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

A Few New Things Just in Time For the Holidays

Arctic December Ring /// Size 7.5

Love is Golden Heart Posts

Design Your Own Sterling Silver Personalized Band

As if the season weren't keeping me busy enough!  I added a few new things!  It must be that just being in the shop so much lately is keeping me inspired!

I can't take full credit for those cute golden heart post earrings.  A customer special ordered the pair, inspired by a different design in my shop.  As you know, I love listening to my customers, they come up with the best ideas sometimes!

I also finally got around to making a prototype of and photographing a personalized band that is wide enough to hold horizontal lettering and much more substantial than its daintier, and best selling cousin...which you can see here if you are curious.  Again inspired by the customer and so very very many emails asking if stamping can be horizontal and not vertical, which it is in my original personalized band.

I think the first band speaks for itself, a labor of love, and inspired by my infatuation with all stones turquoise, and an artsy design. I live for the free time to create those kinds of pieces and love it when they find the perfect home.

The christmas lights are up...wrapped high around the tall cedar trees that line our drive, and dangling from the roof line.  The christmas spirit is here!

Fresh Inspiration to Work Out

Have you heard of Nike+??  I'm so impressed with it since getting his and hers Nike running shoes.  Most importantly..CUTE, mine are the bright loud blue pair, and super comfy.  We also bought this little gadget that fits in a cubby inside the shoe which keeps track of so many details of your workout!  A few things the Nike+ gadget can do are, show your running route on google maps, show elevation, track miles, and count calories burned.  All of this is logged on my iphone while I walk or run and then transfered to the Nike+ website where you can try fitness challenges, make goals, and basically track your own workout success.  Matt and I are really excited for this new inspiration to work out.

Fitness - if it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body.  ~Cher

Check out for yourself what Nike+ is all about here.

Happy Friday All!

Why This Will Never Be A Fashion Blog

Not that I don't love clothes and shoes and looking pretty....but fashion will never make it to the top of that daunting priority list.  Ever.  I love comfort too much to throw on skinny pants and heals!  My favorite summer dress code includes cut offs or jeans with holes, flip flops or loafers, and a plain boring tanktop or tee shirt.  So, sorry to disappoint, but I will not be blogging about fashion.

This is as fashionable as it gets here: