Art Deco lines

Made this necklace this past week, consisting of hammered brass wire and oxidized sterling silver chain inspired by a lot of Art Deco prints I was looking up on Pinterest.  It still needs a few adjustments, like opening the loops on the chain to provide a better slide and possibly shortening the longer piece to accommodate the most common necklines I wear.  I am such a stickler about fit even when it comes to jewelry, something I think many people don't acknowledge often.  (Nothing bothers me more then when a clasp is heavier than the pendant and it pulls at the back of your neck!)  Regardless of the few adjustments needed, I am in love with this piece and am brainstorming different configurations, shapes and patterns.  How stunning would this be translated into another piece:

  (image from Flickr)

for June babies

Happy birthday June babies!  June babies get to boast about having 3 birthstones to choose from: alexandrite, moonstone and pearl.  As I was looking up options to feature of any of the three, I came across this INCREDIBLE Art Nouveau pearl pendant, and the decision made itself!  Here's the description from Christie's: "BY GEORGES FOUQUET - The fire opal drop, set within an opalescent and blue cloisonné enamel winged cap, to the blue cloisonné enamel and rose-cut diamond scrolled trim, enhanced by a pearl, suspended by a blue enamel bail, mounted in 18k gold, circa 1900."  There are literally no words to describe how I feel about this stunning masterpiece!

serendipitous

I just love serendipitous moments!  Unfortunately, the ring my husband got me for Mother's Day fell through.  I was so devastated... the ring did seem a little too good to be true at such an incredible price, after all!  I had resolved that there was no way I would be able to find something again within our budget but decided to look around just in case, and lo and behold, I found this ring!  Not only was it EXACTLY what I was looking for and the same price as the original ring but it was my size and I actually like the design a little more than the original (I am much more of a geometric girl than a floral motif girl).  And it felt good for a disappointing moment to turn into a happy one.  Now this mixed white and yellow gold combo is my new favorite ring outfit!

so much more

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  Just like most holidays, you shouldn't wait for this one day a year to tell your loved ones they are appreciated and loved, but there is something so incredibly wonderful about a designated day to kick your butt into gear to do just that.  Parenthood is hard and the simple accolade of "you're doing a good job, we see it and appreciate what you do" means so much.  So to all the mamas out there, you are incredible... the moms who love their children unconditionally, the women who love fiercely within their hearts as mothers, the soon-to-be mamas, the mothers who have loved and lost in silence, and the mothers who we have loved and lost but will never forget... you are an inspiration to us all!!!

My Mother's Day this year is commemorated by this beautiful Edwardian two tone gold filigree ring.  Nothing means more to me than receiving a piece of jewelry to mark important days throughout my life and to one day pass down to my own daughter.

for May babies

Happy Birthday May babies!  You are so incredibly lucky to have the rich color of emerald as your birthstone.  For my highlighted piece of jewelry this month, I deviated slightly from what I usually select by showcasing an uncut emerald. I usually do prefer faceted gems but just look at that emerald!  Such a lush color even without facets to bring attention to the depth and dimension of the stone!  And the detailed setting pairs nicely with the organic shape of the emerald bead.

for April babies

Happy birthday April babies!  My daughter is an April baby, so lucky mommy gets to have a special connection to this birthstone as well!  This is always a tough month to narrow down to just one selection for my birthstone post, but this Art Deco pendant called out to me.  It combines many of my favorite design elements, including the pear shape of the pendant, the lily shaped bail, the ascending diamond sizes, and the beautiful filigree accents.  Just incredible!

artist inspiration

Oh how time flies, my lovelies!  While I have been absent from my blog (my apologies!), I have been looking for inspiration, just a little something that could help jump start my design process again.  And then I found Yeesookyung.  I am so incredibly inspired by this artist's work Translated Vase series, from inspiration to execution.  Now I am obsessed with integrating kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending ceramics with gold, into my design.  Although this is certainly not a new idea (check out jewelry artist Jamie Joseph's stunning pieces), I am excited at testing my own take on this beautiful method.