Travel and Fresh Metal…

Recently arrived home from a trip to sunny Cancun Mexico. A week in the sun and the water was wonderful. After about 6 days I am ready to return home from anywhere but it was good times had by all of us. We really wanted to take our two kids out of the country as well just so they could experience life lived in was other than what they know. It was good for them. The water in the Yucatan Peninsula is known for being crystal clear and aqua blue. We snorkeled and scuba dove, swam and ski jet skied, ate, walked, toured the Mayan ruins. The Mayan ruins are one of the wonders of the world and I now have more information on that then I’ll ever need. (Our tour guide has a Phd Mayan culture.)

Mayan temple is not really a temple… it’s a calendar. The Mayans kept such accurate track of time that their calendar has a leap year every 5,000+ years. Nasa uses the Mayan calendar and developed the Atomic calendar with it. Pretty smart for 4,000 years ago. Twice per year on the Spring Equinox and the Fall… the corners of the temple create a shadow down the stairs of a slithering snake- ending at a huge stone carved snakes head which. We were there the day after the Equinox…the day of the Equinox 50,000 people there to see it.

Traditional Spanish town about half way to the Mayan ruins. This church was built in 1545, destroyed of course in battles, rebuilt in 1705, some town Mayors murdered in it and the church was painted with their blood..eeekkkk!!!!!!!! This is one of the only churches in the world banished by the Catholic church because of it’s gruesome history. I did not get an accurate story about this church either…the language barrier kept a lot of details from me.

Guy in this town making Mayan charm pendants for tourists while they wait. He is working in a space the size of a closet with people lined up out the door.

Under ground Cenote…

Just loved this Flatbed bug 🙂

Savannah snorkeling…right after this photo we saw a fish as big as we are and he was standing his ground so we turned around like a couple of chickens.

The end of our travels to Mexico… it was very hot there and actually when we got home to 35 degrees it felt refreshing but I have always loved it here in Wisconsin.

Nail Through My Heart Necklace With Handmade Chain… This photo is not the best… the stone is awesome! I love making this necklace and this is the best one yet! Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/521810847/sterling-silver-heart-necklace-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_2

Labradorite ring with Aquamarine Gemstone. This was a custom order and my apprentice made it, Kali… she really held down the fort here while I was gone. Without her it would be very difficult to take a vacation for a week. I just cannot keep track of orders, emails, shipments, and production without help. She is a great help and is also becoming a very talented metalsmith.

Palm Root Fossil and Citrine… handwoven viking knit chain. Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/506828562/sterling-silver-necklace-handmade-one-of?ref=shop_home_active_52

Crazylace Agate and Vanadinite…handmade solid cable neck wire. I just made this Thursday but it is sold. These are really my favorite pieces to make…the unexpected stones turned jewelry, the rough with the polished, the ugly and the pretty…. I am glad that you all like my crazier pieces because if you didn’t I couldn’t keep doing what I love to do, so thank you. I am at a point in my life where this is what I am and there is no turning back, just going forward and learning/evolving.

To anyone I went to High School with I will be in the Oconomowoc Art Show this year August 18th and 19th… it’s as close to Fort Atkinson as I can get so please stop in and say hello. That is a new show for me and had several of my Door Co. customers ask me to apply there because they live in the more southern part of the state. I just got news that I was accepted in. I will not be in Madison this year. I just decided I do not like the Urban environment and the great expensive of the show. I would rather be in the grass at a park then on hot pavement in between high rise buildings. Other shows are listed on my events page. Summer will be here soon. Happy Spring to all and God bless you and yours.

