Given a choice I will always gravitate towards blue stones first, especially cobalts, kyanites and turquoise, but really almost any blue will do. Then of course there are the deep amethysts and darkest garnets that catch my eye. In the gallery I have had a number of people asking for Rose Quartz, and my first thought is "Pink? Really?", and then I remind myself not to judge, lol.

So, I set out to buy some Rose Quartz a few weeks ago, and actually make something with it. This ring features 16 gauge silver wrapped to resemble four bands, hammer textured, and a 9x14 Rose Quartz cabochon. It's very light on the hand, but makes a statement, covering the base of the finger right up to the first knuckle. When I tried it on to judge fit and comfort, I was surprised how much I liked the end result, not just the style, but the color as well. Turns out even though the deep jewel tones will always be my favorite, maybe I could get used to pink!

Peace!

Two commissions completed in the last week, both clients happy with the results! One problem...they're gifts so I can't post any pictures yet! Good thing I figured that one out BEFORE posting and ruining the surprise. Working on another one at the moment. Unbelievably fiddly ring with texture, an antique stone, hand-formed filigree...another one of those that you ask yourself "why did I agree to this?" (smarter question...why did I come up with this design???), but then the great sense of accomplishment when it's done and in the client's hands and they love it.

Peace!

Whether it's a micro torch, oxy-acetylene, or plain old propane, I'd get nowhere without the use of my torch. One of my favorite things is using the torch to patinate copper by heating and quenching until I get just the right mix of colors to make the piece look aged and unique...like you could have just dug it out of the ground. Something about it feels so primal and rewarding when the piece is done, and you know it's one of a kind, because you can never predict the exact outcome.

I did a cuff bracelet for a gentleman last week, half an inch wide, textured, wrapped with wire, and hit over and over with the torch to bring out the many colors I was hoping for. I love the sound and the steam when I quench the piece in water after each heating, if not necessarily the smell :)

The finished piece was exactly what I was hoping for, including soldering a few tiny bits of silver between the wrapped wire to give it an even more hand-hewn look, and the client was extremely happy with it as well. As much as beautifully polished jewelry will always be in vogue, as far as I am concerned there is definitely something to be said for a piece that looks like it's been kicking around for a while.

Peace!

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I've become quite hooked on two shows (because really, I've got nothing but time on my hands!!!), Vikings on History, and The Walking Dead (damn that Net Flicks!), so after working at the gallery every day except Tuesdays, which for now I am closed on, going home, eating dinner with my honey and then spending the next few hours in the workshop, coming back inside and spending a little more time with my honey and the dog before they go off to bed, I stay up late because I'm hooked! The Walking Dead has Zombies of course, and we all know I'm a fan of the scary, but the Vikings has so many amazing pieces of art, from the leather clothes, the Viking ships, and of course the jewellery that sometimes I don't know where to look first!

Yesterday I spent an entire day working on a piece that just got bigger and bigger...looked great laid flat, but collapsed in on itself when held up to the neck, and so the challenge became weaving the rings in a way that was still attractive, but provided more support, and so the chainmail bib came into being. It's definitely the largest piece I've ever done, with the bib and pendant measuring almost 9 inches in length, and looks really impressive and lays beautifully on the body. The pendant is Clear quartz, amethyst, and a copper Bali style bead. Now I wish I was taller, because I would definitely wear it, but at 5'2 it almost wears me!

Now that I've figured it out, I think there are definitely more of these bibs on the way!

Peace!

Carrying on in the series of Ammolite pendants, I decided to go a slightly different route in the background of this piece, and go a bit more freeform with the setting. I stuck to the textured backplate and bezel, but added freeform silver wire in a wave pattern, and a single granulated silver ball where the wires join. As I do in many of my pendants, I tried to camouflage the bale, so it looks like the pendant floats on the chain.

While it's always scary setting the stones, with Ammolite one slip or push in the wrong direction can easily lead to disaster, so it's a huge relief when the stone is finally set in place and still in one piece! It's one of those things that you find yourself asking "why do I do this to myself?" as you're doing it, and then "okay, I like it!" when it's done :)

Peace!

I've only ever made one piece with Ammolite before, a custom ring that turned out really well and so, when I recently had an opportunity to purchase a few pieces I thought, why not?

It took me a while to decide what to do with this particular piece...I wanted the stone to be the focus, but I also wanted there to be enough silver to complement the shape, and so after sketching out many design ideas, this is what I came up with. Originally I was going to overlay more of the organic silver shapes on the backplate but ultimately, and of course AFTER I cut out the many pieces, I decided on just one overlaid piece, along with hand-engraved texture. I really like the way it turned out, only wish the photo better described the Ammolite's flash!

I will persevere with taking better photos, and being more proficient with the computer, and world peace, haha.

Peace!