New this evening!

Introducing Kathmandu Dreams IV and the Aegean Bracelet (SOLD)...

The Aegean bracelet is inspired by the colors of the Mediterranean Sea.

  Kathmandu Dreams IV is a reinvention of Kathmandu Dreams I.  I'm in love with this new version!

Find out all the details on Etsy.

Kathmandu Dreams III

...Kathmandu Dreams III

I think "Kathmandu Dreams III" is just lovely and the combination of yellow, blue, and red exudes sunshine and warmth. It is the third necklace in my Kathmandu Dreams series.

The focal point of this necklace is the solid brass pendant, which features coral, resin, and turquoise inlay. The pendant, which was designed and handmade by a Nepalese artisan, invokes a horseshoe shape finished by a dramatic flourish of red coral and blue turquoise.

 One set of handmade Nepalese yellow resin beads echo the resin in the pendent and bring a sense of unity to the design. Coin shaped blue Val Verde turquoise with lovely matrices, faceted deep red coral complete, and tiny handmade solid brass beads complete this necklace.

Turquoise is a powerful healing stone that can help wearers with meditation, balance, and communication. It is also a protective stone that enhances love, friendship, and loyalty. Coral brings peace, settles emotions, and protects against depression. It also helps with intuition and visualization (source: www.thatcrystalsite.com).

Including the artisan-crafted solid brass clasp, this moderately lightweight necklace is an impressive 22" long, or matinee length. The pendant is 3 1/2" long by 2" wide. The resin beads are 1 1/2" by 1/2".

Available on Etsy!

Kathmandu Dreams II (is finally here)

Kathmandu Dreams II

Kathmandu Dreams II" is full of color and has a bold, geometric-inspired design.  It is the second necklace in my Kathmandu Dreams series. The focal point of this necklace is the solid brass pendant, which features a brass spiral design and turquoise, coral, and lapis inlay. The pendant, which was designed and handmade by a Nepalese artisan, marries geometric styling and feminine details.  Two sets of handmade Nepalese beads add texture and interest: one set is four sided with lapis and turquoise, and the second set is two-sided with lapis and turquoise.  Blue turquoise with lovely matrices, lapis with natural flecks of golden pyrite, faceted red jasper, and pyrite rondelles complete this necklace. 

 
Lapis and Turquoise are December birthstones, so this would make the perfect gift for the December-born woman in your life.

Lapis is known for its protective, stress relieving, and peace enhancing qualities. It also encourages self-awareness, self-expression, and enhances one's sense of confidence. Turquoise is a powerful healing stone that can help wearers with meditation, balance, and communication. It is also a protective stone that enhances love, friendship, and loyalty.

Coral brings peace, settles emotions, and protects against depression.  It also helps with intuition and visualization.  Jasper, a stone of selflessness, is considered the "mother of all stones bringing about Love of all mankind."  Red jasper helps relieve pain and bring calm. 

Pyrite, also known as Fool's Gold, is grounding, encourages positivity and the release of old emotional baggage. It is also a protective and enhances one's "intelligence, mental stability, logic, analysis, creativity, memory, and psychic development" (source: www.thatcrystalsite.com).

Including the artisan-crafted solid brass clasp, this necklace is an impressive 23" long, or matinee length.  The pendant is 2 3/4" long by nearly 2" wide.  The four sided beads are 1 1/8" by 1/4" and the two sided beads are 1 3/8" by 3/4".

Available on Etsy!

Pawfect Match Rescue Howliday Shop Preview!

I've been busy busy busy this week (and last week, and the week before...)!  Here are a few preview shots of what I"ll have at the Howliday Shop (yes, there's more)!  Learn more about this event here.

Sky Heart Necklace - SOLD

Jade Dreams Earrings -2 Pairs - SOLD

I'll also have items from my Etsy shop.  Check out the inventory here on my blog, as I"ll be putting my shop in vacation mode during the Howliday Shop!

What I'm working on...

I've been ordering materials and sketching ideas like mad lately.  I'm very excited about pieces I will be making in the next couple of months.  I plan to create a few high-end pieces featuring vermeil, Karen Hill Tribe silver, and 22k and 24k gold dipped brass.   Currently, all the materials I use are carefully chosen and of high quality, but I'd like to design a few pieces that are considered "fine jewelry" for those looking for the perfect wedding day necklace, anniversary gift, or special birthday present.

One piece that I'm working and am truly in love with features amazonite in a beautiful pale aquamarine shade, vermeil, and a 22k gold over brass pendant.  When the special clasp arrives along with a few other accents, I'll compete the design and begin work on another fine necklace featuring white coral, an opaline mother-of-pearl pendant, gold dipped and vintage accents.  There is also a blue jade and gold piece in the works and a few minimalist designs featuring handcrafted Hill Tribe silver (which is approximately 99% pure silver).

I'm also researching materials for my next 13/20 piece.  I'm not sure if I want to make another bracelet, which is more functional for dancing, or a necklace or long earrings.  I'll decide and create something in the next few days.  And, there are a few Nepalese, Turkoman, and Afghani pieces I need to build designs around--I'm waiting on a few more materials to arrive and then I'll get to work.

I will say that all of the upcoming pieces will be one-of-a-kind, so I plan to spend a lot of time with my camera and good lighting before I send them off to new homes.

I'm off to sleep now, as it's almost 2am local time!

New Pictures!

Those who know me well know that I have a touch of perfectionism, so I've been retaking pictures of a lot of my pieces and experimenting with lighting, camera settings, and angles.  My goal is to reproduce their colors and texture as accurately as I am able.  So, here are a few new shots I've uploaded to my Etsy listings.  

Click on the captions below the images to go to the Etsy listings.

White Lotus in Golden Bloom

Rustic Golden Leaves

Rustic Golden Leaves

Frida y Estrellas

Kathmandu Dreams I

Kathmandu Dreams I

Kathmandu Dreams I

Stormy Neptune

Princess of the Skies

White Lotus in Silver Lavender

White Lotus in Silver Lavender

Lillian I

And for fun, here are a few shots that I've touched up and manipulated in an (awesome) free photo editor:

Princess of the Skies

Princess of the Skies

Kathmandu Dreams I

Kathmandu Dreams I Necklace

Elegant, yet dramatic, "Kathmandu Dreams I" is the first necklace in my Kathmandu Dreams series.  The focal point of this necklace is the solid brass pendant with intricate lotus flower detail and turquoise and coral inlay, which was designed and handmade by a Nepalese artisan.  Free-form green turquoise beads, handcrafted reconstituted blue turquoise beads, faceted and square cut brick red jasper beads, and Tierracast gold plated pewter Turkish and  smooth rondelles complete this one-of-a-kind necklace. 

The free-form green turquoise beads, which are a lovely blend of viridian and blue inflections, have a beautiful, rich matrix.  The handcrafted blue reconstituted turquoise beads are unique and echo the texture of the pendant.  Both varieties of turquoise coupled with the rich, red jasper, and Tierracast beads create harmony with the Nepalese pendant, which rests on a piece of starry, midnight blue goldstone. 

Slightly over 1 ¾" by 2 ½" (including the bail), the pendant weighs about a 1/2 lb.  This necklace is of light to moderate weight with 19 1/2" of stones and is 21" with the antiqued gold flower toggle clasp.

Buy it here on Etsy!