This and That--Filling in the Blanks

This week finds me working in all directions.  Maybe not the most inspired way to create, but with 3 upcoming shows in November, I'm making things to fill in the holes in my inventory.  I've laid it all out to assess--and yes, I'm in a bit of a mess. 

 

After taking a visual inventory, I realized I needed some important pieces like reticulated earrings with stones, some flower chandelier earrings, and more bauble rings.  So, I set out on my mission and here's what I've done:

New reticulated earrings with carnelian cabochons & black onyx cabochons.  

Two new pairs of sterling silver tiny daisy drop earrings.

And three new bauble rings, L to R: 

 

4mm Tsavorite garnet bezeled in fine silver; sterling silver and 18k gold; 3mm blue sapphire with overlap.

A few fun pieces are in the works too.  Be sure to check out next week's blog to see!

Inspirational Flowers

What an amazing time of year!  There are shades of green that you only see now, so I took the opportunity to walk around the yard and capture the colors and flowers of spring. 

The azalea shrubs are coming into full bloom and look beautiful! 

I like the up close and personal shots of the flowers.   I can definitely see some new flower inspired jewelry in my future!

The crabapples have also popped with color.  And the bumble bees are happy! 

It's a wonder I get much of anything done during this time.  The gardens call to me daily and today I answered!  No studio creating today--today, my hands were deep in dirt and pulling out weeds.  A much needed break to soak up nature and to inspire and refill my well. 

And here's a sneak peak of what's coming up next--

  It's lady slipper season and there are LOTS more on their way. 

Enjoy the season!

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.   

Reticulated Bracelets Continue

I've been busy working away in the studio and have been focusing on some new reticulated bracelets.  After finishing up the commission cuff, I thought I'd keep going and continue with some new ideas.  I'm happy to continue working in this series, as every piece is different and stiking on its own.  So, these are what I've finished:

I've overlapped two pieces of reticulated silver and added varying sizes of silver balls along the seam.  It's simple and striking.

Here are the two side views.  I really like how the edges curl and soften the profile and also the piece is a little more simple than others.

 



Next up is a full reticulated bangle.  I love the way the appliqued swirl continues around the entire piece.  Check it out from all sides.

There's no top or bottom--you can wear it either way--and the beauty of the embellishments in the round allows for interest while it rolls around your wrist. 

This is the last cuff I finished this week and it may be my favorite:

It's 20g reticulated silver with balls and wires soldered on.  In its earlier state, I was only going to have one 5mm cabochon on it.  But as I was finishing the piece, it seemed to need a little more.  So I added two additional bezel cups--one 3mm and one 4mm.  I set a green tourmaline in both the 3mm and 5mm bezels and a peridot in the 4mm bezel. 

I'm really pleased with the assymetrical quality of the design and feel I made the right choice by adding the additional stones.  What do you think?

Moments

Back in the fall while delivering some new jewelry to CRAFT, I had the opportunity to talk to a woman who was admiring my work.  The meeting and conversation was a chance--a moment--and it was really special.  I don't get to have the one-on-one talk about my jewelry very often, but this time was lovely--a young woman visiting Maine for the first time and connecting with its beauty and creativity.  I remember saying "Maine feeds your soul."  How true for me and apparently for her too as I would learn. 

I went about my day and later that week I arrived home to an email from an unknown name.  It was the woman I had spoken with now home from her trip to Maine.  She told me some details about the importance of her trip--for healing and new beginnings--about the unexpected loss of a love and how she wanted to "remember" their life together and how she hoped to fit my jewelry into the picture. 

She asked me if I would create a bracelet similar to the ones she saw and loved, but with a few special details, special for her--the vast universe, a green tourmaline stone (the color of his eyes), and to capture not just a memory but a "moment."  Tall order, but I thought I was up for it. 

Time passed and I found myself struggling to create--I was pressuring myself and stifling my creativity because I wanted the bracelet to be perfect for her.  So around the holidays I finally sketched out the basic design and emailed it along to her.  I expressed why it had taken me so long--my difficulty and struggle because of the meaning I wanted it to have.  Not really a surprise, I was given the OK to just create, as she knew whatever I made would be beautiful. 

And so, I did.

It is finished and is getting shipped this week.  It's a surprise, but I felt I could show it here.  It's a 1 3/4 inch wide reticulated cuff with an overlapping band.  A 5mm green tourmaline cabochon is featured off center amongst the silver baubles, and one lone 18k gold ball stands just aside from the others. 

It was my privilege to create such a meaningful piece of jewelry.  I know I put my positive energy and being into the creating of it, as did the surrounding beauty of Maine.  I also suspect that someone else had his hand (and heart) in it too.