Category Archives: Jewelry

Roman-style chain for a Knight

Posted on January 15, 2020 by

Goal: Make a chain for my friend, Sir Istvan, that has that bulky An Tir look but without neck-crippling weight.

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Lunulas

Posted on May 29, 2019 by

My dear friend Vestia Antonia Aurelia was Laureled (a lifetime achievement award for the arts and sciences in the SCA) this past weekend.  She does Roman and Minoan portrayals. I wanted to make something for her, and for another friend, Marya … Continue reading →

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Home Jewelry Studio & 1st Dapping Attempt

Posted on August 5, 2018 by

Making Roman jewelry means learning metalsmithing, and I’ve been bitten HARD by that bug. I just set up a mini-studio in my garage so I can practice without traveling across town to Fjorlief’s studio on those rare days when our … Continue reading →

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Athenaeum

Posted on July 1, 2018 by

  Yesterday was the first – but certainly not the last – An Tir Athenaeum. It was an Arts & Sciences “display for comments” event. Basically I signed up for a table, put out my jewelry and papers, and had … Continue reading →

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Phallic Good Luck Charms

Posted on June 29, 2018 by

Phallic images were very popular in Ancient Rome to ward off the evil eye and generally be protective. These gold rings (British Museum collection) are child-sized. I made 2 silver rings (for Drusa and myself) and some charms. I wrote a paper … Continue reading →

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More wedding stuff

Posted on April 30, 2018 by

Things are coming along… I finished our Hercules knot (a common Roman wedding ring motif) rings yesterday. I will type up a project paper on the Hercules series I’ve done right after the wedding. I hope you’re coming! Everyone is … Continue reading →

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Hercules Knot, take 3…

Posted on January 16, 2018 by

My first two attempts are written up here. For this version, I wanted to do silver (instead of brass), and do a continuous loop rather than a curve and a ring. I also decided to use a jig to bend … Continue reading →

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Tracking down period techniques

Posted on December 5, 2017 by

One of my goals is to learn to make jewelry the way the Romans did, not just duplicate their designs with modern techniques and tools. I contacted my friend Alberto (he’s part of Legio Secvnda Consvlaris, an Italian re-enacting group) to … Continue reading →

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Chain-making, Roman style

Posted on November 9, 2017 by

Chains appear as decorative elements in jewelry as well as practical applications (suspended oil lamps, scales, etc). Although the finished products look similar to Viking wire weaving, the method is different.   Wire weaving uses a single long wire, threaded … Continue reading →

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The Romans invade OMSI

Posted on July 28, 2017 by

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) holds a monthly thing called After Dark from 7-11pm, where it’s adults only and there’s booze and vendors. July was all about the traveling Pompeii exhibit (here til Oct 22 – Don’t miss … Continue reading →

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