New earrings

I have been working with gold filled wires and I love the circle and spiral. So, it makes sense to open up the spiral and play with the different shapes. These earrings have 2 dangles the top is a faceted teardrop of aquamarine and the bottom is a briolette of emerald.  I love working with semi precious and precious stones. FUN!  There is so much movement in this design with the facets and the movement there is a lot going on in this simple design.

new work

I have been working in real life and working some on the creative side. Since making jewelry is a passion and not my profession sometimes work gets in the way. Ha! I have been fascinated with the idea of sewing metals together. It has been fun working with different gauges of metal and wrapping on stones and connecting metal to metal. The texture and the pliability changes with each wrap. I am learning to predict the  breaking points of different types of metal, sterling silver vs copper, argentium vs gold filled.  There is also a breaking point to my hands and tools have become my best friend! here are a few photos of what I have been working on. Thanks for reading!

Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms. Most recently I have been taking some online classes from Craftsy.com. My recent work is a direct result of things I have learned from those classes. You should check them out!
I have been working from patterns from designer Corra Liew and Abby Hook as well as watching a video class from Aga Kruk.
Cheers!

Pictures

I checked my blog via my phone and did not see my photos so here is the latest in hoops and posts!

Idle hands

We have had the pleasure to rest in Boot Key Harbor, Florida for a few days. I have been bitten by the wire working bug. Its like sewing with metal. I love it. What is difficult is finding the right tension and my fingers fatigue after about 5 hours. Each piece seems to take a little less time once I repeat it but averaging 10 hours for the big pieces and 4 hours. For the little ones. Here is a photo of a pair that I finished in gold filled and coral.

Spring is here!

Spring has sprung here on Sunset Island and it is time to be creative. I was able to work on all the projects that I started this winter and really give them the attention they deserve. I was working on more wire wrapping and using silver as my "thread".  Weaving with metal. Wire wrapping and at times making a cloth out of the metal.  I enjoyed making all of these items.  I must admit I really did miss pounding with the hammer. So, the next round of creative work will include more pounding along with the wire weaving.  I think then we might be on the right track.  I would like to try my hand at the viking knit. It looks quite challenging.
To check out the latest work click on the link hoops and loops.

Merry Merry

I have been out of touch lately and I apologize. I will post photos of some new work after December 25th. I was busy with getting all my personal and some professional obligations up to date. I am ready to jump into creative mode! Cheers, anne

Featured Artist

Handscapes Gallery
I have been chosen to be a featured artist at an amazing gallery in Beaufort, NC. I am so happy I could burst!
Please, if you have the time check out the August newsletter. Thanks!!!

Link to the home page of Handscapes Gallery

I love this Town!

I have been working in Beaufort for a few summers now.  I think six years ago was the first year.  I worked in a wine shop and met some amazing folks and became friends with them.  The next summer I was fortunate enough to be able to work for a couple of amazing women in their shops where I met and befriended even more folks.  Most of the people I have met since then have some connection to the sea.  Either they are sailors, were sailors, married sailors, want to be sailors, you get the picture, right?  So, with that single string among us it allows for many a story to be told of the adventures- good and bad!
Two Beaufort women have been quite influential on my life Alison Brooks owner of Handscapes Gallery,http://www.handscapesgallery.com/index.html , and Patti Davis owner of Tierra Fina,http://tierrafinanc.com/.  They both have become dear, dear friends nurturing that adventurous spirit of mine as well as sparking creativity and keeping me employed and out of Jeff's hair most days!
Hats off to these individuals!

Oooh, its a good day!

I have been so fortunate to have a few days off and my mind has been thinking of many different shapes.  I love the spiral Celtic, chaos and just never ending cycles...but I am also quite fond of the straight and narrow. So, I got out my tools and measured some wire and spent many hours pounding. I worked all day the first day and put it away after my arm felt like it was going to fall off!
I used argentium sterling silver, copper and gold filled.  I used a range of gauges from 12 gauge to 24 gauge. Here is some photos of what I did...

New work inspired by Beaufort, NC

These earrings are made with Argentium a tarnish resistant sterling silver or 14kt gold fill and natural stones. I am inspired by the golden sun and the ocean plus all the colors of the beaches and shells. I love it here!

Working with copper

So, after reading a magazine with a copper bracelet in it. I decided to try my hand at working with copper. It is a different animal than sterling silver or gold. Copper is so soft and malleable. It is difficult to work harden. This is a blessing and curse. It is able to be bent and straightened and bent and moved around so many times and not be brittle but it also moves and moves and moves so don't set your heart on one specific shape. It is cool that the copper I used was 100% recycled and because I have not mixed it with other metals or stones it can be recycled.  Here is the progression:

 In the photo is the copper tube that I measured out tubes 8 inches, 7 inches and 6 inches.  I cut the tubing using my jewelers saw.

