Written by Team Editor Matthew Krueger
original release date: July 10, 2010
updated: January 22, 2011

Back to the Future: Steampunk
Imagine an industrial underbelly, a forest of pipes, gears, and nameless gadgets. Reach back across time to a quaint but clattering world of factories and locomotive whirlygigs, zeppelins, and wooden submarines with red velvet interiors. If Jules Verne or H.G. Wells come to mind, you’re not far off, as what may seem to describe a 19th century flight of fancy has actually exploded into a present day movement all its own: Steampunk.

Welcome to the Steampunk Movement! "Imagine an industrial underbelly, a forest of pipes, gears, and nameless gadgets. Reach back across time to a quaint but clattering world of factories and locomotive whirlygigs, zeppelins, and wooden submarines with red velvet interiors". Quoted from one of our popular Steampunk blogs Back to the Future: Steampunk by Matthew Krueger.

About Metal Smith / Handmade Jewelry Designer Sally Jewett-Brocato: I am inspired by the organic textures and shapes created in nature. I particularly love designing handmade jewelry using the very textures I find all around me such as palm bark, grasses and raffia.  I also delight in the look of reticulated, fused and melted metals which you will find in much of my work.

Handmade Jewelry White Pearl and Sterling Silver Geometric Necklace This stunning modern handcrafted artisan jewelry geometric necklace is created with a single, pure white freshwater coin pearl surrounded by an organic textured half moon of sterling silver. This designer jewelry necklace is centered on a dainty, sterling silver chain with spring clasp closure. The sterling silver half moon has a black patina in the texture crevices to highlight the dramatic, organic markings. This fashion jewelry necklace measures approximately 15" so that the focal point is at the throat. It is designed to be worn as interestingly with a little black dress as with a pair of torn jeans.

Ever take a close look into the ever changing artwork put on currency throughout the world? Featured jewelry designer Andrew Stoffel most definitely has.

Andy is a student of Pastoral Studies in Northern California. He has worked with youth and young adults for several years now and has a passion to see them grow as individuals with strong character.

Andy has used his love and talent for music and art to work with and inspire young people. His ultimate goal is to complete school and open a youth center that concentrates on music and the arts. His continuing education will include teaching credentials and a master’s degree in counseling psychology or business administration (with an emphasis on non-profit organizations).  More

Bracelets, Bangles and Cuffs oh my! Team NativeMotif takes a look into some uniquely crafted bracelet styles of 2010. Featuring work by Sharon MacLeod, Barbara Bowling, Lana Park, Renee Lemoncelli and Roberta Hawkins.

The Process of Metal Etching
The etching of metal is a multi-stepped process which imparts texture to the metal. Etching is most often done on metal before it is made into an object. My etching work begins with a picture I’ve drawn or a photograph I’ve taken. The metal is treated by fusing a photosensitive film onto it, and then the selected image is imprinted on the film by exposing it to ultraviolet light. The metal with the imprinted image is then developed in a basic solution. More