Bullet Cuff Links

SILVER PLATED CUFF LINKS

BLACK POLYMER CLAY AND a 9mm BRASS, 

ONCE-FIRED, BULLET CARTRIDGE HEAD

In case you aren't familiar with ammunition, this is a 9mm fired bullet cartridge head.

This is the part of the bullet that is hit by the gun hammer when the trigger is pulled (see the dimple in the center).

Can't say for sure if I shot this bullet or my husband did.  We were target shooting and I picked up the cartridges when we were finished so I could make some cool accessories!. 

But I digress...

The cartridge is the part of the bullet that is ejected from the gun when the other part, the actual bullet, is shot through the barrel of the gun.  The cartridge holds the gun powder and the actual bullet which sticks out from the cartridge.  The part in the cuff link is the head and rim which has been cut off of the end of the cartridge.  This particular cartridge is brass. I hope to get some nickel cartridges in the 9mm as well as other caliber bullets, too.  

(Currently, I have brass 9mm & brass .380 caliber cartridges. .380s are just a slight bit smaller in diameter than the 9mm.)

(These two bullets came from the same manufacturer out of the same box of bullets...they match.)

Once the heads were cut from the cartridges (sounds brutal, doesn't it?!)

I paired them with some black clay and silver plated cuff links and voila...

Artillery Wear!!

 LOL

These cuff link bezels measure 14mm in diameter

A subtle accessory, yet it makes a bold statement and will likely 

be the only pair like them at the event!

Of course, any color clay (or mix of colors) could be used for the cuff links.

Great gift for the hunter, target shooter, outdoorsman or woman,  police officer, service man or woman, etc.

Another Style of Bolt Action Pen...

Introducing the Bolt Action Tec Pen 

(A Great Father's Day or Graduation Gift!)

Here you get the "coolness" of the bolt action click mechanism in a techie style pen. 

This chrome Tec Pen has a soft touch stylus on the end.

Pen without the stylus is available as well upon request.

This pen is available in

• chrome (shown)
• 24K
• antique brass
• gun metal

 Bolt Action Detail

 Clip and Stylus Tip Detail featuring small screws for a technical look.

This pen was created in a black, gray, and white clay pattern layering each color then slicing the clay  and stacking the sections in a different direction and then rolling into a new clay sheet.

In a blue velveteen presentation box.  

This is a pen with more girth than a slimline.

Bolt Action Pens

 Speaking of bullet pens...a carryover from a previous post...

 

I made some bolt action bullet cartridge pens as custom orders last month.  These might be the coolest click pens EVER!  The rose gold tip is included in this pen (an option on other pens) along with the rifle clip, although you can request a deer head or the scope clip for these pens as well.

The photos show two gun metal pens and a chrome pen, but these are also available in 

• antique brass
• antique copper
• 24K gold
• black enamel

I completed one of the gun metal pens in a black, white, & gray "camo" pattern which I thought turned out pretty well!  Particularly on a chrome or gun metal (or black enamel) pen.  The brown/green/gold/black "camo" pattern on the chrome pen has a subtle leaf pattern in the clay. Both of these were made from the mokume gane technique.

The chrome pen was gifted by the customer to her father in the camo view top box.  The box just finished off the pen nicely!

These boxes are also available in black, which would have been nice also.  

These boxes are an inexpensive presentation option when a wooden desk top box isn't 

necessary or appropriate for the user. 

This box is also available in a rust color.

Another nice Father's Day or Graduation gift.

And speaking of bolt action pens...there is another non-bullet style available....stay tuned..

Easter / Civil War Pen

Can you believe Easter is here?  After such a long and cold Winter for most, it's about time, I say.  Having said that, the winter months are when I always hope to get so much creating done...which didn't exactly happen this year.   I had hoped to get more acquainted with the metal clays and  have a plethora of pens and other items completed in polymer.  Oh well...best laid plans, I suppose.

