Starfish and Pearl Ring

 

Ocean Reef Collection - My Starfish Pearl Ring!

My rings are hand carved in wax and then cast using the lost-wax method. This ring is a highly detailed work of art with a design that flows all the way around the base of the ring.

Solid 14k yellow gold starfish wraps it's arms around this fabulous 13mm Black Tahitian Pearl. (blue, violet & green hues...beautiful)

This ring also features hand sculpted branch coral and plate coral accents.

Metals: 14K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver 92.5 
Note: This ring can be customized.

"Isabella" ...What a beautiful name.

A great guy from Italy has asked me to make a one-of-a-kind Cymbidium Orchid Pendant. He has chosen this picture for me to sculpt by...I personally think it's a wonderful choice and obviously there is a special meaning to this flower.

I can't wait to get started on this piece...the Cymbidium Orchid is an absolutely beautiful flower and adding one of these pearls below to the center is going to be striking!

He has named this piece, "Isabella" and what a beautiful name to go with such a beautiful flower.

I searched out for a 7.5mm Black Pearl and these are the two that were sent to me to pick from. They are both so beautiful that I will add one to the center of the Cymbidium Orchid and probably make an Orchid ring with the other one...only time will tell.

I will have two suprises for this piece...I hope you will keep an eye on Isabella.

Update: Showing my work in wax can be scary and this is no exception but I'm keeping my client on top of things and this is the next step before casting. Once cast she will have several finishes including sandblasting to give her a soft glow and polished on parts of the lip (tongue part) to show the detail in the cymbidium. I'm crossing my finger on this...but I feel the detail will be worth the extra work.

Well she is finished! The Black Pearl adds a beautiful touch to this piece.

The Ghost Orchid - A Very Rare Orchid

Argentium Sterling Silver Ghost Orchid Ghost Orchid

I have added a picture of the Ghost Orchid to show just one of the photographs that I used to sculpt this tiny Ghost Orchid.

The Ghost Orchid is one of the rarest Orchids only found in South Florida and Cuba and this particular Ghost Orchid was spotted in the swamps in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples Florida. An orchid enthusiast took several photos and sent it to me to make a pendant for his wife from this very rare sighting.

The Pendant is made from Argentium Sterling Silver 925 and is 1 3/4" tall by 1 1/4" wide and is an awesome design to wear. If you are a die hard orchid lover...you can surely appreciate the beauty of this orchid.
The chain is a very nice Sterling Silver 18" Rope Chain with a Claw Clasp.

Price: $98

Click Here To Purchase

For more information about the Ghost Orchid: Click Here

New Asymmetrical Necklace in Lemon Quartz, Citrine & Amethyst

Asymmetrical Design using Amethyst

SOLD

This has been an amazing designs that I created a while back. I gave it to one of my Galleries and within a couple of weeks it was sold. Since then I have had several request for this piece so I decided to bring it back in Amethyst as well as Citrine and Yellow Quartz.

I designed a new necklace based on the original Asymmetrical Necklace plus I designed a smaller version of the "A" Necklace using Amethyst & Citrine Brioletts and Faceted Stones shown below.

Asymmetrical Design using Lemon Quartz

SOLD

The "Leaf Section" of the above "A" designs are 2 1/2" and Argentium Sterling Silver 925

In each design including the smaller Asymmetrical Designs below, the Clasp is in the front of the necklace instead of in the back which is usually impossible to attach plus you can adjust the length with a catch we have behind the stem in front. This is the most versatile necklace I have ever designed.

Asymmetrical Design (smaller version) using Amethyst

SOLD

All the same features of the larger Asymmetrical design have been incorporated into the smaller design.

Asymmetrical Design (smaller version) using Citrine

SOLD

Smaller Asymmetrical designs leaf section is 1 7/8", the briolettes are adjustable.

For additional photos, please e-mail or call me for front & back photos.

Thanks for looking!

I'm having a Garden Party...

...and all of the Phala Orchids & Buds as well as their owners out there are invited.

I'm not sure what goes on in my head when I start designing one of my orchid pieces but when I see those little Phala's...it's like looking at little faces and they are all saying...don't forget me.

So it's definately a party.

Update at the ArtiGras Show: Don & I have a wonderful time meeting everyone who came to our booth including the supportive staff at the show, the learning experience was priceless. We left the show totally satisfied but not only that, we left with a clear path to what we needed to do for our next show which will be in Islamorada March 8th & 9th.

I loved hearing all of the comments about my jewelry including the comments that "they had never seen anything like it". That was exciting because I was able to explain that it was because of my method of sculpting the wax as if it was my porcelain, something that's not the norm when learning how to make jewelry.