Last Show…

Had my last outdoor show in Door Co. over the weekend. It was at Fineline Design Gallery in Ephraim: Townline Art Fair with 40 plus years running now… It’s a beautiful show with about 75-100 artists. This weekend in Door Co. is the busiest of the year with tourism, fall colors at full peak. I went to the show with my daughter and Kate and two other artists: Tammy Rae Wolter and Lissa Flemming. We had a great time. It made the weekend easier as well with tent help, snoring, and Kate our coffee runner….and don’t forget marketing eagle eye. Glad to be done with outdoor shows. It was 32 degrees each morning when we arrived and all of us had on boots, coats and gloves. Tammy even brought a propane heater for her tent. It was pretty sweet. Earrings Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207157754/calla-lily-earrings-sterling-silver?ref=listing-shop-header-3

Just randomly tossing pics up of things I made for the show. These earrings I made for a good customer. She actually wants a necklace but I wanted to start small and see if she liked these first before we dive into a huge calla lily necklace.  Earrings Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207171871/calla-lily-pearl-earrings-sterling?ref=shop_home_active_3

This labradorite necklace has one of the prettiest labradorites in it I have ever owned. Wow, full stone color flash! I still have it and just posted it on Etsy if you love it! Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207152182/labradorite-stone-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_9

Labradorite with more green color flash ~ Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207164817/labradorite-stone-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_10

Agate and Garnet Necklace ~ One of a Kind~ Simple Beauty

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207165817/hills-agate-stone-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_8

Crazy Lace Agate Riveted Necklace ~ https://www.etsy.com/listing/207167073/crazy-lace-agate-stone-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_7

Huge Crazy Lace Agate Necklace : https://www.etsy.com/listing/207165106/crazy-lace-agate-stone-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_active_1

This crazy lace agate is a amazing and my pics of it are terrible. It’s grey not orange/green and it’s huge. I will see if I can take some better pics outside and on a person.

Rhodolite Garnet Ring with 18K gold accents

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207155212/rhodolite-garnet-sterling-silver-18k?ref=shop_home_active_7

Textured Hammered Sterling Band

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207155612/garnet-sterling-silver-ring-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_6

Pierced Garnet Ring

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/207155612/garnet-sterling-silver-ring-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_6

Here we all are on our way out of town. We stopped at my favorite Mexican Restaurant, ‘Hot Tamales’ in Sturgeon Bay. My daughter is taking the pic. Left to right; Lissa, Me, Tammy and Kate.

This is Friday evening when we just arrived and were setting up. Thanks Door Co. for another great summer, not just for jewelry but for fun, scenery, parks, water, beaches, sunsets, woods and trails. It is a special place.

Happy Halloween… I make one of these every October. It sold to a tiny little petite lady with two super cute little kids… go figure… she loved it ~ you just never know?

Next show Nov. 30th 9-3pm RedBird Holly Craft Faire in East Depere High School. Inside ~ nice and warm.

Custom Piece

Just finished this custom piece for a great lady far far away from me… She lives in sunny California and this pendant will be on it’s way to her tomorrow. The stones were the customers own stones.

I will be heading to Bead and Button Jewelry Expo in Milwaukee Wisconsin at the end of this week. I was planning on a long weekend at the show but the stars might not align for me and a one day trip might be all I can escape for. My Grandmother is not doing well this week and it is day by day. My Grandmother is 90 years old and has Alzheimer’s. She lives with my Mother. Both wonderful woman, strong, stubborn, loyal and hard working  but my Grandmother’s good days have turned to just good moments (not even whole days) and every week I can see her fading more and more….

Hopefully the next time I post it is from Milwaukee but we will see what this week brings. …. Just wanted to leave you with one of my favorite sayings. It is so true.

Earrings Mostly…except a Roni Necklace

Made a bunch of new earrings… the making of more than 20 bezels in a day was nice and thoughtless. I needed that. I have more earrings that are not done yet but here are some… Red Agate Stone earrings with a nice swinging hinge on the ear wire, Link:https://www.etsy.com/listing/188736908/sterling-silver-red-agate-stone-earrings?

This is the Roni necklace… Beautiful Peach hued agate, but really small for my usual style but I know one person that will like it.… hmmm??? Link:https://www.etsy.com/listing/188740211/peach-agate-sterling-silver-necklace?

These are special. This stone is really hard to find. It is a Fairburn Hills Agate. I had a just two stones a while ago and found these two with my stone guy recently…very hard to come by. No one has the material to cut and it’s gorgeous. Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/188736324/sterling-silver-rare-fairburn-hills?ref=shop_home_active_8

I never make a post but here is one… https://www.etsy.com/listing/188745107/crazy-lace-agate-sterling-post-earrings?

