The Great Capricorn Beetle

This beetle was hand-fabricated in sterling silver which has been oxidized to achieve the dark patina.  It can be worn as a brooch or a pendant.  This one is a real statement piece, definitely a conversation-starter.  The great capricorn beetle is one of the long-horned beetles.  I used a hollow-form to give this piece its dimension. 

Today I was experimenting with photography and this photo is one of the results.  I want to teach myself to photograph my jewelry well.  I purchased a piece of frosted glass to photograph pieces on.  It makes the background really disappear, as if the piece is floating.  I'll post more of my photography experiments soon.  Happy spring!

The Seventeen Year Cicada Brooch/ Locket

For those of you who don't know me, I have a thing for cicadas.  I am intrigued by insects whose life cycles take them through multiple transformations.  Some cicadas spend 17 years incubating in the ground before they are hatched, eventually molting into beautiful flying creatures. Cicadas remind me of my childhood as well - collecting their molted shells and watching my brother create huge armies of cicada bodies. 

This brooch is one of two pieces recently completed that will be exhibited in the upcoming Celebration of the Arts at St. David's Church in Dewitt, NY.  I designed this piece to be worn two ways: as a brooch or the cicada can be removed and worn by itself as a pendant.  The cicada is a locket and conceals a chamber where photos or treasures can be kept.  The materials are sterling silver, gold-filled bezel, and azurite/ malachite. The show at St. David's runs Wednesday May 9 thru Sunday May 13.  More information can be found on the St. David's website or Facebook page.

Compassion, Vision, Openness

Ah, finally a new post! Things have been busy and I haven't had much time to photograph. Here is one of my latest. This piece will be part of the opening this Friday evening at Gallery 54. It is our annual self portrait show, in which all the artists bring in a new piece that is a self-portrait, or somehow represents the artist. This is not meant to be me, but rather represents my goals: Compassion, Vision, Openness. Compassion is represented by the lotus, Vision by the eyes, and Openness by the antique key. The image is from "Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Vermeer. The stones are garnet, golden citrine, and fire citrine.

Opening at Edgewood Gallery

This Friday, February 24, I will one of four artists featured in an opening at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse. The opening is from 6-8 and the show will be up for 6 weeks. Among the new pieces to be featured in the show are the "Great Capricorn Beetle" pin/ pendant and two spider brooches, all in sterling, as well as many other new pieces. This creature themed show also features work by Alan Hart, Candace Rhea, and Diane Menzies. I would love to see folks there! Wine and snacks for all as well.

Below is a my sterling silver black widow spider brooch, one of the pieces featured in the show. The stones are fossilized coral and garnet.

2012

I hope everyone had a fun Holiday Season. 2011 ended with a flurry of activity: openings, shows, and a trip to Virginia to visit family. After taking a few days to recouperate, I'm finally back in the studio hard at work. This time of year, when sales are slow, I take the time to work on some new designs and indulge in more involved projects that it's hard to find time for during the rest of the year. I'm looking forward to the opening at Edgewood Gallery in Syracuse on February 24. Edgewood is a small frame shop and gallery near the University community. From the outside, it may appear unassuming, however, Cheryl, the manager, does a very impressive job of organinzing art shows and openings throughout the year that showcase very talented CNY artists. The upcoming show features a group of artists who all portray animals in their work. Two of the artists in addition to myself are Candace Rhea who sculpts in clay, and Alan Hart, artist and scientific illustrator. I am working on an insect specimen case filled with hand-fabricated jeweled silver insects. I look forward to seeing folks there. It promises to be fun.
This necklace is a watch crystal in a sterling bezel with butterfly wings and peridot.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday! I finally have a spare minute to upload some new photographs while my husband is busy cooking for us (gotta love a man who likes to cook). I had the opportunity last week to meet with local photographer John Dowling who took these fabulous photographs of some new pieces I've completed this fall. His photographs are far superior to the ones I'm able to take at home and I much appreciate working with him. Many of these pieces are still available at Gallery 54 in downtown Skaneateles, NY.

This ring is lemon citrine in a heavily oxidized silver prong setting.

Hand-formed lost wax cast bird on a cast branch ring!

Above is a hand-fabricated dragonfly with orange spessarite garnet.

This locket is an old favorite of mine from last year. Inside is stamped the date of my husband and my wedding anniversary.

"Beloved". The key in this piece is entirely fabricated by hand and is paired with a casting of an antique frozen charlotte doll.

Another seahorse necklace, this one with aquamarine.

Cast branches and golden citrine. I imagine this piece on the neck of a woodland priestess. To me jewelry is very much about fantasy and imagination.

Cast branches and turqouse. I have made this design about 4 times now, each time with a different stone and variation in the detail.

There are many events happening this time of year in the local art community. Next weekend is the Plowshares Craftsfair and Peace Festival at Nottingham High School in Syracuse: fine craft, awesome food, music, and all proceeds benefit the Peace Council. Saturday evening I'll be at the Holiday Show opening at Gandee Gallery in Fabius, NY. If you haven't been, it's worth the drive. Jen Gandee and her husband opened their gallery a few years ago and both are very talented potters. Their gallery has pottery, painting, jewelry, photography, and fiber. Check it out if you have the opportunity.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Peace,

Dana

New Work...

Seahorses...this piece was inspired by a brooch designed by the French jeweler Rene Lalique around 1900. I added my own modern slant on it with a hand-fabricated chain and clasp. The seahorses are cast and all the other elements are hand built. Aquamarine, garnet, amethyst, sterling. There is a place at the bottom of the pendant for another element...I'm thinking a tiny piece of coral. Stay tuned... Working in the Gallery recently I started thinking I needed some color to liven up my case...so here it is. Color. Three small pendants with carnelien, amethyst, and prehnite. I kept these 3 simple; good Holiday gifts and not too expensive.

Lapis angel fish. I've really been in love with angel fish ever since my first trip snorkeling in the Caribbean. Wow, they are magic. This stone was cut by Barney of Lapidarious who sells his cabochons on Etsy.

Cicadas x 3. My cicada pendants have been in high demand recently. With the cost of silver still very high, I decided to make a version in bronze with sterling wings. The bodies are cast from real cicadas and the hand-pierced sterling wings are moveable. The cicada on the right is made all in sterling. This was a custom piece for a lovely lady who picked it up today. This special little guy has 2 sets of wings, just like the real insects. Cicadas are a symbol of longevity and good luck. Strong but delicate.

In other news, my 16 year-old son is now driving. (yikes!) We've recovered from a very hectic summer and have about a month before things get too crazy again.

I'm enjoying another class at SU - stonesetting. It's mostly review for me, but fun nonetheless. Even though I'm a bit of an old lady there, I really do enjoy the undergrads. They help me remember to keep my creativity fluid and not get too boxed in by my ideas. I'm still debating becoming an official MFA student. Will keep you posted on that one.

I've decided that Autumn is the most gorgeous season in Upstate NY. Happy fall!