HAIR PIECE FOR ALL SEASONS

I enjoy wearing my hair up on hot summer days and in cooler weather too. I’ve created a hammer textured sterling silver circle that does the trick and holds my thin textured hair in place. I style my hair in a messy bun, French twist or pony tail and secure it with the silver pin.

One can even use this piece of versatile jewelry as a necklace. Simple knot the circle onto a long leather cord or attach a silver chain to it. I love this look with thick chunky sweaters.

Click here to see this hair piece on my Etsy shop.

Handmade hammer textured circle with pin

WHIMSICAL NECKLACES

I fell in love with these magnificent handmade, vintage beads. The woman I purchased them from had only a few left so I purchased them all. She mentioned she bought them during a trip to Japan. Upon arriving aback home they were displayed in museum shops. The millaflora patterns in them are particularly beautiful.

To reflect the whimsey in these beads I created sterling silver finding which enhances their light hearted and fun feeling. Some comments I’ve gotten on these necklaces are, “they remind me of ice cream cones” or”they look like clowns”. It’s all good!

I think it’s important during these difficult global times to remind ourselves that there are have things life that are uplifting, whimsical and fun.

Vintage Japanese beads with handmade sterling findings on a rolo 18 inch chain.

FUN STERLING RINGS FOR FINGERS AND TOES

Craft show season has begun and I’m busy getting ready for the Brick Craft Fair. It’s a fun and frantic time! Here’s a preview of some fun rings that I’m working on that will be included at my table. Fun sterling silver rings for tens and fingers, just in time for summer.

You won’t find these on my Etsy shop so come by the Brick Fair May 14th or contact me here to inquire.

STERLING SILVER RINGS READY TO BE POLISHED

BEHIND THE SCENES AT MY BENCH

I’m sharing a behind the scenes look at some unfinished pattern rings that are on my very messy bench this week. I enjoy sharing things in progress on my jewelry bench.

Behind the scenes you get a chance to see creative possibilities in progress and creative possibilities as they evolve . There’s a kind of magic (and tons of hard work) in transforming raw materials into something beautiful.

As abstract expressionist Williem DeCooning said, “Process is everything” , even at a jewelry bench.

3 sterling silver rings in a raw state. Look below of the finished pieces.

A pattern ring with patina shows lots of detail. It’ now ready for polishing.

Pattern ring in progress on my pinky.

BRICK CRAFT FAIR

The annual Brick Craft Fair is coming up on May 14th. I’m honored to be among the awesome venders who show their work at this handmade venue. The rings and necklaces are a preview of what I’ll be showing at this annual event. Hope you’ll stop by and enjoy this event!

Sterling silver handmade rings I’m making for the Brick Fair

My handmade findings celebrate these lovely vintage Japanese beads.

PEARL IN A CUP

When I wear pearls I feel connected to water. This pearl ring is created from a creamy AAA pearl. It sits in an organic shaped cup reminiscent of a shell shape. The ring shank is flat on the inside for comfort and has a double round band.

If you’d like to see this ring, click on the link below to go to my Etsy store.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/740541795/pearl-ring-white-pearl-ring-fresh-water?click_key=81cd4b7369e20ad0900c5ff631bc1bd72346b90e%3A740541795&click_sum=63b37eac&ref=shop_home_active_35&frs=1

PEARL EARRINGS

Pearls are timeless. I’ve put a spin on the classical look of a pearl stud earring by mounting pearls in a domed sterling silver cup. The AAA quality cultured pearls glow against the silver. The cup gives the post earring a slightly larger profile as compared to a single pearl stud earring.

If you’d like to see them on my Etsy Store, SoundBeachStudio, please click the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/732039394/pearl-stud-earring-pearl-post-earring?

Pearl post earrings in a sterling silver cup.

KESHI PEARL NECKLACE

Faye is modeling a keshi pearl necklace hand knotted on silk with matching keshi pearl earrings.

Keshi pearls are a non-standard variety of cultured pearl that come in a range of shapes. This can include round oval, flat, thin and long as well as other odd shapes. These characteristics make keshi pearls make an excellent choice for modern jewelry.

Keshi pearls grow without a nucleus, therefor they aren’t round. Keshi’s are composed entirely of nacre, the substance mollusks produce in the process of creating pearls. Keshi pearls have a high luster, with many nooks and crannies that reflect the light to show their beautiful overtones to great advantage.

To find out more about these lustrous pearls check out the Kojima Pearl Company blog on keshi pearls.

https://kojimapearl.com/pages/keshi-pearls?_pos=1&_sid=21d26e2c9&_ss=r

If you’d like to see the necklace Faye is modeling please click on the link below to go to my Etsy shop, Sound Beach Studio..

Keshi Necklace

Hand knotted keshi and rice pearl necklace

Photo by Isabel Wissner

Examples of the many shapes, sizes and colors of keshi pearls

TWISTED JEWELRY COLLECTION

My Twisted Wire Collection of sterling silver jewelry includes oxidized, twisted rings.

To create these rings I mill round sterling silver wire into square wire at my rolling mill. This lets me get the very defined square edges on the silver for a ring band or other pieces. These well defined edges are what makes the details for the twists pop in the final piece. Attention to detail is what handmade is all about!

In the final stages I oxidize or blacken the silver ring band. When polished the highlights of the twists show to their best advantage.

Oxidized sterling silver rings for my Twisted Wire Collection of sterling silver jewelry.

