WOMENS' HISTORY MOnth

March is Womens’ History month. Government agencies, such as the Library of Congress, National Archives, The National Endowment for the Humanities to name just a few, join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

The clickable link below give a preview of some of the women being honored this year.

https://womenshistorymonth.go

East End Arts Council celebrated women in “The Printmaker’s Feast: Celebrating Women in ART” Search eastendarts on Instagram to see a reel on their celebration.

Elizabeth Catlett, Links Together, 1996, lithograph on Arch paper.

MARCH BIRTHSTONE

Aquamarine and bloodstone are the two birthstones for March.

Aquamarine overview: In color, aquamarine is reminiscent of sky and sea and is associated with those qualities. In addition to being a March birthstone, some sources mention that aquamarine is the gem of choice for a 19th wedding anniversary gift. In 1936 the government of Brazil gave First Lady Elenor Roosevelt a dark blue, rectangular step cut gem that weighed 1,298 carats! In 1947 the gem was donated to the Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library, located in Hyde Park, upstate New York. Click on this link to look further: https://fdr.blogs.archives.gov/2012/11/27/from-the-museum-45/

Bloodstone Overview: Bloodstone is a type of chalcedony, which is a form of quartz. It has vivid red spots and veins, generally from iron oxide and hemotite. The amount of chlorite particles affects how green the stone is. Good quality bloodstone is characterized by a solid green color with visible veins of red. There are 2 forms of bloodstone: heliotrope, which is more transparent with red spots, and plasma, which is more opaque and has little or no red spots. It is generally found embedded in rocks and riverbeds as pebbles. Primary sources for this gemstone are India, Brazil and Australia.

Blood stone may not have the visible beauty of aquamarine but it is valued for its symbolism and other properties. Bloodstone is called a heliotrope, a word from ancient Greek that means “to turn the sun.” Many believe it was named as such because of how minerals reflect light. In fact, some believed that the sun itself would turn red if this gemstone was put into water. It is also believed that the first bloodstone was formed when Christ’s blood dripped at the foot of the cross, staining jasper that turned to bloodstone.

Aquamarine gem gifted to Elenor Roosevelt by the Brazilian government.

A JOURNEY IN CLAY

This month the Charles B. Wang Center presents Spring 2025 Cultural Programs. There is a diverse offering of programs that include lectures, films, flower arranging, bonsai workshops and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Wang Center is located on the campus of SUNY Stony Brook.

One exhibition of interest is “Cycles Of Clay, The Ceramic Narrative of Sunk Yuh.” The opening reception is this Friday, March 7th with a lecture to follow. Admission is free.

“Cycles OF Clay explores the profound creative process of Sunk Yuh, an artist who navigates the intersections of cultural heritage and contemporary expression. The exhibition is curated by Jinyoung A. Jin, the director of Asian art and culture at the Charles B. Wang Center.

For more on this exhibition and other offerings at the Wang Center go to their web site at www.thewangcenter.org.

TRUTH AND COURAGE

The gorgeous stone in this ring is amazonite. It is in the feldspar species of semiprecious gems. Other gems in this diverse group of minerals include labradorite, moonstone, sunstone, to name a few. It is mined in Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar and the US.

Amazonite is said to have the attributes of truth and courage and it relates to the throat chakra. To describe it one might say it ranges in color from green to bluish-green, often with whiteish cloud-like streaks. Some sources mention that ammonite was a favorite of ancient Egyptians and that inlays were found in Tutankhamen’s death mask.

Making this ring did take lots of courage. Things did not go as planned, at all. This stone then, and its meaning was a fitting choice for the challenge it presented in making it. I took a “devil may care” approach while working this ring. It was a very satisfying. By pushing limits and put fear and perfection aside I learned lots. I value the journey and rich experience above all else.

An uncut piece of amazonite.

DECEMBER BIRTH STONE

Those with December birthdays have 3 lush stones to choose from; turquoise, tanzanite and zircon.These are all such beautiful gems, turquoise and zircon being my personal favorites.

