New Work and a Treasury to Show Off!

Summer always seems to be the time of year that I slack off on my jewelry time.  Just too many other things to do that keep me out of my studio.  But this week, I've been busy creating at home while my house is inundated with painters.  So, after 4 straight days at my workbench, I have 3 new finished pieces (one I can't show you for a few weeks because, well, it's a secret). Even better, one of my new pieces is featured in a gorgeous treasury!

First, please click on this link to see the beautiful bird themed treasury created by Barbara at Ogdenarthaus.  It includes my turquoise necklace and also includes the works of several other wonderful artists.  We're trying hard to get this treasury on the front page of etsy, so every click and comment by you helps!  Enjoy a second of browsing, then come back to this page.

Here are the two finished pieces and the links to them in my etsy shop:

Ajax Mine Turquoise and Chrysocolla with Twig Accents

Beach Sea Glass Ring in Sterling Silver

Even though the painters are using low odor paint, I'm feeling a little queasy after 4 days of mild paint smell.  Time for a walk outdoors to clear my head.  The house will be painter free for the weekend, then they will be back on Monday, so hopefully I'll have more great pieces to show you by the end of next week, too!  Enjoy your weekend.

Sea, Sun and Sand - Dreaming

It's been a wet, cold spring in Seattle, but the past few days have been warm and sunny.  Even still, I'm yearning for an ocean visit with lots of warm sunshine and a walk on the beach.   I've just listed this gorgeous Peruvian Blue Opal and Lemon Quartz necklace, but it just makes me want the ocean even more.  The necklace is available in my etsy shop.

Aquamarine Necklace

Some stones just demand that their settings be clean and simple so not to detract from the beauty of the stone. This Aquamarine is one of those stones. It's been sitting in my inventory for over a year now. The cool color is brings ohhh's and ahhh's; it so soothing. I've created a simple bezel setting for it using fine silver and sterling silver. A pretty little sterling silver bail with a spiral accent attach it to a sterling silver chain. More photos and information in my etsy shop here.

A perfect gift for a late March birthday girl!

Poppy Jasper and Viking Knit!

After a couple of months making "smallish" things, I decided this week to create something a little larger and bolder. The focal stone is a gorgeous piece of Poppy Jasper, the accent stone is carnelian. The chain is really special - an 18" Viking Knit chain that I made a couple of years ago and have never used before. That's a lot of weaving! It seemed a shame to keep it in a plastic bag for years, so I decided to give it some life in this piece.

I went to a gem show yesterday in Seattle and picked up a few goodies that you'll see soon. And I'm working on an aquamarine piece - just in time for March birthdays!

New Year, New Work

Happy New Year! I thought I'd change things up a bit this year and create some smaller, more feminine designs to utilize some of my newer stone setting skills. I personally prefer wearing smaller, unique statement jewelry and find that a lot of my clients appreciate seeing some smaller options as well.

The first piece I made this year is a lovely little blue sea glass pendant with a decorative step bezel setting. It sold one day after I listed it in my etsy shop. Thank you!


This second piece is a teeny tiny, Peruvian blue opal in a bullet shape. I set it in a standard bezel of sterling silver. The color is just dreamy and has some little dendrites on one side. The stone was cut by Out of Our Mines Lapidary. I love their stones. It's listed in my etsy shop here: Peruvian Blue Opal Necklace.


I'm working on 2 other items right now. One is an olive green sea glass necklace, the other is a re-make of a custom piece that I created a couple of years ago. It's a mixed metals, 3-D reversible piece that I used in my banner and avatar last year. It's actually one of my favorite necklaces. A client saw it on my flickr site and requested one as a special order! I love it when that happens. I'll post photos after I've completed it.

Check out all of the wonderful handmade art this weekend!

The Holiday Shop Hop is happening now! A group of artists have joined together to host a virtual Holiday Shop Hop today and tomorrow, Dec 3rd and 4th. Most of us are having sales or some other special promotions in our shops, so check out each one and get your holiday shopping done this weekend. The list of participating artists and their links are shown below. Many thanks to Michelle Buettner of MiShelDesigns for planning and coordinating this event!

I'm offering 15% off my entire shop this weekend. Just enter the words SHOPHOP15 in the coupon code area when checking out to receive your discount!

For those of you in the Seattle area this weekend, I'm also hosting a jewelry open house at my home on Sunday. My jewelry, along with fellow etsy jeweler, HalinaB, will be on display for sale. If you'd like to attend, just contact me for details and I'll send you the time/place information!

