Sunapee

This year I will be exhibiting my cuffs and necklaces at CraftWear at the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen at Sunapee Resort August 2-10.  I have 6 new necklaces, with photos to be posted soon.  I invite all to come  and see some of the best fine crafts in all mediums in New England.   I am finishing up an order of Prayer Book covers for three Bahá'í summer schools, and then I'll have time to post photos of my new necklaces. 

New Jewelry

 

 

 

NEW CUFF COLLECTION

Here's my latest work. I've started a new cuff collection pictured below and two new necklaces. The cuffs are formed over a brass base for strength and flexibility. They are then lined in utrasuede, which makes them very comfortable to wear.    

 



Smoky Quartz Cuff
This piece features an unusual quartz formation of overlapping flat sheets.  It reminded me of a beetle, so I added eyes.

Geode Swirl Cuff
This piece features a Geode, Oregon Opal, Labradorite, Moonstone,
Freshnwater Pearls, Swarovsky Crystal, and Citrine.

Asian Asymetrical Cuff
Black Jade, Magnatite, and Gold focal stone, with 24K GP seed beeds.
This cuff is worn with the opening on the top of the wrist. One side is wider than the other.

Amonite Cuff
I recycled one of my brooches into this statement cuff.
Amonite, Tiger Eye, Freshwater Pearls, Swarovsky Crystal.

 

Geode Cuff II 

This cuff has the same minerals as the Geode Swirl cuff.
These cuffs are incredably comfortable to wear. 



Agate Cuff

This piece has a beautiful freeform agate by Howard Ewing and Mexican fire opal nuggets.

It is worn with the opening on top.  It just sold!

 

  

 NEW NECKLACES

 

Pretty In Pink

Rhodochrosite Drusy, Turquoise, Amethyst, Rose Quartz,

Ametrine, Keshi Pearls Jeff Lamy Glass, with extenstion to adjust length.  

 

 

 

GOLD RUSH     Deco Rutilated Quartz

Pyrite Drusy, Fabulous Sculptural, Hand Cut Rutilated Quartz,

Smoky Quartz, Freshwater Pearls, Swarovsky Crystal. This features a collection of Cabochons by Howard Ewing. 

 

Detail

 

 

 

 

 

I just finished this new necklace for this year's 2012 competition at the Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen fair in Lake Sunapee, NH.  It is called 'Thirtynine Halves Make a Whole'.   My colleague in the League, Jeff Lamy, makes these incredible glass beads.  Sometimes, when they are cooling, they split in two.  I LOVE them for my jewelry.  This neclace is very soft and drapey on the body.

It has Jeff's beads, Agate, Laboradorite both faceted beads and chips, Swarovsky crystals and 15/0 seed beads.

Another new piece is Midnight Moon.

This piece has black Pietersite, druzy, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls with a

peyote stitch band.

Midnight Moon Detail

Finished Painting

At The Well In Barli

Detail

Detail

I think I've finally finished  my oil painting of the young women in Barli drawing water.  In most parts of India, water is very important and a lot of time is spent obtaining it.   This painting is the first of a series of paintings I plan to do showing the women of India in their daily lives.

RECENT ADDITIONS

NEW BAGS

I just finished two evening bags as gifts and liked them so much I think I will make some more.  They will be one-of-a-kind in similar collections.  For example, the Deco Beetle Bag would have the same or similar fabric, and construction, but be different in color or chosen beads.  What do you think?   Usually, I start with the beaded idea and then find the fabric to complement it.  I also work in leather.

DECO BEETLE CLUTCH 

This bag is made of vintage silk Japanese evening kimono/jacket fabric in a multi-colored metallic cloud pattern  with hand dyed silk satin cording and piping.  The beetles are bead embroidered stuffed forms with dichroic glass thorax and head.  The inside is lined in heavy silk with a zippered pocket, slots for creditcards, and a pocket for a phone.   It is signed.   I estimate a simalar bag to retail for about $700, with a smaller bag with one bug to be $480.   The handle is hand-dyed silk cording trimmed with beads and is adjustable to shoulder length or removeable.  It measures approximately 13" x 5" x 1.5".

CORAL CLOUDS



This bag is cream and light gold vintage Japanese Obi fabric.  The clasp is geode slice, Agate geode, Smoked coral, Swarovski crystals, 18/0 antique seed beads and vintage Czech 3 cut seed beads. IT is also signed and lined in heavy silk with a zippered pocket and CC slots.  The handle is adjustable or removeable. The size is about 10" x 6" x 1.75".  The price for a similar one would be about  $370. 

If you are interested in purchasing one before I finish making some new ones,  contact me and give me a budget and color preference and I will work something up. 





