Posted on March 25 2021
It's always neat to see how things are made and when Shaun O'Keefe of Brook & Bend and I traded emails the other day, I asked if he'd send some step by step images of him making one of his no two are alike Trout Cuffs coming together from a strip of clean flat copper to complete.
Shaun tells his story and you can enjoy a look behind the shop door at Brook & Bend below...
Shaun tells his story and you can enjoy a look behind the shop door at Brook & Bend below...
Shaun wrote... "So I’ve been fly fishing for a little over 12 years now and am completely fascinated by wild brook trout. I fish for them deep in the western Pennsylvania mountains within small natural fed creeks. That is where I draw my passion for the designs that I create.
I went to art school for graphic design when I was younger and just really always enjoyed art and making things. I got into making bracelets and cuffs because I wanted to be able to wear something that I made that represented what I enjoyed most which is fly fishing and nature. I started out just making one for myself with rudimentary tools. And then I had coworkers and strangers ask me what is up with my bracelet. So I thought why not try and make them for people that were interested.
I invested in some basic jewelry making tools and supplies and slowly started making them and selling them to whoever was interested. I make each one by hand and each one is unique and different just like no two trout have the same patterns. I started out with just trout but I do some nature related ones as well. And I have a tarpon version coming out soon. I make them using surgical stainless steel, brass and copper. The brass and copper versions get a really nice patina the more you wear them."