Here is the list of Holiday Shop Hop participants:

A Bead A Day
Blackbeary Mountain
Blue Pearls Handcrafted Goods
Chic and Frog
Crafty Hope
Dragonfly Dreamers
Etania Gems
ExPostFacto Jewelry
Fangdangles
GreenBead Designs
Handcrafted Serenity Jewelry Designs
Happy and Healthy Magnetic Jewelry
Holly Westfall / Silver Rose Designs
Just A Tish
Just Mare Pottery
Keefer Style Creations
Kabs Creative Concepts
Klassy Joolz
Kristi Bowman Design
Lilly Rose Jewelry Designs
Little Rocks
MiShel Designs
Melinda Orr Designs
My Life Under the Bus
Olive Branch Organics
Pine Ridge Treasures
Pink Poppy Studio
Rosebud’s Lampwork Beads
Sand & Sea Designs
SCJ Jewelry Design
Sew Stacy
SongBeads
Studio Waterstone
Sundancegems
Suzanne Stevens
Sweet Creek Herbs
Sweet Water Designs
Wire Worked Handcrafted Jewelry

Now, sit back, relax, avoid the crowds and shop away!

Holiday Shop Hop! 15% off everything in my etsy shop this weekend!

HOLIDAY SHOP HOP - DEC 3rd and 4th!!!

I'm participating this weekend in a Holiday Shop Hop! Several artisans have teamed together to host a special virtual sale this weekend in our individual shops. So, relax, avoid the crowds and hop from shop to shop, enjoying the special sales each shop will offer!

I will be offering a 15% discount in my shop this weekend. Just enter the coupon code SHOPHOP15. The coupon code will be valid on Saturday and Sunday, Dec 3rd or 4th only.

Here's the list of participating artists and links to their website or blog:

Holiday Shop Hop 2011

A Bead A Day
Blackbeary Mountain
Blue Pearls Handcrafted Goods
Chic and Frog
Crafty Hope
Dragonfly Dreamers
Etania Gems
ExPostFacto Jewelry
Fangdangles
GreenBead Designs
Handcrafted Serenity Jewelry Designs
Happy and Healthy Magnetic Jewelry
Holly Westfall / Silver Rose Designs
Just A Tish
Just Mare Pottery
Keefer Style Creations
Kabs Creative Concepts
Klassy Joolz
Kristi Bowman Design

Lilly Rose Jewelry Designs
Little Rocks
MiShel Designs
Melinda Orr Designs
My Life Under the Bus
Olive Branch Organics
Pine Ridge Treasures
Pink Poppy Studio
Rosebud’s Lampwork Beads
Sand & Sea Designs
SCJ Jewelry Design
Sew Stacy
SongBeads
Studio Waterstone

Sundancegems
Suzanne Stevens
Sweet Creek Herbs
Sweet Water Designs

Wire Worked Handcrafted Jewelry

Happy Shopping Everyone!

I'm going through a purple phase...

It seems I'm drawn to work with purple amethyst stones lately. I love the color. It's calming to me. This beautiful pear-shaped African amethyst is one I found at the gem fair last weekend. This is another new setting style for me. I've handmade the setting out of sterling silver (double-half-round wire) and tension secured it with a rivet. High shine polish. You can see more photos and descriptions in my etsy shop here.

I probably won't post anything until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Until then, I'm wishing you a blessed and thankful day.

I'm back and creating new something new!

I've been off having some summer fun outside of my workshop for a few weeks. I went home to MN to visit some family and friends. While I was there, a couple of friends hosted impromptu jewelry parties for their friends and it was so nice to see several of my bigger, favorite pieces go to their new owners. I love getting together with people and seeing their reactions to my jewelry. It's always so interesting to see which ones appeal to each person. I don't have that advantage when someone purchases my work on-line, but I'm not really complaining. I often get emails or messages from past buyers telling me how much they love the jewelry they purchased from me.

A while back, I wrote a Mother's Day series of blogs, featuring items from my mother's jewelry box. One of the items, a Danish pendant by Bent Larsen, I found particularly inspiring. It was a gift to my Grandmother from my Mother. In my research, I've found Bent Larsen designs to be modern, minimalist, bold designs with interesting, clean cut textures. Here is a photo of my Grandmother's pendant:

This week, I made a new piece with a bit of influence from this pendant. In my Grandmother's pendant, I love how the heavy bezel wire is textured and adds a wonderful outline for the focal center. I wanted to create a similar effect using my own labradorite stone. My new piece is pictured at the top of this blog and here below. It is titled "Love Triangle" and is listed in my etsy shop here:

I've also been working on orders for 3 custom rings and will show you those in the next few days. As summer quickly draws to a close, I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer and are looking forward to a beautiful autumn.

A Serene Necklace!

This Veriscite stone is from the Candelaria Mine in Nevada. It was cut by Out of Our Mines Lapidary and Beadworks. I love all of their stones, but their Candelaria Veriscite stones are my favorite. The soft green color is so calming and serene. This trapezoid shape stone is beautifully cut and polished and was so easy to set. I created a modern, minimalist setting for this stone so the beauty of the stone could speak for itself. I gave the silver a soft, brushed satin finish. After I finished it, the first thing my hubby said was "Wow, what a beautiful stone! The setting is nice too, but what I really notice is the stone." That's exactly the reaction I wanted to hear!