A BOWL OF LEAVES  $275


Free motion metallic thread embroidery with granite base and crystal center.
I plan to make a series of these in different sizes to capture the beauty of New England fall.

VICTORIA REVISITED  $2300

This unique piece incorporates several antique elements.  First, the exquisitely carved bird cameo was made circa 1860.   I found it in a jewelry store among estate jewelry.   Then the seed beeds are tiny 18/0 beads made before WW I.  The modern elements include drusy, geode slice, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls.  The leaf garlands are peyote stitch in a free hand style.  Some final garnishes include tourmaline and peridot. 

AMETHYST GARDEN NECKLACE/BROOCH  $600

This piece was inspired by Audrey, one of my patrons.  It is a pendant necklace that can be detached and worn as a brooch.  The peyote beaded band can be worn as a double looped bracelet or a choker by using the little beaded connector.  It snaps together using jewelry snap closures.  The piece has a natural amethyst crystal cluster and is accented by flowers made of delicate Keshi pearls.  I have added vintage pressed glass leaves and a  hand-made borosilicate half bead by artist Jeff Lamy.  The band is vintage Czech three cut seed beads. 

News from Lake Sunapee Resort

I have recently been accepted as a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.  Every year they have a world famous fine craft show for nine days at Lake Sunapee Resort in New Hampshire.  This year was my first time exhibiting there.  I received two awards in the Craftwear Exhibit for my jewelry.  One for best in beadweaving and the other for most original use of seed beading.  Both awards were for Aqua Garden, which is shown below.   I met lots of interesting folks and wonderful craftsmen in many disciplines.

BEAD EMBROIDERY

Bead embroidery uses textile techniques to create detailed pieces that cannot be replicated by metalwork alone. I use a special fused silk backing to sew on that produces a strong and flexible piece. Then I back it with Ultrasuede to produces a soft and sturdy finished piece. I use extremely strong threads (Fireline mostly) to sew the beads. 

I love to use natural elements and semi precious gemstones in combinations that are unique and very complementary to the wearer. Many people who have tried on my more elaborate necklaces are surprised at how light they are and that they do not overwhelm the wearer. Rather, they work with many types of people and outfits from dressy to suits to jeans and tops. My prices range from $160 to $2300.

Lapis Garden $2350 (Sold)    Lapis, turquoise, vintage Swarovski crystal (This is a new jewel, but manufactured in the 1950's.  When they're gone, they're gone. The colors are incredible!), keshi and freshwater pearls, Pyrite drusy, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads, Peyote stitch band. 

Lapis Garden II  $2100  I have finished another variation with amythist crystals, titanium drusy, turquoise Swarovsky crystals, freshwater pearls,vintage gold iris seed beads, and peyote stitch band. . It is similar but slightly smaller.  

Lapis Evening  Lapis nugget, Vintage Swarovsky crystal, lampworked borosilicate glass cabochons, vintage Czech beads.   

Colorado Sunset  $2150  Pyrite druzy, vintage Swarovsky jewels, peridot, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads, Peyote stitch band.

Klimt Colorado Sunset  $350 (Sold)  Pyrite druzy, vintage Swarovsky jewels, peridot, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads.  I plan to make more of these smaller necklaces and since they remind me of a Klimt painting, that will be the name of this series.

                      

                                

Aqua Garden  $2255   Aqua aura druzy and rough crystals, amethyst faceted and rough crystals, peridot, freshwater and keshi pearls, 24K gold plated Delica seed beeds, Peyote stitch band. This piece won two awards at the 2010 League of New Hampshire Craftsmen CraftWear Exhibition at Lake Sunapee, NH.

Klimt Aqua Garden  $260  Vintage Swarovsky jewel, peridot, amethyst, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads. I plan to make several of these and each will be slightly different.  

Night At The Opera  $795(Sold)  Titanium quartz druzy, vintage Swarovsky jewels, peridot, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads, Peyote stitch band.  This necklace is part of a collection that uses these incredible blue with gold flashes vintage Swarovsky oval jewels.  I have several pieces using this crystal.  I have only 2 of these fabulous crystals left.

Melanie   $1100  (NFS)  Pyrite druzy, vintage Swarovsky jewels, peridot, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, vintage gold iris seed beads, Peyote stich band.  I made this for my daughter and she wears this to work with a simple top and a green linen jacket.  I am amazed that these elaborate pieces look so great with simple daytime clothes.  They add a little sparkle without being flashy.   She is always getting comments and compliments.

Turquoise Dream $1000 Chrysacholla druzy, sleeping beauty turquoise, aquamarine, freshwater and keshi pearls, Swarovski crystals, apetite, vintage cut czech beads, peyote stitch band. Matching earrings of a keshi pearl spray available at $50.

