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I Make Animal Jewelry Out Of Silver And Bronze
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I Make Animal Jewelry Out Of Silver And Bronze

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About 25 years ago I was mainly a jeweler, doing all the typical jewelry for a retail store. But on the side I was carving stone in my brother’s studio, doing smooth animal forms with facet lines for the muscle definition. Eventually, I started doing them in bronze and many years later at the urging of my wife I applied that style to a jewelry line and launched the “Of beasts and beauty” store.

Now I barely have time for anything else! With each piece I try to create something that is beautiful from every angle and has movement, every arc leading into another. I have included a few photos of wax carvings before they are cast and a partially carved bracelet. Most of my jewelry and small sculptures are carved from this hard wax. Larger sculptures are made with hard oil clay.

I start a project by looking at photos then I do a profile drawing. I apply the drawing to the wax and transfer a basic line drawing to it, then I start carving, occasionally looking at photos for details. Mostly I just go by feel (which drives my realist artist friends crazy). At some point I realize I have managed to make something that has special movement or expression and I know I’m almost done. I still do a lot of contemporary gold/diamond/colored stone jewelry but the animal jewelry/sculpture is where my heart is.

More info: Etsy

Timber wolf with diamond eyes

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Forest cat ring

Hedgehog ring

Baby fox ring

Sterling leaping puma ring

Fox bracelet

Curious hedgehog/fox

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Pangolin

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Silver magpie ring

Fox ring

Elephant pendant

Dragonfly

Lion ring

Magpie pin/pendant

Fox head pendant (rose gold)

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Dragon band

Wolf wax carving

You can see more works on Etsy

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michael tatom

michael tatom

Author, Community member

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born in new new mexico . lives in santa fe

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michael tatom

michael tatom

Author, Community member

born in new new mexico . lives in santa fe

What do you think ?
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get in
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have designed rings I just love. The Hedgehog is my favorite but I'd like them all. Please tell us more and where we can purchase these beautiful, fun rings.

Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . thanks !! it took me a minute to find the link too. etsy.com/shop/michaeltatom here is a coupon for 15 % off etsypanda2016

Load More Replies...
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . i would love to make you one! there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Anna Salerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hedgehog ring is my favorite... I love your work! Do you sell them on line?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi Anna . yes i do. there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Diana Patterson
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These animal-themed handmade pieces are absolutely stunning! Michael Tatom’s creativity brings each creature to life in a truly unique and artistic way. Love how these designs blend beauty and nature so seamlessly! https://www.hancocks-london.com/product-category/engagement/engagement-rings/

Aaron Stafford
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow Michael, we love your work we see here at RMW and Retro-Rockets, and we enjoy working with you too!

ptm45
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i used to have a silver dolphin ring...wonder where it's gone?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi i did some drawings for a new dolphin ring but haven't got around to making it . contact me at michaeltatom.etsy.com and i will send you the drawings if you want ....michael

Load More Replies...
Clarisa Barua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where can I buy them in Hong Kong. Do you have children's sizes?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi clarissa . you can't buy them in Hong Kong ... but i can ship to you there . there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Kirsten Preston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful work with pure clean lines, so easy on the eye. I love the silver magpie ring. I'm very envious in the nicest way, that your creations aren't made by me. Simply wow ;-)

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you !! did you see the etsy store ? there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Gabriel Saul
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the flow in your pieces! They have a natural and organic look to them. I also love making foxes and cats in my jewelry. Simple and beautiful!

Pat Binns
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding! I need all of these beautiful jewelry pieces.

Tommy Johansen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like this :-) but the link to the website doesn't work :-(

Gordana Bogic
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow this is an amazing work! Do you ship to Serbia and how much would shipping cost? These are really beautiful and with a lot of details

Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . thanks ! i ship all over the world. serbia would be a new one for me. i checked my stampsdotcom account and did not see serbia on the list . but you could check with etsy and see.

Load More Replies...
Katrina Green
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elegant, gorgeous....My favorites are the baby fox ring and the leaping coyote charm, but there isn't one of these that I don't like! <3

Martyna Boszko
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, that way you can call most of drawings and artists showing their work on Bored Panda "just an advertisement" and if you haven't noticed we have tons of artists "just advertising" their drawings, funny animal photos etc.

Load More Replies...
Luci Skye
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IvebeenreadingcommonsensebyThomasPainsomemensay thatImintenseoroninsaneYou wantarevolutionIwantarevelationSolistentomydeclaration

Luci Skye
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weholdthesetruthstoeselfevidentthatallmenarecreatedequalandwhenimeetthomasjeffersonillcompelhimtoincludewomeninthesequel WORK!

Load More Replies...
get in
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have designed rings I just love. The Hedgehog is my favorite but I'd like them all. Please tell us more and where we can purchase these beautiful, fun rings.

Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . thanks !! it took me a minute to find the link too. etsy.com/shop/michaeltatom here is a coupon for 15 % off etsypanda2016

Load More Replies...
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . i would love to make you one! there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Anna Salerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hedgehog ring is my favorite... I love your work! Do you sell them on line?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi Anna . yes i do. there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Diana Patterson
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These animal-themed handmade pieces are absolutely stunning! Michael Tatom’s creativity brings each creature to life in a truly unique and artistic way. Love how these designs blend beauty and nature so seamlessly! https://www.hancocks-london.com/product-category/engagement/engagement-rings/

Aaron Stafford
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow Michael, we love your work we see here at RMW and Retro-Rockets, and we enjoy working with you too!

ptm45
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i used to have a silver dolphin ring...wonder where it's gone?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi i did some drawings for a new dolphin ring but haven't got around to making it . contact me at michaeltatom.etsy.com and i will send you the drawings if you want ....michael

Load More Replies...
Clarisa Barua
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where can I buy them in Hong Kong. Do you have children's sizes?

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi clarissa . you can't buy them in Hong Kong ... but i can ship to you there . there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Kirsten Preston
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful work with pure clean lines, so easy on the eye. I love the silver magpie ring. I'm very envious in the nicest way, that your creations aren't made by me. Simply wow ;-)

Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you !! did you see the etsy store ? there is a button on boredbanda to connect you with etsy but a lot of people miss it . go to: michaeltatom.etsy.com

Load More Replies...
Gabriel Saul
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the flow in your pieces! They have a natural and organic look to them. I also love making foxes and cats in my jewelry. Simple and beautiful!

Pat Binns
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding! I need all of these beautiful jewelry pieces.

Tommy Johansen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like this :-) but the link to the website doesn't work :-(

Gordana Bogic
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow this is an amazing work! Do you ship to Serbia and how much would shipping cost? These are really beautiful and with a lot of details

Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hi . thanks ! i ship all over the world. serbia would be a new one for me. i checked my stampsdotcom account and did not see serbia on the list . but you could check with etsy and see.

Load More Replies...
Katrina Green
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Elegant, gorgeous....My favorites are the baby fox ring and the leaping coyote charm, but there isn't one of these that I don't like! <3

Martyna Boszko
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, that way you can call most of drawings and artists showing their work on Bored Panda "just an advertisement" and if you haven't noticed we have tons of artists "just advertising" their drawings, funny animal photos etc.

Load More Replies...
Luci Skye
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IvebeenreadingcommonsensebyThomasPainsomemensay thatImintenseoroninsaneYou wantarevolutionIwantarevelationSolistentomydeclaration

Luci Skye
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weholdthesetruthstoeselfevidentthatallmenarecreatedequalandwhenimeetthomasjeffersonillcompelhimtoincludewomeninthesequel WORK!

Load More Replies...
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