And these…https://www.etsy.com/listing/188738252/sterling-silver-crazy-lace-agate-stone?ref=listing-shop-header-4

What about these: https://www.etsy.com/listing/188738396/sterling-silver-crazy-lace-agate-stone?ref=listing-shop-header-3

Jasper Anyone? https://www.etsy.com/listing/188744579/sterling-silver-jasper-stone-earrings?ref=listing-shop-header-2

Last ones for today… https://www.etsy.com/listing/188739612/sterling-silver-agate-earrings-ooak?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Pretty little hand made ear wires… going into my supply shop, Midnight In Savannah on Etsy: http://www.midnightinsavannah.etsy.com

Well, it’s been a very long week. I’d like to have something to say but I just don’t. I’ll just keep working and hope for better days.

I would like to thank everyone that has sent their heartfelt support. Truly, thank you. It helps.

Labradorite…..

 

 

Labradorite, Sterling Silver, & 18K Gold… Labradorite or Spectoralite…. color shifting stone…

Very pretty and timeless piece… Had a lot of peaceful time this week just to sit make things. You don’t always get that every week. Sometime busy work just interferes with being creative and being creative is what it’s all about…

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185629512/labradorite-stone-sterling-silver-18k?

This is a Garnet stone necklace that is huge that I have had for about a year. I have never gotten a good picture of it and when I sent it out to be photographed the pro’s pic wasn’t any better than mine….hmmm.. the pics I have now are the best I have ever had. It is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry I have ever made. Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/153032490/garnet-in-the-rough-stone-sterling?

This is an Azurite… The necklace is huge…. It is also at The Flying Pig Gallery as of yesterday which opened for weekends until sometime in May when they will be open daily. I love the multi-leather cord I made for it. It really works with the piece. If you are interested in this piece just contact me or The Flying Pig we will get it to you. Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185765257/azurite-specimen-stone-necklace-sterling?

This Chyrsocolla is at The Flying Pig as well but it was fun design…

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185754194/chrysocolla-stone-sterling-silver?

Another Labradorite… The stone was so big I just could not get myself to add any details to distract from it. So, here it is on a thick hammered plate of sterling silver — simple but bold. I just finished this today so it’s here… link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/185993642/labradorite-stone-sterling-silver?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Heidi! Are you out there???? These are my crazy lace agates. The top two crazy laces are gone already…. I used them in pendants…but you wanted to know what I had on hand and here it is…. take a look.

I have been considering purchasing a TIG welder for jewelry purposes… Researched it to death over the last couple of days. Thank you to the other artists who have chimed in to help with my decision on what to purchase. I have not made up my mind yet. There are two brands: PUK and Orion. Right now they seem to be neck and neck in what they can do for a jeweler. Still don’t know yet. It’s a huge investment. I could have used it several times this week on delicate repairs. Much to think about. I might even look into some artist grants??? Not sure where that will go but it’s worth a try. I’m off to the movies to enjoy the rest of this rainy Saturday.

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

Below are pics of custom orders I made though out this season…. Above is a blue spinel, diamond, ruby 18K Gold Ring/Sterling Custom Order

Roman Glass Ring 14K Gold from clients own melted down jewelry…..

This piece is Roman Glass as well… 15 diamonds, opal, and garnet from clients own jewelry… I could not have made this piece without my diamond setting class. I would never have tackled it. Set all the stones with out any problems or headaches… thanks again Gerry Lewy.

Sentimental Choker (necklace top) sent to me via a CustomMade website customer. CustomMade.com is a really neat arts website for custom orders on almost anything. Check it out if you have never heard of it. This customer wanted this necklace re-created in sterling silver. It meant a lot to her and she became allergic to it. The clasp was her own… which I did not have from her.

This is the necklace completed… handmade chain. Center piece was 10G sterling if you can imagine that! Very heavy.

Birthstone necklace pretty simple…The A and E charms though were the customers own white gold engagement ring… the first one he bought his wife. It was sitting in her jewelry box as he upgraded her setting 7 years ago. Well I cut it in half, melted it down and made these two white gold charms from his wifes original engagement ring setting: initials of their children’s names. Hope she loves it. The birthstone pendant is husbands own design. What a thoughtful guy!

