Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Citrine & Hal Together

"Hal & Citrine"


Once I put "Hal" my larger "Phala" Orchid up to the Citrine Nuggets...I knew they were meant to go together. This is a elegant combination.


Hal is a little over 1.5" across and sandbasted giving this orchid a soft glow, plus we highlighted the edges which outlines each part of this beautiful flower.


The Citrine Nuggets are 18mm x 13mm and have a rich gold tone to them with slight inclusions.


I have added a Sterling Silver Enhancer to the "Phala" Orchid making this necklace very versatile. You can wear the necklace with or with the Orchid or you can attach the Orchid to one of your existing necklace.


$225.00

2nd Annual Seaside Craft Fair on Hollywood Beach

My Next Show!
Hollywood Beach, Florida
Saturday & Sunday, April 26th & 27th, 2008
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Many crafters told Howard Alan Events that this area of Florida has great potential, so they are back for a second year. The show is set up directly on the boardwalk, right off Hollywood's newly renovated beaches. They receive support from the city, local media and residents wanting good fun events in their backyard.

Admission is Free

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk named one of America’s top ten nostalgic promenades by USA

Today in 2005, the pedestrian Hollywood Beach Broadwalk has undergone a complete renovation.
Built in the 1920s, the oceanfront Broadwalk offers over two miles of car-free enjoyment. Walkers, runners, bicyclists and rollerbladers set their own pace on this path, which is bordered by six miles of Hollywood’s famous coastline, boutique hotels, charming shops, and cafés and places to eat facing the ocean. The beach area and Broadwalk also offer free wi-fi access. Hire a bike on the Broadwalk and follow the gorgeous new path. Then, continue into the West Lake Nature Preserve to reconnect with nature and discover what early Florida looked like.
The beach offers its own entertainment, including paddle ball, volleyball, group yoga and Tai Chi classes. Several golf courses and tennis courts are also within easy reach. At night, a full season of cultural events takes centre stage.

Monday, April 7, 2008

New Leaf Spacers

I think it's time for me to design my own spacers. There are so many beautiful Pearls and Gems available that I want to highlight the stones so I'm designing my own spacers.

Update: This spacer is about 3/8" in diameter and about 1/2" long with a slight curve in the tube.

I will be making a mold of this leaf spacer.

There's around 12 tiny leaves with stems running around underneath the leaves. By the time were finished with this piece...I would say we'll have 12 hours making just this one spacer...so I think you can see why I want to make a mold.

I will be casting this one in Sterling Silver and I will post the results and once we make the mold...show you the final piece.
UPDATE: New Photo of cast piece!

Beads shown are 8mm.

Comments Welcome!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

"1st Annual Art in the Gardens"

April 5 and 6, 2008
Stuart, Florida

Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens, will present
"Art in the Gardens"
I want to thank everyone for making this show such a success for Don & I.

We had a great time, met a lot of new friends but I want to also thank Susie, her husband & Laura for coming out. Susie is a wonderful supporter (she wore her beautiful Black Pearls and Leaf Necklace) and she kindly modeled my new jewelry to some of my new customers, she makes a great model! And Laura...my #1 fan. She is a beader herself and has supported me & my work from day 1.

Thank you all for coming out!
Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens
1905 SW Ranch Trail, Stuart
Call 772-283-5565 for directions!

Monday, March 31, 2008

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!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Phalaenopsis Orchid Necklace is FINISHED!

