Woah… Hey, didn’t see you there. How’s it going?

I’ve been absent from blogging for a little over three months now, and have completely slacked in my RAW projects.

Who knew that being a work-at-home-mom would be so hectic? *insert chuckling laughter here* Yes, I’m ridiculously busy balancing home life and work, but I’m also really thrilled that I’m fortunate enough to be able to do this.

So, what have I been up to? All sorts of stuff; a lot of new projects can be seen at my Etsy page, a lot of it has also sold. I’m eagerly anticipating the arrival of 17 rose cut diamonds for custom rings, and I found a new place to get amazing opals, which has me all giddy.

I’m going to be doing a big local show on December 7th, called the indiemade craft market. If you’re near the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton area (or even western New Jersey), you’ve got to check this show out… everything is 100% handmade, two floors of vendors, food and bar, live music, SWAG bags full of handmade goodies and coupons and things for the first 50 adult attendees, a DIY area, and much more. Best part? It’s held at the Starlite Ballroom in Allentown, complete with wood-grain paneling and a disco ball that is in use during the show.

I hope to update this more regularly, maybe even try to redeem myself for the rest of the year with RAW projects. In the meantime, custom orders need to be worked on…

RAW challenge: Week #16

Yes! I’m all caught up!

This week’s ring is inspired by a favorite album of my youth… (yes, this is going to date me). I had it on cassette tape; I knew all the words; this set is an homage to the title track of the album with the same name–“Diamonds & Pearls” by Prince & the New Power Generation. Granted, I wasn’t yet a teenager when this album came out, and going back and listening to it all again… Oh. Oh, my.

This set is two hammered bands, one topped with a grey 0.50 ct conflict free rough diamond that shimmers and sparkles, and the other is topped with a small round ivory pearl. Simple, understated, classic.

RAW challenge: Week #15

This week’s challenge was taken on as a personal construction challenge… For many of my pieces, I tend to keep things very much the same: hammered band made from round wire. For this ring, I used flat wire, kept it smooth, and made a geometric structure from it. Off of the ring shank is a branch of sorts, one part is home to a 0.20 ct conflict free white rough diamond, the other is a 1.10 carat rose cut pear/teardrop shaped ruby. I’m digging how the look of the ring changes depending on which direction it’s worn. It truly is comfortable to wear, despite it being a “statement piece,” and I could see this style evolving into a multi-branched piece…

RAW challenge: Week #14

I’ve made the same style of ring for… well, forever. Very basic, clean lines, simple, modern. So, I decided to experiment with Week #14.

This ring is made from sterling silver, but I created a split style ring shank instead of the standard hammered band that I love to use. I also cut various holes, Swiss-cheese-style, in the backing for the 8 carat blue chalcedony. This lets some light through, whether it’s on a finger or not.

Still a style I need to work on to get the balance just right, but liking how it turned out. Thoughts?

RAW challenge: Week #13

Once again, I’ve fallen behind… Drat.

For Week #13, my planned ring celebrates the beginning of baseball season. I grew up watching baseball, and I still enjoy it… the smell of popcorn, cinnamon-sugar coated peanuts, the crack of the bat making contact with the ball, and heckling umpires; always fun.

On top of this ring is a shard of milk glass that I found in my daylily garden last spring, and I tucked it away for future use. It just so happens to look like home plate–I didn’t do any shaping or filing of this glass.

Enjoy!

 

RAW challenge: Week #12

*Disclaimer* Vegetarians/vegans will probably be put off by this post…

 

In the spirit of recycling and reusing, I often use things that I find in my yard or gardens, or things I find while out and about. In this instance, I took the bone from a ham steak and cleaned it out, sanded it down a bit, let it dry out for about a year. Then I fitted the inside with fine silver. In essence, this made a large tube rivet, thus creating a ring.

RAW challenge: Week #11

I am about 3 weeks behind now with my RAW posts… lots of things have compounded it; some personal health stuff, an abundance of orders, and a little thing called “quitting my full time office job so I can be a full time jewelry artist.” Yes! It has happened. Friday, 3/29, was my last day in the office. I now embark into the terrifying and thrilling world of being a work-at-home-mom.

I digress…

 

Week #11 was inspired by the arrival of spring. I look forward to it beginning in November, and pour through seed and bulb catalogs all winter, just dreaming up what I can transform my current gardens into come springtime.

Sterling silver band, 8mm wide, hammered and oxidized; topped with a sterling silver dome/bowl, with a 24k gold dome/bowl nestled inside; both bowls are secured with a rivet.

RAW challenge: Week #9

I’m late.

I hate missing deadlines, even ones that I put on myself. Been trying to keep up with orders and *everything else* and even though Week #9’s piece was made on time, I didn’t have the photos done.

So… this lovely bit of bling uses one of my favorite stones, and incorporates Pantone’s “Color of the Year”: Emerald. This is a sterling silver ring topped with a triangular 10.20 carat emerald cabochon. Luscious, vibrant, spring-is-just-around-the-corner green. This is a truly gorgeous emerald, something even Ozma of Oz would be proud to wear.  

Custom conflict free rough diamond rings now available!

Recently acquired a ton of conflict free, ethical rough diamonds. Twenty of them are available for my stacker rings, in a variety of colors and shapes, and all average between 0.50 and 0.60 carats. Only $60 for a rough diamond ring? Yes, please!

I’m also very excited to offer four other types of custom conflict free rough diamond rings: 0.80 carat, 1.00 carat, 1.40-1.70 carats, and 2.00-2.25 carats. Ethical, affordable, and each one is completely unique…

RAW challenge: Week #6

There’s a potential blizzard on the way to NYC, which means it will pass through Northeast Pennsylvania on its way… Crossing my fingers I won’t lose power, like I did during Hurricane Sandy, but making sure to upload this entry a little early. Be safe everyone!

This week’s ring is made from a luminescent stick pearl. It’s certainly not meant for everyday wear, however, it makes for a delicate statement piece for any ensemble.