JASPER FRAME AND PRONG NECKLACE

Tones of blue and green echo sea and land in this lovely jasper cabochon pendant necklace. The frame and prong setting allows for maximum reveal of subtle detail and color of this beautiful earth stone.

For the bale, (the component that connects the pendant to the chain) I created a dimensional triangle out of sterling silver sheet metal. The process is called hollow form construction; a one dimensional square of silver sheet metal is fabricated in such a way that when that when it’s folded over to create a triangle shape, it becomes dimensiona. The outcome is different everytime and I find it magical to make hollowforms. This design choice allows the chain to run through the triangular bale and connect to the pendant. A lobster claw clasp secures the box chain at the back of the necklace.

All materials are sterling silver.

Terms of interest for the curious:

BALE: a critical jewelry component often a metal loop or clasp that is used to attach a pendant, charm or stone to a necklace or chain. It sits at the top of the pendant, allowing it to hang properly, move freely and connect seamlessly to the chain. Bales also act as decorative elements, sometimes featuring gems. or intricate designs.

CABOCHON (pronounced cab-uh shon) is defined a a stone or other material that has been shaped and polished as opposed to a faceted stone. It generally has a domed top, a walled side and a flat bottom. Known as “cabs” they are usually opaque or translucent and know for highlighing color, pattern or special effects.

JASPER an opaque impure variety of microcrystalline quartz (silica) that forms in distinct bands, nodules or filling fissures in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. It is often referred to as a “micro granular” or cryptocrystalline” mineral, meaning its quartz crystals are too small to be seen without high magnification. Jasper comes in a wide variety of opaque colors, including red, yellow brown green and occasionally blue.

Marge wearing her new frame and prong pendant necklace.

BADASS DEFINED

I recently took an online metalsmith class at Open Studio for Jewelry Makers at The Makery. Francesca Watson guided students through the process of making a badass ring. Just awesome! Click the link below to check out their Facebook page. .https://www.facebook.com/groups/MakeryOpenStudio

Making this ring set me to wondering what it means to be a badass? What is a badass person like? Am I a badass?

A quote from Psycology Today, written by Jim Taylor, PH.D has a definition: “Badassness isn’t about all of the macho and macha things that are commonly associated with being a badass. It isn’t about anything that pop culture says it is because following that crowd, which is what popular culture is all about, goes against everything that real badassness stands for.”… “A badass does what needs to be done, no matter how difficult is, without fanfare. A badass doesn’t take the path of least resistance. A badass is someone who stands up for the weak and oppressed, speaks the truth, and calls out those who lie, cheat and steal.” Batman and Batnana, in the image on the right, are badasses. Here’s a link to the rest of the article. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201011/popular-culture-what-it-means-be-badass

On those days I feel like I’m a badass I wear my new ring. It’s empowering.

My badass hands wearing my badass ring. Rhyolite and sterling silver.

Side view: scalloped bezel, twist wire , textured backplate and carved ring band. Rhyolite and sterling silver

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RECENT ARTWORK

This past summer I participated in two art programs at the North Shore Public Library. Both programs were given by talented artist Karen Kemper. Karen was well prepared to guide attendees through some exciting book making and collage techniques.

In the first class project, participants created a summer travel book. We learned how to assemble a handmade paper book for documenting our travels. Karen inspired us with many ideas on to how to document our experiences and fill the empty books with our experiences. Some suggestions included quick sketches of things that touched us, architecture of interest, interactions with people that touched us , fashion on the street and people watching in general.

The second program featured approaches to collage. The Kookaburra image shown here is an example of my efforts using an exciting transfer collage technique.

Both programs took me back to my roots as a visual artist which I found very freeing. I look forward to participating in Karen’s classes again. She was an inspiration!

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree. Merry merry king of the bush is he. Laught Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra, gay your life must be!

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

The New Yorker cover says it all for the closing of summer. This iconic image, painted in 1952 by Perry Barlow timelessly captures the last days of summer on the beach.

It’s time to shift focus from the beach to warmer clothes, new outfits and autumn activities. What will you be wearing for the fall?

MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT FAIR AT THE BRICK POTTERY STUDIO

Mother’s Day is May 14th this year. The Brick semi annual Outdoor Pottery and Art Sale is on May 13th. Just in time just in time to get something special for yourself or Mom. Mark and I hope you’ll stop by our table and say hello. I’ll have some new rings like those on the left.

New sterling silver rings.

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 !

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and safe holiday this season. To those new to my blog, thank you for sharing your email and signing up. Those friends, acquaintances and family who have so kindly taken the time to support and read my visual blog, a warm thanks from the bottom of my heart! Merry Christmas!

Love and warm wishes

Joanne

Photo by Mark Forman

Shopping at Tate’s bakery in Southampton, NY

MORE JEWELRY CLEAN TIPS

The New York Times has an informative article on cleaning and caring for jewelry. I highly recommend this informative article written by Zoe Vanderweide. Click on the link to view this article . https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clean-your-jewelry/

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

The cover from New Yorker magazine, dated The September 13, 1952, was created by P. Barlow. The illustration captures the timeless cusp of the changing season. During these last fleeting days of summer the sun isn’t quite so hot, breezes from the north cool the air and too green, wilted foliage is exhausted from relentless summer heat.

