Big Project Reveal and Process: Ancient Valkyrie Necklace

Ancient Valkyrie Statement Necklace in Natural Turquoise and Sterling Silver

This big beautiful piece of turquoise was in my collection for over a year...just waiting for inspiration to hit.

This project began as a few stones, a design idea, and just silver sheet and wire.  It inspired a lot of silver details; a pierced cut out design at the back, a complex handmade foxtail chain, silver granule accents, and a hand forged fringe.  By the time I finished the piece, I was almost a little sad to be through with it....making it was such a fulfilling process!

I have another beautiful piece of turquoise stone, one that I have been holding onto for myself...I think I'm ready to work on that now, and very inspired to start another handmade chain.

The important thing is to keep producing. All artists have that quality. You have to be tenacious. 

~Mary Frank

How I Made A Big Complicated Necklace & Good Business

Aedre Necklace in Sterling Silver and Chrysoprase

 

Meet my Aedre necklace!  I played all day yesterday finishing this big piece.  What made this one so much fun was all of the designing, and detail that went into the process.  Each link, every aspect was a design choice, and every bit was done by hand (except for the tiny accent chain that hangs from the clasp...making a chain that small would make me crazy, I'm sure).

In this design, I played with texture, asymmetry, and of course the sculptural element of the pendent.  You can see in some of the process photos how I made the links, and how I cut the flower from sheet silver.  The feel of the handmade chain is so organic, I love the irregularity of it, and how chunky and heavy it is.  I added a textured and oversized "S" clasp, and a braided round link to give the chain even more artsy charm.

My confidence in the shop is growing by leaps and bounds.  Part of this is because of some good business lately.  I mentioned the huge wholesale order in my last post, which I finished and got great feedback about!

Happy customers make me overwhelmingly courageous when it comes to designing new work.  After that sale, I made a ring in turquoise using a design that had been mulling around in my head for some time.

It was this ring:

The same day I finished this ring, I listed it up on the shop, and went to bed.  The next morning...it had sold!  Thrilling!

All of this success just makes me want to make more jewelry...and meanwhile, we have ripped out all of the walls in half of the first story of our house!

Busy life as usual, but a good busy.

Until next time....who knows what will happen between now and then. *wink*

Two New Pieces & A Peek at The Process

Stormy Seas Shield Ring 

in sterling silver and natural turquoise

Luna Ring

in sterling silver, natural turquoise, and yellow turquoise

Here are a few new big pieces I have been working on...I love them both very much.  (Click on the links above the photos to find them in my shop.)

I have found that the familiarity of contour, shape, and line...those friends that I made so long ago; sketching, painting, doodling, attending art school, cutting hair, sewing scraps of fabric together...find themselves comfortably working once again, beside me at my bench, as I work as a metalsmith.

Every piece starts as a line drawing.  I see it in three dimensions. I draw a pattern.  I etch its idea into the metal.

I cut, solder, and file away at the work until it is the vision I could have painted on paper..the moment I knew just what I was going to create.

I love the creating.

“Let the beauty we love be what we do. There 

are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the 

ground.”

~Rumi

Wishing For Daylight

I really want to take proper photos of these necklaces I've put together!  Unfortunately, no matter how much artificial lighting I create, it is no comparison to natural daylight.  I will just have to wait until tomorrow, but here is a sneak peek for you all.  I had a lot of fun, after thrifting some great vintage chains at a local antique store.  I was inspired immediately to create these Talisman Charm Necklaces.  The pendants took a lot of time to cut, solder, and hammer, but I loved every minute.  I created some interesting Pyramid inspired brass and copper charms, a copper bird charm, and some brass feather charms as well.  I had fun adding turquoise beads and some shell beads too.  And, I think the repurposed chains are a fun touch.  They should be in the shop tomorrow, better lighting permitting.

P.S. I wore the bird necklace today and got a huge complement on it while out school shopping!

Happy Weekend All.

My Infatuation With Turquoise Comes From the Desert

Junk Pile in Abiquiu, New Mexico

Sawtooth Mountains Seen From the Idaho Desert

Sundown at Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Idaho

I grew up in the west in Idaho, climbing foothills, familiar with sagebrush.  I love the openness that is the desert, with its vast blue skies and subtle wheats and yellows that paint the land in grasses and sticker bushes.  As you can see, Idaho is full of the desert's beauty.  A few summers ago when I stayed in Abiquiu, New Mexico, I fell in love with the desert all over again.  So I must be a bit of a western girl at heart (just a tiny bit) and I love wearing anything with a turquoise stone in it.  This week, I have had the pleasure of making my own turquoise jewelry, I think it carries a desert essence, don't you?

Daydreamer Ring

Wallflower Ring

New Handmade Jewelry

Bali Hoops

Everyday Turquoise Chain

Here's a sneak peek at the newest jewelry I've made for my shop on Etsy, Tarnished & True.  Things are really coming together for me now that I have my own studio to work in.  I just can't get enough time in there! 

I have decided that my jewelry will be completely handmade...every link is soldered closed individually, each clasp and ear hook are hand formed.  I think this makes for a more artisan feel and allows me to really stand behind my work as genuinely handmade.  I only use fine silver and precious stones.  I so enjoy hammering, polishing, and forming every piece by hand.  This work truly makes me feel accomplished and fulfilled.  I can't wait to get even more pieces ready for the shop!