‘Get Sagged Trying,’ Surgical Hardware Necklace… this is not done yet… I have to get it to it’s owner for a race on Jan 4th… She obviously had troubles in her last race but is ready to run again wearing this as a reminder. Surgical hardware is fun to work with as it is ‘unwreckable’ I swear! It doesn’t do anything in a torch flame at all. Nothing hurts it. I am assuming it is titanium but I am not sure.

Well, here’s to next year! Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.

Upcoming Diamond Setting Class Info

FinalGemstone Flyer     Please open this PDF to view Diamond Setting Class to be offered by Gerry Lewy Master Diamond Setter. It will be held in Green Bay WI at NWTC (Northeast Wisconsin Technical College) on Nov 8, 9, 10th. The class is half full right now. So, please sign up soon if you are planning on attending. There is a home Packer game that weekend so hotel rooms will be a challenge. I cannot wait to take this class. I am sure I won’t get the opportunity ever again to learn such specifically detailed skills so if you are considering it….do it.

Coral Fossil Stone Necklace

I just made this for tomorrows show. It’s a really interesting, organic piece. I did not have a vision for this coral fossil but it just came together as my hands worked. I had no plan.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165511480/coral-fossil-specimen-stone-sterling

“Heart On My Sleeve”

Amazing Crazy Lace Agate and Carnelian Stone…

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165509632/heart-crazy-lace-agate-sterling-silver?ref=listing-shop-header-1

See you in Door County Tomorrow just North of Ephraim! Fine Line Gallery.

Sticks N Stone

I bought this stone a long time ago. It is a Serpentine stone. I have had it sitting on my bench staring at me. I wasn’t going to buy it because I did not think I could set it in an impressive enough setting for its’ size: the stone is 4.5 inches long, 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch thick. I could not be happier with this piece. It’s larger than my hand. The pieces of handmade chain look like tendrils. I spent about 4  minutes on these pictures so I will have to redo them when I have time. Just wanted to share this necklace before I’m off to class in Door Co for the next few days.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/162991344/sterling-silver-serpentine-stone

Mary Nicolas Cross

Mary Nicolas Cross was made with a special person in mind….. (Not sure that the Nicolas is spelled correctly – might be an h in there I am guessing.) These people win the most gracious award for being supportive to artists. I see them at almost all of my shows. They are attentive, kind and interested. Thank you both. This cross is in honor of them. I made two other crosses both smaller than this one but don’t have them photographed yet. This cross is really a statement piece of jewelry. The links are handmade and hammered as well as the cross which is 3.5 inches long.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/157647803/sterling-silver-cross-necklace-choker

This is the next stone I am working on and it’s going to be wonderful! How can it not be with the stone being so amazing! Not sure I will get it done before Sunday. Sunday is Appleton’s Art in the Park. It is only on Sunday and in downtown Appleton near Lawrence University. They close off an entire block surrounding the park and let us all celebrate in the street. It’s great and festive. Stop and say hi if you can.

Last word: Congrats to fellow jeweler Michael Thee also from Wisconsin for winning Best of Show at Bergstrom Mahler Museum Artshow last Sunday. He deserves it. Awesome!

Taking To Bead and Button

Getting ready to have some show pieces at the Bead and Button Show. I leave on Wednesday to teach. It is a women’s paradise. Beads and Gemstones and Creative Classes as far as the eye can see and legs can walk… Made these next few pieces in the last few days. All of them a complete pleasure to make. It is meant to be when something come from within my mind out my hands so effortlessly.

Green as the Grass!!!!! Conicalcite Specimen Stone is Colorful and Textured. It’s a colorful surprise in such dark metal.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/153035428/conicalcite-specimen-stone-sterling

This ocean beauty is a Chrysocolla Specimen Stone. It’s bright aqua color packs a punch, especially for summer time.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/153036601/chrysocolla-specimen-stone-sterling

This is a force to be reckoned with. This pendant is almost 4 inches long. It’s one of the largest necklaces I have ever made. The leather cord is as thick as my pinky finger. The end to the cording is handmade by me as well. It’s a statement piece for sure.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/153032490/garnet-specimen-stone-sterling-silver

Wild Prairie still wild…. Love Spring.