Category Archives: Jewelry

Sailing on

Ceramics, Jewelry, Shows

I have been keeping busy, as evidenced by my lack of blog posts. I am wrapping up a couple of commissions and preparing for two shows in September. Mountain View Art & Wine is September 6th and 7th, and Capitola Art & Wine is the following weekend on the 13th and 14th. Back to back weekends! That means inventory crunch through all of August.

Back in March, I posted a photo of some new styles in progress but have not yet posted a final sample. Here is the turquoise version of my porcelain sail earrings, which are also available for sale here. More colors are in the works.

Be sure to check the events page for details and future events. Hope to see you soon!

Turquoise Sail Earrings

connections

Artist Life, Jewelry

Today, I met with a client at Roy’s Station to deliver a custom bracelet anniversary present. His idea was to incorporate their hair and eye colors – gold and lapis for blonde and blue, and copper and jade for reddish brown and green/hazel. The bracelet wraps the wrist twice. I’ve always wanted to do a knit with gold, so I was pretty happy when he contacted me for this project. Anyway, when we met, he had an iced tea waiting for me. He remembered what I ordered from the first time we met. That’s why this guy has been happily married for 26 years! Well done, sir.

After delivering the bracelet, I went back to my car which was parked in front of Petite Galleria. For as many times as I’ve been to Roy’s, I had never noticed this place before. It is indeed petite. I figured I’d better check it out in case my jewelry needs to be there. Whilst browsing, my husband recognized the gal who was working, because she also works at Roy’s. It turns out that her husband owns Naglee Park Garage where we dine from time to time.

Perched on a shelf in the Galleria was a beautiful little teapot that I recognized as the work of Hsin-Chuen Lin. I am taking a class from him at Higher Fire. For as big as San Jose is, it’s nice to feel a little connected.

So Much Jewelry

Jewelry, Shows

As I look at doing more shows, I am finding more and more are saying their jewelry categories are full or almost full. This already tough game is getting tougher. I guess this means I have to innovate and stand out from the crowd even more…or resort to bribery? At least the world has plenty of jewelry to choose from. On the plus side I am getting more commissions and have plenty to keep me busy. Plus, I have a trunk show this evening at Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale from 6-9pm. Just in time for Mother’s Day! Fingers crossed for the application I’m sending out today for Capitola Art & Wine. Who wouldn’t want to do a show by the beach?

Red Drama Drop

Jewelry

I had a specific person in mind for this drama drop, and am really pleased I was able to pick up a fabulous center bead from JC Herrell at a bead show last year. I can arrange beads on my design desk and say, “yeah! I want it to look like that” but getting them connected isn’t always as easy. I created a hollow bail where the chain could pass through and hang the center bead in the cleanest way possible, while still allowing for movement. The unique, coffee bean-shaped crystal beads can be adjust up the sides of the chain. She loves it!

New Style in Progress – Porcelain!

Ceramics, Jewelry

Since I’ve been playing with clay a lot lately, all sorts of new ideas are springing up. It’s kind of like cross-training, no? Making beads seems like an obvious path, but I’m more interested in creating a different relationship with the wire and the clay – perhaps something that only one who is designing in both media can do. Jewelry is a fickle market, so if I can carve a niche, carve I shall! I sketched some ideas, created a some custom tools, and finally got my hands on some porcelain to create the first pieces, in progress below. They will be fired this weekend, then I can add some color (glaze) and wire them up. Can’t wait to show you!