Moonstones & More Garnets

Ive been trying to look over my website the last few days and in doing so I realized that I had only one moonstone bracelet that hadn't been sold. It was time to make more. I have a Rainbow Moonstone Jewelry page, but it was the regular Moonstone Bracelets page that was so depleted. I have some moonstone that I hadn't made anything with for a while that I am very fond of: these are faceted white moonstones in a nugget form that fascinate me for some reason. They have a strange gleam or glow at angles and I just like their faceted nugget shape. Ifound what I think is the perfect match with some of Robin Weber's magical translucent, silver-laced lampwork beads and with some pretty blue aquamarine faceted nuggets. I used all bright silver to match the sterling silver Robin had worked into the beads and added a Karen Hill Tribes thick white silver chain. To top it off, a pretty white silver toggle that has a flower on the edge of the ring. This bracelet just made me feel good!
But I also had these moonstone nuggets that were the same faceted shape and were odd colours - a greenish colour and a greenish grey. Again, I really liked these but hadn't used them before. Once again, Robin Weber's beads to the rescue! With their green touched with a grey, cream, charcoal and silver, they were perfect for the bracelet I had in mind. Sterling silver and some more moonstone beads with their eerie glow and I had a bracelet I thought seriously about taking home (one of the problems of this trade). But I dutifully put it on the website. With its spiral sterling Hill Tribes charms and rings, it's a real eye-catcher! The third moonstone bracelet contains a mauvey-peach-beige moonstone that has little flecks of glitter as well as a glow in it. The addition of leopardskin jasper with deep peach tones was great for a different look. Leopard in the Moonlight is also on the Moonstone Bracelets page. Don't forget that Garnet is the January birthstone. The garnet bracelet above mixes garnets with porcelain jasper and faceted rose quartz accented by the great lampwork of James Derrick Reeves. Little bezel set garnet charms hang at intervals on the bracelet.
I'm trying to stick to those New Year's Resolutions, and unfortunately, find myself adding more all the time! It seems I have a lot to work on! But I am working on them, little by little, getting organized, being more thoughtful of others, neater at home; I even bought an organization book for artists and artisans about how to organize a studio/office. Here's hoping it helps!

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Jewelry Bargains at Diamond International

Diamonds International was established nearly two decades ago. What began as one store in St. Thomas has now blossomed into more than 125 locations. Diamonds International is now one of the largest jewelry retailers in the world. They have more locations in the Caribbean than any other fine jeweler, but their network stretches from the company's New York City headquarters into Mexico and as far as Alaska.



14K GOLD TANZANITE & DIAMOND PENDANT

Tanzanite set in a heart of pristine 14k yellow gold accented by diamonds.

Pendant is 1/2" tall (not including bail) and comes with a matching 16-inch chain.

$157





18K WHITE GOLD PERIDOT & DIAMOND RING

Fancy-cut peridot prong-set in a modern 14k white gold band.

Accented with sparkling diamonds.

$571





SILVER TWO-STRAND FRESHWATER CULTURED PEARL BRACELET

Silver beads and two strands of multi pink pearls are strung with a stretch-cord so that the bracelet can easily slide onto the wrist.

$45





14K WHITE GOLD PERIDOT EARRINGS

Five graduated fancy cut peridot set in gleaming 14k white gold.

$175





SILVER MULTI-STONE CIRCLE PENDANT

This trendy circle pendant is crafted from sterling silver and features a colorful display of brilliant oval cut amethyst, citrine, garnet and peridot. Comes with a matching 18-inch silver chain.

$44





14K GOLD TANZANITE RING

This modern 3-stone ring contains oval-cut Tanzanite set in elegant 14k gold.

$315





14K GOLD TOPAZ BRACELET

Five oval-cut gold topaz are set in a 14k yellow gold link bracelet.

$199





MOTHER OF PEARL STARFISH PENDANT

Mother of pearl in a starfish design.

Suspended from a 17" rubber cord.

Measures approximately 2" wide.

$40





14K GOLD EMERALD EARRINGS

Elegant 14k yellow gold earrings feature three emeralds alternating with round diamonds.

$270





14K WHITE GOLD MENS HEMATITE & DIAMOND RING

14k white gold ultra modern mens ring boasts a hematite gemstone accented by brilliant round diamonds.

$416



The founders of Diamonds International are both graduates of the Gemological Institute of America. They personally oversee every aspect of the daily operations, and source stones from the world's largest diamond mines, allowing them to offer beautiful jewelry - at the best possible value - directly to the public.



Have a great week!

Maggie

See full article.





