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.

FLOWER RING

Flowers are among nature’s crowning glories. Flowers and flower gardening inspire this delicate sterling silver ring. In colder months when flowers have withered and the garden is dormant, this hand made ring is a reminder of the grandeur of flowers, the intoxicating warm sunny days in the garden, the buzzing of bees and fragrance wafting through the air.

The delicate double-layered petals, similar to butter cup, sit above a comfortable “D” shaped ring band. Three stamen rise above the textured flower petals.

For inquires please click the link below for my contact page: https://www.soundbeachstudioblog.com/cohttps/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me

HOW TO STYLE JEWELRY

With the eye of an artist, gemologist Marie is styling the aquamarine and peridot stacking rings I custom made for her. Different types of twisted silver wire, some thick, some thin, repeat throughout her jewelry choices, along with pops of color both bold and subtle.

Marie’s look includes awesome blue nails and an impeccable manicure, layered with a chunky red watch band for a fabulous, fun and fresh feeling with lots of color. On her left wrist a thick, bold twisted wire silver bangle, from my twist wire collection, sits close to an intricately detailed sterling silver bracelet. Small and large twists in these bracelets contrast and echo each other. The echo continues on her fingers in the ring shanks of the stacking rings.

Also of note is how the subtle pastel color of the bezel set peridot and aquamarine gems are echoed in the face of her watch.

The repetition and echo of twisted sterling silver wire throughout, and accents color pull her look together. It is both very modern and classical. Thanks for showing us how you rock a look with such style!

PHOTO: Marie Patten, gemologist

3 bezel set stacking ring with one twist spacer ring

FLOWER COCKTAIL RING

My flower garden often inspires my jewelry designs. When my hands are out of the soil, I love to wear this sterling silver cocktail ring I recently created. The fragile double layered petals remind me of butter cup.

JEWELRY PACKING HACKS

I came across an article in the March issue of “Real Simple” magazine. It offers some interesting ideas on how to keep and store your jewelry when you are traveling. I especially like the hack for keeping a chain necklace untangled.

Another hack not mentioned in “Real Simple” is storing your jewelry at home. Out in the opened, on your dresser for example, may to not be optimal. Household dust and air can be problematic. When exposed to opened air sterling silver will tarnish much more quickly . Dust can create a substantial grit on the surface of metal and gemstones. On the 1 to 10 Mohs scale, dust has a 7 rating so it can scratch softer metals and gems.

FYI , Gemstones are rated by hardness and durability on the Mohs scale. It uses a range from 1 to 10 to rate the hardness and durability of gems. Diamonds being very hard are at the top of the rating and are a 10 on the Mohs scale. At the other extreme is amber, which is very soft. Amber has a 2-1/2 rating. Household dust has a 7 on the Mohs scale so it can scratch your jewelry !

WEARING JEWELRY EVERYDAY

Too often when women retire I often hear them say, “I don’t wear my jewelry too much now that I don’t go to work.” I say, defy that and wear your jewelry everyday for yourself. You’ve earned it.

My day yesterday wasn’t exciting, I went grocery shopping. I decided to wear the new stacking rings I’m working on. Every time I looking down and saw them on my hand a smile came to my face.

Wear your lovely pieces for yourself no matter where you are, at home or out. Feel special.

4 stacking rings, rose quartz, onyx and red jasper nestled with one plain twist ring.

4 individual stacking rings side by side.

VERSATILITY JEWELRY PIECES

Nadine, my studio assistant poses for a photo op.

I designed and fabricated a minimal, hammer textured, sterling silver circle that has possibilities. It adds value to a jewelry collection throughout the seasons. It’s modern style and versatility gives you options.

There are several ways to style this circle. It works well to secure a loose weave scarf. Try is out as hair jewelry, to secure a French twist or pony tail.

For a casual look, knot the circle onto a long black leather cord and wear it as a necklace. Make the leather cord long enough so no clasp is needed. I like to pair it with jeans and a long sleeve black tee for a quick and easy casual outfit that makes a statement

For more info visit my Etsy shop.https://www.etsy.com/listing/911107008/hair-accessory-made-to-order-broach-hair?click_key=05defbe4afabfd5d732fc30fe68df9f2ed0a851b%3A911107008&click_sum=663451f9&ref=search_recently_viewed-3&frs=1

My hammer textured piece as hair jewelry.

STYLING BANGLES

Laura created a great jewelry look for herself and she’s rocking it!

She’s showing us how to layer jewelry pieces to great effect. Laura is stacking the two sterling silver bangles I made for her along with her bold faced watch. I love the subtle contrasts she’s created: thick and against thin, dark against light, shiny surfaces against matt surfaces. Her watch face really brings out the darkened and highly detailed oxidized silver bangle. Way to go Laura!

Thanks for sharing how you put a smashing look together.

Photo by Laura

HAIR PIECE FOR ALL SEASONS

I enjoy wearing my hair up on hot summer days and in cooler weather too. I’ve created a hammer textured sterling silver circle that does the trick and holds my thin textured hair in place. I style my hair in a messy bun, French twist or pony tail and secure it with the silver pin.

One can even use this piece of versatile jewelry as a necklace. Simple knot the circle onto a long leather cord or attach a silver chain to it. I love this look with thick chunky sweaters.

Click here to see this hair piece on my Etsy shop.

Handmade hammer textured circle with pin

HUGGIE EARRINGS

Huggies are the most petite version of a hoop earring and are great for everyday wear. They can be as simple in gold, silver or rose gold-or they can also be embellished with stones or a dangle charm. Huggies are great for layering if you have several piercings. They look better when worn in numbers.

