Wisconsin bound

Phew.. what a day!!! Submitting entries, writing, making jewelry, filling orders, organizing shows, yoga, packing, and now, getting ready for bed.

I'm off to Wisconsin tomorrow for one week of family time, Cow Chip Throw, class reunion, jewelry shows and of course friends!!

Don't worry, I'll take photos of my beloved hometown in middle america. And yes, there really is a Cow Chip Throw!

last day of etsy sale...today august 31

For the LOVE of travel

Often times people ask me how I got into making jewelry. I was thinking today, as I arrived home after 3 wonderful days in the North Cascades, I wanted to share with all of you this journey.

11 years ago, I graduated from college with a degree in geology. At the time, i wasn't fond of my job options, either working for an oil company or continuing on into graduate school. So, I waited tables and worked in retail with the goal to save up enough money to travel around the world for one year. It took me a year to reach my goal and I was off into the unknown, a young woman seeking new experiences, adventure, challenging situations and hoping to see the world from a new perspective. I have always craved the unknown, and loved to travel so, this was my ultimate dream and as I departed on this escapade, I realized living my dreams is possible.

First stop, the Middle East, I spent 3 months in Israel/Palestine visiting my family and volunteering at a school for peace. I worked as a secretary and lived at the school. It was an amazing experience. I also traveled overland to Jordan and Egypt.

From there I flew to India and this is when my life changed. The moment I stepped off the plane, I knew my life would be different. I spent 6 remarkable months traveling around the subcontinent, constantly being bombarded by the challenging experiences of traveling as a woman alone in a very different land. But at the same time realizing how extremely fortunate I was (and still am) to be in that place. India is full of dichotomies, and as I observed the extreme beauty and complete sadness I became enthralled in all of it. It made my mind go where it had never gone and I realized I could never go back to conforming to the way we do things in the west. I needed to figure out a way to get back to India and continue experiencing and creating relationships, learning from the deep cultures of the many people of India and the world. So, one day, I was in a small desert town on the border of Pakistan and India. A town called, Jaisalmer, I walked into a small shop selling silver jewelry. I went in the shop to buy a ring to remind myself to continue on trying to live my dreams and making it a mission in my life... I came out with the silver ring, along with many many other pieces of jewelry with the idea that I would sell it when I got back to the states and buy another plane ticket to India. Over the next several months my plans became more refined and after traveling to Nepal and Thailand, I arrived home. In a few short weeks, I sold most of the jewelry I had bought and shortly thereafter, in 2001, i started to make jewelry.

Now, over 10 years after my first visit to India, I am making jewelry full time, studying with two master goldsmiths in S. India and still living my dreams and traveling around the world...

Etsy SALE ends August 31

Edmonds Market
Saturday August 29
9-3
downtown Edmonds, Wa

Trunk Show
Ancient Healing
Wednesday September 2
5-7
Sauk City, Wi


photo.. my bejeweled feet in a flash of unreal pink sky. The driving beach, North Kerala, at the Arabian Sea, November 2008

another rough diamond ring..

Wednesday was the last day of class. We had our critiques and saw everyone's work. I find it so amazing how if 20 people are given a piece of metal and are told to make something from it, there would be 20 unique and amazing pieces... Art class is a transformative experience for me. I find infinite inspiration, and learn so much from those around me. My teacher Lynne Hull is amazing. I am increasingly impressed by the way she teaches and encourages all of us to push out of our comfort zones to learn a new technique, to see what happens, to try new things. It's wonderful to play with metal and see how it moves. She has promised to send me photos of some of her work, so hopefully soon you can see what she does. It is simply stunning.

The photo is of the last ring I made in class. I am working on trying make my pieces look rustic. This piece is 5 layers of metal soldered together two layers of silver one of copper in the middle and then 2 of silver. the band is hammered and has a patina on it. the stone is a rough diamond.

inspirations

I am sitting here trying to get started...but actually, I am started, reading my morning online news, drinking my (highly caffeinated) tea, looking at blogs and getting inspired. Speaking of which, I need a lot of inspiration today. It's a busy day, I have to make a lot of jewelry for upcoming store showings, SWAG event, trunk shows, markets etc... Aug/Sept is always a busy time of the year. I love it.

So, my inspiration at the moment is coming from the mountains, nature and the magnificent hike we went on saturday... Sometimes I can't get over the colors of bark on trees, the jaggedy tips of mountains and the tiny wildflowers all mixed into the same batch, doing their own thing simultaneously... phew..

What is your inspiration today?

the simple life

sometimes I struggle with the idea of living a more simple life, but then I realize, I probably wouldn't experience all the wonderful, amazing, and crazy things I do.

photos from hike to Colchuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Cascade Mountains, Washington State, USA

making music...

Hi there..

It's been a great few days.. I was at two shows this week, both of which went well and were fun. Thanks for coming.. Don't forgot the AUGUST ETSY SALE everything is 20% off the whole month of August.

This past weekend, I did something for the first time. I wrote lyrics and music to a song. It's something I've never done before but have wanted to my whole life and now I feel music is a whole new world to me. Music has always been a huge part of my life and about 2 years ago my husband and I started playing together many nights a week... I play the guitar and sing and he plays the bass. We love spending our evenings making music. We think it is such a beautiful way to spend time!

I encourage everyone to find something they love to do and or always wished they they had done and do it..

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about living our dreams.. I believe there is no other way, but realize this is not true for everyone. So, I challenge you to figure it out. What would you like to do (big or small, it doesn't matter)? And either dive in and do it or take small steps toward making it happen... It will change your life!

Edmonds Market on Saturday!!

Hi Everyone..

We'll be at:
Edmonds Market
Saturday, August 8
9-3

We'd LOVE to see you!

xoxox

Feeling a little homesick today.. I was calling India to get some information, unfortunately, Kumar wasn't home, but I spoke with his daughter and Rangaswami and suddenly I have a very very large smile in my heart. I LOVE INDIA SO MUCH!! After we hung up, I called Balan, the other goldsmith I work with and, again, big big smile in my heart. I can't wait to go back and work with them.

Today Thursday August 6th I will be at the art walk
2-8:30
Pioneer Square
Occidental Park
Seattle

New Rings Plus two events this week

These two rings are:
recycled silver and rough cut diamond ring: diamond is set in antiqued silver on a thick brushed silver band

hollow constructed copper, silver, mokume gane ring: inner ring is silver, outer ring is copper with roll print design and patina, one side is mokume gane (Japanese style metal meaning wood grain metal) , the other side is silver and the top is silver and copper balls.

Thursday August 6
Art walk
Occidental Park
2-8:30p
Pioneer Square
Seattle

Saturday August 8
Edmonds Market
9a-3p
downtown Edmonds

Art Walk This Thursday August 6th

Hi Everyone,

I'm just back from a beautiful weekend aboard a beautiful classic 50ft sailboat in the San Juan Islands... aaahh... amazing and relaxing!!



I will be selling my goods at the First Thursday Art walk.
Thursday, August 6
2-8:30pm
Occidental Park
Pioneer Square
Seattle

Please stop by and say hi and come to see all of my new jewelry!!

xoxo