Catching Up

September has been a super hectic month, with lots of events, a family illness, and trips out of town.  I got a little behind, but found a couple days this week to catch up on some custom orders that had been waiting on my bench for awhile.  This custom "Frida" ring was finished yesterday for a dear friend.  I love the rich turquoise and black shadows in the stone.  She picked it up today and luckily it was a perfect fit:)  Happy Autumn everyone!

Welcome Autumn

First of all, I want to extend a big thank you to Rochester for a great Clothesline Festival this year! I really enjoyed the show, welcomed many returning customers, and met a few new ones. I have to admit I'm looking forward to some down time later this fall, before the busy Christmas season arrives. My hope is to spend time making some boxes and architecturally inspired pieces in preparation for a show I will be doing in early 2017 at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse. The summer season is so busy in Upstate NY that I sometimes lack for time to dive into projects that take several days, and those projects are my passion! More to come on that....

I did want to post a quick note to anyone in the Philadelphia area. Unfortunately because of an illness in my family I had to withdraw from the Rittenhouse Square show this fall. It was an excruciating decision, but I felt it was important to give my full attention to family and see my loved one through a very tough time. I hope to return to Philly in 2017:)

Spessartine garnets and sterling.

Collection of sterling and gemstone pendants - September 2016

Custom azurite cuff made for a special lady:)

Tiny Houses

The end of summer is approaching and I'll be finishing my busy show season with the Elmwood Avenue Festival Festival of the Arts in Buffalo followed by the Clothesline Festival in Rochester.  I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and having some fun.  I took the last 10 days off from work in order to spend time on Cape Cod with my family, but I still have some new goodies to bring with me to these events.  Below are three lockets recently completed.  These are a new take on my doorway lockets, only much smaller and all silver.  They measure about an inch tall, and open for storing tiny treasures.  The locket on the right is sold, but I will have the other two with me, along with a couple other lockets not pictured.

On my way to Cape Cod I also attended a gem show and purchased some gorgeous new stones for upcoming projects!  I hope to have a couple of them completed by the weekend!  Here are a couple rough sketches of what's in the works!  Hope to see you soon!  Follow the links at the right for details on both shows...

Rough sketches, chrysocolla drusy and cobalto calcite...both natural stones!

Natural Nevada spiderweb turquoise, pendant sketches.

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Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival

This weekend will be my second year participating in the Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Downtown Syracuse.  I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces. So far the weather looks great.

I thought I'd share some pics of my new work that will be at the show.  I hope everyone is having a fun summer, and hope to see you this weekend!

Sterling cicada pendant/ pillbox with opal wings.  The top of the pillbox can be worn as a pendant:)

Sterling, trilobite, and peridot necklace with a hand-crafted chain.

Chrysocolla drusy set in sterling with a hand-made chain.

Honoring My Favorite Female Artists

For a few years I have made pieces of jewelry inspired by Frida Kahlo, one of my favorite female artists and historical figures.  Her passion for life despite being faced with multiple challenges and physical disability is what initially drew me to her life story and from there I fell in love with her artwork.  This summer I have continued to add to the "Frida" line and have also begun a series inspired by the work of another favorite artist, Georgia O'Keefe.  The Frida line has lots of bold color, and skulls reminiscent of the Mexican "Dia de los Muertos", or the "Day of the Dead".  The Georgia O'keene pieces are inspired directly by her paintings, also full of color and passion.  Many of Georgia O'Keefe's most famous paintings were painted during her years living in the New Mexico during the second half of her life.  I highly recommend the biographies of both of these women, who lived fascinating lives that intersected with the lives of many other fascinating characters of their time.  Viva la Vida!!!

The first of the "Georgia O'Keefe series, inspired by her painting.

New additions to the "Frida" collection, all with turquoise from Kingman, AZ.

"Frida" ring with turquoise.

Allentown Art Festival

Thank you to Buffalo, NY for a wonderful weekend!  This was my first year participating in the Allentown Arts Festival and it was a great time!  The weather was forecast to be awful and it turned out to be sunny all weekend.  I met lots of really nice people.  One of the highlights of the weekend was winning third place in the awards ceremony for the jewelry category.  There are hundreds of vendors at this festival so winning an award is a big honor.  I look forward to returning to Buffalo for the Elmwood Art Festival in August.  Thank you Buffalo!!!

Me in my booth at the Allentown Festival.

My locket, a memorial to my grandfather James L. Blythe, won third place in the awards ceremony:)

Spinning into Summer

Summer seemed to arrive last week with a streak of super hot sunny days.  I always kick off the summer with the Westott Art Trail, the first weekend in June, which is this Saturday and Sunday. This year I will once again be set up with my jewelry at the home of Candace Rhea on Clarke Ave.. She is a potter with gorgeous work and a wonderful garden as well.  The show is throughout the Westcott Historic Neighborhood in Syracuse.  Follow the link at the right for details on times and locations!

Sterling silver spinning band rings with moons and stars.