Related Entries:

Designer Jewelry Bargains - 20 April 2008

Jewelry Bargains at Max & Chloe - 03 May 2008

Jewelry Bargains at Zavier - 11 May 2008

Designer Jewelry Bargains at Net-a-Porter - 08 June 2008

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The New Shorts And Tee

With temperatures an unheard of 80 degrees near the beach, it's the perfect time to wear the quintessential southern California uniform - shorts and a T-shirt. While I've never been a big fan of shorts, there are a few dressier styles that appeal to me. For example, I adore my high-waisted style from last summer. I paired the shorts with my new zebra print tee and some fun, bold accessories like this vintage red bow tie, a corset belt, and some purple patent pumps.

© 2008 Fashion Trend Guide

Stephen LeBlanc Art Jewelry

What exactly is art jewelry? Some jewelry is just too beautiful and too unique to be called anything but art jewelry. Some of it is too precious and/or fragile to wear. And, to me at least, it also means that the piece is designed and handmade by the artist. To me, anyone who can take a sheet of precious metal, and or wire, and create a piece of jewelry from scratch, is a jewelry artist.



Stephen LeBlanc draws his inspiration from the natural world with his line of hand forged jewelry. By concentrating on the transitions within each form, edges become expanding planes and surfaces respond to one another. Each piece is created from one piece of material, which LeBlanc stretches and forms to its extreme limit of plasticity. All of his designs are offered in different metals, hence the different prices.





Ginkgo Necklace & Earrings

Hand forged from one piece of silver, this stunning anticlastic sterling neckpiece has a high-polished and matte finish, and lays gracefully around the neck and culminates into a perfect ginkgo leaf. Matching earrings have integrated ear wire.

$245 - $275



Stephen began working in metal in 1994, during his second semester at Skidmore College. After three semesters of metals classes, he left Skidmore after two years to move on to a more direct method of learning and studying with masters of the craft at Deer Isle and the Haystack Mountain School of Craft in Maine. He enrolled in a session of glassblowing, yet even in his glasswork he was incorporating metal. Following a month of glassblowing, he set up a metal shop - he needed to refine his work and understand why he was so drawn to metalwork.





Unfurling Silver Neckpiece & Earrings

A single hand-forged arc of silver gracefully unfurls through the artist's use of anticlastic raising. Contrasting matte and high-polished surfaces highlight this neckpiece and earring set's beautiful curves. Matching earrings have integrated ear wires.

$255 - $390



Anticlastic Raising is the process of forging a piece of metal so that it has opposite curvature at a given point. The metal is worked in a way that stretches the outside areas of the metal and creates a concave curve, while the center section of the metal is compressed and forced into a convex curve.





Mokume Gane & Anticlastic Twist Earrings

Using the ancient Japanese mokume-gane technique, LeBlanc forges palladium and 18K gold together into these exquisitely patterned earrings. Each earring is given its subtle twist through anticlastic raising. Also available in sterling silver with matte or polished finish.

$180 - $1625



Mokume Gane is Japanese for wood-grained metal - an ancient technique originally used to forge katana blades. Soft metals like copper and silver are pressed together, heated, and rolled to create the distinctive wood grain like pattern.



Artist Statement

Following a series of commissions and working in mediums including metals and wood, I was ready to try another avenue to expand my skills. This quest brought me to southern Maine, where I commenced classes at the Maine College of Art. It was there that my metals instructor suggested an apprenticeship at the Ronald Hayes Pearson Studio, and insisted that I apply. Soon after, I was off again to Deer Isle.



During my two years of apprenticeship at the Pearson studio I continued to expand my learning experiences in a variety of media. I explored blacksmithing at Haystack once as a student and the following year as a teaching assistant for master blacksmith Doug Wilson. Haystack Mountain School of Craft has become a foundation for both my art and my life, drawing me back to expand my horizons year after year.



Following my work with Doug Wilson, I was requested as a teaching assistant for master metalsmith Heikki Seppa; the Finnish creator of synclastic and anticlastic raising techniques with metals. I have been blessed with opportunities during my lifetime to learn from true masters of craft who have assisted me in refining my skills, while nurturing my passion for metals and fanning my creative flame.



My work incorporates the forms and essences of the natural world. In observing the interplay of form and function, my goal is to create work that draws people to explore this dynamic interplay. I do not strive to duplicate, but to integrate elements of these organic forms into each one of my pieces.



The medium of metal lends itself to developing these naturalistic forms with the durability and integrity afforded by hand wrought metal. I intend to grab the viewers' interest, to intrigue and coax them into taking a closer look to understand and explore the form.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Stephen Dweck Jewelry - 08 November 2006

Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008

Caroline Ballou Jewelry - 26 May 2008

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And the Fall styles just keep rolling in...

