Anodized Aluminum Jewelry

NOTE: Anodized Aluminum Jewelry is similar to titanium jewelry in that it is very lightweight, but it is more colorful. Many more colors and designs can be applied to anodized aluminum than titanium.

How do I handcraft my Anodized Aluminum Jewelry?

Short Version---Anodizing is an electrochemical process in which an oxide layer is formed on the raw aluminum allowing the surface to accept dye. This process hardens the metal and protects it from corrosion. After the anodizing is complete, the aluminum is dyed. Afterwards, I cut, hammer, polish and assemble the aluminum pieces and embellish them with beads and/or charms. Finally, earring posts and pin backs are glued on using E-6000 glue or GOOP. It has the look of gold or silver, but will never tarnish and is extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. All posts and hooks are made of hypoallergenic surgical steel. My jewelry is elegantly stylish and affordable, and will provide many years of pleasure.

Caring for my jewelry is simple: Clean with a soft, damp cloth using mild soap. All pieces are fully guaranteed. Wholesale inquiries welcome.

*Note to Jewelers/Artists: For more detailed info about working with anodized aluminum and supplies, please visit www.eastwestdye.com. I do not teach classes in anodized aluminum jewelry making. 

Inside my studio:  I have several work stations in my studio:

I begin all designs at my design station (a large table with supplies) where  I keep a large sketchbook filled with sketches, magazine pictures and notes. When I need new designs, I flip through this book and expand on the ideas by sketching more detailed designs on paper. I send my final drawings (which must be flawless at this point) to a rubber stamping company which transforms these tiny drawings into stamps. At my dying station (where I store about 100 stamps and am always adding new ones), I stamp these Whimsical designs onto the anodized aluminum using permanent stamping ink. After the ink dries, I fill in the areas with permanent dyes, much like coloring inside the lines in a coloring book. After the metal is dry, I boil it in water for about 15 minutes which makes the dye permanent.

For my Career Classics, I experiment with many different colors/shades to achieve just the right combination/pattern of colors.  I can only dye a small  6" x 6" sheet of  aluminum at a time, which yields only a small amount of jewelry.

Over the years, I have designed not only a wide variety of color patterns and whimsical designs, but also a large number of shapes for the jewelry. Some are basic shapes, but others are the result of numerous sketches and experimentation with the metal which results in unique shapes that are flattering and comfortable when made into jewelry. When I am satisfied with the new shapes, I trace around each one directly onto the aluminum, then saw it out using a jeweler's saw (at the cutting station) and polish the edges.  Finally, these sawed-out shapes are sent to Albuquerque where a man makes steel dies of each shape.

Using a small hand-turned press, these dies enable me to cut out multiple shapes at my cutting station.  I place the aluminum shape inside the die  and put it in the press,  turning the handle until the two steel plates of the press come together. This pressure cuts the aluminum into the desired shape without having to saw each one out. Afterwards, I polish the edge of each piece on my polishing lathe, making sure the edges are smooth so that they will be comfortable to wear. Next, I drill holes (if needed for adding beads). Then, I put each piece on a wooden dapping block, hammering each one by hand to give it a curved (dished) shape.

Finally, the pieces are taken to the Beads/Findings Station where I add beads and charms and glue on posts/ pin backs. After the pieces dry for 48 hours, I put each piece of jewelry on my jewelry cards. Voila! The jewelry is finally ready  to worn and enjoyed!                                                                                                            

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What customers have to say about Cindy's Jewelry: "My favorite items on my jewelry tray are the Cindy Lowy earrings! I have been a fan of Cindy's jewelry for many years and always get compliments every time I wear it. I love my 'wearable art' by Cindy... Not only is it unique, eye-catching, lightweight and well-made, it is also great fun to wear!     ~Pat Mueller, Louisville,

Cindy at her workbench, dyeing the metal

Cindy in her studio, cutting jewelry pieces

How Cindy Started Making Anodized Aluminum Jewelry

 A former art teacher, Cindy has been designing and making jewelry since 1980 and is an exhibiting member of the prestigious Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. Cindy’s jewelry sells in galleries throughout the United States; she also sells it at approximately fifteen regional juried art shows per year.

Cindy’s jewelry is unique: she is one of the few artists in the country making anodized aluminum jewelry, which is much like titanium, but more vivid.

In 1989, while exhibiting her handcrafted fashion jewelry at the New York International Gift Show, colorful jewelry by an artist from Great Britain caught her eye. Cindy was enthralled with its unusual beauty and learned the jewelry was made from anodized aluminum.

“As soon as I saw the anodized aluminum jewelry, I fell in love with it. I had never seen any jewelry like it before. I had seen titanium, but this was much more colorful, vivid, and interesting. The colorful, satiny sheen of the metal was absolutely beautiful!”

 Soon after she returned to Louisville, Cindy began experimenting with anodized aluminum and eventually developed two distinctive lines of anodized aluminum jewelry.

The making of Cindy’s jewelry involves many steps. First, the aluminum goes through an electrochemical process in which an oxide layer is formed, making the surface acceptant to permanent dyes. Afterwards, she boils the metal which seals in the color. Cindy then cuts out shapes for the jewelry and polishes them. Next, using a wooden dapping block, she hammers each piece to achieve dimension. Finally, holes are drilled and beads are added for embellishment.

Standing in Cindy's sunny studio and surveying her wide array of jewelry, one wonders how she comes up with so many beautiful jewelry designs. When asked where she gets her ideas for her jewelry, Cindy replied: "I keep a sketchbook to which I periodically add new designs. When inspired, I quickly sketch the image I envision before I forget it. My inspiration comes from nature, photos in magazines, textile designs, and even dream images. Then, when I am not feeling creative but need to make new designs, I refer to my sketchbook."

 Cindy went on to say, “It is my goal to create jewelry that is not only unique and beautiful, but also comfortable and easy to care for. Anodized aluminum is perfect because it is hypo-allergenic, lightweight, and never tarnishes. For example, my career line sells really well because it is conservative enough to wear to work or formal events and has a distinctive, elegant look. For my whimsical line, I paint lighthearted images onto the aluminum. I want people to give themselves permission to have fun, even at work, " says Cindy. “I like making jewelry that lifts people’s spirits.”

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