Last night we celebrated the ending of summer by having dinner at the beach while the sun was setting. It was an antidote to the melancholy this change of season can bring. Our joyful evening included people dancing outdoors to live music in the cool night air. There were throngs of others on blankets in the sand, Woodstock style, enjoying the sunset, music and the last days of summer. The briny scent of salt water was in the air mingled with the smell of food being cooked. I ordered a burger and fries. It was the best I’ve had in years!

Enjoy the summer's end my friends and the autumn to come.

All the bests,

Joanne

Cover Illustration by P. Barlow, 1952

We enjoyed dinner at the beach in the glowing sunset during these last days of summer. Image by Mark Forman

SUNFLOWERS FOR UKRAINE

The sunflower is the national flower of the Ukraine. In support of the Ukraine people and in protest of the invasion of their sovereign nation I’m posting an image of sunflowers in a field. I chose this image because it expresses so much about current events.

In this image the tattered sunflowers are standing tall and proud with the background of a clouded grey sky. The sky itself is bright but without the sun itself showing. In literature the sun is often symbolic of Gods presence. May the love of God be present in protecting the Ukraine and it’s people from the horrible invasion and war being waged.

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

This New Yorker magazine cover captures the bitter sweet ending of summer so well. It was painted by Perry Barlow and published on September 13, 1952. That’s 69 years ago. Some things never change!

SHOP LOCAL SUPPORT BEE KEEPERS, FARMERS AND CRAFTERS

It’s wonderful to see lots of people out and about attending craft fairs and farmers markets. There’s so much local talent here on Long Island and local markets are a wonderful place to support local crafters, artists, farmers and make new friends.

This past Sunday my husband and I went to the Port Jefferson Farmers Market . Below Mark (my honey) is shopping at Barne Bee’s Raw Long Island Honey. Margaret is walking him through their extensive line of honey and related bee products. Barne Bee’s, is a fourth generation family of bee keepers located here in Suffolk County. They spin especially delicious local raw honey.

Shop local, support bee keepers, honey bees, crafter, artist and sustainable farming.

Visit Barna Bee’s at https://www.barnabeehoney.com

Here’s my honey, Mark, shopping for raw honey with Margaret from Barna Bee’s Raw LI honey.

Two delicious selections of amber honey from The Original Barna Bee raw LI local honey. Dark or light honey? Which is the best?

HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROS

Memorial Day is a special time to remember our fallen heroes who protected our country. We can’t bring them back, but we can honor their memory. A special thank you to those brave heroes.

OUR RESCUR CAT NADINE MAKES AN APPEARANCE

Our rescue cat Nadine is my constant companion. When I’m working at jewelry bench she sits in her “cat cave” and keeps me company. If I’m late she meows to remind me that it’s time to come and work. Nadine is the love of my life.

Have you checked out Jackson Gallexy on You Tube? He’s an awesome cat psychologist and one cool dude. There’s a clickable link below for you to check out his web site. He’s awesome and I understand cats better as a result of listening to his videos.

https://www.jacksongalaxy.com

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TATES BAKE SHOP

My very favorite place to visit when I’m in Southampton, New York is Tates Bake Shop. Their baked goods are equal to none! The decorations really get me in the Christmas spirit!

https://www.tatesbakeshop.com Here’s a link to their online bakeshop.

I’m reaching into a bag for Tates world class chocolate chip cookies and sporting 2 handmade oval link sterling bracelets.

A visit to Tate’s Bakeshop in Southampton, NY

Two textured, oval link sterling silver bracelets.

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

The New Yorker cover says it all for the closing of summer. This iconic image, painted in 1952 by Perry Barlow timelessly captures the last days of summer on the beach.

It’s time to shift focus from the beach to warmer clothes, new outfits and autumn activities. What will you be wearing for the fall?

SEA GLASS POEM

SUMMER JEWELRY

“Jump” by Gayle Kabaker

I just love the summer season here on Long Island! I’m very active swimming, jumping, enjoying a good read while sunning, kayaking and walking. I’m constantly in and out of the water. It’s a fun and active season.

Do you wear jewelry to the beach in the summer? One pair of earrings, like the Atlantic Slipper Shell earrings I’m wearing works for me. They add some polish to my causal beach wear. Metal jewelry can get hot in the sun but these work well reflecting the light beautifully without getting hot on your skin in the summer sun. I even wear these in the water.

Click here to see these earrings in my Etsy store.

Have fun!

Earrings designed from the Atlantic Slipper Shell I find at the beach.

Silver Shell Earring at the beach.

MANDALA EARRINGS

The unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic are fraught with stress, worry and misinformation. To manage social distancing I’m staying in touch with friends virtually. Thank goodness for Zoom. I’m also helping at the hospital where I work, taking care of family  and challenging myself to learn new things.

During lockdown I’m trying to make lemonaid out of lemons. In an online class given by the talented metalsmith, Leslie Kail Villarreal, I learned to make the gorgeous, light weight mandala earring I’m wearing. They are a different design direction from my geometric signature collection of jewelry but that’s OK. I was challenged and distracted from the constant stream of bad pandemic new. Click here to inquire about a custom made pair.

Thanks Leslie, for keeping metal smiths such as myself working and learning during these challenging time.

Click here to visit her other classes.

https://lesliekailvillarreal.com/my-work/

Mandala earrings in copper and fine silver.

Mandala Earring with and without silver balls.