New TwoByFour Series wins Award!

My newest Series, TwoByFour, won an award last week, before I could even properly launch it! Let me tell you about it, first:

My passion lies in moving metal, and that is exactly what this new series is all about. Doubtlessly, the series arose out of my recent explorations in Blacksmithing … (see my story A New Love Affair, or search the word ‘blacksmithing’ within my blog), which were graciously funded by a professional development grant from Nova Scotia Communities, Culture and Heritage – Thank You!
Each ring starts as a rod of silver that is 2 inches in length, and 4 millimeters in diameter. Then I start moving that metal! I forge each piece to change its shape.  Then I make rings from the results; it takes tremendous strength to shape the forged blanks into rings. Each ring turns out differently; each ring is a discovery for me.

When worn, these rings have different looks, depending on which side of the forged line is showing. When a ring has two side-by-side lines of metal, the look is almost modernist. Turn the same ring on the finger, and the elegant edge is showing. Turn is further, and a little dot may pop its little head out between the fingers – a really playful look. You’ll have to try to see some of these rings yourself somewhere … and I will try to get some photos of the rings being worn. That will explain better!  Apparently I was able to explain and show well enough to the jurors at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS) in Halifax earlier this month, because I won their Award for Best Product!  But look, I do have a photo for you:

The Best Product Award is presented each year to the ACTS exhibitor who the jury considers to have the best new product at the trade show. Products are judged on original design and creativity, workmanship, marketability, product function and promotional materials. ACTS, a pan-Atlantic wholesale buying trade show for craft & giftware retailers, is a very cool thing for us Atlantic Canadian craft producers.  I am grateful every year to the Craft Alliance Atlantic Association, who produces the show. Bernard Burton, who runs that ship, is a huge supporter of the local craft industry, and has been tremendously helpful to me and many others over the years.

The exact words of the Jurors were “Excellent craftsmanship and innovative design explain why Dorothee Rosen’s TwoByFour rings were selected for Best New Product at the 2013 Atlantic Craft Trade Show. Dorothee has taken the very traditional form of a hand forged square nail and has translated that into the world of jewellery. By adding her own contemporary twist, Dorothee has created a one-of-a-kind silver ring that can be worn in a variety of ways. Each TwoByFour ring starts as a 2 mm by 4 inch piece of silver which, when transformed by the maker’s creativity and skill, becomes a wearable, beautiful ring, each one as unique as the person who wears it.”

I will be very proud to display this beautifully crafted slate-stone award in my booth at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia this coming weekend!