We all have important rituals in our lives. Some are more mundane and day to day while others have deep meaning and purpose.

This piece was created with ritual in mind. Memories have a strong role in our everyday life. They remind us of
lessons learned, loved ones, and the paths we have traveled.

In this piece I used Opal, Aquamarine, Quartz, Citrine, and Harlequin Quartz. All of these stones are said to help the wearer gain access to long lost memories. Maybe you have bits of a past life buried deep?

1 Comment »

The second installment in The Chroma Project is ready to share! Well, it’s been ready to share, but I’ve been sick along with the rest of the house. Today was the first day in a week that I’ve been able to get out of the house and ship some packages. It was nice to get some fresh air! I certainly appreciate the weather here after hearing about the rest of the country in the deep freeze. If I could, I’d send y’all some 60 degree sunshine! Enough of that, on with the necklace!

Mermaid’s Gown was the second color of choice in Violet’s Chroma Project. Those of you who have followed my jewelry (or blog for that matter) know that I could create oceanic inspired pieces exclusively and be happy as, well, a clam! With that being said, this piece flew from my brain to my hands rather quickly, and I have to say I’m pleased with the results.

This piece was designed to be worn with the clasp in the front. The clasp is a hand wrapped, sterling silver hook and eye. The ‘eye’ side of the clasp holds a tassel of beads that look as if a deep sea mermaid collected them herself. A tumbled smooth beach stone and an eroded periwinkle shell that has been surf tumbled smooth were both collected at my favorite beach on Monterey Bay. A frond of giant kelp has been woven with seed beads and hangs in the mix. There’s also a faceted drop of aquatic blue glass, some cultured pearls, and a glass nautilus shell. Mermaid worthy, indeed!

The necklace is a single asymmetrical strand of more ocean themed beads. Faceted aqua blue glass, seed beads, and Czech glass are accented with beautiful white keishi pearls, and two different types of blue opal. The opals are milky blue and white, with inclusions that resemble fronds of seaweed floating in the surf.

A note about the opals in this piece. These opals are not the precious fire opals, but are opals none the less. Because of the pourous nature of opals, they have a tendency to change colors when exposed to chemicals, lotions, hairspray, and perfumes. A good rule of thumb for this piece (or any other piece of jewelry) is to put it on after you have finished applying all of your daily creams and such. Store them in a dark place and clcean them with a bit of warm water and a shop cloth. No ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemical cleaners! Now, I’m sure you’re curious what color they may turn if exposed? A milky translucent brown is the answer. Not terrible, but still not quite the same.

Ok ok! I won’t make you wait any longer, on to the pictures!! *measurements and nitty gritty details are below the images*

This necklace measures a smidgen under 19″ with the tassel hanging another 4″ below that. When I did my test wear for this piece it received lots of ooohs and aaaahs. Did I mention, It’s also super comfy to wear? It is!

As with all of my creations, this is a one of a kind creation. So if you like it, you’d better grab it! It will not be reproduced!

And one last thing, shipping is FREE when you buy direct from my blog!

2 Comments »

A terrible cold has my entire house down. I’ll be back in a few days when I can be out of bed again. Compromised immune systems suck!

No Comments »

So, it all started with a Plurk about colored pencils. Not just any colored pencils, but these colored pencils. 500 colored pencils, each with a name and a story. The lovely Violet was chattering on about creating a knitting pattern for each color in the collection, starting with the color called Lobster Bisque. Not only is she a knitter extraordinaire, she’s also a Goddess of All Things Sniffy. A scent was also inspired by the name. Not wanting it to smell of true Lobster Bisque, she equated the scent with Maine in the winter time. Her description?

Crunching snow underfoot, warm woolen mittens, dry and bare branches of black pine and evergreen spruce, all with the backdrop of the ocean lingering behind and just the slightest wafting of woodsmoke from cast-iron stoves.

That description hit me, and sparked a necklace design in my mind. I present to you, Lobster Bisque – The Necklace. An earthy creation with a color palette inspired by a lobster boil on the Maine Coast. A hand wrapped copper coil, reminiscent of a pile of nautical ropes, has been wrapped, hammered, given an antique patina, then buffed to reveal a warm copper glow. Hanging below, there is a mix of drops and dangles including a tumbled beach stone and a copper washer that has been hammered and stamped with the word bisque. There are also drops of seafoam blue Impression Jasper, a pale peach pearl, deep green Serpentine, and a tiny round of deep pink Rhodonite. Throughout the necklace there are both brass and copper, giving a warm rustic feel to the entire piece.

The necklace itself is an eclectic mix of beads. Deep lobster red seed beads are accented with ceramic rounds and brass beads. Popping along the strand are more pale peach pearls that absolutely glow, reminding you of what lays below the waves. Seafoam blue Impression Jasper to evoke the waves crashing on the rocks of the rugged Maine coast. Last but not least are the deep green Serpentine rounds with hints of dark brown, echoing the towering pines swaying in the sea breeze.

The entire piece measures a smidge over 20″ with the drops hanging 1.5″ below. The clasp is a funky brass toggle.

Now, I know this sounds like an odd mix of colors and materials, it’s hard to describe. But, let me tell you, this necklace wears beautifully with a wide variety of colors and styles! I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Click on each one for a larger view.

Love it? This creation, like all of my others, is one of a kind and never to be repeated. I may create another piece on the same Lobster Bisque theme, but it won’t look like this one, I guarantee!

!!Shipping is FREE when you buy direct from my blog!!

Stay tuned for the next inspired creation, Mermaid’s Gown!

No Comments »