Snow Day

While it was looking like this outside:

I was busy working away at my bench, pushing my way through some new earring designs.  Between shoveling the decks twice and playing with the dog, I managed to make these:

The small pair on the left are reticulated silver with 6mm aventurine cabochons; the pair on the right has chalcedony beads dangling below; the bottom pair is larger and all silver.  Not bad for a day that kept me preoccupied watching the robins eat the remaining berries off our winterberry shrubs.

Another Year

It's hard to believe another year has passed doing this blog!  Two whole years without me wondering what I'd do and I am pleasantly surprised that I still have alot to show, say, and share.  One exciting thing--I just found out I've been accepted to show at Laudholm Farm Crafts Festival again this September!  (YEAH!!!)  So mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9, at Laudholm Farm in Wells, ME.  Come on by and say hi!

Now, some new designs I've been working on:

This reticulated necklace has graduating silver discs that I've embellished with balls and bars and fine silver bezels housing assorted green stones--tourmaline, chrysoprase, peridot, and aventurine. The articulated joinery allows the necklace to sit comfortably around the neck.

And then there's this necklace:

Thin slices of aquamarines, strung with complimentary silver reticulated pieces.The colors are icy and seaglassy--lovely!

So much more to show.  Now that I've finished painting my spare bedroom (a lovely shade called 'aloe vera'), I'll update more often.   

Earrings for Everyday

I got back in the studio and went to town on creating some new reticulated earrings.  My next ad in Downeast magazine is coming out in the February issue and I feature a great pair of earrings.  The only problem (not really a problem) is that they sold after the ad was designed.  So, I thought what a good excuse to focus on making earrings.  Here's what I've finished: 

The seven pairs sitting pretty in the studio.

These are the smallest pair--with pink tourmaline seed beads.

I love the simplicity and clean lines here.

Stud backs on heavily reticulated silver with 4mm apple green chryso-prase cabs.

Squiggles and curves dangle on the hooked earwires.

The green aventurine cabs here add just the right touch to the clean lines.

These earrings are most similar to the pair in the ad.  The 6x8mm stones are black lace agate. The squiggle makes for a fun design.

Last but not least, another design featuring the balls and bars on the reticulated metal.

Well, back at it tomorrow.  I have a few pendants in the works.  We'll see where they go.