The latest addition to my twisted wire collection of jewelry is a custom made pair of huggie earrings. The sharp definition of squared sterling silver wire gives a punch to this smaller version of the ever popular hoop earring.

Sterling silver 3/4 inch huggie earring.

WAVE BANGLE →

I love to wear bangles but they can get in the way when typing on the key board. My oval wave bangle fits right below the wrist bone so it doesn’t move around or feel uncomfortable. That’s a win win when spending time typing!

I fabricate it from thick sterling silver wire that is recycled. The bangle is assayed 925, the international stamp of sterling silver.

Want to see more? Click on the link to visit my Etsy shop, SoundBeachStudio.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1015705660/silver-bangle-textured-bangle-bangle?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

MANDALA EARRINGS

Connie Rae is rocking a pair of copper and silver mandala earrings It’s a joy to see her wearing these earrings I made for her recently!

Please message me for a made to order pair for yourself!

TWIST WIRE HUGGIES AND BANGLE

I’ve been making “Huggie” twist wire post earrings at my jewelry bench lately . They “hug” close to your ear lobe. The beautiful shape and twist of the stud earring is echoed by pairing it with the bangle of the same thick twisted sterling silver wire.

There are many choices of lighter weight twist jewelry on the market and thick, weighty twist wire jewelry seems harder to find. I make my own twisted wire by hand to get the rich sophisticated look and feel I’m after. The result is a modern, refined look that pairs well together.

I start with thick sterling silver round wire and mill it so it turns it into square wire. The square wire then gets turned by hand to form the beautiful twists that are a signature to this look. Next the the wire gets sized and shaped to form a bangle, earring or maybe a ring.

The beauty of handmade jewelry is that you can make what you need to get exactly what you want. Heavy weighty pieces that are luxurious to wear and modern and refined.

BANGLES, BANGLES AND MORE BANGLES

Bangles are like people,, some are kind of square, some round, some are thin and some are wide. The top bangle is round textured wire, the next underneath is square textured sterling wire, The thick bangle with the black braided fabric is a concave bangle holding my hair scrunchie. The one on the bottom is a concave textures think bangle.

Stack them up on your wrist and enjoy the jingle jangle of sterling silver on your arm. The more bangles you wear, the merrier!

They will be coming to my Etsy Shop, SoundBeachStudio very soon!

Four different sterling silver bangles.

KIMONO CORD PENDANT NECKLACE

Kimono cord is an interesting choice for a fabric necklace. It’s soft on the body, wonderfully colorful and beautifully patterned. The kimono cord I use to make pendant necklaces is made from rayon and is similar to the silk chirimen fabric used in making traditional kimonos.

The beautiful patterns in this fabric have names that translate to things like Tea House, Koi Pond. My favorite pattern is “momiki-gari” which translates to “maple viewing” which refers to the ritual visitation to mountains each fall to view the brilliance of wild maple trees.

I’ve paired this lovely kimono cord necklace body with an agate leaf, a sterling silver bail and a jewelers brass hook style clasp. It’s perfect for casual wear any time of the year.

If you’d like to see more on my Etsy store, click here.

HAIR ORNAMENT

Hair ornaments are great for up-do hair styling. Featured on the left is a a silver inlayed, stamped oxidized copper hair ornament. . Also featured securing an up-do is a sterling silver hammer textured circle.

HANDMADE VERSUS MASS PRODUCED JEWELRY

Handmade pieces of jewelry are unique as the artisan who makes them. These pieces are produced by an artists skill, aesthics and watchful eye therefore handmade pieces can’t be compared to mass produced fabrication. Handmade pieces of jewelry are so unique. All the jewelry you see on my blog is handmade for sheet or wire sterling silver in my one person studio.

The hammer textured cuff I’m wearing here is great worn alone or stacked with thinner bangles. The hand buffed hammer textures worn against black make a bold statement, almost like an animal print. I hand finish this made to order cuff so that the texture develops to just the right pattern.

You can reach me on my contact pager here on my blog to inquire about a custom order.

Hammer Textured Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

BEZEL SET LABRADORITE PENDANT

Marie is rocking the new fire labradorite pendant I made for her with style and flair. She’s double layered contrasting tops and is layering her necklaces too. Marie’s red glasses and lip stick polish her look. Well done!

The 28 inch sterling silver bezel set fire labradorite pendant really pops against her black top. The rose cut of this oval gem stone brings out a magnificent an internal play of light that is a hallmark of labradorite.

If your interested in a custom order click here to send me an email. I’d love to talk!

Marie wearing her bezel set Fire Labradorite pendant.

STUD EARRINGS

Stud earrings come in all shapes and sizes.. These sweet sterling silver earrings are the shape of rigatoni pasta. Wear them layered on your earlobe with other earrings or by themselves.

If you’d like to see them click here to visit my Etsy store.

PASTA SHAPED STUD EARRINGS

HAMMER TEXTURED BROOCH

Brooches, how do you use them? Do people still wear them? I do!

My hammer textured, sterling silver circular brooch and brooch pin secures this loose weave scarf in place. My scarf won’t fly off my neck my neck in the cold, strong winds coming in our first winter storm this afternoon. It’s a fashion statement too!,

Click here to see this brooch and more of my new hammer textured collection in my Etsy store. Stay warm and Happy Holidays!

Sterling silver brooch from my hammer textured collection.

Nadine and I cuddling to stay warm. At least I want to cuddle!!!!