I couldn't believe it when I added my patina to one of my new Sterling Silver Pendants. Normally I only used the patina on my original porcelain pieces but because had a request to try it again...I dipped one of my new silver pieces and to my surprise it worked beautifully.

The results are a bit different, the colors are the same but I used to brush the edges to remove the bronze but this time the bronze and gold tones are perfect...it gave my orchid a very rich look. This pendant would work well with your existing silver or gold jewelry you may have.

The colors are unbelievable beautiful. I have every Jewel Tone in the book on this one. Ruby Red, Teal, Blue, deep Bronze and Gold on all the edges...I could have planned this better. I just want to thank Nancy for convincing me to get my Patinas (LOS) out again.

I also tried several beads but at the last minute (almost giving up there) I took an 18" chain and dipped it too and then polishing it a bit and it was a perfect match.

The Cattleya Orchid is hand sculpted and is approximately 2" and is stamped 925. The Bracelet (right) is also 2" with leaves on one side and Orchids Buds on the other.

Material: Argentium Sterling Silver 925 Orchid Pendant Finish: Patina
Chain: Sterling Silver with a Patina Finish

SOLD

...just a sample of my collection.

My Gift Back to Women In Distress

Yesterday was an exciting day for me along with showing off Isabella to my client for the first time but along with that...I had my opportunity to deliver a very special necklace to my absolute favorite organization...Women In Distress here in S. Florida.

I wrote them a letter about a month ago and they graciously accepted my offer to contribute a piece of my jewelry which allowed me to give back to their wonderful organization.

I myself am a survivor and it was Women in Distress (WID) who took the time to give me the tools to find ME again.

After 8 months of attending WID meetings and working with a couselor, I have slowly gained my self-respect/self-confidence but also in the process, I also found out I had a hidden talent, so you can see why I am so excited about giving back to this organization.

I owe my life to WID as well to my new husband who pointed me in their direction for help and also to all of the counselors who took the time to work with me, hold my hand, let me cry and yes...gave me a huge teddy bear one night to hug when I really needed something to hold on to.

The necklace will be silent autioned off at the 2nd Annual Starfish Luncheon
May 14th, 2008 at Pier 66
Event Details:
www.womenindistress.org/

Over 300 people are anticipated to join Women In Distress of Broward County to raise funds for victims of domestic violence and recognize special honorees at the Second Annual Starfish Luncheon.

"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

I would like to introduce my husband...Don Vertrees

No, this isn't my husband but this is what he made for me last night. I was blown away on how he took immediately to the tools, technique and so many jump rings to make up this beautiful Handmade Byzantine Chain.

I wanted to create a totally hand made necklace which include the Toggle, Bail, Pendant and yes, the chain and Don has made this possible for me.

Not only is the Byzantine a beautiful chain but every link is perfect. Before Don started he wore out the book store and the Internet making sure that once he had the right tools in his hands...he could produce this necklace in his sleep and guess what? HE DID!

I am just so excited that I have my own Byzantine Chains but now I have my work cut out for me...designing a pendant that will compliment his beautiful work.

$425

Click Here To Purchase

A Gift For Dawn...

Volker Kracht, my mentor just came back from Brazil and he brought me back these beautiful, breathtaken stones for me to design with. They were taken from the mines in Brazil and they just blew me away.
These stones, even without my sculpting have already been spoken for. I will be photographing the finished pieces once completed but if anyone is interested in future pieces...please contact me. I will be sketching as soon as I can get paper & pencil in my hand.

Of course each stone brought in from Brazil will be a one-of-a-kind piece but the shape and colors will be very close.

I am so excited about these...I feel this will take me into a new direction that I have been searching for.

Thanks again for all of your support.

First Picture: IMPERIAL TOPAZ ...Rough but oh so beautiful.

Second Picture: LODOLITE QUARTZ
...AN UNOFFICIAL TRADE NAME FOR QUARTZ CONTAINING INCLUSIONS FROM MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL. THEY HAVE INTRIGUING PATTERNS AND 3D IMAGERY. This will make an interesting piece of jewelry.

Third Picture: NATURAL FLUORITE STONES

New Design using Fluorite & Cherry Blossoms

I'm definitely thinking about a cherry blossoms branch for this design plus some type of faceted drops for the buds.

It's my first design on paper which usually means it will change somewhat once I start sculpting plus I have a tendency to over design on paper.

The small drops or buds are going to be a bit difficult to find but that's OK...sometimes the hunt is what makes it even more personal to me.

This is such great news!

Don & I have been accepted into two huge shows here in Florida...The 21st Annual Las Olas Fall Art Fair and the 9th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving!

We are so excited about doing these shows.

21st Annual Las Olas Art Fair
Saturday & Sunday, October 4th & 5th, 2008
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm

9th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Art Festival
Saturday & Sunday, November 29th & 30th, 2008
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Orchid, Buds & Leaves

When I have three projects in a row this week and I have a tendency to start with one of my projects rather than someone else's project so I had found a gorgeous natural 20mm x 30mm oval (my favorite shape) cabochon in aventurine.

Aventurine is a quartzite gemstone composed of interlocking grains of quartz and small mica crystals.

This mica looks like tiny silver specs in the gem which is really going to pop once I cast this orchid in Sterling Silver.

I haven't decided on how I'm going to make the bail...I've started with a small stem with some neat texture in it.

I also found the matching 28mm x 13mm twisted nuggets and I added 5mm Sterling Silver beads between each nugget...

...I think it's going to be an awesome necklace when finished.

UPDATE: Just cast but not soldered yet. More photos to come once completed.

As soon as I have this cast and soldered, I'll post the finished piece.