Everyday is Halloween

Just for fun....
This was one of my fave songs long ago...
Although this video is a fake...the music and the video do not match...It takes me back to my new wave/goth girl high school daze...


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Being heard feels good

illustration "hello Listen" by laurageorge (aka: Laura Berger)

I wanted to give a quick shout out/thank you to my friend and fellow jewelry artist, Kristin Lora. She recently contacted me, asking about the display banners I use in my show booth. The conversation shifted to my blog post about the Metalsmith - Exhibition in Print "Equilibrium: Body as Site." Kristin is on the SNAG board of Directors and she brought my blog post to the attention of Suzanne Ramljak, the editor of Metalsmith. I don't know if this will help the concerns I raised in my earlier blog post, but it nice to know that I my humble opinion has been heard. Thanks, Kristin! And also a 'thank you' to Laura for giving me permission to use her lovely illustration!

A few new items...

Here are a few new items I just completed...Small Midnight Vine Pendant w/ white diamond

Midnight Vine Ring w/ grey diamond

Friday at the bench...

This week I've been finishing up wholesale orders and dabbling with some new designs...

I have been pretty successful with my vine rings on Etsy, so I was inspired to expand the line. Here are some pendants I'm working on. They are very different from most of my work and I'm not sure how they will fit into my display as a whole. Of course, I added some movement: the little leaves freely swing! Your thoughts are welcomed!

I am also working on more Slider Rings. I'm really excited about this series! I bought stones this week specifically for these designs. This is one I finished several months ago

And this is one I'm currently making
Now I'm off to work....Have a good weekend!

Fun at the Gem Show

Yesterday I traveled to Asheville, NC to meet some of my Etsymetal friends at the Gem Show. I really enjoyed spending the day with these talented young women in person...Beth, Maggie and Sara! While at the show I purchased many lovely goodies: some champagne and grey colored diamonds; an amazing oval imperal topaz; a pair of lovely princess cut aquamarines; a positively scrumptious parcel of multi-color princess cut sapphires and more! My head is swimming with ideas for all these lovely gems...now I just have to find the time to make them...

Niche Awards Finalist!

I was recently informed that my "Kinetic Mod Necklace" has been chosen as one of the 2009 Niche Awards Finalists! The winners of the awards will be announced on February 15, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA at a banquet and ceremony during the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Wish me Luck...because....

This is my 8th time as a Niche Award Finalist...but I have yet to win the award. I am beginning to feel like the Susan Lucci of the Niche Awards. I think it took her 19 Emmy nominations before she won...geez!

Friday at the bench...Engagement Ring!

This week I finished up an exciting project: a commissioned engagement ring with nesting wedding band. My customer saw my Gold Vine Ring w/ diamond online and asked me if I could make a similar ring in a white metal. After much discussion, he decided on 950 Palladium, a naturally strong and durable noble metal that offers a more radiant white than white gold, and has many of the desired characteristics of platinum without platinum’s price. I think the rings turned out beautifully! Congrats to Rob & Traci!

These vine rings are proving to be popular...I have two more commissions in the works!

Aside from this vine ring and a few other orders, this week I started making some stacking rings from the wire Ben & I drew down 2 weeks ago. They are a combination of 14k white, yellow and pink golds...still incomplete...but will be finished and listed on Etsy soon!

Photo Stamps!

If you haven't heard of PhotoStamps yet, they are (as stated on their website) "an exciting new product that lets you take your own images or photographs and turn them into real U.S. postage." I recently ordered some with the image of my Bubble Charm Necklace. What a great branding tool!

Some more Web Press...

I'm happy to announce that my Abacus Wave Cufflinks were featured in blufuse: a new, hip blog featuring modern men products. Very Cool stuff in the blog!

My Midnight Marquise Bracelet was also mentioned on dianalerias.net in the post Jewelry: Favorite Picks. Thank you!

New Ring...

This ring represents hope...
Just as in the myth of Pandora's box...hope always remains...even if just barely...

This sterling silver ring graceful curves around the finger and it terminated with 2 gorgeous wine-colored rhodolite garnets set in 18k gold bezels that just barely touch. I made this ring as part of etsymetal team's monthly theme... October's theme involved using the technique of bezel setting and the concept of hope. It is currently for sale on etsy.com ...check it out!