Media-Shmedia

So, I ask myself: "what happened to this blog?" I think the answer is time... and facebook, mostly facebook. It's just easier, when things get busy, to write a quick line. But I assure you (are you out there?), I'm still here, sort of...

If you happen upon this little shot in the dark, meander on over to my other project, Heirloom, which is the professional counterpart to this personal blog. It's part shop, part design/copywriting/marketing services, all under one tidy "roof". And yes, Heirloom has its own facebook page, so be sure to "Like" it!

I've recently updated my shop with some original handmade jewelry designs that are fun and easy to wear, if I say so myself. Note: I haven't taken my simple studs off in some time. And check out these dangles! AND these bronze oval studs, which were recently featured in Etsy Finds: May's Hot Topics! Clearly, I've been having a lot of fun with my pseudo-cameo-doily-frame line! Finally, keep an eye out for some little creatures that will be making their way into the shop soon too.

I really enjoy talking in the first person(!), so this is not goodbye, but see you around here, there, and the web-o-sphere.

The Peacock Girl & All Her Plumage

I know, the male peacock's are the pretty one's, but lets just pretend...

I recently worked on a necklace for a very kind, thoughtful, talented, beautiful girl named Maria. As seen in the preceding pictures, Maria is also a belly dancer. Her guy did a very sweet thing and commissioned a jeweler to create a necklace for her birthday. I was very proud to be the selected jeweler and took the challenge on of designing and fabricating a piece of jewelry that would be well suited for Maria. The requirements were that it be India inspired, formal for use with costumes, easy to wear while dancing, have movement, a bold centerpiece, and some color. The following was my interpretation...

I hope to get a better photo soon, perhaps even one with Maria. It's always fun making something for someone I know. The process of designing and fabricating with a specific person in mind is a delight.

In Process

I'm working on a really fun commission, but it's a secret so here are a couple of nondescript pics from the bench to confuse the recipient. What could the second one be??

Did you see the meteor shower early this morning? Very cool!

I'm off to the Philadelphia Folk Festival later this week for more fun and I can't wait! Have a great day!

Anniversary Ring Commission

I've been working on this little anniversary ring (size 5.5!) that was a joint design effort between a husband and myself; he provided the inspiration and I came up with this design. He wanted to combine his country of origin - Latvia - and hers - Greece - into a ring to be presented on their fifth anniversary. The husband wanted to include amber, a resource of Latvia and a blue stone to represent Greece's blue and white flag. I selected aquamarine to compliment the translucency of the amber and then decided smaller faceted stones would add some visual interest, but with similar settings so the design was cohesive. Several sketches were sent to the husband, most featuring a fluid wave shape inspired by Greece's most ample resource, the sea. I was delighted when he selected my favorite design! So off to the drawing board I went to create a rendering that would insure neither of us would be surprised with the end product. Finally, I was hard at work in the studio for the fun part, which presented no complications except for a couple slight adjustments due to the non-symmetrical nature of the ring. Overall, I think the inspiration and feel of the original design were achieved. I really enjoyed this project, especially being presented with a challenge that needed a solution that met certain criteria... like being back in school! The collaboration was great too. I love seeing the results of what comes from combining minds. I look forward to more projects like this.