As the world of manufacturing trends toward being smaller and more customized, many industries are doing the same. Customized jewelry has often been relegated to work done in castings, but customized jewelry is becoming a much bigger industry, and CNC machinery is helping to lead the way.

Frankie Flood is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus and teaches in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing area within the Peck School of the Arts. A classically-trained jewelry artist, Flood’s interest in CNC began in the machine shop while attending the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Frankie Flood is an Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts and co-chair of the Jewelry and Metalsmithing Department, where he teaches courses centered on using digital design and manufacturing tools like CAD, CAM, CNC machining, and 3D Printing in art and industrial design. Frankie's also a Studio Artist (check out his website here) and creates one-of-a-kind functional objects, often expressing his take on everyday kitchen tools like knives, forks, and teapots. His motorcycle-inspired pizza cutter designs are highly sought after by art collectors and professional chefs, including Mike Isabella (of  TV's Top Chef fame).  Here's the Video: 

Wow, May is going by fast! - its the last week in May and we are just now getting around to the showcase post. Chris from Steelwerks is our May Showcase winner.