Ireland...here we come!

It's official! This summer, Ben and I are going to Ireland to take a silversmithing workshop with Brian Clarke! We have been planning this for months and today we bought our plane tickets! I am so excited! It will be nice to make something larger than jewelry again. I am hoping it will put a breath of fresh air into my future jewelry designs, as well. Keep posted for the results after July!

NEW RINGS!

I've been wanting to make a series of simple, vine-inspired forged rings for years now. It all started when my husband, Ben and I collaborated on a few pieces...we called these pieces our "Porta Collection." I made scored and bent, hollow fabricated boat and leaf-shaped elements and he forged elegant vine-like tapers. I thought the combination of my graphic, geometric aesthetic with his more natural, organically influenced forms resulted in some stunning pieces!

"Porta Slide Bracelet" & "Porta Slide Ring"

Ben's "Cipolla"-alabaster & sterling silver vessel

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After all these years, I have finally set aside some time to make a few of these simple vine-like forged rings, inspired by my husband. I'm very happy with the results so far and am continuing to work on more variations. Currently I am test marketing them in my Etsy shop and I may be adding them to my wholesale line in 2009.

Vine Ring with diamond - 18k gold & sterling

Open Taper Ring - 18k gold 

Interviewed!

A few weeks ago Holly West, a fellow jeweler and Etsy artist, asked me if she could interview me for her blog. Naturally, I said "yes!" I've been interviewed via phone twice and the questions/answers have been edited in strange ways. After reading an article in a newspaper (promoting a show I was doing) I remember thinking "Wait, that's not correct...she got her facts mixed up!" and "I said that? I'm an idiot!" But my interview with Holly was done completely via email and I had time to THINK before I typed. She asked questions that would be of interest to other jewelers/artists and it was a pleasure answering them. She posted the interview on her blog last Friday (4/18/08) and I am thrilled with it! Please go check it out...and check out the gallery of Holly's jewelry work while you are at it!

This is one of Holly's Circle Rings

Front Page of Trunkt!

Trunkt is an online portfolio site, connecting "specialty retailers with amazing artists from around the world." Thanks to Passementerie for choosing my Hinged Marquise Bracelet in a showcase on Trunkt. It made it to the front page on April, 22! This bracelet is a recent addition to my Midnight Marquise Collection.

Featured on Posh Mama!

My Round Abacus Pendants were showcased in an article in Posh Mama titled "Circles and Dots" written by Capitola Girl, a fellow Etsy artist. Posh Mama is an online magazine for women only. You can also view the article on Capitola Girl's blog.

Front Page of Etsy x 2!

I was on the Front Page of Etsy TWICE on Sunday, April 20! WOW, What an honor! Thanks to formfireglassworks and ElementsbyDawn for chosing my pieces for your treasuries! My Abacus Earring #5 and my Abacus Earrings #3 were the featured items.

BEAUTIFUL photos...

I photograph much of my work by myself, but for jury shots or marketing, I go to the professionals! The photographer I had been using took a job in Bali with a major jewelry design company. As a result, I had to find a new photographer. I had seen Hap Sakwa's work for years and had always admired his photography style. He has a great eye for dynamic compositions and his photos have such wonderful lighting...the image seems to glow allowing the jewelry to pop. I recently sent him several of my new designs to shoot. I am thrilled with the results!

At first, both Hap and myself were baffled on how to shoot this necklace. The long straight links of the chain made it very hard to compose a photograph while the necklace laid flat. Look what he did! AMAZING!

Now I just need to start to send out press releases so these beautiful photos can grace the cover of a magazine! ;)

Featured in blog... On the Dot Creations

On April 11, 2008 I was featured in a wonderfully fun blog. As the author of the blog, Julie says, "On the Dot Creations...the Blog is just a little spot on the world Wide Web, devoted to showcasing great polka dot designs. She chose to publish my Bubble Charm Necklace that she found in Etsy shop. Julie also has a shop on Etsy where she sells custom-designed computer screen wallpaper. She has a contemporary sense of design and wonderful eye for color!

Happiness is...

...a new bench pin! I was a bit overdue, don't you think?

Featured in blog...Strain's Asylum-Silver Shadow

Last night I was pleasantly surprised to hear from fellow etsy artist, Stephanie Strain, asking me if I minded that she featured me on her blog. I told her "Of course I don't mind!" She has a lovely blog and kind words for my work...check it out!