We had a beautiful weekend weather-wise here last weekend, then it turned cooler again this week.  So, I have a little more studio time left with out having the "cabin fever!"  (Which will go away when it turns hot and humid 'round here! )

I do have a photo or two I can share, however.  I have made a new pen that I haven't made before...the Civil War Pen.  This is a great pen for history buffs, in particular Civil War buffs, or any gun enthusiast.  The cap and tip of the pen are actual size replicas of 2 bullets used in the Civil War and the clip is a replica (not actual size, of course!) of the 1861 Springfield Musket used as well.  This is a pen with a larger girth, bu isn't too long, so it's balanced nicely.  (Would be good for those who have trouble gripping thinner pens, too.)

You can read more about the pen design here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/185006443/civil-war-replica-ball-point-twist-pen?ref=shop_home_active_1

This one was made in black and copper clay with black enameled metal components.  The components are also available in

• antique brass (I should have some of these completed soon)
• antique copper
• gun metal
• chrome
• satin chrome. 

I'm thinking of making one in a stars & stripes pattern, too.  It is, afterall, American History!
This would be a really great Father's Day gift, too.

Magnifier Paperweight

This is a nice item...great gift for a retiree, executive, congratulations, graduate, Father's Day, etc.  It's a desktop paperweight magnifying glass. Overall size is 2-1/2", about 3/4" thick with a 2" magnifier with 2.5x magnification. It weighs approx. 3.2 ounces, so it has a little heft, but isn't overly heavy.  

The clay was hand-crafted using multiple techniques.  Gold powder (fine powder applied to a wet paint brush) was hand painted onto the outer border and copper coloring (a paste-like product) was added to the inner rope detailed border. These applications are applied to the raw clay prior to curing.  Swarovski crystals were placed in the center and at three points on the border.  The inner portion in blue and white clay was done with layering clay, creating a texture and slicing off the raised portions then applying the trimmings to white clay.  The clay portion is clear coated and heat set.  

Resembles water and a porthole for a nautical theme.  This item lends to many different designs and creations!  Very easy to make and is a unique piece.  It is recommended that the clay "medallion" be created, cured and glued to the magnifier to avoid placing the entire item in the direct heat as the bottom is covered with felt and the heat may dry out the adhesive that bonds it to the metal. Also, the glass in the magnifier would get pretty hot!

Bullet Cartridge Pens

These are great pens for the gun enthusiast, hunter, or military guy/gal.  They write nicely and are quite the conversation piece.

This is a pen made with 4 clay colors -- copper red, black, white, & beige -- by layering the colors, creating a textured pattern of your choice, and then slicing off the raised portions of the pattern to as many layers as you like to get the desired effect.  Run the clay through the pasta machine to smooth out the clay and you have a sheet of clay that can be applied to the pen tube. Shape the clay to the desired thickness, trim excess clay, and cure. Sand, buff & clear coat and press the pen together! It accepts a Parker style refill and writes very nicely.  These pens come in 24K Gold plating (shown), chrome, or gun metal. Matching pencils are available in 24K Gold or Chrome.  This is a click pen, but is also available in a twist pen version. It features a softer and quieter "click" than many click pens, also.


These are replicas of a 30 caliber cartridges. These are not actual fired cartridges. The optional rose gold tip (shown) can be installed on the pens as well as deer head, rifle or musket clips rather than the standard "scope" style clip (shown).  A 50 caliber machine gun pen is available that is an actual fired cartridge.  The 30 caliber pens are also available in a larger "magnum" size -- about 10% larger than the one shown (available in twist pen version only).  Many bullet cartridge pen styles available...if this is your thing!

Adding a photo of the pen with the rifle clip added:

 

Father's Day!

To all daughters and sons... If you are lucky enough to have your father nearby and with you, don't let Father's Day go by without telling him how you feel and a big thank you!  If you no longer have your father, feel free to post sentiments to him here. 

Here's mine...
Dad...we lost you a year and a half ago.  You lived a full and interesting life, but we miss you!  You gave your service to this country and your family.  You were many things...a pilot, a sportsman, a horseman, a mechanic, a teacher, a protector, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a grandfather...and my dad.  You always had a story and a lesson that I have reflected on many times -- even those I didn't want to hear at the time.  You gave us opportunities, understanding, support and love.  Thank you...until I see you again, Love you!