It's available in my etsy shop here.

Snow Drift - Druzy Quartz Pendant

My goodness, there is some wicked weather across the country this winter! Loads of snow, ice, wind, blizzards and c..c..c..cold temps!

This weeks' theme Year of Jewelry Project is "Wild and Wicked". It's a tough theme for me, since I'm neither wild or wicked. But I had to think of something that is and came up with recent wicked weather patterns. This druzy quartz stone fit the theme beautifully with its' sparkly crystallized center looking like a giant snow drift!

I set it in a scalloped fine silver bezel and a sterling silver back plate. Then I polished all of the silver to a high shine and added a sparkly textured sterling silver chain. It takes me back to childhood memories of walking on top of crunchy, icy snow!

It's listed in my etsy shop here.

And some more photos for you:

Earthly Treasures - YOJ Project - Week 3

The theme this week for of the Year of Jewelry Project 2011 is "Mixed Media". My entry for the week is titled "Earthly Treasures" because I used organic materials such as petrified palm wood, copper and silver. Beautiful items from the earth formed into a wearable piece of art.

It's no secret among jewelry artisans that the price of silver and gold have skyrocketed in the past year. We're all searching for materials to use in lieu of silver (or gold) so that we can still be creative and keep our costs reasonable. Copper is one popular alternative, as are brass, stainless steel and bronze. I chose copper for the back plate of this piece because it compliments the colors of the petrified palm wood so nicely. It has been textured lightly by running the copper through a rolling mill while sandwiched between paper towels. A fine silver bezel adds an interesting contrast to the copper. The bail is brushed sterling silver with a ball of shiny fine silver added as an accent. I used waxed cotton cording to hang the pendant. I think the natural fiber of the cord adds to the earthy, rustic feel of the pendant. An added plus to the cording is that it is tied using 2 slip knots and the length can be easily adjusted by pulling the knots simultaneously to suit the wearer. I've given the metals an antiqued patina and then hand polished the patina off all but the lowest points. Different metals, textures, patina and finishes (satin, brushed and shiny) make this a unique, earthy pendant!

You can view the etsy listing for this piece or see the item in the YOJ 2011 blog, as well as other artists submissions using mixed media as inspiration.

I've joined the "Year of Jewelry Project - 2011"

Last week I heard about a blog called the "Year of Jewelry Project, 2011" (YOJ). It's a group of artisans who agree to create at least one piece of jewelry every week during 2011. There is a designated theme each week we can use for inspiration, although we don't have to create something using that theme if the theme isn't something that inspires us. At the end of each week we all post our creation on the YOJ blog.

The theme for week one was "New Beginnings". I created a pendant using an Ohio flint and a holly lavender chrysocolla. The flint is a beautiful tongue shaped stone that is rounded all around. It is intended to be set into a bezel from the top of the stone. The thing I love most about this piece is the amulet feel to it. A top setting was something I had never tried before. I found it challenging but fun. I call the finished pendant "A New Day".

The theme for week 2 is "Eclipse". I wondered if the intent was the solar eclipse or if it was in reference to the Twilight book series (which I've not read). I decide to use the solar eclipse as my inspiration and set out to design a pendant using a half-moon shaped labradorite stone that I have in my collection. I created the pendant and wasn't happy with the result. The stone was too deep for the design I used, so I scrapped the setting and may use the stone at a later date. Searching back through my stone collection, I found a beautiful fossilized coral stone, filled with vibrant hues of orange, yellow, red and navy. It reminded me of a fiery sun, which is perfect for my solar eclipse inspiration. It also has an internal pattern resembling fireworks. I love fireworks! For the finished pendant, I added an accent above the focal coral stone by crafting 2 textured silver discs and soldering them together in an eclipse fashion. A light oxidation brings out the texture in the discs. It isn't listed in my etsy shop yet but will be by the end of next week. I'm debating various chain options and whether to oxidize the chain or leave it shiny. Here's a preliminary photo of "Eclipse":

Eclipse

I'll be posting my YOJ creations here on occasion as well as on the YOJ blog. You can see all of the participant creations on the YOJ blog. There is a "Gallery Week by Week" tab that allows you to scroll through photos of each week jewelry pieces. I invite you to take a look from time to time.

"Icy Hot" Treasury & SALE Reminder!

My "Snow Queen" Drusy Quartz Pendant is featured today in this beautiful "Icy Hot" etsy treasury! Many thanks to Purple Blossom Studio for including my pendant in this treasury. Check out the treasury and her shop today!

