Maine Craft Weekend

It's Columbus Day weekend--the real sign that the summer season is coming to an end. This year, I'm participating in the statewide Maine Craft Weekend. My home studio in Damariscotta is open both Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Contact me for more information. I'll be working away in the studio, so stop on by and see what's new.

Welcome September!

September is here and again, where did the time go?! You might wonder how I can lose time, but if you know anything about living in Maine, you realize that nearly everything for the year happens in a short three month period. And...so much has been going on in my personal life (which I will share at a later time). Thankfully creating my jewelry has kept me focused and happy.

Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival was last weekend and it was a great show. Thank you to all who came and made it a huge success! Here's a happy lady with a new cuff:

Next up, I'll be at the 44th Annual Peters Valley School of Craft Fine Craft Fair, September 27 & 28 at the Sussex Country Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey. Hope to see you there.

Upcoming Show--Lincoln Arts Festival Opens

Please join me at the Lincoln Arts Festival "Arts and Yachts" Show where I'll be exhibiting my jewelry! Opening Thursday night 5-7 and regular hours Friday-Sunday, 10:00-6:00. I'll be available and on hand for most of the show. Hope to see you there!

Summer is Flying!

I can't believe how quickly the time is flying. I've been busy with shows and am off to the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine this weekend for the first annual invitational craft show. I hope to see you there.

An Amazing Weekend with Linda Kindler-Priest

In the doldrums of this long and cold winter, I received a mailing from one of my favorite small metal schools--Metalwerx. It was annoucing their upcoming summer series called "Summer with the Masters" and I started perusing and dreaming of summer. I was thrilled to see that a favorite jeweler of mine--Linda Kindler-Priest--was teaching a class on the ancient art of repoussage. Normally I wouldn't consider taking time off in the summer, but this was an amazing opportunity and I jumped at it. It seemed so far away!

The summer weekend came quickly. And I packed up my car and headed south. Wow!!! I loved every minute. Linda taught us the technique--the basics--and now it's up to me to take that knowledge and practice. Hammering metal for 3 days was incredible and exhausting. Here's what I learned:

Structure--we hammered pyramids into the copper as an exercise.

Motion--swirls and curly-cues.

And lastly, our realistic project--I chose a dogwood flower. It was suggested to make our project on the simpler side--not many petals, and/or profile view.

Still needs some refinement, but coming along--tap, tap, tap.

What I've been up to--finishing commissions

I started into the winter with a number of jewelry projects to be designed and then created. Slowly, I've been ticking away at the list and here are photos of some of the finished projects.

This pendant was made with vintage jade buttons that were carved and suggested butterfly wings. the client and I came up with a butterfly inspired pendant set upon reticulated silver and baubles--touches of 18k gold.

Reticulated silver earrings with 4mm diamonds that are tube set in fine silver. The lower disc swings on the Inspired by a pair the client purchased a couple years ago and wears every day.

This cuff was inspired by one in inventory but added several little diamonds that were from the client's own ring--she didn't wear it anymore and thought let's use them in something else. 

This ring is 18k gold and silver with carnelian and lapis lazuli stones. The colors were chosen to correspond to an antique Navajo bracelet.

A lot more work is coming out of the studio. Will write again soon!

May -- Where Has It Gone?!

I can't believe that the month of May is winding down--already! Where did it go? I've been crazily working on inventory and commissions and getting work out to my retail shops to start the 2014 summer season here in Maine.

This year you can find my jewelry in a few new places including Bangor and Damariscotta, Maine. In Bangor, stop by Blue Heron to see some of my classic flower and reticulated silver designs.

Next up, my delivery to CRAFT in Rocklacd. Barbara is open for the season, so be sure to stop in and say hi! We've stocked the shop up with a nice mix of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

New this year is a consignment to Off to the Cottage/Seawicks in Damariscotta. This shop features all beach cottage furniture and accessories, including their wonderful hand made candles. I focused on some beach inspired jewelry for them--fish, pearls, and coral.

Casual Interiors in Boothbay Harbor is once again featuring my jewelry. We feature a mix of pearls, silver and gold work for Carol.

I'll be changing things in and out of the shops on a regular schedule through the season. Hope you visit!