Friday, April 30, 2010

Artisans' Collective Part 8

Gah! What a crazy week.
Gardens to start, weeds to pull,
wholesale orders to fill, and not one moment to blog?

My sincerest apologies.

Here's the very last introductions
of Team Artisans Collective.


I am thrilled to be part of this team whose members
hail from all parts of the globe and are dedicated to handmade goodness!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Heart in a Box


I've been waiting to share this.
You see, it was a wedding gift commission and
I believe the bride reads my blog on occasion.

Now, the wedding has come and gone.
I'm free to share these photos of the piece
that I created for the
lovely couple.

Hand fabricated nickel silver domed heart
approximately 9x6 inches.

Hammered in wood depressions to create
the hollowness.
Planished on a metal stake
to even out the surface.
Left intentionally marred and discolored.


The bride used the paisley paper
in her wedding invitations.
Her clever sister sent some extras
sheets to me.


Key hole allows a glimpse to a
vintage skeleton key mounted behind
the heart.

Nickel silver rivets and a roller print escutcheon
add to the vintage impression.


Personalized with the bride and groom's names
and the date.


Friday, April 23, 2010

Artisans' Collective Part 7


This is the second to the last installment of the Artisans Collective introductions.


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

When the Sun Shines

Some weeks are easier to blog than others.
This has been a particularly crazy week.

1. 2 custom orders
2. A few gigantic consignment orders needed in May
3. Mr Quench is home on vacation
4. Lots of projects outdoors (gardens to be started, raised beds to be built)
5. Lovely weather...why blog when there is sun to be had?
6. Grays to be colored (doing that now).



So, this entries merely shares
2 Etsy Front Page appearances that both happened today.
Mysterious, I say. Both on the same day?

However, I'll take the limelight, thank you!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

New Work


butterfly pendant


eyelet hoops


bubbly hoops


a smoky gray diamond pendant

All items will arrive in my shop this week.
Thank goodness for April vacation.
The hubby is home and I can
get loads done!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

The End of a Collection

Once upon a time,
I fancied myself a contemporary art jeweler.
I designed and created one of a kind jewelry that
incorporated nickel silver, 18k,
and sparkly gemstones.

The juxtaposition between nickel and gold
inspired this jeweler to no end. And taming nickel silver
into these hollow domed shapes
excited my inner bench jeweler.


Dubbed the Armor Collection,
the work mirrored my life back then.
A recent customer remarked that
her earrings were fit for
a 'urban warrior'.


The time has come. The collection's golden years
are here. I have created a special section
in my Etsy shop for these pieces.

With the purchase of an Armor piece, customers
will receive a 30.00 gift certificate
good towards a future purchase in my shop.
Offer will end on June 30th, 2010.


Monday, April 12, 2010

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

New Toys


sapphire, apatite, topaz, & tourmaline sparklers


vintage watch crystals


more porcelain cabs (sorry about the bad light)

I really don't have the time
to sit down and
design new work or
even create new branches for an
existing collection.

But, I try.

I have big plans for these
watch crystals.
And the porcelain pieces
will eventually find their way into
pendants, necklaces,
and brooches.
The gemstones? More color for the
Dot Collection!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Artisans' Collective Part 5


The introductions continue with...



Just the Bee's Knees


New pendant in my shop today!

Another porcelain cabochon from

Vintage new/old stock buttons
from the 1930s riveted onto
a sterling base with hand pierced
bees.

Friday, April 2, 2010

I Heart Rubies


Rubies are perhaps my favoritest
(not a word, but I'm using it just the same)
precious gem.

Steeped in metaphysical and folk lore, rubies are said to strengthen
the emotional and phsyical heart,
aid heart ailments,
and supply wisdom when needed.


Do I believe all those fantastic claims?
Maybe.
I simply adore ruby for its rich red color.

This new pendant will show up in my shop
sometime this weekend.