JANUARY BIRTHSTONE, GARNET

Garnet, the birthstone for January is often associated with a burgundy color. However this semi-precious gem stone can range from red, green and orange.

“Some garnet can display star effect, cat’s-eye effect or color change from bluish-gree in light to purplish-red in incandescent light. An interesting fact is the a perfect garnet crystal has been found as an inclusion in a natural diamond.” Sally Spencer The Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones.

Garnet can be found growing in mica. Recently I was rock hunting on the North Shore here on Long Island. I found what I suspect was a very tiny garnet growing in a glacial boulder. It was a thrilling!

MASTERS OF METAL: Early Suffolk County Silversmiths

Recently Mark and I visited the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum in Riverhead, New York. “Masters of Metal” is among the exhibitions there. The intimate display case exhibit presents a notable collection of fine handcrafted silver pieces forged by 18th century silversmiths working in Suffolk County, New York. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see this display before it closes this January 2024. The history of fine silversmiths in Suffolk County, NY is extensive and one to be proud of.

The Suffolk County Historical Society secured a significant acquisition of over 100 pieces of silver crafted by Suffolk’s earliest know silversmiths. The pieces from this acquisition are being shown for the first time ever. Works include pieces by artisans from the Sayre family, E. Pelletreau, B. Coleman and Col. D Hedges. These fine handcrafted pieces glisten in the display case. ( F.Y.I. , E. Peletreau’s workshop still exists on Main Street, Southampton, NY.)

Masters of Metal closes at the end of this January 2024. Check for times and days the museum is opened if you plan to visit.

https://www.suffolkcountyhistoricalsociety.org/events.html

An elegant piece by Joel Saye on display at SCHSM. Note the exquisite high polished finish. See the image below for the hammer marks on the inside of this hollowware piece.

A view of the underside of Sayers piece above reveals the hammer marks that are evidence of how this hollowware piece was created.

MAKE 2024 A GOOD ONE

As the end of 2023 approaches it’s time to reflecti on the past year with an eye towards things to come in the next one.

NADINE IN OUR FRONT WINDOW

After Christmas indulgences I always revisit familiar resolutions; get on track with healthier eating, exercising more and of course, lose those extra pounds! Always those extra pounds!

I’ve come to realize what’s more important, loving and realistic is self acceptance. So perhaps those extra pounds aren’t so bad after all. My walks are shorter than they used to be and jogging? Just isn’t going to happen! It’s all good and I’m trying to meet myself where I actually am and look for joy there.

I value time and this year I’d like to use it more productively. We don’t get time back once it’s gone. Spending time with friends and loved ones is very high on my list of resolutions. Spending fewer hours surfing the web at the expense of creative time is high on my list too.

Thanks so much for taking your time to read my visual blog. Wishing you a very happy, healthy and loving new year!

Hugs,

Joanne

SLEEPING BEAUTY TURQUOISE RING

I’ve recently made a unique ring Wirth a large sleeping beauty cabochon. The color is magnificent! This ring features a wide sterling silver band that carries the size of this beautiful stone. Definitely a statement ring!

TAPERED SWIRL RING

Forging is the method of changing the shape of a piece of metal forever without cracking it. Jewelers use hammers and heat to produce an endless variety of shapes and to alter the thickness of precious metal. Blacksmiths forge steel and iron with the use of hammers and lots of heat to shape the metal they use. I’m amazed how malleable metal is if handled right.

Lately I’ve been enjoying forging sterling silver at my bench. This rustic, earthy ring started out by forging a square sterling silver wire from thick to thin. The design suggested itself as I was working. I often take breaks in my garden when at the bench. The twisty, vine like quality of this ring is influenced by shapes in my garden.

If you’d like to see more please click the link to my Etsy Shop below, Sound Beach Studio

com/listing/905971051/swirl-ring-statement-ring-silver?click_key=475b26f7431a9d161b1b4422c2e3c49cc0a15042%3A905971051&click_sum=7b0e4299&ref=shop_home_active_17&frs=1

Forged tapered swirl ring

BEHIND THE SCENES: CREATIVE PROCESS

Here’s a behind the scenes look at some experimental sterling silver rings I’ve worked on recently. Pushing the limits of metal is one of my favorite things to do.

I make my own twisted sterling silver wire, it has beautiful definition. I decided to push its limits by running my twist wire through a piece of equipment called a rolling mill. The mill flattens the twisted metal. The band on the right is an example of flattened twisted wire run through the mill. It’s a less dimensional profile of twist wire with a more reflective surface (see image below for a before image of twisted wire) .

The second ring band on the left is an experiment in working with bead wire. Bead wire is a long string of tiny balls all linked together on a long strand. I love the look of the tiny dots. More to come with bead wire!

Left: bead wire ring band Right: flattened twist wire ring band

Sterling silver twisted ring band not yet flattened

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!

HOW TO STYLE JEWELRY

With the eye of an artist, gemologist Marie is styling the aquamarine and peridot stacking rings I custom made for her. Different types of twisted silver wire, some thick, some thin, repeat throughout her jewelry choices, along with pops of color both bold and subtle.