FORGED SILVER RING

Forging is the process of altering metal from its original shape with hammers, metal working tools and heat. Once forged, the metal retains its new shape. Blacksmiths for example use forging to create things like horse shoes and other tools.

Forging precious metal is useful process in jewelry design. It can be used to create subtle and Interesting change of plain on a piece of jewley.

I’ve had some fun creating a forged sterling silver ring from some round sterling wire. The front opened ends of this sterling silver ring are somewhat flaired and flattened with hammers while the back of the ring shank is round. It’s an interesting and fun variation on a round ring band.

Forged sterling silver ring

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.

HUGGIE EARRINGS

Huggies are the most petite version of a hoop earring and are great for everyday wear. They can be as simple in gold, silver or rose gold-or they can also be embellished with stones or a dangle charm. Huggies are great for layering if you have several piercings. They look better when worn in numbers.

The latest addition to my twisted wire collection of jewelry is a custom made pair of huggie earrings. The sharp definition of squared sterling silver wire gives a punch to this smaller version of the ever popular hoop earring.

Sterling silver 3/4 inch huggie earring.

TWIST WIRE RING

I’m continuing my collection of twisted wire jewelry. My latest addition to this collection is a twisted wire sterling silver ring. It features a thick square ring shank and 3 twists in the center. It’s stamped 925, the international quality make for sterling silver and my makers mark, JF.

I’m heading back to my bench now to continue creating square wire for my twisted wire collection. Thanks so much for taking the time to take a look.

3 twist sterling silver ring.

TWISTED WIRE BANGLE

Lately I’m loving to make twisted wire jewelry. This passion stared with twisting sterling wire for the bangle you see here. It continues with post back hoops and drop earrings. I’m lovng this look so today I’ll be any my bench working on twist wire rings.

To get the look I want for this twist wire collection of jewelry, I start with thick, round sterling silver wire. This gets processed into square wire. I then refine the edges to give sharp definition to each twist and turn. It takes extra time and work to get this look . That’s what handmade jewelry is all about, taking the time with details.

If you’d like to see this bangle click on the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1151338412/bangle-silver-bangle-twisted-wire-bangle?click_key=da314c1cd42794c9b60850d99963616c4da3d4c1%3A1151338412&click_sum=8b75e632&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

Twist wire bangle with 1 1/2 inch hoop earrings.

Twist wire dangle earrings.

Sterling silver bangle 2 5/8 inch diameter

AN OUTDOOR DAY

My last post “Leggings to Live In” prompted me to style an outfit with leggings for a cold winter’s day walk. I’ve added jewelry too.

I’ve wearing chunky twist dangle earring that are hot off my jewelry bench. They don’t get tangled in scarves or sweaters and the metal (sterling silver) is small enough not to transmit cold to my skin. The twisted surface of the earring reflects the sunshine and adds a bit of polish to this outdoor look.

Want to see more? Click the link below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1165299913/twisted-wire-earring-dangle-earring?click_key=50b71e9bd13dc318c281f6ced9cfde641e3fc00f%3A1165299913&click_sum=1669d3f1&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

Styling leggings and earrings for a cold outdoor day.

Chunky Twist Wire Earrings with outdoor wear.

LEGGINGS TO LIVE IN

Eileen Fisher brand clothing is an inspiration when it comes to quality, sophistication and styling .

I need clothing and jewelry that is quick and easy to change from casual to a more polished look without too much fuss.

The images from my Instagram feed feature of some interesting stying ideas from Eileen Fisher. Leggings with a hoodie and causal shoes for out and about. A long sweater coat, boots some earrings create a polished dressier look. (I’d add a statement necklace too.) Soft and fuzzy leggings are comfy on a cold winters day.

I love to wear leggings. They are my go to pieces for quick style changes this winter.

TWIST WIRE HOOP

Hoops never go out of style. They’ve been around for centuries, dating as far back to ancient Egyptian royalty like Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Hoop earrings are part of a “uniform” in my everyday wardrobe. There are so many variations to choose from.

I’ve recently made a pair of thick twist wire sterling silver hoops. These post hoop earrings are 3/4 of a circle but look as thought they are a full circle earring when worn. The 3/4 shape lightens the weight of a otherwise heavy wire earring. No tugging on your earlobe. I like that! I wear these twist wire hoop earrings with a twist bangle to pull my look together.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

We collectively face many challenges in the world today. It’s important to take the time to seek out beauty in the world around us. I find doing this helps me keep a balance in life.

The pastel painting below depicts of one of my favorite places on earth, the nature trail at Cedar Beach in Mt Sinai, New York. I walk this trail, as do many people, in all seasons and types of weather. Its uplifting spending time in this beautiful location.

The nature trail is equally as beautiful today as it was when I painted this pastel en plein air on a hot summers day back in the day.

I wish you a happy, healthy and safe new year.

Joanne

PASTEL ON PAPER BY JOANNE FORMAN 1990

WAVE BANGLE →

I love to wear bangles but they can get in the way when typing on the key board. My oval wave bangle fits right below the wrist bone so it doesn’t move around or feel uncomfortable. That’s a win win when spending time typing!

I fabricate it from thick sterling silver wire that is recycled. The bangle is assayed 925, the international stamp of sterling silver.

Want to see more? Click on the link to visit my Etsy shop, SoundBeachStudio.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1015705660/silver-bangle-textured-bangle-bangle?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

HUGGIE EARRINGS

This busy holiday season I’ve fabricated many pieces. Among my personal favorites are these“huggie” sterling silver earrings. Classic and minimal in design they are currently my go to earrings for dress up and every day wear. Happy Holidays!