Color Change

Jewelry made with dichroic glass have the ability to 'adapt' to what we are wearing.  This is in part due to the fact that light is already reflecting back at you due to metal layers in the glass.  This reflective property seems to intensify the colors that are near it, making them appear to 'pop' out in the piece.  I did a series of photos using the same pendant in hopes of demonstrating what we see in real life.  I believe the effect is somewhat muted, however you be the judge and see if you notice a difference as you scroll down to each photograph.  Take note of what you notice first when you look at each picture.  What parts of the pendant are your eyes drawn to? 

Woo Hoo!

Well, my fall show season is in full swing and what does that usually mean?  It usually means that I tend to let my website go and not update things as others are sold.  I promised myself I wouldn't do that again this year.  Happily, I found the time to take photographs this past weekend.  With the help of my dear friend, Gail Rossi (who was kind enough to step in and write the great descriptions), I was able to get new inventory online.  Woo Hoo!

Polka-dotted Daisy Chain

Some new items on the site are more of my daisy chain necklaces.  Little did I know when I started doing these that I was attempting the most difficult thing a silversmith can do... attach a large item to a smaller one without melting the smaller one.  Well, after a few attempts and some serious left hooks down the hall (because I threw them!), I finally figured out the trick to it!  I'm quite proud of the results.

Double Dragonfly (Seasons)

I'm also really excited about the new starbursts.  They are bigger than the older style, which fits right in with the current fashion trends. This show season looks to be very busy here in San Antonio!

Matte Plays Well with Others

No, we're not talking about kids on the playground and I didn't misspell a child's name.  I'm referring to matte, as in...Not Shiny.  I picked up some stones at a recent show that I thought might be interesting paired up with some dichroic glass. Those silly stones drove me nuts. For those of you who know me, sometimes I get ideas that just won't let me sleep.  Using these stones was one of those ideas I just couldn't let go.

Ideas, ideas, ideas!  I had ideas of how I wanted to use them rattling around in my head for 3 days! I had a number of other projects already planned that had priority and really didn't think I had time to work on them yet.  In order the quiet the muse, I even wrote them down in my design sketch book, hoping they would leave me alone, but to no avail.  Ah well, when the muse speaks I guess we should listen. 

Photo to the right is titled Pendulum Play, because the glass below the onyx appears to be a pendulum.  Hmmmm...wonder if I can make one that actually swings... Now I've got to add that idea to my sketch book!

The pendant pictured here on the left is the second design I worked on, Heart of Glass. 

On the whole, I'm pretty happy with the results.  The juxtaposition of matte and glossy really appeal to me and I think it adds interest and interesting texture.  In addition to using the matte onyx, I incorporated a new design element I've been wanting to try for some time but never had the right project...soldering silver wire accents to the bezel and base itself. I have to say, adding the wire element was way more nerve-wracking than I expected.  I melted a few wires before I got the hang of it.

I guess the designs worked out, because I slept like a baby after they were done! Don't get me wrong, I love the muse...but I was really glad she finally shut up for a little while so I could sleep!

Love Letters

Wow!  I can't believe it is already 2010!  I had a very busy show season this fall and had so much fun!  I have been perfecting my silversmithing skills and started a new line of jewelry I call "Love Letters".  They are intertwined monograms made of sterling silver.  This is one I created for my friend LeeAnne and her husband Aeneas, hence the L and A.

Neckwires

I've been working on these for about a month now.  They started out having the swirls in the back, but the weight of them kept bringing them forward.  To solve this issue I just made the connection part of the focal in the front.  At a show I did in Fort Worth I sold two off my neck and one off of my mothers'! 

I made this one for my mom for her birthday.

Sneak Peek New Military Button Bracelets

I just finished these and haven't had a chance to take their photos properly, but thought folks might want to see what's coming up...

 and here's a close up of the wings

New drawer pulls and knobs

We recently purchased an antique buffet that had knobs that were obviously replaced (read: UGLY) from the original ones.  So, I thought I'd replace them with some of my dichroic glass knobs.  I love this glass!  These were made with corkscrew ripple glass in warm colors.

This dresser is one that was painted completely white that I stripped and refinished.  A few months ago I also replaced the knobs on it, as well.  These were my trial run after doing a lot of research on types of epoxy glues.  These even made the move attached to the dresser (much to my horror - the movers were supposed to remove them!) and 3 months of storage in 98-100F+ degree weather in San Antonio, while we waiting to get into our house.

Here is a close up of the knobs on the dresser.  I think they came out really nice.


Now I'm thinking of all the other places I might be able to put them!