Marie’s look includes awesome blue nails and an impeccable manicure, layered with a chunky red watch band for a fabulous, fun and fresh feeling with lots of color. On her left wrist a thick, bold twisted wire silver bangle, from my twist wire collection, sits close to an intricately detailed sterling silver bracelet. Small and large twists in these bracelets contrast and echo each other. The echo continues on her fingers in the ring shanks of the stacking rings.

Also of note is how the subtle pastel color of the bezel set peridot and aquamarine gems are echoed in the face of her watch.

The repetition and echo of twisted sterling silver wire throughout, and accents color pull her look together. It is both very modern and classical. Thanks for showing us how you rock a look with such style!

PHOTO: Marie Patten, gemologist

3 bezel set stacking ring with one twist spacer ring

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?

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STACKING RINGS; A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK

The top image shows three of my handmade stacking rings and the semi precious gems include red jasper, pink quartz and black onyx. The ring in the foreground is an example of a hand twisted sterling ring band I fabricate, in progress. This shank may get a fine silver bezel or it may be an accent, worn plain against the 3 bezel set rings.

The bottom image is an example of some stackers with different gems. These bezels are about ready for me to set 2 green peridot and one black onyx cabochon. A stunning combination of colors! THe opaque black onyx against crystal clear green adds and interest too.

Stacking rings are such fun to wear. You can choose different gems that have significance to you such as birthdays of loved ones or other special meanings.

Please reach out to me via email on the link below. It will take you to my contact page. I’d love to hear from you!

https://www.soundbeachstudioblog.com/cohttps/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me

Stacking rings with red jasper, pink quartz and black onyx

BEHIND THE SCENES: Peridot and black onyx gems are almost ready to be set in these stacking rings.

PEARL IN A CUP EARRINGS

I’ve put a spin on the classical look of pearl stud earrings by mounting creamy white AAA cultured pearls in a domed sterling silver cup. The cup gives the post earring a slightly larger profile when compared to a single pearl stud earring.

IF you’d like to see these earrings please click on the link below or reach out to me personally from my contact page here on my blog. I’d love hear from you!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/732039394/pearl-stud-earring-pearl-and-silver-post?click_key=5830be130d8310ef9bf41b3a3e8860112da7e140%3A732039394&click_sum=f73ac6b8&ref=shop_home_feat_3&frs=1

PS. There’s also a matching PEARL IN A CUP RING in the below blog post.

Pearl in a cup stud earrings

PEARL IN A CUP RING

I feel connected to to the sea when I wear pearls and I love that feeling. I created this pearl ring from a creamy AAA pearl. It sits in an organic shaped cup reminiscent of a sea shell . The ring shank is flat on the inside for comfort and has a double round band on the outside.

If you’d like to see this size 7 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=bf9de8622b8d876db89e4cba90b4c727ffefbe83%3A740541795&click_sum=484d37ea&ref=shop_home_feat_2&frs=1

Sterling silver Pearl in a cup handmade ring.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/740541795/pea...

MESSY IS CREATIVE, IT'S ALL GOOD!

It’s been such a busy summer. Almost a month has passed since my last blog post. One has to take advantage of the warm , long days because before you know it, it’s autumn. My jewelers bench is one creative mess which is ok for now.

Creative reset time is very rewarding and really important. When it’s too hot to be using the torch and heating metal to solder I’ll often spend time drawing out ideas in my sketchbook. Being in the garden or at the beach inspires and is refreshing. You never know what ideas inspire at a later time. It is all part of creativity.

Enjoy this fleeting season!

Joanne

Design ideas from my sketch book.

My bench; a creative mess.

WELCOME SUMMER

It’s hard to believe July 4th has come and gone. The illustration below from The New Yorker says it all; carefree fun in the sun, swimming, and easy living. Nat King Cole’s song lyrics describe the feelings so well, “Roll out those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer, those days of soda and pretzels and beer. You’d wish that summer could always be here.” Times have certainly changed and I’m guessing many would replace water for soda, baby carrots instead of pretzels and choose a lite beer!

Here’s a link to one of my favorites, “Suddenly Last Summer” by the Motels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ox-lGm-wA It’s complete with the sound of the ice cream truck circling the neighborhood.

Relax and enjoy this carefree season. The best to you all!

Earrings on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/775164504/dangle-earring-silver-earring-oval?click_key=f6984494d4befd7a2128c6730c46a5662eeafb24%3A775164504&click_sum=5fb4273c&ref=shop_home_active_18&frs=1

Sterling silver beach inspired earrings are in the shape of the Atlantic slipper shell,

Click here to view these earrings on my Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/775164504/dangle-earring-silver-earring-oval?click_key=6cbc69aabf0d3295dd0ca4603b19335daa883b8b%3A775164504&click_sum=e78e8cbc&ref=shop_home_active_22&frs=1

Atlantic Slipper Shell that inspired the sterling silver earrings.

LEAF DESIGN EARRING

I have been so busy in the garden for the past months. These patterned and textured sterling silver earrings are inspired by working with all the vegetation and nature in general. A final polish, some ear wires and they are good to go!