Variations...

Three new pieces, not anything that much different from previous items, but nice variations none the less...

This first is one of my double-leaf pendants, this one has a pierced Ichthus (Christian Fish Symbol) on the top leaf & a nice colored Blue Kyanite stone that has been embedded in the bottom leaf with a backless bezel.  Both leaves have a fish scale texture.  I call this one "Living Water".

"Living Water" - Sterling Silver with Blue Kyanite

Then there's "Lucy" - not at all presumptuous, just fun and playful... I made the center of her flower from a bit of Shibuichi (blended copper & silver) to give it a bit of color, that center has been coated with a protective coating to help prevent oxidation (copper oxidizes quickly).

"Lucy" - Sterling Silver with Shibuichi sphere

Finally there's "Sacrifice" a simple pierced single-leaf pendant (btw: the leaf on a single leaf pendant is larger than the leaves on the double-leaf pendants).  This was requested by a friend (I don't normally do requests) for someone special... I call it Sacrifice because the cross that has been pierced through appears to be stretching out its arms...

"Sacrifice" - Sterling Silver

I have another piece I hope to get posted soon, its another experimental ring... still trying to find something that really works for me in that arena... until next time!!

Busy with other things...

Ok, been a long time since I shared a new piece of jewelry, so here goes...

"Something Blue" - Sterling & Fine Silver, textured & pierced,
with a Dumortierite stone in a backless bezel that goes through.

This is a sister to a previously shown piece named Felicity, and I'm working on other similar pieces.


What else have I been doing?  Glad you asked!! (yep, I know, talking to myself again)

Well, I've been filling in a couple special requests (just like stuff you've already seen) & doing some repairs (not my work) for friends...

I've also been doing work on my displays, since I'm trying to step things up a notch... gotta have good "booth shots" for applying to Art Fairs.

Then - this is how I've done some smaller shows, where a single-table display is used in a more low-key/casual environment.  I may still use this setup when space is tight - depends on the show, I'm flexible that way.

Space Setup- Small Table-Top

Now - on the other end of the spectrum is a major upgrade to class things up.  I've been working very hard to come up with classy but portable (by myself) display stuff... I think this is it (it's at least close).

Display Setup - for 8x8 to 10x10 booth

Ok... you can't see it in the picture, but I've got to get my labels updated.... not all, but about 30 of them...

Oh, and then I've been filling out show applications, applying for out-of-state seller's permits, getting ready for taxes, etc... Yep, all the yucky non-blingy stuff I've got to do to be legit... busy, busy, busy...

What Kind Of LOVE?...

Pre-Valentines Open House - 1 Day Only
Saturday February 6th 2016, Noon - 4pm
1585 Brooks Ave E. Maplewood MN

What Kind Of LOVE?...

Sweet?...

Love So Sweet

Passionate?...

Passionate Love

Enduring?...

Enduring Love

Fierce?...

Fierce Heart

Growing?...

Love Grows

And there's MUCH MORE!!

I currently have lots of inventory,
         over 100 pairs of Earrings,
                  over 80 unique Necklaces...
                           and Gift Certificates if you can't decide.

It should be a quiet day, 
         take your time browsing, 
                  chat with the Artisan... 
                           hope to see you there!!

New & Updated...

Here are a couple new things (one is already sold) & an update....

First up is a new piece: Felicity

Felicity - Necklace in Sterling & Fine Silver with a Pink Opal

Also new, but already sold, is: Camille <she has two sides>
Note: she doesn't photograph well, much prettier in person, so glad the person who picked her up was able to view her first hand - it was a "love at first sight" purchase.

Camille (1 of 2) - Necklace in Sterling & Fine Silver
with a Shibuichi Ingot - this side has the rough side
of the Ingot & a frosted finish that continues on to the bail.

Camille (2 of 2) - this side has the smooth side of the
Ingot & a shiny finish.

A much needed update was made to: Savannah

   This is her OLD Look:

This is the Before photo - she's a bit "rough" compared to my later
pierced pieces, and her tiny stone didn't wear well... and I didn't like her finish.

   This is her NEW Look:
      She doesn't photo well due to her mirror polish, but she's quite lovely... and that
      stone is a very dark green...

Savannah - Sterling Silver with a mirror polish
with Indian Aventurine (very dark green stone)

She took a while...

This is a rather large piece, and she was a bit of trouble, but she's finally finished...

Introducing "Kate":

"Kate" - Sterling & Fine Silver with a Green Moss Agate

Like almost all of my pieces, Kate was made with a backless bezel.  Since this stone is translucent in places the color behind the stone will influence how she appears. The "frame" is made from 6 gauge 1/2 round Sterling wire, very hefty/sturdy stuff...

Some of the challenge comes from the fact that I'm soldering lightweight items (bezel wire) to heavyweight items, and it can cause the lightweight items to melt -or- earlier solder joints to shift -or- ...

