A keeper...

I started creating this ring,

with the intention of putting it into the shop...

...but it has become a keeper...

...a reminder of a very difficult, emotional few weeks...

...too precious to part with...

...so it will be remaining with me...

But that's ok, 

a girl can never have too many jewels, non? ;-)

P.S.  Although I'm keeping this ring for myself, I'll be making something similar to put into the shop :-)

Hunting for treasure...

That's what it feels like,


when I switch off my tumbler,


and go hunting through the steel shot...

Can you see it?  A glimmer of silver?  A hint of what lies beneath...


...searching...

...for sparkling silver...

Oh-so-shiny...


...and gleaming jewels...

...perfectly polished...

...and ready for a pretty patina!

I don't think I shall ever tire of this kind of treasure hunt ;-)

Stay tuned for a preview of the finished jewels!

Sneak Preview: The *Desert Flower* Ring in Turquoise

There blooms a flower

in the rolling sands of the Sahara.

Delicate,

yet strong...

radiant,

and robust.

Her petals turned skyward,

kissed

by the desert sun.

She basks,

glowing,

honouring the endless blue.

The desert winds,

rugged and relentless,

push,

and drive,

testing her tenacity,

her fortitude.

Yet she remains,

her stance is resolute,

steadfast.

She is unwavering in the face of adversity.

She is strong.

She is beautiful.

A ring to celebrate your beauty and your strength...

Coming to my Etsy store soon! :-)

Sneak Preview: The *Gateway to Marrakech* Necklace

Do you remember this sketch?

It has come to life!

A stunning Sonora Sunrise Chrysocolla from my little stash of stones has come together with a show of sumptuous silver in the latest necklace from my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection.

The *Gateway to Marrakech* Necklace

Inspired by the nineteen gates surrounding the city of Marrakech...


magnificently ornate salmon-hued arches built in the 12th century...

A Moroccan motif hand-sawn from the backplate...


...a little secret known only to the wearer...

The necklace seals with both a lobster clasp and hand-wrought and textured ring...


...and a striking Mystic Orange Carnelian briolette sways from the extender chain...

This necklace has the most wonderful weight to it,


a symbol of strength and assurance...

Making an appearance in my Etsy store soon!

Sneak Preview: The *Safi* Earrings in Turquoise

May I present the latest pair of earrings from my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection...

The *Safi* Earrings in Turquoise

Moroccan-inspired motifs in shades of yummy turquoise,

complimented by some impossibly delicious cobalt chalcedony briolettes...

(these babies absolutely *glow*!)

Turquoise and cobalt were just made for each other!

~*~

I'm starting to have a nice little collection of *Safi* Earrings...

they look so cheerful hanging out together...

Nothing like a dash of colour to brighten your day,

and make you feel great!

May your day be filled with glorious colour, my friends! :-)

My creative space...

...is all about learning and growing this week.

Do you remember the work-in-progress piece I showed you yesterday?

It was a steep learning curve...


...I had to teach myself how to sweat solder.


And not just sweat soldering one piece to another...


...but sweat soldering one piece to another to another to another.


Oh, and throw in two different types of metal, and...


...yeah, well I said it was a steep learning curve!
*LOL*


But I finished it...


...and I love it ♥


The *Koutoubia* Necklace

Layers of sterling silver and copper...

...rich with texture.

Measuring 32mm long and 28mm wide, it is petite enough to wear everyday...

...and I think I may just *have* to wear it everyday!

And the inspiration behind this piece?

Photo courtesy of Marie Sophie

This exquisite doorway in the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech.

The doorway inspired this sketch...

 
...which inspired this necklace!

What is inspiring you this week?

More creative spaces over at Kootoyoo.

My creative space...

...is all about new ideas and designs this week...

I'm not really very good at drawing...

...but I try!

The hard part is translating my wonky sketches into wearable jewellery.

Thank the technology gods for Adobe Illustrator!

I can re-create my less-than-symmetrical sketches into a perfect template...

...then cut and paste it to metal sheet, and saw it out...

Have I mentioned how much I love sawing?

I find it strangely relaxing... 

Nothing like having a little company whilst sawing...

...perhaps an apprentice in the making! ;-)

Pop on over to Kootoyoo to see what other creative people are up to today...and don't forget to add your link if you'd like to play along!

Happy creating :-)

Sneak Preview: The *Desert Flower* Ring in Azure

My Muse is happy...


...and so is my husband.


My beautiful new workbench has been put to good use this past week.

The torch was re-ignited after an extended period of quiet...


...filing, sawing, dapping... 


...silver shavings sparkling...


...and a bench pin which is beginning to look as though it is worn and loved.


*sigh*


What joy!  What fun!


I loved every exhilarating minute!


And the fruits of my labour...

The *Desert Flower* Ring in Azure

A statement for your hand at 35mm wide...


...substantial yet delicate...


...a feminine flower...

Wrought of sterling silver and beads in shades of cobalt and azure...

I loved creating it...


...but I love wearing it even more!


~*~


Would you like to see how this ring came to fruition?


I'd love you to come along for a ride down memory lane...


Let's go!


~*~


It all started with an idea...


...one of those persistent, lingering ideas...


...unrelenting in its pursuit of manifestation!


Silver, saw...

...and a circle is borne...
(uh hello, someone needs a disc cutter...if you're listening Santa...!)

...dap, dap, dap...


...a soft, sweeping, sensual curve...

...ring-a-ding-ding...


...ready for soldering!

...a platform for my beadwoven motif...

...a satellite dish for your finger...?
:-P

...and finally, modelling a perfectly pretty patina...


...ready for an injection of beadwoven colour! 

~*~


To re-live the process of creation is oh-so-satisfying...


...makes me want to go back and do it all again...
(and I will...I WILL...as soon as I finish typing this!)


No wonder I can't stop smiling! :-)

More Moroccan magic coming soon!

P.S.  My lovely husband came up with the name for this ring...isn't he clever?!  I think should ask him to christen my creations more often ;-) LOL