Kickstarter

With five days left, WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL!  We are so grateful to all of you for helping us with this.  Here are a couple important things to know:

1. If we reach a new goal of $11,000 within the next 5 days, every backer who has pledged $10 or more will get the Saxon “Kick It!” Metalsmith petroglyph guy on a zipper pull.

2. 10% of any money over our original goal of $9000 will be rolled back into supporting other Kickstarter projects. We believe in this sort of crowd-sourcing and patronage of the arts, and want other artists to feel the same success as we do.

3. So, if you decide you want more items (and the existing package deals don't quite match what you want), please let me know and I'll set up a package deal for you.

Thanks, y'all!

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14 August 2012 --  Here it is!  The Uber, extra-special exclusively awesome Statement Necklace -

This necklace, neckring, mantel is designed to be made to the size and shape of the wearer for maximum comfort while expressing yourself in Kickin' style.

Using our pressblech designs which represent the four Elements, respectively Earth, Air, Fire & Water. Surrounding the Kickin' It Metalsmith.

The Tree of Life, representing Earth. A symbol of Earth at its fullest bounty. A wellspring of strength, endurance and abundance.

The Triskele, representing Air. A symbol of Sky at its most capable. A source of inspiration, energy and refreshment.

The Triquetra, representing Fire. A symbol of Creation at its most primal. A source of change, power and cleansing.

The Salmon of Wisdom, representing Water. A symbol of Life at its height. A source of wisdom, health and clarity.

The Metalsmith himself represents Awen, the Creative Soul.

Each medallion has been handcrafted to reflect the earthy, fired, burnished look of the processes through which an artist travels in the creative process. Backed by a brushed, recycled copper mantel designed to create a sense of contrast and visual presence while remaining light and comfortable.

$750 reward level - only three will be made!

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DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT NEW INFORMATION AND CONTEXTUAL PHOTOS IN THE UPDATES!

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The quick version:  We are trying to raise money to buy tools and do research on an ancient metalsmithing technique called Pressblech so we can create even more zoomy stuff.  Feel free to skim down to check out pictures of the rewards!

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Ildanach Studios exists to craft beautiful wearable art out of recycled materials.

Pressblech is using a hard die (like bronze) with a design in it to impress that design into a thinner, softer metal (Iike thin copper).  It has been used for hundreds of years (the Saxons, Celts and Vikings especially), but, like many ancient techniques, died out when mass-production became the fashion.  We want to bring it back.  The dies we use are either antique Persian dies we've acquired or bronze dies with our own designs that we've cast ourselves. 

Since our Pressblech or "hand-struck" designs have become more popular for us, we want to do even more, and get more tools (like a hydraulic press) to help us do different and more intricate motifs. 

This is where you come in.  In return for supporting our endeavor, you can get some Pressblech jewelry of your very own. 

Now, to the good stuff – THE REWARDS!

 Created just for this Kickstarter Project, here is what the decal looks like:

Our little Saxon Metalsmith Warrior is holding a hammer, an ancient metalsmithing tool, a bolt of lightning which symbolizes Inspiration, and a narrow-blade spear representing the desire for perfection.  Based on ancient designs, our metalsmith is also kickin' it, wearing a stylin' raven helm symbolizing an artist's connection to transcendence and has an Awen necklace representing the Creative Soul.

JUST LIKE OUR METALSMITH, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT WHATEVER YOU DO, YOU KEEP KICKIN' IT OUT!

In the $20 to $125 range, you will get to pick one of eight Pressblech designs.  These designs inspire us in certain ways.  We hope they inspire you in your own particular passion.

 ASPEN LEAF - We live in Colorado, and a favorite activity in the fall is to drive into the Rocky Mountains to enjoy the lovely, golden aspen leaves.  Aspens to us represent transformation.  And dancing (in that hippie, go-with-the-flow, where-the-wind-takes-you kind of way).

 

 CELTIC HORSE – There are many legends of heroic horses throughout history and mythology, Epona, Bucephalus, Shadowfax, Tencendur, Silver, Trigger, Pokey…  (Ok, maybe not the last one…) 

 

 GUARDIAN ­– Here is the oldest known depiction of a Green Man, your Saxon-helmed Protector, or your Guardian Angel.

 

 RAVEN – We based this design on a 9th century Viking coin.  For you, it could symbolize an eagle, parrot, or also a raven. 

 

 SALMON OF WISDOM – Irish mythology gave us this one.  You might see it as a reminder to choose wisely, a Japanese koi, or, if you are a Douglas Adams fan, the Salmon of Doubt.

 

 SPIRAL – The spiral motif is seen all over the world.  It’s the Universe, a Labyrinth, or that feeling of dizziness after riding the Tilt-a-Whirl.

 

 AWEN – This simple yet powerful design represents creative inspiration and the truth that comes with it.  Think of it as that feeling of sudden understanding that is like a brilliant sunrise. 

 

 HISTORIC ROSETTE – This one is particularly special, in that we didn’t make it.  It is Persian and probably over 400 years old.  We take good care of antiques like this, even when we are hitting them with a hammer, but when they are gone, they’re gone.  Own an imprint of history!

 

OH!  And here is the extra-special design, made just for the Kickstarter project.  You can ONLY get this through Kickstarter! 

 EXCLUSIVE - Inspired by our Saxon "Kick It!" Warrior (see above), think of him as a reminder to nurture your creativity.  Whether your passion is knitting, sculpting or just doodling, kick it out every day!

You can pair any of the designs above with a zipper pull, earrings ("French earwires"), leather adjustable necklace, stone earrings and stone necklaces.  Here are examples:

Now for the Really Special Stuff!

Here is the Labyrinth Statement Necklace.  Limited-edition, made with hand-struck recycled copper, matte onyx beads and reclaimed silver chain.  The Labyrinth symbolizes the journey of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.  We each have paths that we must walk, and this necklace is a reminder of courage and compassion - for ourselves and for others on their path.

 

Here is the Endless Knot Statement Necklace.  Limited-edition, made with intertwining strands of beads made from recycled green bottles. Interwoven knot patterns like this aren't just seen in Celtic art, but also in Islamic, Tibetan, Norse, and others.  The different possible meanings are, well, endless.

 

And here is the Kickin' It Statement Necklace.  Also limited edition, this design was made exclusively for this Kickstarter Project!  Our Saxon Metalsmith motif is a representation of all that comes from determination, creativity and perseverance.  It is combined with Red Creek Jasper, a mossy, earthy blend of colors.

And here is the Uber, extra-special exclusively awesome Statement Necklace.  Only 3 (THREE!) will be made.

 Pictures coming very soon!

 

Finally, the One-of-a-Kind, made Just for YOU Statement Necklace.  After consulting you by email or phone, Curtis Rowland will design a unique statement necklace for you. That's right, a one-of-a-kind, distinctive, original, special necklace, JUST FOR YOU. Tell him your favorite stones, animals, significant symbols, and he will come up with something in the style of our statement necklaces.

 

REMEMBER, IT IS ALL OR NOTHING WITH KICKSTARTER, SO PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR PROJECT!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at IldanachOffice@aol.com.

In closing, please support local, hand-crafted, made-in-America-by-amazing-and-nice-people (like us!) products.  Thanks!

Curtis, Sheron, Annie & Wendy

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The music for the video was found on Free Music Archive.  It is Audionautix: Acoustic by Jason Shaw.  Zoomy, right?

<div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jason_Shaw/Audionautix_Acoustic/"><span property="dct:title">Audionautix: Acoustic</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://audionautix.com/index.html">Jason Shaw</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/">CC BY 3.0</a></div>

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Random pics to show what silly humans we are:

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