All comments were extremely positive but both Don & I agreed...we feel the Phalaenopsis Orchid designs really stole the show leaving me wishing I had more designs to offer.

So we both agreed, I need to expand my Phala Collection but I also heard one other request...PEARLS! I heard this load and clear. So I am developing a collection by combining the two, Freshwater Pearls & my tiny Phala Orchids shown to the right.

I don't usually show my pieces right after the casting but they were so cute, only 3mm 4mm & 5mm wide (around 3/8th"). The long stem on each flower is called a "Sprue". This is where the silver is shot from the outside of the plaster mold into the void where the wax piece used to be before it was burned out.

We'll cut those off and start cleaning up the orchids and I'm pretty sure I'll sand blast each orchid creating a soft glow.

This is going to be a growing collection so please check back in a few days.



March 5th...I'M POPPING IN HERE FOR A MINUTE.

I am in the process of designing 3 new cluster "Phala" Orchid rings. The first one will have a 10mm x 8mm stone, a beautiful Green Quartz (light pastel green) stone which sets up high with a cluster of buds, orchids & leaves wrapping around the stone.

This design reminds me of the traditional "Cocktail Ring" in Bloom!

...more coming soon!

Don & I also have some exciting news for all those hi-risers living along the S. Florida coast in a few days, so again, please check back...this is very exciting and a complete surprise to me!

My Dogwood Collection - UPDATED!

I have been sitting on this design for about 4 months and I think it's time to start.

I like to keep a few projects going at one time, it allows me to walk away from one, think about it while starting another. I guess I get bored easily.

I have already started the necklace part of this design plus I've made and cast the Dogwood buds. I wasn't pleased with my first Dogwood flowers, I guess that's why I put it aside.

I had joined "CageyCrafters" a wonderful forum a while back and a few of them gave me thumbs up on doing the Dogwood Flower, or the push I needed to start back on this design. They also gave me some great feedback on what flowers they would like to see me sculpt. I'll be posting their suggestions once I go through the list.

I pulled out some of my designs for this project that I thought I would post. I have designed a a beautiful bracelet, ring, a single Dogwood Pendant, plus a slider. I had also designed 4 sets of earrings plus one very elaborate necklace shown.

I plan to use a small cluster of Peridot Stones inside each flower and I feel with the detail I have in the pedals...the stones will make the flower. Another stone suggestion would be garnet or pink quarts. If done in 14K or 18K, I would like to consider emeralds, rubies, or green tourmaline...all equally beautiful.

As always the first product being produced will be in sterling silver plus I really have my heart set on peridot in the center.

I skipped over the necklace and started on the Bracelet. It just popped into my head, no drawing this time but woke up and started sculpting on it this morning. I wanted a few buds, definitely some leaves but three dogwood flowers for sure.

Don & I will be picking out stones tonight. I have about 6 designs that I just completed and the next step is setting the stones. I know that I will be looking for 3 mm, 4mm and 5mm peridot for the center of each Dogwood.

Well the new pieces are starting to take shape and I would like to introduce my first pair of Dogwood Earrings with 5mm Peridot Cabs in the center. They are 3/4" from tip to tip.

I have chosen a few beautiful Gems such as Peridot, Citrine, Blue Topaz, and Garnets. On these I have used 5mm Peridot Cabs for the center of the Dogwood Flowers.

Update! The Dogwood bracelet below is a one-of-a-kind Dogwood Bracelet with three Garnets set into each dogwood flower. This bracelet set beautifully on your wrist.

If you love Dogwoods, this collection is a must!

This one-of-a-kind Dogwood Slider is one of the most beautiful pieces I have sculpted. The detail is amazing. If your not into Sliders, this beautiful piece can made into a pin.

I will list the Dogwood Collection on Etsy.com with additional pictures including the back of each. The workmanship of this collection is worth seeing.

Additional items will be added this weekend.

Sterling Silver Cattleya Pierced Earrings

These earrings are adorable. Only 7/8" across with the detail you would fine in the original Potinara Susan Fender Cattleya found on the front cover of the The World's Most Beautiful Orchids by Greg Allikas & Ned Nash.

These earrings have post for pierced ears.

8 total grams of silver

Cost $89

Now Back In Stock

Latest Design - Cattleya Orchid Bracelet

When I sculpt my pieces I have half of design in my head and the other half comes out on the mandrel. This piece was no exception...I knew I wanted the Orchid at the very top but I knew I didn't want a typical design, totally symmetrical so I started on one side with two leaves, added my sculpted orchid and then to the right side of my orchid...

I added three tiny buds for new growth.

I hope you enjoy my sculpted designs and I always

appreciate your ideas, feedback or just to say hello.

Process: Lost Wax
Materials: Sterling Silver
Weight: 41 grams
Orchid Size: 2" x 2"