I love repurposing and recycling, especially beads, precious metal and gems. I was given some gorgeous antique bakelite beads. I unstrung them and put a modern spin on this black and sterling necklace.
Custom made antique bakelite and sterling silver necklace for Kate.
A custom design I created from antique beads.
My jewelry-making always suffers in spring time. I love to be in the garden this time of year. Here’s a behind the scenes peek at some bangle designs I’m working on, that is when I can tear myself from gardening and get to my jewelry bench .
I’ve created these two bangle bracelets in copper. Once I’ve finalized the design and worked out the details, I’ll making them in sterling silver too.
The top bangle has colorful rayon kimono cord tucked inside the concave area of the bangle. The soft feel of the fabric again the shiny hard surface of the metal is an interesting contrast and the kimono cord brings a surprise of color. The floral fabric keeps me close to the garden and nature too.
The bangle stacked underneath is embellished with a sterling silver wire with gold-filled wire wrapped around it and a handmade copper bead as a focal point .
These are fun for stacking together or worn alone. Hope you’ll come back tony blog to see the finalized bangles!
2 bangle bracelet in progress.
This kimono cord necklace features a sterling silver bezel set red river jasper pendant that is off set by 14 karat gold balls. The warm tones of the gold bring out the warm tones in this gorgeous in this multi colored fabric necklace.
I enjoy wearing fabric necklaces, they are so soft and comfortable. The multi colored patterns in the fabric make it versatile choice for so many outfits.
The kimono cord is a rayon fabric that is used in the making of modern Japanese kimono’s. The patterns often have themes such as Tea House, Koi Pond or Maple Festival. They are subtle, beautiful and rich.
If you’d like to view some pieces of my kimono cord collection in my Etsy store, click HERE.
Kimono cord fabric pendant with bezel set red river jasper pendant.
Im enjoying working with the beautiful patterns of kimono cord fabric these days. I’ve designed this rayon fabric into a necklace with a cloisonne bead as a pendant. The delicate gold wire lines in the bead are echoed not in color but shape in the kimono cord fabric pattern.
Cloisonee is decorative work in which enamel, glass or gem stones are separated by strip of flattened wire placed edgeways on a metal backing. This decorative work has been practiced in both Japan and China.
Click HERE if you’d like to see this necklace on my Etsy store.
Kimono cord necklace with a barrel closinne bead pendant, and 14K gold bead.
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.
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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 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.
Here’s a look at some behind the scenes studies I’ve created. These drawings and photographs serve as inspiration for design jewelry designs or art work.
Star flowers in my spring garden.
Contour line drawing in my sketch book..
Spring is finally here on Long Island! Here’s a behind the scenes peek at some mixed metal flowers from my bench. These are inspired by my favorite spring flowers, Forget Me Nots or firmament. They certainly will end up in a bracelet, ring or necklace. Stay tuned to see more!
Forget Me Not flowers from my garden.
Sterling silver and copper flowers fabricated at my bench.
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
Cubic zirconia gems are lab created gems that have beautiful sparkle. I’ve created a tube set ring with a 3 mm cubic zirconia that is nestled between two delicate sterling silver round ring shanks. This ring is suitable for an engagement ring.
Click here if you’d like to see it on my Etsy store. Or go to my contact page here on my blog to inquire about a custom order.
Cubic Zirconia tube set in a double shank sterling silver setting.
Tube set CZ ring.
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.
The beauty of the beach if often overlooked in winter. I love this time of the year at the shore, so long as I’m dressed for it. So many beautiful things to be found! Stay warm and enjoy exploring!
Winter beach college, February 2021 by Joanne Forman
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
Our rescue cat Nadine is my studio assistant. Her “cat cave” bed sits next to my bench. If I’m detained from going to my bench, she meows to remind me to sit down to work. We keep each other company as I’m working on new pieces. Nadine is my buddy, constant source of amusement sweet inspiration! She’s the love of my life!
Nadine and Me pose together.
Cuff bracelets are a wonderful addition to any jewelry collection. Wear them individually or stacked with bangles.
My handmade sterling silver cuff features a hammer textured surface that is oxidized and a engraved line that runs near the edge of the bracelet. The back is opened and provides a comfortable fit.
I make these sterling silver cuff bracelets to order. Please click here to contact me.
HAMMER TEXTURED STERLING SILVER CUFF
Happy New Year! May 2021 bring more hope and love into our lives.
A hammer textured ring offers a pure and straight forward design. elegance. , rich, and uncomplicated.
Well placed hammer blows mark the surface of this thick ring band. Elegant, rich and uncomplicated textured surfaces are a classic look that is perfect for everyday wear .
Click here to see this ring, and other pieces of my hammer textured collection in my Etsy store.
A hammer textured ring I recently created, Next to it, a raising hammer used in the fabrication process.
My newest collection of artisen jewelry includes hammer textured sterling silver hoop earrings. This pair measures 1 1/4”across. Here you see them t at my work bench, waiting for a final polished.
I wear hoops everyday often with bangles or a matching ring.
Click here if you’d like to see them and other pieces from my Hammer Textured Collection at my Etsy Store.
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!!!!
I love wearing this rounded triangle necklace. I make in 2 versions, large and smalls. The triangle folds over on itself making it double sided and dimension, like a little sculpture. The larger triangle has a satin finish that enhances its minimal look. The smaller necklace has a high polished finish. It sits right in that little notch at the base of you neck. A great choice with an opened neck blouse or sweater.
Click here to see this necklace on at my Etsy store
Large triangle sterling silver necklace with satin finish.
Small triangle necklace