Can't these people let me enjoy the bathing suit I bought in January?
Notice of more new Fall bags keep landing in my inbox, just when I ought to be searching for bargains and sales, I'm thinking about new bags at full price...insane, isn't it?
Botkier seems to be done with ruffle, and moving on to fringe.
Fringe is one of those accents that depends as much on the mood of the shopper as the style of the bag. Sometimes, I love it, nothing like long strands of leather to keep you from playing with your own split ends, and other times I look at the same bag and think "overpriced dust mop".

The Botkier Morgan Satchel in an outrageous shade of purple (total love it or hate it color...i happen to love it) gives a ladylike bag the motorcycle treatment with a pair of chrome zippers flanked by fringe which is too short to be moppish, and about as subtle as fringe can get. It's got the appeal of a trigger, Botkier's first breakout bag, and still, my favorite.
This is a really fun party of a handbag, and edgy even in basic black. At $775, it's not inexpensive for a fashion color like purple, but definitely agreeable for less trendy colors.

And Morgan doesn't stop at satchels.

There is a Morgan Hobo as well, which starts out with a more casual bag, and adds fringe around the edges. A bit less rock and roll, and a bit more bland this may be a great bag for someone not ready to commit to fringe, but who must have the latest celebrity handbag looks. In the picture, it has an unshaven appearance, sort of a George Clooney stubble...sexy on a man, not so much on a handbag.
Stubble aside, the bag has perfect construction. it slouches enough to look casual, but not crumpled. The fold over zip top is shorter than the bag so it doesn't curl and wrinkle. It also has a smiley appearance (I know I can't be the only one who anthropomorphisises bags).
I can't commit to it, but I do think it has a modernized retro feel to it which is nice, but the jury is out. At $675, it's priced well for Botkier, and a value for an every day bag.
Both bags featured can be ordered now from Singer 22 .

Five Men's Fashion First Impressions

The lovely Pam from Square Old Soul found this $495 Hollywould bag in the May edition of Elle's online shopping guide (in fact, it's listed under the category "What to buy RIGHT NOW"), and had to know what the Five Men thought of it.

I second that emotion, so here we go:

Brother, age 13: Is it a tree or some sort of handbag? It looks like one of those trolls with the crazy hair.

Brother, age 18: I don't know....but it would make a good friend if I was stranded on an island.

Brother, age 21: This is it? This is a purse??? Hmmm... (makes a series of confused grunts and sighs) It's interesting. It looks like that character from the Muppets. It's decent. I like it.

Father: (Laughs) Oh god. It is a self-referential non sequitur and nobody cares.

Boyfriend: I could see the professor from Gilligan's Island making that as a contraption to get in touch with the mainland. (Starts walking away) What is it, by the way?
Me: It's a bag.
Boyfriend: It's a bag?? I thought it was, like, a GMO pineapple.

Dying to hear the men's thoughts (or, more specifically, their confusion/rage) on a particular fashion item? Email me! daddylikeyblog@gmail.com

Gemstones and Hearts!

Valentine's Day is creeping up on us, and I'm still listing jewelry pieces with hearts. I have gemstone hearts I should use, but I've lately been involved with the lampwork hearts that you see here. My favorite necklace with a heart is probably the one (close-up is above) I made with lampwork beads from Lynn Nurge, genuine rubies, and goldfilled beads and charms. The rubies are a generous size, nice and chunky, and the goldfilled components match the flecks of gold in these dichroic beads. Instead of graduating rubies until they were smaller and smaller, or keeping them all large (and thus making a very expensive necklace), I decided to make the ruby part of the necklace like a "collar" and join it to large-linked goldfilled chain.This ruby necklace will be a great Valentine's Day present for someone.
I bought several of these silvery pink Venetian hearts because I was so taken by the colour, the light pink laced with such a clear silvery shimmer. I liked the heart so much that I decided to keep it the star by hanging it from pink suede and adding only a touch of silver and a little faceted amethyst rondelle to the bottom. This lampwork pendant necklace can be found on the same page as the lampwork pendant necklace seen below, another heart pendant, this time from Annie Divelbiss. It, too, is laced with silver; the colours are different tones of blue-purple, and it hangs from a pretty imprinted sterling silver chain from the Karen Hill Tribes of Thailand. I've left most of the chain so that the buyer can wear it about 27 inches or have it shortened to wear as a choker.

Today we had the first snow of the year - or I should say the season, since we had no snow either in December or November. It was a wet, sleety snow, just enough to make driving difficult for drivers who aren't used to driving on slick roads and give shivers to the rest of us. How wonderful it would be to have about 6 inches of soft, powdery snow to look beautiful for a day or so, then melt away. How can it be winter without any snow?



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