New to the shop

Despite being struck down with the flu,

(and having two sick little munchkins to boot)

it has been a rather productive week in the studio...

...and I have finally been able to update the shop with some new listings!

The Petite *Desert Flower* Rings I showed you last week are finished and listed...

They look good enough to eat!

The Azure ring is a fraction under a US ring size 7...

The Saffron ring is a US ring size 6.5...

...and the Tangerine ring is a fraction under a US ring size 8...

I also finally got around to listing these *Treasures of the Souk* Earrings which I finished a few weeks ago... 


...with the help of my gorgeous husband!

I gave him a lesson in Soldering 101...

he is a natural with the torch...

he didn't melt anything...

and he was most definitely the teachers favourite ;-)

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, lovelies!

Sterling silver and drusy ring...and a workbench that is abloom!

I knew I had to have this stone as soon as I saw it...

Can you blame me?

It is spectacular with a capital 'WOW'!

And now it has a sparkling new home built of sterling and fine silver...

layered and lovely...

terrifically textured...

painted with a pretty patina...

(and doesn't it just make the layers and textures leap out at you!)

...and ready to be worn and loved!

The only thing I love more than working with beautiful gems such as this,

is working with gems of people such as the new owner of this ring.

Thank you SO much for letting me create this special ring just for you, Triz!


This stone is *nearly* half as lovely as you are ♥

~*~

My workbench has also been abloom with my Desert Flower rings this weekend!

I'm working on a custom made Desert Flower ring for a lovely, lovely lady...

...and I had the idea (some time ago) to create a 'petite' version of this ring.


The original is a sweeping 37mm in diameter.


And the petite version will be 31mm in diameter :-)
(no, really, it IS petite!)


I couldn't decide which colour to start working on...


...so I started with three...

Tangerine, Saffron and Azure.


Delicious!


The ring bands haven't been attached yet, so send me a message if you'd like me to make one of these lovelies in your size :-)


Wishing you a wonderful week, my friends!

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! :-)

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

Sneak Preview: The *Safi* Earrings in Azure

I'm thrilled to be creating again...

It just feels...right :-)

So it is with much joy that I bring you the latest creation from my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection...

The *Safi* Earrings in Azure

Inspired by the Moroccan city of Safi which is renowned for it's beautiful, colourful pottery...

Photo credit: Zaphgod


Who wouldn't be inspired by these exquisite colours!



Photo credit: Hypo Centre


These earrings feature my original beadwoven medallions in shades of cobalt, delicious mystic orange carnelian briolettes, and hand forged earwires...

All metal components are sterling silver, which I have patinated and brushed for an antique look...

Cobalt and orange are my favourite colours at the moment...I find them so uplifting!


But the *Safi* earrings are begging to be created in other colours too.  Stay tuned ;-)


What colours are you loving right now?

My creative space...

...is a riot of colour!

But then again, when ISN'T my creative space a riot of colour ;-)

In between cleaning, unpacking, and settling in to our new place in Melbourne,


I've managed to spend a few (exceedingly) late nights playing with these Moroccan motifs...

I love the versatility of this simple little design...

Eventually, it will be earrings...

Pendants...

And even rings...

I must be trying to wash away the Melbourne grey with all this colour.


How I am missing the West Australian sunshine!  I had forgotten how grey and cloudy Melbourne can be...day, after day, after day...


At least the sun decided to make an appearance today so I could take some photos!


~*~


My silver and tools are still packed away in boxes.  I am itching to start up the torch and do some soldering!


This chunky beaded rope is just calling out to be finished off with some custom made silver bead caps...

See what other creative people are up to at Kootoyoo, and add your link if you'd like to play along!