I've longed for these days of snow, but they find me a bit under the weather! If you've ever had back and neck problems, you know the pain that can be involved, especially when trying to work at a desk. But Valentine's Day is fast upon us, so work I must!
Above, an agate bracelet with some of my favorite blue agate faceted ovals. They are as blue as can be, shiny, and chunky. All accents, including the toggle clasp, are sterling silver.
Below, another agate bracelet, this time featuring faceted blue agate rounds with areas of translucence and a "crackled" effect that provides texture and interest. The bracelet has three strands: one strand is wire-wrapped agates strung together with sterling silver wire, one strand of tiny Thai Karen Hill Tribes beads, and one strand of oval links of sterling chain dangling little coin charms (all sterling, of course).
Below is an agate necklace which I liked so much that I made one for myself. These faceted ovals are huge! They are a wonderful silvery grey color with translucent areas and wispy black inclusions. 14 karat gold-filled beads are between each of the ovals and a 14 karat gold-filled toggle.
Below, 14 karat gold-filled earstuds dangle coppery golden freshwater pearls.
My Cluny cat, resting on the studio sofa where he spends a good bit of his time.
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2014 being a wonderful, creative and productive year; I hope you are as well. I spent the Christmas holidays with my son and his family in Sofia, Bulgaria, the first time I had traveled to that country. I've already fallen in love with Bulgaria despite not having it snow while we were there. Luckily, my son lives almost in the side of Mt. Vitosha and a quick drive did provide some white magic. I fell in love with the food (ummmm, shopska salad and eggs panagyurishte ), the wonderful churches and monasteries, the people, the art. I saw fantastic early Thracian jewelry (Southeastern Bulgaria was part of Thrace at one time), wonderful icons, and ancient sites of worship. I can't wait to go back. Of course, the main attraction was family, but Bulgaria with family is much better than Bulgaria on my own!
Above, the Rila monastery a couple of hours outside Sofia.
The jewelry today includes (above) a ruffled looking necklace made up of tightly strung dark blue chalcedony faceted briolettes; the color is fantastic! Then a chalcedony bracelet that is a so rich looking with faceted rectangles of chartreuse chalcedony and 14 karat gold-filled beads and toggle clasp.
Below, vermeil earrings are graceful and reminiscent of some of the Byzantine jewelry I saw in Bulgaria where the gold is so pure that it shines a deep gold. The dangling tips are sunstones.
Below are bezel-set cabochon emeralds with sterling silver. The earwires are decorated with shiny hearts; below the oval emeralds are round hammered circles.
Below the emerald earrings are dangle earrings with faceted bezel-set gemstones of pink chalcedony and garnets, also in sterling silver.
Oh, and I am enjoying tremendously the SNOW that we got on Tuesday. It was a rare delight to witness snow falling from morning until into the night and I was happy all day long! The snow energized me, and I was working hard on fulfilling those New Year's resolutions that I make every year.
Meanwhile, work still continues on the new site.
After a relaxing Thanksgiving, everyone here is thinking of Christmas! Orders are coming in, but it is not too late for a custom order! Choose the gemstones that you know she loves and put them in a bracelet, earrings, or necklace that is uniquely hers.
Of course, our jewelry is all limited one of a kind pieces, such as the drusy bracelet that you see above. A large focal drusy glitters at its center. Little agate rondelles cluster to one side of the drusy; on the other side is a pretty toggle clasp in sterling silver which is decorated with a flower. Beside it hangs a lotus bud charm. Two strands of gemstones, faceted agate rondelles and the prettiest bluest aquamarines are alternated with the tiniest sterling silver beads from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes.
Below, this simple bracelet is made from two of the rarest gemstones: tanzanite and kunzite. Kunzite has a reputation as being the rarest gemstone in the world. While it comes in other colors, the soft pink that you see here is what it is known for. The tanzanite is a deep bluish purple and works well with the pink of the kunzite.
These pieces are finally on the website although I may have shown them on the blog before. The handmade necklace, above, is one of my favorites. The vibrant colors of pink and aqua chalcedony, amethysts, and lemon quartz shine in this chunky necklace.
Below, speaking of vibrant! The orange carnelian nuggets in this bracelet glow! With gold vermeil and artist's lampwork beads, this carnelian bracelet is a real stunner!
Good luck with all your Christmas shopping! Please remember that the last day to order from us for Christmas delivery is December 19th!
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