Monday, August 20, 2012

Ocean Reef Martini Glasses

Ocean Reef Martini Glass
Another Design Request...I'm going to make these for myself.

This Martini Glass is made up of Fan Coral, Sea Weed (just a little at the base) 
Plate Coral and two types of branch coral. 
The base, stem and bottom of the glass is all Sterling Silver, 
only the top part is glass. 

September 4, 2012 Update

Slight change to the top, I like this better.

Sorry for the dirty glass, wax is a bit oily.

Still all in the rough but it's coming along nicely.
Sept. 5th.
REDESIGN!!!

Just added up the weight and converted it to silver...OUCH!!!

Here is the new design....

...much lighter and I like it better.

And I love the flow to the base of the glass.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Update: Twig Cuff #1

TWIG CUFF
Hand sculpted branches and tiny vines make up this back to nature design.

I love nature themed jewelry because it takes my mind to another place instantly, just one look at this cuff reminds me of the dogwood trees that line the edge of our forest.  I'm anxiously waiting for the small leafless trees to start budding in the spring. Once they start to bloom, the tiny flowers resemble delicate white lace that trims a cold black forest, an excitement that leads to the beginning of spring.

True to nature, I've included little vines on my cuff and although vines do not grow on our dogwood trees, they live together in nature. In NC, we have a large sweet grape called a Muscadine Grape Vine. Once winter comes and the leaves drop off the Dogwoods, you'll notice that these vines have had a grand time sharing space with our trees. Little curly vines wrapping themselves around the branches as if they grew together trying to catch the warm rays of spring. 

So, if you look at our Dogwood Trees quickly while heading down the highways, no, they do not bear fruit even though it may look that way.

For more information as well as addition photos, 
please visit my online store at Etsy.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Single Whale Tail Ring


I love this Ring!

I call this a ring a "Ring and a Half"

The cool thing about this ring is that it's a high quality adjustable ring.


Seahorse & Pearl Design


Seahorse with Pearl
Design Request

Sterling Silver Seahorse with a Rhodium Finish and a 16.5mm Tahitian Pearl,
I would love to see an antique finish on this ring.



Day 1

Thought you might like to see 1 day in the sculpting process.
It's taking shape and I'm getting a bit more confident that he will have tons of personality once completed.

You are not seeing the whole picture, I removed his pearl and the part of his tail that holds it close to him. He's very tiny, my customer loves big rings but only has a size 5.5 finger...
anyway, more later.

Shell & Fan Coral Pendant Design

Shell & Sea Fan Design
I worked so hard on this design but yet I draw a dorky starfish on it...
sometimes I wonder about me.

I love textures and colors so I choose a satin finished shell with black 
Rhodium Fan Coral with a solid 14k yellow gold Starfish.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Sea Shell Cuff - Murex Shell Art

The Murex Shell
My Inspiration Piece
Known for their spectacular frills and spines, you can see why I was drawn to this piece,
the design and texture are pretty awesome.

My husband and I both saw a cuff in this shell and it was just a matter of finding the time between sketches and casting to sculpt a new piece.


I think you can see where I'm going with this, before I added the holes it looked more 
like a Sea HareSo I quickly cut out the holes and photographed it. 

I have a couple of projects I'm working on today, but in the morning I should have more of the ridges and points carved into this piece, right now I'm still building the wax up.

Day 2 Progress


I think you can see where this is going...
...this is where "silver" sheet wax would come in handy for visualizing this peace before spending a week carving on this ugly green wax.


Day 3
Not much I can say, still carving away but at this point I'm starting to bond with the piece and I'm starting to add character...this was someones home, it has history.

Friday, July 27, 2012

My Side Kick Lexi

Lexi
Just finished fine tuning 7 pieces to cast on Tuesday, my cat is exhausted!!!

...now look closer 

Such a drama queen, I think she's telling me it's 5 o'clock NOW!

Green Sea Anemone




On the National Geographic website this morning and I am now eyeing the Green Sea Anemone photographed by Jens Troeger ...but why not, look at this photo... It's oozing with personality and it's saying, I'm your next RING!!! 

Thank goodness for great photographers! Because this in my opinion is a great pic!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

New Sterling Silver Whale Tail Rings



Whale Tail Ring
Single



Completed!
Extreme Whale Tail Ring...my Favorite!
I started yesterday morning sculpting a whale tail ring (one on the right)
and before I could finish, I started on the middle one, while
both were still in the rough, I started on a third Whale Tail Ring. 
Hmm, I'm thinking a cuff is needed.
I love the look of this one, the larger whale tail is the moms
and of course the smaller Whale Tail is her baby. I like a little story about
my pieces while I sculpt them.

I'll try to finish these up today and start the casting process on Tuesday and then add them to my Etsy Shop.

All three are adjustable! Love that part!


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Too Precious To Wear Pledge


I know there are a lot of wonderful designers out there that visit my blog, so why not take the time to take the coral pledge and show your support not to purchase our precious corals to use in jewelry, clothing, decor or accessories.
Hand Sculpted
Sea Fan & Starfish
Take the Pledge Here

SeaWeb
For today's happy Friday we're showing ocean love to coral with this snapshot from inside our office. The striking coral design on these hand fans created for the Too Precious to Wear campaign keep you cool in the heat, which is just what corals need. Climate change and ocean acidification are putting excessive pressure on corals and the global trade of coral isn't helping either. One small thing you can do to prevent corals from deteriorating is to pledge not to buy or sell any coral or coral products. Take the coral pledge and show your support: www.seaweb.org/TPTW/pledge.php