Sunday, April 27, 2014

Rings--silver, stones, and more!

I've been working on a lot of rings lately--rings with funky and unusual stones and settings. Sometimes the stone does all the talking. Like this fire agate:

Simply brushed sterling silver shelf around the stone accentuates the cloudy edges and then the pop of the orange y-brown fire and the iridescent green--gorgeous stone!

And who can resist a large turquoise with black spider-webbing?! Oxidized to set off the large silver hammered balls. Everything is over sized and makes a statement in this ring. 


I am highly inspired by Native American and Mexican silversmiths from days of yore and can truly appreciate their skill and craftsmanship. I feel I struck a real Modernist look with this next ring.


It's a large round red agate cabochon that's bezeled in fine silver and off set in the larger circle. The outer edge is heavy square wire that frames the design. The inside is oxidized to set apart the areas of the ring.

Because I often don't repeat ideas or thoughts (sometimes on purpose, sometimes not), I thought I'd use some of the same design elements in another ring, but boy does it have a completely different look and feel.


A 6mm faceted blue topaz gemstone is tube set in the center of a silver bauble field. The background is oxidized to give depth and texture, while the outer square wire creates the same frame as above. I think it's pretty cool!

So many other things are on the bench, including some commissions that I'm finishing up. Lot's more to come!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Happy Easter!

A lovely sunny day to celebrate Easter with family. And happy pansies to help spring along.


And after a road trip to the annual gem and mineral show--this is what I call Easter candy!


Yummy, juicy colors of kyanite, opal, druzy, and jasper stones. They will soon meet with silver and gold and make their way into some new jewelry creations--I'm thinking some gorgeous rings! I can't wait to get back in the studio!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Silver Flowers in All Sizes

It's April and time is flying! I'm starting to get a little nervous about my inventory as I've been slowly updating things at my retail locations. So, I focused on some basics this weekend and set out to create new silver flower earrings--all sizes and styles.  This is what I came up with:


I love the various sizes and finishes, hydrangea inspired and daisy inspired. A pretty good bunch with a few more pairs ready to go on the bench. Can't wait to get them all together.