A Couple New Things

I've been working and creating in the studio and have been focused on using stones and beads that I've had in inventory.  Sometimes working with what you have gives enough inspiration to spark new things.  That's what I've found with these two necklaces. 

This design started with the Picasso jasper cabochon and I worked from there.  It's bezeled in fine silver and has a black onyx bead drop.  The pendant has a nice brushed silver face and can be worn on the black spinel beads or can be removed and worn on a silver chain. 

This second necklace design started with the soft triangle pyrite stone--its black motherstone infused with gold flecks of pyrite.  A fine silver bezel is mirrored by sterling silver wire that becomes the bail for the faceted pyrite beaded necklace.  Dropped below is a pyrite nugget that my dad found in Brunswick, Maine.  This pendant can also be removed from the beads and can be worn on a silver chain.

I'm continuing on this road until a new one presents itself. 

Keeping it Up

I've been trying to keep my stride in the studio--working on a couple more new rings, as well as some commissions.  This ring is really great!  The turquoise stone is huge!!!  22 x 30mm--I wish the scale showed.   

The stone is bezeled in fine silver and the rest of the ring is sterling silver.  The shank is nice and heavy too.

Here's a new picture showing how the ring looks on--isn't it great?!

This next ring I struggled with.  We fought the whole time, but I persevered and got it done!  Not sure why some pieces go smoothly and others can be painful--something to do with the creativity gods I guess.

Here's a rose cut free-form blue sapphire and a 2.5mm diamond.  Both are bezeled in 22k gold and the accents are also 22k.  The remainder of the ring is sterling silver.  I love to mix silver and gold so you're not tied to one or the other.  The gold adds warmth, and the silver has strength. 

Put it all together and the results are striking. 

It's raining here, and it's supposed to get even worse tomorrow.  We need it!  Here's hoping I'll get another full studio day!

On a Roll--Rings

I was working in the studio this weekend and was drawn in by some new stones.  I decided it was time to make some new rings.  I started with this Labradorite ring. 

The Labradorite is a 12x12mm antique cushion cut.  It's bezeled in fine silver and the rest of the ring is sterling silver. 

The second ring I designed after selecting the stone--an 18 x 25mm Chinese turquoise.

The colors are turquoisey, underwater looking, and beautiful!  The bezel is fine silver with the rest being sterling silver. 

The third ring shows off a Peruvian opal: 

I wish the shimmer showed in the pics, but it's pretty tough to capture.  Doesn't it look like a landscape?  This stone is smaller--about 10x12mm and is bezeled in fine silver.  I liver of sulphured the sterling "plate", so the silver hammered balls shine in contrast. 

That ends this run of rings, but I think I'm going to continue!  What do you think?

Happy Easter!

We had a great dinner with my parents today.  Enjoyed yummy ham, potatoes and asparagus and of course--lots of chocolate!  Hope you had a great day too! 

Alot of new designs happening in the studio--rings, reticulated pins, and belt buckles too.  This photo shows a new necklace with silver flowers and faceted pink sapphires.  Here's the full piece--sterling silver wire vines linked to silver flowers.

More to come later this week. 

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.   

Commissions

I've been lucky enough to have some commission work to do this winter, so I've split my studio time between creating the commissions and mixing in a new piece for inventory.  Here are some of the completed commissions:

A silver reticulated cuff with balls and silver curves.

 

Reticulated silver earrings to compliment the above cuff. 

Sterling silver clip earrings with 18x25mm black onyx cabochons and 1 3/4 inch double dome beads with stamped pattern.  These are to wear with this:

A three-strand renewed necklace with carved beads, black onyx, and stamped double dome beads.

Another reticulated commission is this cuff--a little thinner with silver balls and a 4mm faceted apatite gemstone:

Isn't that turquoisey color gorgeous?!

Next up--some of the new inventory pieces.

Time Flies

It's hard to belive it's been a month since I last wrote.  So much has gone on--so many places I've been.  Here's a quick rundown:

Midcoast Maine's Pecha Kucha night in Rockport.  I was 1 of 8 speakers and the first jeweler to participate.  This was the room before the evening begun--it was standing room only!

The following morning I left for Philadelphia to attend the Buyers Market of American Craft.  What a whirlwind trip with my friend Anita.  Here's Anita at our first night's dinner--happy to have landed.

And yes, the Reading Terminal Market.  So many yummy things to eat!  And we did!

When I got home, we had another snow storm--

but thankfully it's all melted again!

My website is becoming e-commerce, so you'll be able to buy direct from the site very soon and I've sent out show applications for the summer and have a couple more to go.  

Last but not least, I've been very busy creating in the studio--new designs and commission pictures to come very soon!