Impressions of an Island City
Wire working is a little like cooking. You can follow a recipe (project directions found in magazines and books) or you can just wing it. Of course, if you are an experienced cook or you have completed a few wire projects successfully your chances of a great outcome increase. These lightweight 2 1/4" inch earrings are a summer classic and a joy … Read more
Some finished wire-wrapped pendants! These have been long-delayed because I chose to start cleaning and sorting my studio and bead room ala "The Art of Tidying Up" by Mari Kondo and I keep going deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of organization. Each little bead and finding is about as big as a fingernail and each one has its own place. So … Read more
Love cuff bracelets--and after my recent two-week walkabout in the UK where I saw lots of ancient jewelry I love cuffs even more. Crown jewels in England and Ireland are spectacular but of a different era and really can't qualify as inspiration for me at least. Vikings however are a different story. Celts and Vikings have their own versions of … Read more
My first attempt at wrapping beach glass: views are front, back and a final shot with two other pieces of glass that are in the works. The glass comes from the shores of Bermuda, gifts from some friends who visited the … Read more
Get back on that horse and ride! This is my first jewelry post in while: I've been writing and researching FL history for presentations, and that may have led me to the vintage look of this 30" necklace. The bronze heart is handcrafted from BronzClay. The clay is rolled out and textured (in this case, with a rubber stamp of cogs and … Read more
I'm in Gainesville, FL, home of the University of Florida, but more importantly it is a change in geography and lifestyle. These changes allow for the best part of travel: exploration and the ability to see an area with curiosity and new eyes. During and earlier trip, we passed an old graveyard in Archer, FL which is between inland Gainesville … Read more
This abstract enameled pendant is about 11/2 ". It is fine silver, enameled in an abstract pattern based on an exercise in a quilting design book. The warm red is an achievement: Red enamel and silver usually combine to make a muddy brown. I used 24 carat gold foil underneath the enamel to provide a barrier between the silver and the glass. … Read more
Talisman and amulets open a different perspectives on jewelry. Instead of simply being personal adornment, they represent protection and good luck for the wearer. This is an unusual Thai amulet--the Buddha is riding a lion's head. The interpretation depends on the viewer, but to me the combination of a graceful Thai Buddha image, rough copper … Read more
The title is either a very literal description of this piece or a like, totally far out but subtle reference to the 60s band Iron Butterfly. Your choice. It is twisted square sterling silver wire on a silver chain with a lobster claw clasp. It’s about 18 inches—just right for a v-neck sweater or t-shirt. The bead is white faceted opal. … Read more
This is my first re-work of a vintage item—a pretty black metal flower pin with very soft pink and blue colored crystals and opaque green marquis stones surrounding a dark blue center sparkly. The pin back is left on because it is relatively easy for anyone with a set of pliers to take of the flower focal and use it as a pin and replace … Read more