Time...September Ends

So it's the last day of September and I really thought (and hoped) that I would be writing regularly here on the blog. But...obviously I haven't!!! I swear I try to fit it all in--designing, creating, making, photographing, web updates, social media, shows, etc--but there still are not enough hours in the day for me to get it all done.

I've created some beautiful jewelry this year, both for inventory and on commission, and will try (note the try) to show you some of them over the next few weeks. However, I am leaving for back to back shows next week, so I will try to post before then.

For now a recent photo of some new things from this weekend.

Reticulated silver bauble rings with amethyst, rhodolite garnet, and oxidized with 18k yellow gold. Reticulated silver cuff bracelets wave with 5 peridot gemstones and oxidized with large moonstone.

Thank YOU!

A great big thank you to everyone who came to the studio sale on Sunday! It was a pleasure seeing all of you and thank you for your support! And a big thank you always to Mom (Andrea Peters) and Dinny for sharing this fun event. Going to take a little break and enjoy the holiday season and jump back to it for the new year.

Next Show: ArtFull Gifts at Point Lookout

Here we are--the middle of November and my next show is here. I'm getting ready to head to Lincolnville to set up for the ArtFull Gifts Show tomorrow. This is my third year exhibiting at this venue. It'll be great to see familiar faces of clients and artists alike. I'll have a bunch of new work for sale including 4 new cuff bracelets. Hope you stop on by!

Reticulated silver cuff bracelet with 5 blue sapphires.

Welcome September!

September is here and again, where did the time go?! You might wonder how I can lose time, but if you know anything about living in Maine, you realize that nearly everything for the year happens in a short three month period. And...so much has been going on in my personal life (which I will share at a later time). Thankfully creating my jewelry has kept me focused and happy.

Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival was last weekend and it was a great show. Thank you to all who came and made it a huge success! Here's a happy lady with a new cuff:

Next up, I'll be at the

44th Annual Peters Valley School of Craft Fine Craft Fair

, September 27 & 28 at the Sussex Country Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey. Hope to see you there.

What I've been up to--finishing commissions

I started into the winter with a number of jewelry projects to be designed and then created. Slowly, I've been ticking away at the list and here are photos of some of the finished projects.

This pendant was made with vintage jade buttons that were carved and suggested butterfly wings. the client and I came up with a butterfly inspired pendant set upon reticulated silver and baubles--touches of 18k gold.

Reticulated silver earrings with 4mm diamonds that are tube set in fine silver. The lower disc swings on the Inspired by a pair the client purchased a couple years ago and wears every day.

This cuff was inspired by one in inventory but added several little diamonds that were from the client's own ring--she didn't wear it anymore and thought let's use them in something else. 

This ring is 18k gold and silver with carnelian and lapis lazuli stones. The colors were chosen to correspond to an antique Navajo bracelet.

A lot more work is coming out of the studio. Will write again soon!

January Rings

It's more then a week into the new year and lots going on!  In weather news, we've been -6 degrees with a foot of blowing snow, now we're 47 degrees with pouring rain--very unsettling.  I spotted and rescued a kitty who was homeless and starving during the storm.  I'm now weighing the idea of introducing her to the others.  I've worked in the studio and am ticking things off the to-do list, as well as trying to create new designs for inventory.  Here's a sampling of what's going on.

This is a commission piece with a 4mm rhodolite garnet gemstone and silver and 18k gold balls.

I thought I'd continue making a few rings and this one is still in process.  I've placed a little 3mm ruby in the setting, but am not sure if I will choose a different stone.  What do you think?

And then I thought to do a simple all silver version. 

So much more to do--getting back to work!
 

Merry Christmas Eve!

Yes, it's that time--already!  Christmas is here and I'm still trying to catch up from all the busyness from the year.  I was lucky enough to be able to create a few beautiful pieces to be given as Christmas gifts this year.  One being this necklace for a special woman. It has a reticulated silver pendant with a square black onyx and strung upon a strand of faceted black spinel beads.  A lovely combination!

Another piece, a simply classic reticulated silver cuff. 

I hope everyone enjoys their new goodies! 

Sunday Sewing

I spent most of last weekend in my studio creating, but Sunday, I took the day off to go sewing with a good friend.  What could be better than spending a day drinking tea and chatting over biscotti?  It's hard to believe that it's the middle of November already!  And it's list making time.  Lists of who, what, where and when--prepping for holiday gifts and events, and trying to figure out what I can make for everyone on that list.   Photos of the sewing will come soon.

In the meantime, please join me Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 24th, for the ArtFull Gifts Show at Point Lookout in Northport, ME.  I'll be there with bells on! and lots of flowers, pearls, and reticulated jewelry!

Mother of the Groom Necklace--A Summer Project

This commission started with a phone call--a woman wanted to have a special necklace made for her to wear at her son's September wedding.  She found me and my jewelry online, liked what she saw, and gave me a call.  We set up a studio visit to discuss design thoughts and ideas.  We met in July and quickly figured out the colors, stones, and basic design--blue lapis lazuli alongside reticulated silver.  I drew up a few sketches and this is what was proposed and approved. 

 

Here are the beads and stones I found to use for the actual piece. I had never made a reticulated necklace that was half beaded, so I was looking forward to seeing the results.

The frontispiece started--silver rectangles reticulated and bezels and squiggles placed.

Next the silver ball accents and the articulated joinery.

The stones are bezel set in fine silver and the whole piece is getting laid out for stringing.

The full layout of lapis beads with the reticulated silver, hollow lentil shape beads I created.

And after the initial stringing, it was time to try on the necklace for length...I emailed this photo to J. and she loved it!  Upon her next visit north, she came with her wedding clothes and we tried it all on.  The necklace being an elegant accessory to make her simply classic outfit shine.

The length was almost perfect, but we decided on one minor design change--we added a chain closure for adjustable lengths allowing more versatility for wearing after the wedding.  Simply striking!

Thank you for allowing me be a part of this beautiful collaboration and special event!  It was a pleasure to work with you!

And after the wedding, in her words:

     "I'm wearing my necklace tonight, two weeks after our son's wedding at ....  The wedding couldn't have gone any better and I received many compliments on my "bling" , as one friend termed it, made specially for the event.

     Thanks again for all of your help. I shall enjoy my wedding necklace for many years to come."