What can you do with a rolling mill?

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I just got myself a new (used) rolling mill! For those of you who don’t know, a rolling mill is a really simple metal forming machine. It has 2 round metal rollers and a handle, and I use it by rolling sheet metal through the rollers. It has a few different uses. 

  1. Thin the gauge of sheet metal. This is useful if I want to recycle my own gold or silver scrap, and want to melt it and roll it out into new sheet metal.

  2. Work harden sheet metal. Sometimes sheet metal is too soft and pliable, and rolling it between steel rollers will harden it

  3. Smoothing out sheet metal. Sometimes sheet metal is a bit warped or uneven. Annealing (heating it up) it, and letting it cool, and then rolling it through a rolling mill will even it out

  4. Imprinting patterns. This is my favorite thing to do with it. I have a bunch of pattern plates, that I can run through the rolling mill with softened jewelry metal, and imprint various patterns on the metal. I can also run textured paper, lacy fabric, or organic material like leaves through with metal.

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These are a collection of earrings I made by imprinting patterns on powder-coated recycled aluminum samples. I just bolted down my rolling mill and wanted to test it out, so I made a bunch of circles, rolled them with pattern plates, and turned them into earrings.

I also did that with these earrings. The bases are sterling silver and I rolled them with a floral pattern plate. I left some of the edges around the bezels exposed, and oxidized them, so you can see a subtle floral texture, around and under the stones.

Life Update

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It’s me! Looking professional! Thanks https://www.smallishphotostudio.com/ and https://www.valeriemadison.com/ for the gorgeous headshots.

So here’s an update about my life:

I’ve been working full time for Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry for about 4 months now (and for about 8 months before that part time). I’m so grateful to have a full time job that I love and am exited to go to every day. I get to play with gold and diamonds and fire, and I work with an amazing team of women. I feel like I get to make people’s dreams come true every day and I haven’t ever felt this fulfilled working for someone else.

After months of setting up the shop, Valerie Madison is finally opening the new showroom in Madrona on September 24! It’s been amazing being part of this team and I’m so excited to continue watching it grow and evolve and help more people find the perfect ring or jewelry for them.

If you know me, or if you’re in the market for some fine jewelry, please book an appointment and come say hi! I’d love you see you, and make some jewelry for you on behalf of VM.

I’ve still been working on my own work, but it’s been a bit slower. I still make time every week to go to my own jewelry studio and make one-of-a-kind pieces and work on custom jewelry for clients. I’ll continue to post my unique jewels, and if there’s anything that catches your eye, let me know ✨

Smoky skies, smoky rings

Hey friends,

This last week has been pretty smoky and scary for those of us on the west coast. It’s really a bummer not to be able to go outside and breath fresh air. My pessimistic mind keeps thinking that this is how it’s going to be every summer now. So I want to do something about it. I know my actions aren’t going to change the world, but if we all work together, maybe we can effect some change.

Here’s what I’m going to do. If you buy anything from my website before the end of September 2020, I’ll donate 15% of the sale to the Clean Air Task Force. The CATF is a US-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been working to reduce air pollution since its founding in 1996. It led a successful campaign to reduce the pollution caused by coal-fired power plants in the US, helped limit the US power sector’s CO2 emissions, and helped establish regulations of diesel, shipping, and methane emissions.

Check out these smoky quartz and labradorite rings. Made a while ago but more relevant than ever.

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Close out sale

Hey friends,

As many of you have become aware, I have a new section in my shop called “close out.” This section features a lot of pieces from my “simple” production line that I came out with a few years ago. All of it is handmade by me. Most of it is brand new and never worn or even displayed anywhere. Most of it is sterling silver, and some of it is brass, copper, or other materials. Every time I see this box of jewelry in my closet, I feel so sad for all the precious jewels inside that never get to see the light of day.

I made most of these pieces years ago when I was just figuring out how to build a production line. I was working off of geometric shapes, rolled pattern textures, simple designs, and animal influences. I was selling this line for way under market value at several stores. About a year ago I decided to focus more of my energy on one-of-a-kind pieces, and stopped producing my more simple production line. But I still have a whole box of these special pieces left.

A couple weeks ago I set up a "close out" page on my website, where I'm selling these beauties for super cheap. I really want them to find good homes and be worn and treasured. I put HOURS and HOURS into designing, crafting, photographing, organizing, and selling these pieces, and even though I don't make them any more, they will always have a special place in my heart.