Additionally, since there's no back everything is soldered to the bezel & so the solder joints can impact how well I can set the stone (so I must be very careful)...

I worked on this girl off & on for about 2 weeks, typical for a piece with these characteristics... once again I had to remind myself that I need to strive for Excellence not Perfection...

And now for her closeup...

What is that BLACK Stuff??

That's Stingray Skin... I have some dyed black Stingray Skin, so I cut it into the shape I wanted & mounted it on a piece of copper... then I made the setting...

This is "Kristine"...

"Kristine" - Sterling & Fine Silver, with Stingray Skin mounted on Copper.

A bit of a confession... I didn't plan on it, but she ended up reminding me of a crab, that's how she ended up with the name Kristine...

Getting Better All The Time...

... yep, humming a Beatles tune...

I've been doing a bit more hand-saw/piercing work, and had a couple failures along the way (hey - learning still), but my skills are improving... and I made some earrings to compliment my pierced necklaces (that's the way I roll)... oh, and I did another button flower cause I wanted to & my other one already sold... yep, way backed up on getting photos posted.

First, my problem children...

These 2 are mine (flaws), there are better ones below.

The one on the left had a drill bit break (see the little bright spot on the upper heart in the right lobe), but I needed the practice so I made it for myself.  The one on the right had issues with another tool, and I wasn't happy with it for a variety of aesthetic reasons... So, I now have a couple new pieces for myself (I don't make much for myself these days).

Now to my well behaved kids...

"Sally" - Sterling Silver, rough texture, pierced.

"Sally" closeup

"Heart Of My Own Heart" - Sterling Silver,
veined texture, pierced.

"Heart Of My Own Heart" Closeup

"Rugged Cross" - Sterling Silver, rough texture, pierced.

"Rugged Cross" Closeup

Some Simple Textured Earrings...

Small almond-shaped, Sterling Silver, veined texture.

Small almond-shaped, Sterling Silver, rough texture.

Large almond-shaped, Sterling Silver, veined texture.

Large almond-shaped, Sterling Silver, Rough texture.

Rectangles, Sterling Silver, rough texture.

Hearts, Sterling Silver, textured with little lines.

Hearts, Sterling Silver, rough texture.

Hearts, Sterling Silver, veined texture.

And my new Button-Flower...

"Scarlet" - Sterling & Fine Silver with a large dark red button.

Practicing my Hand Sawing...

Everyone seems to have their "least favorite" aspect of their work... mine is Hand Sawing...

I'm not good at it (might get better if I did more) & fight to keep my silver sheet steady while I'm doing it (my hands are a bit weak due to some health issues)... but I love the look & would really like to get better... so... I decided to "practice" a bit this last week.

This is the result... not fabulous but cute... 

Her name is Savannah...

"Savannah" - Necklace in Sterling Silver
with a tiny Aventurine bead.

Another little flower...

This is similar to a piece I posted a few days ago... but made in a little different way - I'm trying out a variety of methods to see what I like...

"Amelia" - Necklace in Sterling Silver

"Amelia" getting her closeup.

Aint She Sweet...

Just as a reminder... this was the idea I was toying with last time...

Well... here she is!!  My "Diminutive Daisy":

"Diminutive Daisy" - Necklace in Sterling Silver

A closer look...












And using a dime for scale...

Lots of stuff going on this week...

It's been one of "those" weeks, you know, the kind where all sorts of things go wrong... sigh... luckily not everything was going wrong, and I was able to work out some of my angst by working in the studio....

I finally finished this piece, the stone had been set for a special project & I just couldn't decide on what I wanted to do with it (like creating a more elaborate setting)... finally I realized that I just liked it simple - so here she is:

"Natural Wonder" - Sterling & Fine Silver with a Fossilized Ammonite.

Next, while waiting for a plumber to come to the house (water heater leak), I worked on a small batch of simple earrings:

Sterling with Rhodenite

Sterling with Pink Opal

Sterling with Conglom Jasper

Stelring with Dragon Scale Agate

Sterling with Black Line Agate

Finally, I decided to do a necklace that looks like some of my doodles...  I'm really happy with how she turned out & think I may use her for the Cover Photo for my Facebook Page (it needs an update).

"Stella" - Necklace in Sterling Silver

Inspired by a Friend...

I have a friend named Sarah who makes Awesome Handbags, and her logo is a flower with a button in the center.  Here are links to Sarah's stuff:
  http://www.sarahsolasews.com
  https://www.facebook.com/SarahSolaSews

So, with my friend Sarah in mind I decided to make a flower with a button in the center & I've named it "Sister Sarah"...

"Sister Sarah" - Sterling & Fine Silver with a blue button.

Isn't She Sweet?!?