earrings

Whipped up another pair of earrings.  I ordered handmade sterling silver ear hooks from my good friend Shelley for them.  I discovered I have no earrings for an upcoming fair so I guess I know what I will be doing!

Melding past and Present Techniques

I love those moments, when as an artist, you discover something that brings you so much joy.  That is how I feel about beading.  It brings me joy.  Picking out the materials and then putting it all together in a way that makes you sigh at the end is what I strive for. And when everything else is perfectly in place you end up with something you are really happy with.  Sometimes during that process you remember things that you learned before and how to incorporate them into the present.

I took a class a few years back at an amazing place called Haystack in Deer Isle.  A friend of mine called it a treehouse whee you could drink all the hot chocolate you wanted.  It is true.  But more than that it was a place where I learned to immerse myself into metal folding which soon transformed into a life experience of unfolding and opening.  What we present to the outside world and what we fold into ourselves and keep secret.  I made leaves in copper for days.  Hammering, cutting, acid washing...until copper became a medium I understood and I longed for another metal.  The shop, on the premises, happened to have a small sheet of silver which I promptly bought.  I looked at it for a long time not seeing leaves but unsure of what it wanted to be.  I cut out some circles and triangles and hole punched them and folded them thru a crank machine.  But still they were not quite right.  So I started with a shape that i then folded and unfolded and it became...a pea pod, a different leaf.  opened and exposing crystals and pearls in their center.  It became the metaphor for unzipping to see the insides. What lay underneath the layers as you peel them back. The only thing I had packed for the trip to work with was a box of pearls and crystals.  They were perfect.

So, today, while making this necklace I remembered how much fun hammering and copper were,  I got out some wire and an old hammer.  Twisting into shapes and hammering softly on different rocks outside.  This is what I came up with.  The perfect clasp for this necklace.  I feel as if I have turned a corner and learned how to meld past and present into something that speaks from gentle taps of a hammer, copper wire and a rock.  It brings me creative peace.  I have put a few pics of the leaves I still have and a peapod as well as the necklace I spent the morning making.  I hope you enjoy it.

This is a piece of Tasmanian Atlantisite that I bought recently at a fossil shop. It is a rather large and dramatic piece and was strung with seed beads and some chunks of dyed turquoise and vintage black faceted beads from my stash.

Pretty In Blue

I found this blue cabochon in one of my drawers today and it inspired me.  I had some matching beads with silver on them and some crystals.  Trying to get a little out of my comfort colors and use some different combinations.

Bib Necklace Masterpiece

I finally finished this bib necklace.  I think this is the largest project I have undertaken.  I love the lushness of this piece.  It practically drips with chunks of peridot, amber, freshwater pearls, turquoise that all surround a vintage carnelian cabochon, a black onyx and agates.  Backed with the softest of black ultrasuede and strung with more freshwater pearls.  This was a lot of fun to create and really let me try out some new techniques.  Retails for $550.

Gifted Hand Shop

Getting ready to deliver some jewelry to the Gifted Hand Shop in Ellsowrth.  Here are the necklaces, earrings and bracelets I am taking.  Still working on a few pendants.

Bracelet Project

This is todays project to finish the edge stitching on!  I'll post pics when it is finished. 

White Siberian Necklace in Blue

I have had this finished for a while.  Trying to get some old projects finished up with stringing.  I used 1940's vintage Japanese pearls along with faceted glass blue beads and matching seed beads.  Finished off with a sterling silver clasp.

Multi Stone Necklace

I really love the colors and movement of this piece.  Embellished with freshwater pearls and backed in leather.  This piece just might make it to my jewelry box!

Seaweed Necklace

I loved this stone because it reminded me of all of the beautiful greens that you see in seaweed.  Framed in red the green really lights up. 

A Few Smaller Necklaces

Coin Pearl, Amethyst and Yellow Turquoise Necklace

Smaller necklace with a combination of materials.  I used a picot edging in iridescent seed beads.  I used a small chunk of amethyst dangling for an accent at the bottom.  The colors remind of the pearl and beads remind me of oil on water.  Finished off with a GP clasp.

Fossil with Pearls and Garnets

Just finished a simple necklace with a fossil cabochon I got in freeport, Maine on my last trip.  I love this color and material combination.  This will be going to the Gifted Hand soon!

Beaded Box

After being sick for a week I am back.  I was so sick that I lost my voice.  For those who know me...they realize that me not talking is a rare treat!  Feeling better after antibiotics and care.  Thanks to all of those friends who checked in on me and made me food etc.  I appreciate all of you for being a part of my life. 

Started this box yesterday and voila.  I used some desert sand colors combined with the vintage seed beads I got recently in Freeport.  The box is just right.  I have had quite a time getting the right size and quality that I wanted.  I think these are great!

New Bracelet & Finished Bracelet base

I finsihed stitching the peridot bracelet base.  I love the glittery beads that I used in shades of green with a hint of pink.  They are really glittery in the light.  All that is left to do is stitch it to the blank cuff.  So since I am in bracelet mode I decided to go ahead and finish the next one.  These will probably go to the Gallery Grand July store and the Runway grand trunk show if they are still unsold.  I have been busy working on a bio for Maine magazine and a picture of my work.  Fingers crossed that I got a photographer to shoot today or tomorrow.  Look for it in the August issue of Maine magazine.  Only a little blurb but I am really excited about it anyway!!

Off To Northeast!

Just packed up these baubles for the Island Artisans Northeast Harbor store.  Hoping for lots of sales!  Most of the one's chosen were newer designs which you may recognize.

Latest Bracelet

I had a smaller cuff so I decided to do another bracelet right off.  This one glitters with tiny chunks of peridot.  The cabochons are white quartz and a carnelian center.  I stuck with the theme of iridescent seed and bugle beads.  It is very glittery!

Bone, Turquoise and Beads

Finally finished this Native American inspired piece.  Originally intended for the Abbe Museum auction.  They picked another lovely piece though!  I started with a bone cabochon and then beaded yellow, red, green, black, brown and turquoise beads around.  Enhanced it with a silver feather and strung it with rough chunks of green dyed turquoise.

Bracelet with Amethyst

Here are some pic's of the finished bracelet.  I had barely finished it and it is already leaving for Island Artisans in Northeast harbor!  What can I say about it?  I'll let the pictures do it justice...

Finished Puffin Necklace

I strung the puffin necklace this morning!  This is the picture that will appear in Maine magazine in August.

Brown and Black Necklace

I finished this cabochon of carnelian and jasper a while ago and was waiting for the right beads to string it with.  I think it was worth the wait!  And finished off with a handmade sterling clasp it is just right.  I used hundreds of matte black seed beads in this piece and lots of tiny burnt orange clear delica's.  One of my favorite things about designing a new piece is digging thru all of my cabs and seed beads and coming up with the right "palette".  This one really works in my book.  I love mixing browns and blacks together with another color just adding enough to make it blend well together.