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!

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

Coupon Sale! 10% OFF plus Free Shipping

I'm having a SALE!

10% off plus FREE Priority Shipping

My Etsy Store

Use Coupon Code:

"JULY10"

Lost Objects Dogwood Cuff

Dogwood Bracelet
Sterling Silver with Natural Stones

My husband and I just moved back to North Carolina and while unpacking the boxes, he found a satin bag with about 15 pieces of some of my original work from 2007-2008 when I was working under a Master Jeweler.


With each piece I sculpted he would turn into a lesson, this one was setting stones and showing me how to make a hinge for my bracelet. Volker would teach me how to make good jewelry, techniques from the past to the present.


For more information as well as other piece I have added, check out my Etsy Shop for 5 additional pieces from the past.

New Thank You Cards

My New Thank You Cards Personalized!

I went shopping today for new cards.
I wanted a pretty card just to thank you for purchasing my jewelry but I was
looking for something that I could also personalize,
So went into Michaels, just to see what they had.

I saw stamps, ribbon, Zot Dots (?) a lot of stuff from Martha Stewart, stickers, markers, cutters, and puncher to make cute flower cards...but not me.

So I grabbed the ribbon, tissue, grabbed some blank cards, and about 5 markers and I was out of there but still clueless.

Sat in my studio (my cat is eyeing the ribbon) ...I love sketching, love designing, so I thought...I'll sketch out a quick
Jewelry design and sign it for my customers. Inside I can add my notes...

I hope my customers like them, I like them...it's just me.

*The design is actually based on my very first sketch, a style I have used many times to create my asymmetrical necklaces.

2007 Art Clay World Contest Piece and its production.

Tree Frog Pendant - LuLu

I should post more of these but this one was so special to me and 

I think once you read it, you'll agree.

Dearest Dawn,

I just received Lulu and she is truly magnificent !!!!
My daughter and I are speechless. I have many frog pendants but this one is a 

true work of art.

Hibiscus have a very special meaning to me and now I have 2 of the works of 

art from Mother Nature combined.

I feel like you created Lulu just for me. (egocentric as that sounds)

She will be appreciated and loved.

Thanks so much!

Fondly,

J. in Texas

LuLu has a good home in Texas!

My Third Hand for Sculpting

Sculpting in soft wax has its pluses and minuses. The plus, I love sculpting wax rather than carving hard wax with a Flexshaft that sounds like a dentist drill, annoying when you're trying to design.

Now the Minuses, because most lost wax artist, carve their waxes instead of sculpting them, they have a nice selection of tools to choose from including Turret Holders for their metal mandrels.

As a "soft wax sculptor" (that's my new title) I don't need an iron mandrel because I don't bang on wax. Fabricators bang on metal so they need a heavy mandrel plus a steady holder...I just need a holder. Plus, wood mandrels are awesome, it's lightweight and to be honest, I like the design in the wood, kind of earthy.

Another pet peeve of mine...Wolf Carving Waxes that have a Gold Color instead of the traditional ugly green & blue sheet and wire waxes that I use. My customers could visualize their jewelry a lot better if I could show them their sculpted jewelry in gold wax.

BUT, thank goodness I have a husband who's very handy with the tools & wood. He has built so many tools, holders, and benches for me. 

Work Bench Vise

What am I working on? My new Starfish and Fan Coral Cuff Bracelet

And this is Lexi, she is my Lynx Point Siamese Kitten,
always there to lend a hand.

Sterling Silver Starfish Ring Up Side Down Ring

 

Sterling Silver Starfish Ring Up Side Down Ring - Adjustable!
Available to Ship August, 8, 2012 (see note below)

I'm pretty sure this little guy was posing for the camera. That one little tentacle standing up with a flip at the end is just a tease but I also love the second photo showing the side of the ring...that's just cool. I really love sculpting starfish rings, I feel they come alive when I start roughing out my wax...the personality starts coming out immediately. I laugh when I see my Starfish creations...I'm a grandmother and yet, I think starfish tentacles are cool!

Also, because I make jewelry that is a bit weighty, I can make good adjustable rings...so to change the size you'll need to put a little finger muscle into it. So please add your ring size (close as possible) and I will size your ring prior to shipping.

This piece can be blackened like my other Starfish Ring at: Starfish Ring - Blackened
...I personally love both concepts, silver and blackened. Just send me a convo with your preference.Sizes Available: 5-9 (showing a 9)
Materials: Solid Sterling Silver 92.5 Tarnish Resistant Sterling Silver
Free Priority Shipping & Tracking.Please Note: Due to Studio Move and Vacation,
this item is available to ship Aug. 8, 2012

$150.00

Purchase Here

 

 

Sterling Silver Branch Coral Ring

Sterling Silver Branch Coral Ring

Adjustable!
Today I signed a pledge not to use Real Coral in my jewelry. In my earlier years I used real pink and red corals, but since I have started my Ocean Collection, I have gained a deep respect for our oceans.

"Too Precious To Wear" was a pledge started by SeaWeb.Org .
Jewelers and Designers such as Tiffany's, Lilly Pulitzer, Stephen Webster, Nicole Miller, Me&Ro, and now me, we pledge not to use real corals. See the whole list here:

Designers who made the Pledge

Corals need your help. Found throughout the world, these animals are threatened by climate change, ocean acidification, pollution and increasingly, consumer demand. Reducing the impact on precious, deep-sea coral varieties that frequently are used for jewelry or decorative objects is one area that can easily be addressed by conscientious consumers and those in the jewelry industry.

There is hope. By refusing to use real coral in jewelry or home décor, we can help protect these species. By exercising your right as a consumer, designer or jewelry retailer, you can reduce the pressure these species face, allowing their populations to recover.

Now, about this ring...My designs are free-form, I re-create nature and nature is not symmetrical. My father, a wild life painter always told me, nothing in nature grows straight. So I have combined two types of branch corals in this ring.

Also, because I make jewelry that is a bit weighty, I can make good adjustable rings...so to change the size you'll need to put a little finger muscle into it. So please add your ring size (close as possible) and I will size your ring prior to shipping. Reserve your Branch Coral Ring in our shop here Today!

Sizes Available: 5-9 (showing a 9)
Materials: Solid Sterling Silver 92.5 Tarnish Resistant Sterling Silver
Free Priority Shipping & Tracking.

 

Please Note: Due to Studio Move and Vacation, this item is available to ship

Aug. 8, 2012 

Artist in the making...

McKenna's Fish

I put a frame around this picture because it deserves one. 

My granddaughter, age 6 drew this fish.

Personally, I was blown away when her mother, Sandra gave it to me. 

The hearts, the cute kissing lips, the fins as well as her frame around her 

cute little fish....I see so much potential.

I think we are seeing the next artist in the family, although 

with three grandchildren, I think we will see more.

I think I want this on my coffee mug, it just makes me smile.

Thank you Mckenna for making me smile everyday.