new necklace set

I took advantage of a recent cool morning to photograph some new pieces. "Cool" is a relative term on a South Carolina morning, and means that you don't sweat when standing still in the shade. This new set recycles a found tire weight, copper wire of two gauges, copper pipe, snake chain, and cable chain. Only the earring wires are new.

Entangled still!

Delivered new work to Gallery West recently. Included was this necklace. Its pendant marries a nicely-weighted washer and flat piece, both found metal and nicely road-etched. The finds are wrapped with sterling silver half-round wire and hung on curb chain with a coiled link accent, all also recycled. Stop in and see at Gallery West, 118 State St., West Columbia. Click the link to go to the gallery's facebook page.

Mark you calendar for the Sustainable Holiday Celebration, Monday, December 2nd, 4:30 to 8:30, at 701 Whaley. Come shop for one-of-a-kind, handmade, sustainable gifts such as my entangled jewelry. Spare yourself and your Thanksgiving holiday from mall shopping mania. Shop local and sustainable! 

Here's a link to the event facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/events/527985307291608/?previousaction=join&source=1

Metal makings

The supply of found metal on our city's streets is endless. Each finding is unique, but some are exceptional. These spark innovations and explorations with materials and methods. I love the creative demands. 

Trying new surfaces in these photographs as well. The light has softened with the change of season to a perfect "studio" setting. Autumn has brought a welcome lessening in the temperature too.

Metal works

I marvel at the raw material harvested from our city’s pavement: beautifully broken, folded, weathered, and abraded metal; automotive widgets and hardware whatnots; delightfully ordinary and curiously odd; discarded, lost, missed? I’d say found. These recently crafted necklaces incorporate particularly beautiful and unique metal findings.

the perfect twist: This found wire piece polished into a rhythmic copper wrapped beauty and is paired with copper and natural brass chain.

hex sculpture: This found piece was machined for specific function, and beautifully machined it was. Found hex nuts echo its facets. Recycled chain completes the ensemble. 

brass lashed in black: Leather cord joining found brass elements, recycled jet beads, recycled chain, and natural brass chain combine in curious yet classic style. 

tool cool: Machined for function this found tool piece is satisfyingly solid and pleasingly shaped. Its mix of metal is repeated with natural brass rollo chain and findings, and recycled chain and jewelry elements. The earrlngs likewise mix hardware, jewelry elements, and metals.

rounded brass: This trio of found pieces is perfect in combination. A brass key broken and worn hangs between 2 washers from a Freirich snake chain.

brass hex slip: For this statement in machined brass luster, a found hex nut and valve hang on recycled curb chain. The earrings recycle bar and curb chains, found hex nuts, and beads.

entangled still

Entangled jewelry is heavily into metal. Found metal. Below are new, one-of-a-kind assemblages that recycle found metal pieces: washers, hex nuts, widgets . . . indeed whatever works. Scuffed, abraded, and faceted by the elements and pavement, the surface patina on these finds is beautiful.  No lack of material. My husband pockets great stuff on every walk, and I, on most runs. 

The challenge of working with found metal is mechanics. How do I attach piece A to piece B? The solutions are as unique as the materials. And this inventiveness makes the process terribly addictive. Entangled still!

click image to enlarge

Of course I'm still working with buttons of all descriptions.

entangled: jewelry by Pat Callahan

entangled jewelry is as elegant as pearls and as unpretentious as buttons. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, well-crafted, and inventive, often repurposing found elements. It’s a lovely way to recycle.

click on an image to enlarge

Pearlescent. In this asymmetrical statement, small cultured pearls step the length of shimmery silk-cord braid to a ringed cultured-pearl cluster that counter balances two vintage carved-shell buttons. The necklace is 30 inches in length.

Milky way. On a length of silk-cord braid, small cultured-pearl dangles and a petal button dance against two large, milky-smooth shell buttons. This artful necklace is 32 inches in length.

Pearly pyramid. Simple white buttons stack to a sophisticated statement as the pendant on this 24-inch necklace. The recycling continues with the metal bead opposite one more button. Findings and chain are USA-made natural brass.

Sophistication in sage. A trio of fired-glass beads step from a vintage shell button to a serpentine pendant. This refined silk-cord braid necklace is 21 inches in length and pairs with serpentine dangle earring. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Mixed medal fare. Delicate industrial chic, this 20-inch necklace mixes found metal pieces and chain, some recycled, some not, and some USA-made natural brass chain. The earrings swing with the same mix.

Sacred Heart medallion. This dramatic medallion is a never-to-be-repeated construction, combining vintage jet buttons, repurposed buttons and jewelry pieces, an antique rosary medal, and even a zipper pull. The rollo chain and findings are USA-made natural brass.

Deep blue beauty. One large and luxurious blue button underscored by a constellation of smokey glass beads and tiny blue buttons commands this necklace of 31-inch length. The offset, matching button floats on silk-cord braid as a blue moon to its mystical planet.

Wear a bit of whimsy. Glass beads skitter along a silk-cord braid between a robin-egg-blue Peruvian opal at one end and delightful polka dot bead at the other. A button-stack pendant completes this clever blue-green necklace, 32 inches in length. The earrings extend the polka-dot delight. Findings are USA-made natural brass.

Three in line. Small cultured pearls trim a silk-cord braid adorned with three mother-of-pearl buttons of ascending size--all just right. A ringed cluster of cultured pearls and a single Peruvian open hold center. 3.5 inches of natural brass chain bridges the braid ends for a total necklace length of 34 inches.

Mauve riches. A button-stack pendant hangs from luscious silk-cord braid as a simple lilac button stands counterpoint. The fire agate finale on this unique 22-inch necklace repeats in coordinating dangle earrings. Findings are USA-made natural brass.