The Four Directions

This bracelet began with three pieces of earthy, boulder turquoise, and developed into a study of symbols. I often ponder direction as an abstract concept.  Historically I have been a person with a shockingly poor sense of direction.  I couldn't tell you why, that's just the way it is.  My lack of practical way-finding abilities has pushed me towards a fascination with all things symbolizing direction, way-finding, and it's metaphorical equivalent in decision-making.  The spiral and the cross are symbols that can be found in many cultures and spiritual traditions, both symbolizing in part the finding of the center.  In some way we are all eternally seeking balance, the center, and how to find our way in this universe.  Instead of prescribing a specific meaning to this piece, I offer it as a reflection of search for direction, whatever the beliefs and traditions of the wearer.  In seeking direction and balance we are searching for answers, the process of which is perhaps more important than the end result:)

Something Old, Something New

Lately I have revived a couple favorite designs, plus experimented with some new ones.  It has been a busy season, and the summer will once again be topped off with the Clothesline Show in Rochester, September 6 & 7.  Between now and then I plan to work like a mad-woman, with the exception of next week, during which I will be in Cape Cod for some much needed R & R.

This first design is the "something new".  This summer I started making the "framed nature" series.  This necklace is hand-fabricated using cast sterling twigs framed in sterling rectangular wire.  I like the contrast of the organic twigs with the angular frame.

The dragonfly is an old favorite.  Customers have been asking for them, so I decided to oblige.  These are lots of fun to make…..formed, textured, hammered, and carved.   This one has a pink tourmaline body.

Another old favorite is the tree design.  The other side has the stone in a modern tab-bezel.  The pendant is reversible.  This one has a carnelian agate, which is beautifully translucent on the other side so the tree silhouette shows through!

The Forest for the Trees

One of the challenges of being an artist/ craftsperson is learning the tools for communicating, and presenting work to others.  In the modern world, it seems almost imperative that an artist have a digital presence……a website, a blog, etc..  That being said, some of us, myself included, are challenged by learning the tools necessary for such things!  I love the immediate satisfaction of creating something with my hands.  By contrast, I seem to lack the patience necessary to learn technical/ digital media.  So……where am I going with this?  I bought a new camera.  I have no clue how to use it!  The camera came with a disk containing a 350-page digital book explaining all the features.  Egads!!!!  That is a lot of pages to read about something so boring.  I will soon be calling my photographer brother and begging for help!  

  

Here are my first photographic attempts with the new camera, and a glimpse of two bracelets that will be included in the First Friday opening at Gallery 54 this week!

Sterling and fine silver "forest" cuff with blue moonstone and peridot

Sterling link bracelet with plume agate, boulder opal, ammonite, and dry head agate.

This weekend's opening is titled "The Forest for the Trees".  My work is featured with the work of my friend, fiber artist Sharon Bottle-Souva. Here is a sampling of her recent quilt panels.

                    

Being that this is a Holiday weekend I realize folks may have plans, but if you are free, stop by between 5 and 9 for wine, snacks, and music by singer-songwriter Jane Zell. Our new work can be seen all month at Gallery 54 in Skaneateles.  Happy 4th!!!

Bird Songs

We are all moved into our new house!  Our new home is a hundred year-old Spanish colonial stucco house.  It has a terra-cotta ceramic roof, that is, sadly, in need of repair.  However, one entertaining part of the roof is that it literally sings.  There are so many birds living in the nooks in the tiles that it seems to come alive with bird songs every morning!  I hope that all the baby birds will have left their nests by the time our roof is renovated later this summer:)

I enjoy treasure hunting.  This piece includes a cabochon from an antique treasure: a Chinese brooch that was broken.  I was able to remove this beautiful scrimshaw bone cabochon and set it in a modern silver prong setting with an orange garnet.  I love the result!  

Another recent project is this silver dragonfly cuff bracelet.  I really struggled to get a good photograph of this one (still thinking about purchasing a new camera!)  The dragonfly is 14k gold with blue topaz, amethyst, and peridot.  Below are trilobite earrings with turquoise.  Happy Summer!!

 

Fossilized

I am always quite fascinated by fossilized rock.  They have so many centuries encapsulated in stone.  If I was a geologist, I suppose I would look at all rock material that way.  Below is a piece completed recently.  I love the contrast of the patterns in these two materials: purple tiffany stone which appears to have dendrites in it, and ammonite.

Happy May 1!!!

Celebration of the Arts

This coming Friday is the opening of the Celebration of the Arts show at St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt.  The Gallery is open from 8 to 10pm Friday evening, and will have hours the following 2 weeks (see their website for specifics).  I enjoy seeing the work at this show as it includes pieces from several of the finest local artists: sculpture, painting, fiber, and ceramics, with just a few metal artists as well.  Here is one of the pieces I will have in the show.  It is titled "What Was Once Lost is Found".  I had fun creating the distressed, oxidized finish to highlight the rust and imperfections of my found objects.  The glass is a piece I found on the beach in Aruba this past winter.  The antique compass still works!

"What Was Once Lost is Found":  Sterling silver, brass, fossil ammonite, antique found objects.

Polychrome jasper and oxidized sterling silver.  Love this stone!

Change is in the Air

Spring has arrived and many changes are happening.  We are preparing to move to a new home (very exciting!) in three weeks.  As part of this transition I have already moved my studio to a new space at the Delavan Center in Syracuse.  The Delavan is well known to artists in the area and houses about 100 studio spaces.  It was originally a John Deere factory and was converted to studio space many years ago by Bill Delavan.  I am loving it!  I have huge windows and fabulous lighting!  I plan to hold an open house before too long so folks can come check it out.  Here is a sampling of what's coming out of the studio.

Turquoise with chrysoprase and antique scrimshaw bone (left) and turquoise with coral (right)