For more information on all these gorgeous gems, click on the link below:

https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/december-birthstones#:~:text=Turquoise%2C%20tanzanite%20and%20zircon%20–%20you,birthstone%20that%20reflects%20your%20personality.

PS. I just purchased a piece of Hubie turquoise, similar in pattern to the stone on the far left. I can’t wait to work with it in the near future!

SNAKE RING

This sterling silver coiled snake ring has a bit of whimsy and mischief about it. It was as much fun to make as it is to wear. It can be found wrapped up in holiday paper and bows, nestled under someone’s Christmas tree, patiently waiting to be worn. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season! A huge thank from the bottom of my heart for viewing my blog and supporting my handmade jewelry creations. It’s my pleasure to share my creative journey with you.

The best of the season to you and a happy new year!

Warm wishes,

Joanne

Photo by Mark Forman

CRESCENT MOON EARRING

The definition of serendipity is good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries. Fluke, good fortune, good luck and stroke of luck also are apply. Serendipity can be a wonderful thing in the studio.

Such is the case with the crescent moon earrings I recently created (in the image below.) I was busy at my rolling mill, applying a gorgeous texture to a sheet of silver. The impression material slipped while applying the necessary huge amount of pressure to imprint the metal. The result was a smooth crescent moon shape on the edge of the silver, next to the textured pattern.

Happy accidents can lead to beautiful discoveries and creations. Now the question is, how can I recreate this beautiful discovery? I may not be able to and that’s the beauty of one of a kind handmade jewelry.

Crescent moon earrings

Indian leaf and vine domed earrings with turquoise.

NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE

November offers 2 choices of stones to chose from to celebrate your November, topaz and citrine.

A citrine cabochon on my bench ready to be set

https://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones/november-birthstones/topaz-overview/

DECK THE HALLS AT GALLERY NORTH

It's hard to believe the holiday season is upon us already. Gallery North once again is displaying small, original works by local talent. I’m proud to have a pair of my handmade earring included in this festive show.

Mark and I will be at the reception on November 14th. It’s a fun way to start the season and see some really lovely crafts and fine are. Hope you’ll stop by if you're in the area.

a pair of my handmade kinetic earrings with turquoise bead .

For more information click on this link. https://gallerynorth.org/pages/deckthehalls.

SEEDHEAD FLOWER FARM

Seedhead Flower Farm is a unique dried flower enterprise located in rural Accord, New York. Entrapaneaur Faye Forman wears many hats in her one person business. She is artist, designer and flower gardener.

For her creations Faye taps into local resources she scavenges in the Hudson Valley. She collects native grasses, drys them and mixes them with cultivated flowers she grows specifically for drying purposes.

Faye’s creations include wreathes for all seasons, flower crowns for all occasions, wedding arches, boutonnieres, dried arrangements and more.

Faye has recently begun to offer workshops. Participoants learn the craft of making their own crown under Faye’s tutelage. Her recent flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery in Accord was a sell out and was enjoyed by all.

Faye’s love of gardening runs deep in her blood and has deep family roots. It dates back to her Ukrainian great-grandfather, Harry who immigrated from the Ukraine. Harry supported his family as a WPA gardiner (Work Project Administration) during the depression.

You can follow Seedhead flower farm on Instagram at @seedhead_flowerfarm

Faye in her flower garden.

Groom and Bride modeling their flower crowns made at Seedhead.

Outdoor wedding arch ready for the big day.

Autumn wedding boutonnière.

FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP AT ARROWOOD BREWERY

FAYE, CENTER , & PARTICIPANTS MODELS FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP CREATIONS.

Flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery.

Flower crown workshop at Arrowood Farm Brewery.

Follow on Instagram at seedhead_flowerfarm

TEXTURED THUMB RING

The thumb is often overlooked when it comes to adornment. I designed a ring to celebrate this digit.