She's Finished!
This piece is a Limited Edition Only. It will be 1 of 12 and this piece is Number 1. The Orchid Necklace, 2 of 12 is in Brazil. It was given as a gift by my mentor, Volker Kracht, a Master Jewelry & Artist who hand delivered the piece.
I am anxiously waiting his return to find out more about the one on the receiving end. I will keep you informed.
This was a design I've had for about 1 year...but procrastinated because I knew that the cost & time for making the first one would be enormous...plus I wanted to put a few more projects under my belt before I started sculpting this necklace. Once sculpted & cast, it took us more than 5 months to complete this necklace.
Now about this necklace: It has incredible accurate detail and was designed to wear comfortably. I have taken this piece to my Botanical Show last week and everyone who tried it on was amazed on how light the necklace was...and when they did try it on, the look on their face was priceless. It was as though they had stepped out onto the red carpet.
It has 3 Phalaenopsis Orchids, 17 buds and 33 leaves.
Each leaf in the necklace has movement, making this necklace flexible and adjustable, allowing us to add or remove leaves to adjust the length for a custom fit.
The necklace is Argentium Sterling Silver 925 and is stamped and has the "DV" logo. The Clasp is a very strong hidden clasp and was beautifully hidden under the leaves.
I am in the process of finishing up the matching "Phala" Orchid Bracelet and Ring.
Leaf Earrings are available in two different sizes.
As always, additional photos are available or visit my Ruby Lane Shop for additional Photos.
You can always Call or E-mail me for additional Information.

Friday, March 21, 2008

New Calla Lily & Turquoise Necklace

I LOVE TURQUOISE!
There is something about bright shiny silver and turquoise that just goes together so perfectly but adding my Calla Lily Stem with all it's texture just adds a new level of beauty.
I strung up the piece, put it on my velvet bust and waited until Don came home from work...I sat the necklace on the counter so that it would be the first thing he saw when he walked in the door. His reaction was very positive...and for him, that's a good thing. Don has a very good eye and having him in this business is great because he has some great feedback.
At this time the necklace is 17" long but can be adjusted.
The Sterling Silver Pendant is 1.75" wide x 2.50" tall
Note: This is also a pin as well as a pendant
$254
If you are interested in this piece, please call or e-mail me for more details as well as additional photos.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

New Wide Leaf Band Ring - Garnet

This is a super comfortable ring that I love wearing...actually, my jewelry display is a blast to have around...in fact, deciding what ring to wear is such a new thing to me but I'm getting used to it!
This ring has 6 hand sculpted leaves 925 Sterling Silver that wraps around the top of the finger and in the center I have set a 9mm x 6mm Faceted Almandine Garnet which has a beautiful deep red color which is typical for a garnet containing iron. This is a natural non-treated stone.
This ring can have just about any stone or birthstone set in the ring (final price depends on the stone) and as always, Shipping, Insurance and Re-sizing is free.
Cost: $165

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Free Flowing Leaf, Bud & Flower Bangle with Stones


I've had this design in my head for some time so I set up my mandrel and just started by adding my stems first and then added the leaves, buds and flowers and kept going until I was finished. I added 2-10mm x 8mm Amethyst Cab, 2-9mm x 6mm Peridot Cabs and inside three flowers I set 3mm citrine cabs.

The design took on a very natural free flowing design which is exactly what I love.

The Bangle measures 8" around and 2.5" across. If you have large hands like I have, I can add two hinges to open the bangle up with a safety chain.

This is a one-of-a kind Bangle in Argentium 925 Sterling Silver.

Cost: $396
Free Shipping & Insurance

Thursday, March 13, 2008

I'm Going Tropical! Philodendrons, Banana Leaves, Hibiscus...


You would think because I'm heading to my next show at the Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens in Stuart next month that this is where I had the idea about going tropical, it would have made perfect sense but noooo...we were in the Keys at our show and while staying at the hotel in Florida City they had beautiful tropical gardens around the pool and I looked down at a cluster of tropical plants growing together...there were banana leaves, palms, hibiscus, philodendrons and I said...this is my next projects!

My head was spinning but it was Don who suggested making a slider with a single Philodendron leaf first so this morning I made the larger leaf for an Omega Chain or a set of pearls using an enhancer and then I made a smaller one as a slider for a Hematite Choker.
The little leaves are 7/8" and 1 1/8" tall and will be cast in sterling silver first and then possibly 14kt next.
I plan to make a ring out of the smaller leaf which will wrap around the finger...I've curled the leaf around my finger and it was just perfect. My husband said I nailed the design beautifully!