User-friendly Earthy Slag Glass And Leather Bracelet By Karen Gilbert 2.0 Edition [McG45AFV]

One very interesting piece of antique slag set in rustic, oxidized sterling silver. The piece sits centered on leather and sterling silver findings and clasp.

Gary Wilson cut this lovely piece from Lake Michigan. A byproduct from the iron foundries' smelting process of the late 1800s.

A cast bronze charms falls at the clasp.

Measures approximately 8.25" long and fits wrists between 7.25"-7.5".

Handmade by Karen Gilbert of Salida, Colorado.

As a young girl growing up in Iowa you would often find me sitting on my front porch turning my old gum wrappers into beads.  The love for creating wearable art has always been a constant in my life. I now live and work from my home studio in a small mountain town in Colorado.

I am for the most part self taught. Cold forging, lost wax casting, traditional silversmithing, lapidary and wire wrapping are all techniques I use in my work.  The oxidized metals include sterling silver, 14k gold-fill, bronze, copper and brass.

Prospecting is another passion of mine and you will often find some of my earthly finds used in my designs.    I have a love of the old world and it's history with beads and have been collecting ancient and antique glass & stone beads for over 30 years now. Nothing thrills me more than seeing one of my scarce beads side by side with a sparkling faceted gemstone or contemporary handmade lampwork bead!

Find more of Karen's work here.