The low relief surface of the tall ring shank features a delicate branch and leaf pattern that winds its way around the sterling silver band. It is highlighted against the darken patina background.

Contact me here on my blog Contact Page for inquiries.

KINETIC EARRINGS WITH AMETHYST

I’m continuing to explore creating variations of kinetic earrings. Recently, I’ve fabricated them with amethyst faceted stones. Movement and color are a feature in this subtle pair of earrings. The deep purple color of semi precious amethyst is enhanced by being set in an opened back, tube bezel. Light passes through the gem from behind as well as the front. These earrings measure 1 1/2” long. Amethyst is the birthstone for February.

For inquiries, please contact me directly at soundbeachstudio@gmail.com or from this clickable link. https/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me

Be well,

Joanne

KINETIC PEARL EARRINGS

Hot off my bench are two pair of earrings that I designed with movement in mind. Tiny hinges and loops of sterling silver wire enable each component of the earring to move in different directions as you move.

In addition to movement I played with some subtle design choices. The pair of earrings on the left have the 14k gold filled ball below the potato shaped cultured pearl. The earrings on the right have that same gold ball on the top of the potato pearl.

These earrings are hand-fabricated with attention to detail and loving care by me, in my one person studio. “ Hand-fabricated” means I make all elements in the earring: for example, the marquise shaped wire finding on the bottom the earring . These aren’t factory made shapes that I purchase and assemble together to make an earring. Hand fabrication allows for creative control, quality and freedom when designing and making jewelry pieces.

To keep in touch or for inquires, please contact me from my contact page

https/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me or email me at soundbeachstudio.com

Left pair; 14K gold filled ball on bottom. On right the same ball is on top.

A BOUQUET OF IDEAS

I’m looking for a good read that will keep me connected to the garden and give me a physical break from the endless chores the hot summer weather brings to its maintenance. A recent review of “The Garden Against Time” by Oliver Laing caught my eye.

A.O. Scott, writer and critic at large for the NYT’s book review states “This (book) isn’t an historical survey of gardening, much less a practical guide, so much as an inquiry into the IDEA of the garden- its history and poetics, its relationship to sex, imagination and power.” (See July 28, 2024 edition of the New York Times Book review.)

“A garden, in other words, inevitably filters nature through the lenses of human labor, creativity and will. Gardens also reflect the brutality of human social arrangements even as they express the wish to erase or over come them. People may seek refuge among their carefully tended rosebushes and fruit trees, but the cruel and noisy outside has a way of intruding.”

I’m excited to get my hands on Laing’s book, who “makes an impassioned case for the garden-as repository of natural beauty, as democratic ideal, as writerly inspiration.”

TEXTURED HOLLOW PENDANT

In creating this hollow pendant necklace I worked with the design idea of opposition; the organic textured pendant surface in opposition to the geometric shape of the triangle pendant.. The handmade sterling silver chain echos this principle. Semi precious red aventurine beads adorn the handmade chain and add color. The beads mimics skin tone and almost disappear when the necklace worn. Red aventurine is associated with the root chakra, located at the base of the spine. It is said to control the energy for kinesthetic feeling and movement and is the foundation of physical and spiritual energy for the body.

In the second pendant I fabricated, pictured below, I flipped the hollow sterling silver triangle pendant top to bottom and attached it to a sterling silver rolo chain. The chain stays quietly in the background letting the design principals of opposition stand out more directly.

Hollow jewelry is something like holloware such as pitchers, tea pots and receptacles. When used in jewelry, this type of fabrication adds a depth and volumn to the piece without adding weight.

For inquires please contact me on my blog contact page. https://www.soundbeachstudioblog.com/cohttps/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me

Or click on this link below which will take you to my Etsy shop, SoundBeachStudio.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoundBeachStudio

Hollow sterling pendant on a rolo chain

Sideview of hollow sterling silver pendant on a hand made chain.