Did you ever wonder how a designer creates? Where DO those ideas come from? Here's a little insight from my perspective. First of all there is no typical day at the jewelry bench. I may be creating pieces for a wholesale order, working on a new collection, learning to use a new piece of equipment or putting finishing touches on a custom order. But the BEST day is one where … [Read more...]
THREE Gorgeous Patinas for Copper Jewelry
If you have been following my blog or any of my Social pages... you already know that I LOVE WORKING WITH COPPER! When I first started taking metals classes, copper was used as the 'learning' metal. Meaning 'work with copper to get the feel of metal and what you can accomplish' . Once past the learning curve, then venture on with Silver and/or Gold. However, with the … [Read more...]
Turquoise Gemstone: Legends and Fascinating Facts
Turquoise is one of my favorite gemstones. The blues and greens are so vibrant. I design[tweet_dis_img][/tweet_dis_img] in both silver and copper. Did you know? Turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate mineral. It has a hardness of 5 to 6. This means it can tend to be brittle if not stabilized for strength. You may notice a black backing on some turquoise cabochons. … [Read more...]
Amethyst; My All-Time Favorite Gemstone
I love amethyst. As far back as I can remember I have ALWAYS loved this gem. Before beginning my Jewelry Design Career, I purchased amethyst creations from other artisans. I still wear several of the pieces today. The rich purple in this gem is intoxicating. This Geode showcases the gem perfectly. My personal collection includes 4 amethyst geodes in varying sizes. While … [Read more...]
Tips for Buying Artisan Jewelry
Do you love jewelry created lovingly by an artist? Do you visit all the jewelry booths at Arts Festivals? Do you scour the internet looking for something unique and handmade?That makes me very happy. Especially since I AM a jewelry artist! But before I started creating my own designs I was right in the thick of it looking for treasures for my wardrobe. "Artisan jewelry … [Read more...]
