GOOD ART HLYWD website (with blog, gallery, photos) is wonderfully done and really does give you a good feeling when you visit. The GOOD ART story goes that Josh first started making jewelry as a matter of need, such as the right earrings to poke into his ears, and eventually this led to jewelry design and a full blown business.

(above: GA wallet chains and hangers)

With much success in the States and Japan, the celebrity scene took notice and today, you will see Good Art just about everywhere in Hollywood. The latest GOOD ART HLYWD piece to splash the fashion scene is a skull ring made for Sylvester Stallone, which was featured in the movie, "Expendables". Sly owns many GA HLYWD pieces himself and you can actually find the ring originally made for him on the GA HLYWD website. The ring that Sly wears in the Expendables movie was inspired by a drawing that was given to Josh. Other GOOD ART clients include Jessica Alba; Brooke Shields; Usher and LeBron James, etc.

(above: GA spanish cross pendants)

(above: GA model 11/19 bracelet)

When asked about the fancy skull ring for Sly, Josh stated, "the Expendables ring is a big departure for me, it's not typical of my work, more ornate and garish and over the top. But that's fine, its a collaboration with Sly and as such I think it looks a lot like that. He's got a great eye for that sort of thing, I've done a lot of custom work for him and it's always fun."

(above: "Expendables" GA sugar skull bracelet version)

There are 4 versions of the ring. Version 1 is all sterling silver; Version 2 is sterling with 22kt gold (teeth, propellers, dynamite all in 22kt) - shown below; Version 3 is sterling with 22kt gold (teeth, propellers, bomb, dynamite, rose on the skull and flames on the side of the head); Version 4 is all 22kt gold. Version 2 is worn by Arnold & Sly, and version 3 by Sly, which is limited to 21 numbered pieces. All the rings are made from the same mold, foundry and hands!

(above: "Expendables" GA sugar skull ring - v.2)

The GOOD ART HLYWD website is an online showroom, which gives silver fans the opportunity to view what was previously exclusive to the GA local showroom and high-end boutiques. The GA collection includes gold and diamond jewelry as well as fine sterling silver jewelry and accessories, including wallet chains; pendants; crosses (Mr SNR favorite); silver zippo lighters; stylish bracelets and much more!

(above: .45 acp silver bullet pendant)

All jewelry pieces are handmade in Los Angeles and Josh oversees every stage of production, from start to finish. For more information on GOOD ART HLYWD, go to www.goodart.com.

(above: Josh Warner - Designer Good Art Hollywood)

- photo credits: GOOD ART HLYWD - GOOD ART HLYWD - FACEBOOK