Using a sharpie I was able to mark where to cut. That was helpful!

I then used a file to smooth out the edges and to straighten them up as they were a bit lopsided from the sawing.

Using my bench block and chasing hammer I pounded the tube flat.  I had to wear ear protection as that metal on metal is a harsh sound for me. 

Using the bowling pin as a bracelet mandrel I formed the curve of the copper and then gently tapped the top to create the oval shape. Pictured to the right is the 6 inch and the 8 inch.  The pattern calls for 8 inches but that is way too big for my wrist.  I used the Dremel tool to drill holes in the tubing and that looks cool but have not found the best way to do it yet. I really like being self taught and the experiments have been great fun albeit expensive.  Someday I will be able to take a class or two. That poor instructor will have their hands full!

Good Morning Florida!

It feels so good to be back home. After nearly 5 months away the dust bunnies have been at play.  We have been cleaning and cleaning and well, you get the picture.  I don't know why it seems so different.  The yard is exceptionally lush and looks great.  Thanks to the super caretakers Billy and Shannon.  The buildings are just filthy.  It is as if the bugs had some major parties all summer long.  I don't ever remember it being this gross before.  Maybe it always is this bad and I just like to forget it each season.
The rooms are looking great and there is a hint of pine-sol in the air.  Life is good.  I just need to finish clearing my desk and in-boxes and I will be ready for action.  I have a few ideas of new pearl designs.  I was inspired by creating some necklaces for my dear friend Sasha's wedding.  I made some super simple pearl earrings using a square coin pearl.  They look elegant.  I have had some ideas thrown my way and thinking about finding some copper to create something wonderful.  So, enough of this lollygagging- back to work!
cheers!- anne

Beaufort Bound

Well, we started out this vacation hoping to hop over to the Bahamas.  A few storms later and we are now heading to Beaufort, NC.  I hope to get a chance to see some lovely friends that I miss very much.  We plan on being there for a few weeks.  I need to find a place to alter the bridesmaid dress so if anyone has a recommendation I would love to hear it.  Other than that I should be working on some commission work and then maybe some new work.  I thought I would have lots of time to work  but the weather has not cooperated.  This trip has definitely boosted my confidence in the sailing department!

In Harbor

We dodged a big storm yesterday. I am so pleased that my Captain is capable of reading the clouds. " Look at them out there on the horizon.  They are coming this way."  I looked out and saw big puffy clouds.  How did he know?  Sure enough as soon as the second reef was set a big blow.  We were surfing down waves at 9 kts.  That is really fast for our boat!  To see some photos check out the blog www.sv-cestlavie.blogspot.com.  It was a wild ride.
We have to let the ocean calm down a bit so we will be in harbor tonight and tomorrow.  Maybe longer.  It is time to work on some jewelry!  As soon as I get to work, I will post photos. Thanks for reading!
cheers
anne

So Far so Good!

I am having a blast. This has been such a great trip so far.  The only bummer, our camera broke.  I won't go into too many details but suffice it to say, the view is great from here.  We sailed through the night dodging thunderstorms to arrive in the early afternoon to the Dry Tortugas. What a great National Park, super fort and the snorkeling around the fort and surrounding area is wonderful!
We spent 8 days there and took off for Key West for a bit of land lubbing.  We are now on to explore some more dive sites and hopefully catch up with a friend of ours Kim around Marathon.  This has been a great trip so far and am looking forward to more fun, adventure and inspiration!

Going to explore

I am almost fully prepared to go sailing. I have a few last minute things to do and I need to find a place for my clothes!
The plan is to head out on C'est la Vie our 1966 sailboat and head to the Dry Tortugas  I have not visited Ft. Jefferson nor have I snorkeled the reefs surrounding the fort. We thought it might be a good idea to get on out there before the oil does. So far the oil had not effected our land but it has affected our minds. I hopefully will have internet while on this journey but if not I will updated you all on my return.
We are leaving tomorrow, Wednesday and will return sometime in September. If you want to purchase any items, my dad will have all of my work. Just use the call me button. It will go to voicemail and he will be able to retrieve it.
I hope to have lots of new work to show off when I return.
Cheers!
Anne

Happy Birthday Susie!

My father's partners name is Susie and she just had her birthday. I made a necklace for her and it inspired me to make many. Well, about 10! I am pleased with the simple but elegant designs. The necklaces come either in 18 inch or 24 inch sterling silver chain strung with coral, lava, chalcedony, jade, serpentine... Take a look at the collection. Perfect for summer. Affordable, light and bright! These are $45.00 each.
Below is a slide show of the new necklaces! Enjoy. If you would like to look at the photos one at a time just click on the photos and it will take you to the photo album and you can see the photos larger and in more detail.