I am the featured artist in the June newsletter of a wonderful shop in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Check out:
mysisterknits.com
Photos and new ideas to follow soon. I am off exploring Cape Cod. The beach rocks are so beautiful and are inspiring me to new creations! I think more crowns are to follow inspired by the sea…
It has been a long time since I added anything new into my blog. I have had a fantastic summer, which has quickly become autumn. This summer I was privileged to spend a few weeks in Scotland. I fell in love with the scenery and the people. I suppose I was influenced by the Scottish Crown Jewels I saw at Sterling Castle…
This crown is formed on a silver base decorated with pearls, fluorite, Peruvian opals, and crystals. It is just simply fun, as I really do not know of any occasion to wear such a bit of frivolity. It is currently on display at the Muse Gallery in Longmont, Colorado until the end of December.
This is a fairly simple pattern by chain mail standards, made of 16 gauge sterling links and faceted chalcedony stones. It hangs nicely, as it final weight is 175g (6.15oz.) solid sterling. I have a very healthy respect for those who have worn a full chain mail shirt of vest. A lovely necklace is the only form of chain mail I wish to wear.
This is a torc styled necklace of fine silver. It is hinged in the back, allowing it to be put on with ease. It is a simple piece, and was recently purchased. I hangs very nicely, and the two forged “squiggles” add interest.
These earrings I created just for fun. They are made of pearls, crystals, and chalcedony. What I enjoy most, is the photo which was a joint effort of three talented friends of mine. Thank you Ani, Budge, and Ali!
This knitted necklace was an experiment. I knitted the silver, and then worked in PMC for interest. I knew that fine silver would fuse with PMC, both being pure silver, and wanted to see it happen. When fired, it did all fuse together! I did not know if the wire would be too fine, and melt in the firing process. It is very exciting, and even now the possibilities are a bit intoxicating… I added a small bezel with a cubic zirconia for a bit of fun. Originally the necklace was all knitted, but I did not like the effect, and so cut and using a torch, fused in more fine silver wire. I somehow was able to fit in a spiral or two. The finished piece has an old Roman or Celtic feel. It reminds me of a torc necklace, so perhaps I shall create a true torc for my next piece…
Tonight is the January opening of the Muse Gallery in Longmont, Colorado. I have finished this dragonfly so it can join a few other pieces I have for the show. The wings are crocheted fine silver, and embellished with crystals and amethysts.
These two fibulea pins are simple examples of the “safety-pin” style. They are made of fine silver, which I find more malleable than sterling. Fine silver is also not as prone to oxidizing. The flower charm I attached to the one fibula, has a faceted flourite bead in the center.
This Fall in Colorado, the colors of the trees have been spectacular. With the cooler evenings and the frosts, the leaves have reluctantly left the branches and are happily dancing with strong winds to Kansas. The exposed branches are left holding the nests of birds from summer. I was inspired, and created a few nests of my own. Using fine silver wire, I wove “nests” adding small Sleeping Beauty Turquoise for eggs. The eggs of course, are my whimsy. I am dreaming of the Spring to come. 
Here are two fibulae I created for a friend. (The plural: fibulae, singular: fibula) Made of copper and silver wire, they do not photograph well, but hopefully you can see the basic mechanics. They are an ancient form of today’s safety pin. Used in Roman times to hold up togas and cloaks, they appeared all over ancient Europe. They replaced the simple stick pin used in the Neolithic times and Bronze age. These two pins have a pendular pin, which is loose, and is what holds the pin to the fabric. The true fibula is our calf bone, located on the lateral side of the tibia.
I shall create more brooches in the next few days that are closer to the Roman originals for those who wish to see authentic fibulae.