And a little reminder; my shop is having a New Year's SALE going on now through Monday, January 3rd! Enter the Coupon Code: HAPPY2011 to receive 11% off your entire order. Purchases shipped to US destinations will also receive FREE SHIPPING during the sale period!

Happy New Year SALE! 11% off your entire order!

Happy New Year! I'm welcoming 2011 with an 11% off SALE throughout my entire shop! The sale will last through Monday, January 3rd. Plus, I'll offer FREE SHIPPING to US DESTINATIONS during this sale period! When checking out, be sure to enter the Coupon Code: HAPPY2011 to receive your 11% discount.

I hope you have a wonderful, safe New Year's Eve and a peaceful and prosperous 2011!

My Etsy Shop is 2 Years Old = SALE!

My Etsy shop is 2 years old this weekend! It's been an honor and a pleasure to create my jewelry and to have customers visit my shop to purchase for themselves and friends. I've had a lot of support from friends, family and the online community in this little endeavor, so I'm saying a big "Thank You" to everyone by offering 15% off store wide this weekend (Sat, Dec 4th - Sun, Dec 5th).

Visit my shop this weekend and use coupon code: 2YRTHANKYOU when checking out to receive your 15% discount!

Thank you for your encouragement these past 2 years! I look forward to creating jewelry for many years to come.

My Entire Etsy Shop is 15% Off Through Cyber Monday!

Avoid the crowds at the mall and shop online instead. I'm having a special holiday sale on every item in my shop now through Cyber Monday (Nov 29th)!! Use coupon code HOLIDAY15 when checking out to receive 15% off your entire order!!!

http://www.scjjewelrydesign.etsy.com/

Feeling Blue?

With the NW winter grey sky approaching quickly, I've been craving the sight of blue lately. I've been busy creating some new items, most are blue - green - turquoise and make me yearn for a Caribbean. vacation. After making several rather complicated pieces lately, I decided to make a few items that have a more simple, classic design with small, luscious stones. They are all in my etsy shop now, so feel free to click on each link below for more photos and descriptions.

Pisco Blue Gem Chrysocolla

Ocean Breeze - Peruvian Blue Opal

True Blue - Ajax Mine Turquoise

Simplicity - Candelaria Veriscite

Midnight Dance Earrings - Black Candelaria Veriscite

Busy, Busy

It's been a busy and happy couple of weeks since my last post. I've been working regularly at my jeweler's bench; I had forgotten how happy I am when working on jewelry. My daughter came for a visit and we enjoyed a few days in Victoria, B.C.. I've posted several new pendants and purchased some wonderful new stones for future jewelry. I'll post photos of the new stones later in the week, just in case you want to "dib" one of them!

This weekend, I finished a custom order for a special friend. It's a fiery labradorite, set in shining silver with 3 little silver balls on the bail. I wish I could keep it for myself, but I delight in knowing that my friend will enjoy wearing it.

Here are some of my newest etsy listings, just in case you missed them:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54488131/blooming-sterling-silver-ring-size-7

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53693576/fossil-fossilized-coral-stone-set-in

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53485149/desert-landscape-jasper-pendant-set-in?ref=v1_other_2

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53444604/midnight-blue-lapis-pendant?ref=v1_other_2

Wishing you all a happy, creative week!!

Stormy Weather - a pendant with thunder and lightning

The main focal stone in my latest pendant is a Purple Storm, mined in Utah. I love how you can practically see lightning and hear thunder crackling through this stone. There's nothing like a good thunderstorm to cleanse the spirit. The accent stone is a soothing lavender Holly Chalcedony and nicely picks up the purple in the focal stone. I'm pleased with how it turned out and I think this is one piece I may keep for myself. While I don't wear jewelry often, I find it a little ironic when I have an occasion to wear jewelry and I don't have a piece to wear that I've made myself.

Actually, this pendant has been a thunderstorm of sorts for me to create. I started it last January, sketching several different versions of a setting for the focal stone. I finally settled on the one I liked the best, created about 75% of it and then ruined it by frying the sterling silver with too much heat on the final solder. Defeated, I used this as a wake-up to take a break from making jewelry for awhile. I needed the break to concentrate on other things.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've recently been struck with a burst of inspiration to get back to my workbench. The components for this pendant; stones, sketches and fried silver have been sitting on my bench since last January, collecting dust and haunting me like unfinished business that needed to be taken care of before I'm allowed to truly forge ahead with new work. So, I pushed myself through the storm, crafting a few design changes as I went (including 3 different bails) and finally finished this pendant today, warts and all.

In my long wait for the storm to pass, I've learned a few things, both technically and personally. I've learned that it's OK to sit back and ride out the storm. Wait till the thunder passes. Then forge ahead when the time is right and you can see clearly again.

One more interesting thing about this stone that I didn't notice until today - I see a cross amid the clouds and lightning. Do you see it? Oh yes, this pendant is mine and I'm keeping it.