Heading to Philadelphia!!

You're invited to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Rittenhouse Square Show this weekend. The show is right in the heart of Philadelphia, outdoors, and free!  It funs Friday and Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 11-5.  This is my first time exhibiting in Philadelphia.  Wish me luck, and stop by if you happen to be in the area:)

Sterling silver earrings with (clockwise) Kingman turquoise, Montana agate, azurite, and chrysoprase.

"Courage"

"...to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying." -Joan of Arc

I'm in the process of submitting several of my projects for possible publication (wish me luck!).  In preparation for that I recently borrowed some older pieces from one of my treasured customers so that they could be photographed.  It is really fun for me to visit with my past work for a time. Revisiting the ideas that inspired those pieces stirs up my creative process and helps me to think through where I've been and where I'm going in my work.

"Courage":  sterling silver, black spinel, black onyx, found bobcat claw, antique Joan of Arc medal.  

Speaking of where I'm going, I think I have caught the travel bug in a serious way.  I am once again traveling, this time to Prescott, AZ where I went to college.  My son is considering it for school himself so he is here with me for a tour.  I am so in love with the Southwest!!  I left in 1993 and have wanted to return ever since.  The landscape is simply spectacular.  We drove yesterday from low desert in Phoenix up through saguaro cactuses and into the pine forrest landscape of northern Arizona.  There is so much here to fuel creative energy!  Today I'm hoping to visit several galleries with Native American art and jewelry, which I adore and finish the day with a hike.  I'll share some photos later!  Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Cicada

I have long been fascinated by cicadas. As a kid growing up in the south I would collect cicada shells along with my brother every summer. The cicada songs would fill the air on hot August nights. Perhaps the most well-known species, called the 17-year cicada, lays its eggs underground and they remain there for 17 years before hatching. When they emerge they often come out all at once in dramatic numbers.  Some people think they are pests, but they are harmless to humans. The 17-year cicada is common in the United States, however, there are many other species of cicada around the world.

Cast bronze cicada pendant with articulated hand-pierced silver wings.

I love the symbolism of the cicada as well. The cicada symbolizes transformation, as it undergoes metamorphosis changing from a crawling insect into a flying one with translucent wings.  In China the cicada has for centuries been a symbol of eternal life.  In ancient China, when a person died a cicada would be place in their mouth to grant them eternal life.  In France the cicada is the symbol for Provence. Vases or wall sculptures in the form of the cicada were often given as a house-warming gift.  I have a collection of cicada brooches from 1920's France.  One of the brooches was incorporated in the the necklace below.

Antique bakelite cicada set in a hand-made sterling silver setting with kyanite.

Pretty Little Spring Things

Moonstone and labradorite rings in silver with gold detail.

This was a super busy week, but I managed to squeeze in 2 days at the studio and decided to focus on making rings.  These are the results.  I'm preparing for the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Rittenhouse Square show in Philadelphia the second weekend in May.  I've never done this show before and I'm excited to try out a new venue.   I recently updated my show listing, so follow the links at the right for more info on any of my upcoming events.  Thanks for reading!

Apatite, chrysoprase, turquoise, and blue chalcedony rings in silver and gold.

Colors of the Sea

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to the Caribbean.  I realize I am very fortunate to be able to take such a trip.  It really helps to renew my energy and find new inspiration for my work.  I've been busy lining up my show schedule for the summer, and also working on some more complex jewelry projects to submit for possible publication.  (More on that to come!)

Here are a couple photos from my trip and some new work.  The colors of the Caribbean are amazing, as are the colors and patterns in these stones.

Dominican Republic!

A new "Frida" cuff with Kingman, AZ turquoise and a feather cuff with Bisbee, AZ turquoise.

Sterling earrings with ocean jasper and Picasso jasper.

The coastline of Curacao.

Looking Forward to Spring, Desperately!

Yesterday when I awoke it was -20 degrees, not including the windchill.  Okay, now I know I need to toughen up, but this is getting ridiculous!  Luckily I am leaving Wednesday for a tropical vacation, so I have no room to complain.  Being from the south originally, I have never quite adjusted to the winters up here.  On that note, I thought I'd share some new pieces with colorful stones, in anticipation of spring.  Stay warm everyone!

Spiral "fern" rings with green tourmaline and peridot

Sterling pendant with prehnite and botryoidal blue calcedony

"Mountains and rivers without end" pendant with Montana agate and black onyx

"Salaam"

The latest in my doorway locket series, this one is titled "Salaam" and is inspired by the entrances to Islamic mosques.  "Salaam" is a common greeting in Islamic countries and translates to "Peace". As an American born in the Middle East, my heart goes out to the many people of war-torn Middle Eastern countries who's only wish is to live a peaceful and happy life.  I wish it for them also. Salaam.