Gary the Silversmith - Gary Simmons

I have been silversmithing for several years. Most of my pieces have been for my wife, friends and family. Occasionally I have produced some special pendant pieces for benefit auctions. The special silver dollar sheep design shown comes from my wife’s passionate interest in primitive wool rug hooking. In keeping with the primitive motif I use only antique Morgan Head, pre 1900 silver dollars. The sheep is a sterling silver model of a very old breed of Gary the Silversmith - Gary Simmons European sheep called a Steigar. The sheep was hand carved out of wax, then cast in sterling silver using a method called “lost wax casting”. I buy old Morgan head silver dollars at antique fairs or from collectors No silver dollar will be the same. Some will show the wear and tear of almost a century of use and others might be less worn because some collector has kept it out of circulation.

Each piece is hand built. Due to the different metal qualities of the sterling silver sheep and the silver dollar, each piece will have a different patina. The melting points of the silver solder used on sterling and the silver dollar make the fusion of the two very precise. I have burned up more than one silver dollar while soldering the sheep to the silver dollar. The same for the sterling bail at the top of the piece. I have also enhanced the primitive look by using an aging process on the silver. The silver dollar, along with the sheep as with any sterling piece will eventually have a dark, aging patina if left unpolished.

All my pendants are fully constructed by hand. I always use sterling silver.I produce no duplicates and each one is truly an original.

My non sheep dollar speciality pieces can contain beautiful, semi-precious, turquoise stone or other semi precious cabochons. The design and the finish of the silver evolve to display the stone in the most favorable way.

Often I use a process called “reticulation”. It takes several “firings” of the silver sheet to bring out a textured surface on the silver piece. Reticulation is a process by which metal is made to draw itself into ridges and valleys, creating a unique texture.

My work is not designed to eliminate the minor imperfections you might see. I feel that the true hand work of craftsmanship should show the craft work. Otherwise you would have a product that won’t be seen as any different than one mass produced by machines.

This pendant can be occasionally wiped with a silver polishing rag or left to age with a natural patina that will continue to enhance the finish. Wear and enjoy my handcrafted pendants.



		I have been silversmithing for several years. Most of my pieces have been for my wife, friends and family. Occasionally I have produced some special pendant pieces for benefit auctions. The special silver dollar sheep design shown comes from my wife’s passionate interest in primitive wool rug hooking. In keeping with the primitive motif I use only antique Morgan Head, pre 1900 silver dollars. The sheep is a sterling silver model of a very old breed of European sheep called a Steigar. The sheep was hand carved out of wax, then cast in sterling silver using a method called “lost wax casting”. I buy old Morgan head silver dollars at antique fairs or from collectors No silver dollar will be the same. Some will show the wear and tear of almost a century of use and others might be less worn because some collector has kept it out of circulation. Each piece is hand built. Due to the different metal qualities of the sterling silver sheep and the silver dollar, each piece will have a different patina. The melting points of the silver solder used on sterling and the silver dollar make the fusion of the two very precise. I have burned up more than one silver dollar while soldering the sheep to the silver dollar. The same for the sterling bail at the top of the piece. I have also enhanced the primitive look by using an aging process on the silver. The silver dollar, along with the sheep as with any sterling piece will eventually have a dark, aging patina if left unpolished. All my pendants are fully constructed by hand. I always use sterling silver.I produce no duplicates and each one is truly an original. My non sheep dollar speciality pieces can contain beautiful, semi-precious, turquoise stone or other semi precious cabochons. The design and the finish of the silver evolve to display the stone in the most favorable way. Often I use a process called “reticulation”. It takes several “firings” of the silver sheet to bring out a textured surface on the silver piece. Reticulation is a process by which metal is made to draw itself into ridges and valleys, creating a unique texture. My work is not designed to eliminate the minor imperfections you might see. I feel that the true hand work of craftsmanship should show the craft work. Otherwise you would have a product that won’t be seen as any different than one mass produced by machines. This pendant can be occasionally wiped with a silver polishing rag or left to age with a natural patina that will continue to enhance the finish. Wear and enjoy my handcrafted pendants. Gary the Silversmith Gary Simmons 3017 S. OwenSchool RD Independence, MO 64057 816-309-8843 Email Gary Simmons www.garythesilversmith.com/ Home \| Artisans \| Membership \| Contact \| Featured Craftsman \| Mission \| Links \| Members Only
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