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!

The *Marrakech* Cuff

It feels as though I've been working on this cuff for weeks...

...and then I realised that I HAVE been working on this cuff for weeks!

What a relief that it is finally finished...

and I'm so happy with the final result...

The *Marrakech* Cuff

It is exactly as I had envisaged... I love it when that happens!

The clasp is so pretty that it can be worn on top of the wrist...

I'm just crazy about the negative space...

Actually, that's what this cuff is ALL about...

...a beautiful balance of positive and negative space...

I wore it all day today, to see if it's a piece that I could include in my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection...despite the fact that terracotta looks rather blah on my fair skin...

...and the verdict is a resounding 'yes'!  

It's comfy, it's lightweight (but packs a visual punch)...and it's just a little bit chic.

I think I can forgive this cuff for being so time consuming to create (did I mention each 'X' shape is stitched individually, then they are all stitched together?  Uh...yup)...

...because it's just begging to be made in vibrant cobalt, scintillating chocolate, and tempting turquoise...

What do you think?  

I'd love to hear your verdict on my cuff!

Sneak Preview: The *Ryad* Necklace in Cinnamon

I am dreaming of Morocco...

...the warmth of the desert, the technicolour architecture, the bustling souks...did I mention the warmth of the desert...?  I would do anything to escape the Winter chill right now!

Photo courtesy of Martin Allen

So, dreaming of Morocco, I present to you another sneak preview from my Moroccan-inspired collection...

The *Ryad* Necklace is a cascade of beadwoven 'windows' in shades of cinnamon and deepest chocolate, with a splash of tangerine...

The centrepiece hangs from a delicate pure copper oval rolo chain which I have patinated, hand-finished, and sealed.  The individual components are connected with patinated copper rings, making the necklace swing delightfully as you walk.

A 'Ryad' (or 'Riad') is a traditional Moroccan house or palace, typically with an enclosed garden.  Many have been converted into hotels, particularly in the popular tourist town of Marrakech.  What an inspiring location to spend a holiday!  

Photo courtesy of  Vince Millett

The rooms of the Ryad are often focused inward and around the central garden, as the outer walls of the building often lack windows to shield the occupants from the harsh elements.  

The 'windows' of my *Ryad* necklace were inspired by these beautiful homes...

Photo courtesy of bgblogging

The Cinnamon colourway is the first in this collection, but I will be making variations of the *Ryad* necklace in different colourways...stay tuned!

What exotic locations are you dreaming of, or inspired by...?

Thanks for looking, and be well!

The 'Marrakech' earrings

Last week I was fortunate enough to meet one of my favourite bead suppliers in person, the lovely Jo of Cranberry Beads, at the Perth Bead Fair.  I came home with some gorgeous new seed beads and some of them have already found their way into one of my latest projects...

Following along with my Moroccan theme, the Marrakech earrings feature seed beads in shades of bronze, chocolate, silver...

...from the teardrop-shaped earrings hang three gorgeous wire-wrapped micro faceted smoky quartz briolettes...

...the earrings are slightly convex in shape, and are reminiscent of the arches and domes so frequently found in Moroccan architecture...

I wasn't sure about this design after I made the first earring, so I let it sit in my studio while I mulled on it overnight.  My husband saw it, loved it, and assured me it was a great design.  What do you think, should I listen to my husband more often? ;-)

Thanks for looking, and be well!