Guild of Metalsmiths' Gallery: Works by Manuel Colunga-Hernandez

Jewelry

Necklace -"Lords of the Night"

Necklace - "Daughter of Isis"

There is one color shot of "Lords of the Night", a daykeeper's neckpiece that uses the Aztec Calendar images of the 9 Lords. The stones are Mexican Crazy Lace in a same chunk set with turquoise and a carved opal skull on the ring through the nose of the Celestial God of Fire. The claws are from a black bear, taken honorably and it was to honor the spirit of the Bear that I did the piece. The setting is .999 fine silver with sterling connections to assure wearability.

The second piece is a neckpiece my wife inspired and is in her collection. I called it "Daughter of Isis", a figure from ancient Egypt that is special to her. The face, arms and feet are shaped and carved opals. The centerpiece is from a rather rare 'blank spot' in a Mexican Crazylace formation. The setting is .999 fine silver; the connections are sterling. The piece weighs about 2lbs. The design, like most of my larger pieces, has a built in counter balance in the back to allow better distribution of weight and not be cumbersome or heavy to wear.

Knives

An Athame titled  "Ravens Rowan"

 The "Athame", is a combination of blacksmithing and silversmithing...(Athame: (pronounced A-thu-may or At-hame) A ritual tool )
It may be a bit 'fancy', but it is a combination of smithed high tensile steel and brass and silver. The piece is called 'Ravens Rowan', and though I know the handle doesn't accurately portray a Rowan or Mountain Ash, it is none the less what my friend needed. There are additional views of it on Manuel's webpage.

Email: mannynan@paulbunyan.net

Silver Spider Forge
48121 Silver Spider Forge Rd
Deer River, MN 56636
Telephone: (218) 659-2621
Working metals is the one thing in life that just seems to flow through me. I find in each a unique quality and characteristic that whether worked alone or in conjunct with another metal and the proper design can shine through and make itself known to the onlooker... no matter the situation. To achieve that state of workmanship that says, "Here is a piece that has presence, that has the ability to stand a test of time."

I want to strive to produce items of utility as well and am doing a lot more blacksmithing of late... soon I hope to establish a small line of designs in iron. Mainly fireplace tools, art pieces, decorative structural steel, tables, you name it... yes, even cd racks! Of course they won't be like any stuff you will find in most catalogues... I am like a random number machine, repitition doesn't follow. My main problem with being an artist is that I am so busy putting down new ideas, I hate to stop the rhythm... but if I don't, I don't get much done... the catch 22 syndrome. So I compromise and sketch while I work on jobs..!

Check out my website, or pay me a visit, 25 miles northwest of Deer River - 18 miles north on Route 6 to County 35 and another 7 miles west to Silver Spider Forge Road.

Visit Manuel's home page.
http://www.SilverSpiderForge.com

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