Stitchtite and Amethyst

This is one of my favorites...I have been using ANY purple stone I can get my hands on! This purple Stitchtite is a stone from Australia, it's about the same hardness as Turquoise. This is not a dainty set...I'm looking for a gal with "Large shoulders!"

Turquoise and Lapis rings

Hey, JoAnn, these are for you...I hope that's what you had in mind! I'm glad they don't fit ME, I wouldn't mind keeping them!

Silver Anniversary Buckles

My most recent creations are Buckles! A matched set for a Silver Anniversary gift. I learned a lot...especially about how to control the heat on a casting torch..but overall, they turned out the way I had envisioned them. The man's buckle measured 3 1/2" by 2 1/2". The worman's buckle was 2" by 3". The Logo is a quail's head with a horse shoe around it. I used a total of 6 oz. of sterling silver. The surfaces are hammered, the black parts, darkened with an acid wash.

I've been working on a new line of earrings for the holidays...the prices range from about $60.00-$85.00. I use brass, silver, natural stones, and lots of fresh water pearls.

This silver and Bolder Opal ring is a gift for out daughter, Sarah, who will turn 21 on Oct. 1st. I have several more stones about this size and color...just give me a call. 971-237-3783

It's late September, I've been back to teaching 5th grade for a month, but I still manage to save a few evenings to work on jewelry. My new display at NW Food and Gifts is working out well. Thought you might enjoy seeing how it turned out.

If you are a local, please stop by McMinnville Food & Gift to see my line of silver, one of a kind, pieces. I am adding to it each week.

One of my newest pendants is a huge Boulder Opal set in a sheild design

After taking Silversmithing classes for almost four years, I was excited to set up my own shop space this summer. I am set up in my Mother-in Law's garage, it is a great arrangement! The wall is set up for hammers, pliers, saws, scissors, and drawing templates. I have a special area for soldering. A box made of a cement particle board, it's fire proof. I use an Oxygen-Propane set up for soldering. I have a movable cart where my drill press and buffer/grinder are bolted down.

I have lots of little tool kits full of drill bits, files, polishing wheels...you name it, I probably have it! I use a fan to blow particles away from my face when I use the Foredom to polish, and a radio set to Oldies!

Custom Designs with stones

My customer chose a tear drop shaped, green jade stone. She was attracted to the shape, color and feel of it. She works in the wine business and thought that a hammered cuff bracelet would be perfect. We decided on the length and width, and which direction to set the stone. She wears it to work often and gets great comments on it!

Last year I tried to put my feelings about my craft to words. This is what I came up with...

ODE TO THE JEWELRY STUDIO

I am from grinding metal and blazing fire,
From rocks, and stones, and gems, and silver.
I am from wild imaginations, sketches, attempts, failures, successes.
I am from sharp metal saws, hungrily splitting the shapes in my mind,
I am from friends, artists, mentors, beginners, inventors...
Sharing dreams, borrowing techniques.
I am from another time of molten metal,
Ancient hammers, rough callused dirty hands.
I am from precious visions, fluid memories,
Gifts from the earth,
Treasures, as old as time