Sunflower with Citrine and Amethyst $900.  Chalcedenony rosette, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, citrine and amethyst nuggets.   The citrine and amethyst is outsanding and clear on this piece.  This piece has special meaning to me in that I that I think of myself as a sunflower, always "turning to" the Universal House of Justice.  

Imperial Renaissance $1100  Carved opal flower, geode slice, freshwater and keshi pearls, amethyst, ametrine, Oregon opal, green garnet, tiny tiny 18/0 seed beeds surround the geode.  This piece  may seem elaborate, but it is remarkably subtle when worn.

Crystal Fantasy   Natural quartz crystal formation, mother of pearl, sea shells, fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystals, vintage czech seed beads. 

Coral Fantasy  $850 (Sold)  Coral, quartz, freshwater and keshi pearls, vintage Swarovski jewel.  While this one has sold, I have made another one very similar that is available. 

Coral Fantasy Brooch/Pendant  $250 (Sold)  Coral, quartz, freshwater and keshi pearls, vintage Swarovski jewel.  This piece has a hook on back that enables you to hook it on a necklace, like a string of pearls or chain, and also wear it as a pin. 

Antiquity Uncovered  $1335  Pyritized ammonite fossil, lapis, vintage Swarovski jewel, amethyst, vintage button, iron pyrite, freshwater pearls, Czech glass,vintage seed beeds.  This amonite is rare, over 230 million years old.  It looks like cast metal but is entirely filled with pyrite crystals.  It is flexible and light and I have seen petite women wear it without being overwhelmed. 

Citrine Springtime  $850  (Sold) I have another one with a green Peyote stitch band instead of the yellow pearls at $1200.   Citrine druzy, freshwater and keshi pearls, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals.

Hidden Treasures  $850   Chalcedenony rosette, keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, branch coral, faceted coral, ammonite fossil, green garnet, geode, Oregon opal, faceted tourmaline.

Mystic Sea  $800  Keshi and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, branch coral, turtella fossil, ammonite fossil, Czech glass, vermeil.

Grey Gardens  $450  Cerrusite on barite, branch coral, freshwater pearls, moonstone, antique nailhead beads.  This one looks great with casual clothes.

Tsu Shih's Memory  $475 (Sold)  Sponge coral, turquoise, carved carnelian. carnelian beads, faceted tourmaline, antique Chinese brass toothpics, cloisonne, vintage gold iris beads.  I still have some of those toothpics to make something interesting.

Asian Crescent Collar gold  $695 (Sold)   Pyrite and quartz cabochon, cut rutilated quartz, rough quartz crystals, vintage gold iris seed beads, Swarovski crystals.   Earrings available for $99.  I like this design so much I plan to make a series of these.  I have another just made with same color scheme with the crescent reversed (like a mirror image).

Asian Crescent Brooch Gold  $345  Rough quartz crystals, vintage gold iris seed beads, Swarovski crystals.

Asian Crescent Collar Pink $900   Gold infused rough quartz crystals, carved pink shell flowers, Swarovski crystals. Earrings available for $150.

Amethyst Sunflower Brooch   $350   Amethyst druzy, keshi pearls, Swarovski crystal, carved jade leaves.

Aqua Aura Pendant  $430   Aqua aura crystal, freshwater and keshi pearls, peridot, high quality faceted aquamarine, sterling silver.   This would look nice hooked onto a strand of pearls or a heavy chain.  It has a sterling hook in the back and could be used as a pin if you pin a large safety pin from the back ofyour garment and then hook the pendant on it.

Grey Chrysanthemum Brooch  $350  Stick pearls, vintage Swarovski crystal and beads, vintage seed beads.

Bronze Chrysanthemum Brooch  $350 Large bronze Keshi pearls, Swarovski crystals, seed beads.  These are unusually large and high lustre pearls.

Amethyst Fantasy Brooch  $350  Amethyst stalagtite slice, vintage Swarovski jewel, Swarovski beads, freshwater pearls. 

Lapis and turquoise Crescent   $225  Lapis, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Swarovski crystal, fresh water pearls.

Amonite Tiger Brooch  $224  Large amonite fossil, tigereye, freshwater pearls, Swarovsky beads, Czech glass beads.

Spessartine Smoky Quartz Brooch  $300    Spessartine garnet and smoky quartz crystals in matrix.  copper baroque and freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals.  God did most of the work on this one.  I just made it so you could wear it!

Python Cuff  $350 (sold)   Peyote stitch Delica beads, some 24K gold plated.  This is the first of series  of snake themed cuffs and necklaces.  They are lightweight, smooth, strong and flexible.  The clasp disappears to make a seamless continuous cuff.  It takes about 7 hours to make one.