Turquoise and Wire Works

The class started with some simple wire working techniques that were just a matter of bending and being consistent. This was the first set of wire working I did in the class, combining brass and copper for a pair of earrings. Today I embellished with silver ear wires and a small gold bead with a sterling bead cap. Really a multi metal experience.

I was pleased with how this little set of coils turned out. Again, brass, copper and silver plus a tiny little sterling bead in a dashing little pair of mixed metal earrings.

Then I branched out into some hammered wire shapes with this treble clef and set of music notes in a set of delightfully miss matched earrings. And maybe it’s the new pair of fantastic turquoise heels that I got last week, but everything I worked on today had me reaching into my stash of turquoise beads.

This wasn’t at all the original idea for the piano but I’m not at all upset with how it turned out. More turquoise and an ungodly amount of time stringing that fine 24 gauge wire. I have the patience of a… never mind I can’t be bothered to come up with a workable metaphor! ;)

This is a strange little fleur de lis that is quite wonky. I’ve had a thing for fleur de lis now for years, in my mind it’s a symbol of Joan of Arc who is someone I admire greatly. I love how she bravely lived her vision in a man’s world even though it was costly and difficult. I have worked this symbol into much of my artwork over recent years. Since Katrina this fleur de lis has come to be a symbol of the revival of the city of New Orleans and the determination to see beauty come from devastation. Since I saw with my own eyes what Katrina did to the coast of Louisiana at Long Beach and Pass Christian, that place and those memories will be forever etched in my spirit. I really like how out of kilter this pendant is.

Yay, new soap coming out of the studio today!

I wanted to share some new work with you. I’ve made a collection of soaps inspired by natural stones. It seemed reasonable since I’m a jewelry designer to cross the lines between the disciplines and I’m really happy with the results! I happened to take some photographs today that I’m happy with.





Here are some of the new kinds emerging from the creative process today:


Sugar Cookie (the one with pink sugar in it)
Key Lime Pie (oh YUM!)
Vanilla Bean
Manderian Spice
And the pink one I have not named yet. We were at friends house for an impromptu meal and their French foreign exchange student mixed up a bowl of strawberries, mint, black pepper with just a little sugar. It was amazing. This pink soap is that fragrance. Incredible!


Yummy Vanilla, it won't stay that white but it looks like icecream with the tiny little vanilla bean flecks. Makes me hungry!



The Key Lime Pie, Sugar Cookie and Vanilla Bean finish out my set of five food inspired bars. The other two are Chocolate Cream Pie and Mint Truffle (like an Andes Mint. It's a good thing people don't eat out of their soap dish!



The Strawberry-whatzit plus the Mandarin Spice will be a lovely addition to this collection of Lime Basil, Turquoise Spice, and Jasmine Clementine. These make up the Summer collection.

What can I say, I love my job!