Tarma Blog

Tarma's Cut Stainless Steel -- Bold & Green When we started Tarma Designs in 2005, we chose a material and a manufacturing process that would lend itself to intricate detail, had a bold but simple look, was durable and could be worn 24/7.  We wanted it go with an active lifestyle - hiking, cycling, running, yoga.  And was something that you didn't have to take off or worry about. With a clean slate, we could do something different. For the material, we chose the very "green" 316L stainless steel.  Tarma's 316L stainless has a +60% post-consumer recycled content. 316L can be worked in many different finishes, cut or cast, will never tarnish and is lightweight and strong. Often used in maritime and medical uses, this surgical grade material is very inert and does not oxidize, so it will never tarnish and is happy in the shower or swimming. For the manufacturing process, we chose Electric Discharge Machining , or EDM.  The process allows

Tarma Hammer Wire Page We make our aluminum and silver hammered wire pieces at our Sonoma County workshop. Silver spirals were the first item we made, but have since expanded to work with aluminum wire.  Lightweight and malleable, aluminum is commonly recycled and produces lightweight, bold pieces with beautifully accentuated hammered edges. Wire thickness varies with the piece we're making.  Usually about 2mm for pendants and 1.5mm for earrings and dainty dangles. Rita is holding a coil of 2mm bright aluminum. After the design and bending sequence has been perfected, each piece is shaped by hand using jewelers pliers.  In addition to the dragonfly necklace and earrings, we have heart, spiral, and our new flower design. After shaping, a domed face hammer is used to flatten the round wire.  Hammering not only adds dimension, but also cold works the piece to harden and make the piece stiffer. We use polyester cord because its durable and dries quickly.  You can we

Active body meets a spiritual mind . . . I often take reflection and insight from the outdoors. Hiking is usually involved, as it can be meditative. Searching for the feeling of being alive. And sometimes I find the moment during my searching when I have self-awareness, I can see simplicity and meaning. A reminder of what life’s truly about. Early one morning, climbing along a shaded slope, frosty air, enough to see your breath, I saw time pass through my body with the beat of my heart and the steps I took. Chugging away like an engine going up the hill. Knowing that I was hiking and eagerly headed for the ridge top, that’s where I wanted to go . . . the warm morning sunshine and fragrant fur trees. I paused my walking. I looked back down the shadowy trail at the incline where I had just been. I could see where I was a few minutes before, coming up the mountain. Still fresh in my mind, I visualized the image of myself hiking. I was aware of the breaths that I had taken from there