Art Show This Weekend & New Work

My last show this season is this Saturday & Sunday at the Kirkwood Community Centre. Artists' Boutique runs from 10am-4pm both days. Here are some new goodies that I'll be unveiling:

("Elise" necklace: Peruvian opal & pink tourmaline)

("Double Dot Drops" in grey moonstone)

("Branches" earrings in citrine)

("Dotted Line" necklace; awaiting chain)

Lots more pieces coming! Thanks for taking a look :)

Ugly Hand Picture of the Month...and some new work too

Yes, I do lotion. No, it doesn't ever help. This is my newest "Seeing Spots" ring. It's a spectacular black Cat's Eye moonstone (fancy for 'grey') with a itty bitty garnet. I'm thrilled that my other "Seeing Spots" rings have sold quickly at my last 2 shows. My favourite thing about this design is that the large dot 'base' is recycled. I take all my little scrap bits, melt them into blobs, then forge them. I think my customers appreciate the extra work that goes into these rings.

This one is chalcedony & garnet:

& same colours, but different stones for myself:


Instead of a garnet, mine has a star ruby. I wasn't able to catch the bright little star that flashes inside the ruby, but the deep pinkish red is pretty true.

I was so productive last night--a rarity--& even finished a new necklace.

This is a 10mm rainbow moonstone accented with a tiny sky blue topaz.

The pendant is about 2.25" long & hangs from an 18" sterling chain. It falls right below the neckline (scoopneck) & really livens up the plain solid tees I wear daily.

I've got a ton more pieces percolating in my brain, so check back soon. Thanks for reading my blog!

I Did Something Stupid & Careless

a few days ago. Usually I am religious about turning off everything & unplugging all gadgets in my studio/dungeon. I keep my Flex Shaft unplugged, my propane & oxygen tanks turned off & turn off the crock pot I keep full of pickle (a noxious solution that removes firescale from my soldered pieces).

Well, yesterday I noticed a weird smell in the room (besides the usual eau de dank basement) & felt warmth emanating from the crock pot. When I lifted the lid, my eyes & nostrils instantly began burning from the fumes.
Not only had I left it plugged in, it was set on HIGH. Thank goodness it didn't set a fire. So I bought a new pickle pot from Target yesterday & because I'm all out of the pickle, I Mcgyvered some homemade solution using white vinegar & salt. It worked great, but it smelled up the entire basement.

Vinegar might be environmentally more friendly (& healthier for the lungs), but it STINGS the eyes just the same! But here are a few pieces I made despite my pausing to gag every other minute:

(large Double Dot studs in smoky quartz)

(Double Dot Dangles in sky blue topaz)

(Cursive studs in moonstone & smoky quartz)

Those are some beautiful smoky quartz cabs, by the way. I think I'm going to order some more. They're really clean stones--great quality. And the colour combo of grey & brown is just so me. I'm one of these people who like a tight edit in the closet. I tend to buy alot of basics in solid colours--black, blue & white. All knits, because I don't iron. (After this pickle pot debacle, do I really need another hot appliance to leave plugged in??!)

Each year, I seem to invest in key pieces all in one hue. Last year was all about blue. This year's colour is grey. In the spring I bought an awesome sweater tunic & layering tees in pale silver to deep charcoal. Now I'm adding fall/winter items like a new silver scarf & smoky grey hat. After I finish this year's art shows, I'm going to splurge on a sinfully fabulous purse (I treat myself yearly in January) & I think I'll go for a decadent patent leather in chocolate brown. Keep an eye out for me, ok?

New Work

Thanks to a successful art show last month, I was able to splurge on some new gemstones. I am in love with the colour blue & these Swiss blue topazes were begging to be made into something special:
They're accented by 4mm citrines. I haven't decided whether or not I intend to sell these yet.
But here are some simple dangles that are new in my shop:

"Spotlight"dangles: pink Peruvian opal

"Double Dot Drops" in peridot

Next weekend is ARTstravaganza, an art show featuring the Best of Missouri Hands juried artists. October 23, 24, and 25, 2009 at the St. Louis Artists' Guild at Oak Knoll Park in Clayton, MO 63105.

Friday night (4pm-9pm) will also have a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres & music. My booth is upstairs, close to the wine & food! Saturday hours are 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-4pm.

Hope to see you there!

October Must Be My Month

My 'Triple Dot" earrings are still in Etsy's Gift Guide, but now also in a treasury! I'm so honoured. To be noticed among the millions of Etsy jewellers is incredible.
Thanks for all the support, everyone!

Made Another Etsy Gift Guide!!!

This time, it's my Triple Dot Opal Studs (second row):

I'm on the 3rd or 4th page of their gift guide which features all things opal. Very exciting!

See You This Sunday! New Goodies Galore

Come out this Sunday from 10am-4pm to Francis Park in St. Louis Hills for the annual Art in the Park! I will have alot of new goodies including:("Touch of Sun" rutilated quartz ring, SOLD)

("Cat's Meow" grey moonstone ring)

("Trinity Dot" moonstone earrings)

("Quartet" opal ring)

("Seeing Spots" prehnite & rainbow moonstone, SOLD)

And the best for last, this phenomenal multi-coloured labradorite ring, "Chance of Rain":

There will be lots to see & do at this event. They'll have live music, food from local restaurants, a children's area & an art raffle. See you Sunday!