It Springtime!

The trees are blooming and every raindrop smells like a flower. Oregon has secret charms and that's just one of them! I've been finalizing our summer schedule and it's a good one. We'll be going every direction this year, from McMinnville to Vancouver, from North Plains to Albany. We've even got something in the works for a weekly gig that we're really excited about. More to come!

Holiday Time

It'a already time to get all dressed up in glittery jackets and show off the spectacular holiday jewelry.
The year is flying by! I made several new pieces to post on my blog, and then sold them at my last show! I like that.
I'll be at a few local events:

Nov. 6 & 7: All Saints Episcopal Church - 4033 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland Oregon 97202
Nov. 13: Save this day! I'm waiting for details from a new venue!
Nov. 20: Ardenwald School - 8950 SE 36th AvenueMilwaukie, OR 97222
Nov. 27: Heritage High School - 7825 NE 130th Avenue Vancouver, WA 98682
Dec. 4: Mary Woodward School - 12325 Southwest Katherine StreetTigard, OR 97223
Dec. 11: Aloha Huber Park - 5000 Sw 173rd Ave. Beaverton, OR 97007

I'll be bringing my tools, so come and get your new mother's rings and birthstone rings. I'll have the silver wire and Swarovski crystals and you can choose your colors!
I'll be in the shop making hammering some new earrings since the ones I made in the fall are all gone. I'll also have some of the feather-light flower branch earrings that are so popular. I'll make some in holiday colors too!
I'm going to try to publish some pictures before I add these new things to the inventory. Wish me luck!

Artistic Elegance at Charbonneau

What a wonderful weekend we had at the lovely Charbonneau Country Club Art show. Leslie does an amazing job organizing this event every year and this was no exception. The food was terrific. (Curry's Landing catered) I hear the wine was fine and the art was nothing short of spectacular! Robert had five paintings on display. He had several conversations about the depth and beauty of his work. "Soul Energy" seems to touch a lot of people in a special way. He also drew caricatures. There was often an appreciative group around him watching art being made.

I was so pleased to see all the inventive, interesting new things people created over the past year. As usual, there were several jewelers but artisan jewelry is all so different that we actually complemented one another with our variety!

I will be hurrying to make new rings as they seemed to be pretty popular. (A great excuse to get out the torch.) There's only one dome ring left and I think that's because I accidentally put it on my finger and forgot to get it to the display! There are several people sporting new wire-wrapped birthstone rings now. Everyone loves to choose their own colors and watch me turn a few Swarovski crystals and a piece of sterling wire into a personalized statement just for them in under 10 minutes. (It doesn't hurt that I make them matching earrings too!) They started out jewelry lovers and became jewelry designers!

The gorgeous green corn-flake pearls with the gold dreamcatcher pendant found a new home. There was a lady that 'visited' them several times Saturday evening, I wish I could see the look on her face when her husband hands her that little silver bag!

I'm going to publish some new photos of jewelry soon. The ones I took last week sold before I got them on the blog. (I know. It's a quality problem!)

We're ready for fun at the Elephant Garlic Festival!

I can't believe that I was so busy working on new designs that I missed posting about the lovely Yamhill Lavender Festival. It was heavenly! Gentle scents wafting through the air... Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann & Jesse Samsel singing and making guitar magic... ahhhh. I am already anticipating next year!

But now, it's a whole new weekend. It's Elephant Garlic time in North Plains. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 6,7,8. Art, music and garlic everything. Come on out. Robert will draw you, I'll adorn you, and you'll have a blast. What could be better than that!

Many gemstones have myths attached to them. The stories told about labradorite are as varied and lovely as the stones themselves. Labradorite is never the same when you look at it, and it's said that the people attracted to it are able to see things from many points of view. People that are pulled to this mysterious stone are sometimes said to be called by the stars to do strange and wonderful things.

This is actually two different length strands of beautiful various shaped labradorite beads. I've wire-wrapped them and then added identical toggle clasps to each necklace. They turn into one piece when you attach the toggles from one piece to the other.

The earrings are forged sterling spears with a dangle of labradorite at the end.

Spring's Slipping in under the Clouds

It's spring... and it's pouring rain! But no fear... flowers are growing and the sun is on it's way. No matter how big the raindrops, I know that Festival season is just around the corner. I'll be ready too! I'm pounding silver, weaving wire and wrapping gemstones. Dazzling new pieces of jewelry will be revealed soon!

Here's a little sneak-peek.

Winter was fun...

... I hope it was as interesting and eventful for you as it was for me. So many changes... isn't that what makes life fun?

I listened to dozens of 'talking books' while I snuggled in and worked on the new spring line. I hope that some of the romance, mystery and adventure I 'read' about translated into the pieces I created.


I made a stack of new rings... some fancy and some just for fun. I made simple copper necklaces to wear with jeans. I made fashion-forward chokers for work days and some fabulous multi-strand gemstone sparklers for the special moments in your life. You asked me for more silver cuff bracelets... I heard you. And the earrings! From simple, elegant little drops all the way to fantastically bold silver geometrics.


Make sure to save July 10-11 for the Yamhill Lavender Festival. This is one of my favorite events. I was there last year and I'm already hearing from some of the people I met there. They can't wear for this year's festival. The music was incredible and word is, it will be again.

I'll be adding the dates of my other art festivals as soon as they're confirmed.

I have been hoping to get so good at photography that I could put up photos of all the work I've done, but I just can't seem to stop making jewelry to master the camera. So, I'll do the best I can, and you can just come see them in person!

Festival Time

I can't believe summer's almost gone! I love to talk to the people I meet at all the events I do, it's so interesting to hear what different hobbies and interests they have.

We were in St. Helens last weekend at Arts & Eats. After dark I watched families walking into the town square carrying blankets and babies and holding toddlers by the hand. They set up in the park and the little ones fell asleep to the sound of the band, rocking, while moms and dads snuggled together, holding hands. I love Oregon.

I'm going to make sure to see the North West Blues Women again. I saw Sonny Hess and Lisa Mann a few weeks ago and was blown away. I need a copy of their cd. By the time I could leave my booth they were all sold out!

I'm meeting a lot of terrific artists this year. If anyone gets a chance to see Lorraine and Robert & their metalwork, run, don't walk. They do things with copper and fire that are crazy wonderful. Their copper leaves... just amazing.

And Rick, the glass sculpter had crowds around his booth all evening. He just asked people what they liked, and then went about creating it in glass. The guys with the Scottie dog were astonished at the 2" high glass replica he created for them.

I love going to new places and meeting artists skilled in such diverse areas. It's one of the best parts of the job. I love it when the customers ask questions that allow them to learn about the artisans whose work they admire. I always feel like I get double my money's worth when I learn the story about the piece I'm buying.

It's festival time in Oregon and Washington and I'm off to make some new rings for my up-coming shows.

Join me!

I'll be at the Yamhill Lavender Festival this weekend! The fields are in bloom, gorgeous to see, and heavenly to smell.


Several artists spent this past week in different local homes, painting the lavender harvest. The results of the week of plein air painting will hung at the festival. Come and enjoy nature.


Stop at my booth and say hello. (I'll have the royal purple tablecloths)

Take a look at one of the new pieces I'll be bringing with me. It's agate slices and onyx. It will take someone with a big personality to carry this beauty away. Will it be you?

See you June 20!

Take a look at these gentle misty vineyard tones... are these the colors that make your skin glow and your eyes shine? Or are you dazzling in royal purple? Lovely in summer pinks and blues? A fiery gal in reds and golds? Whatever makes you look like "your very best you" I'll make it for you.
See you June 20 - 10AM-3PM supports Kenilworth Presbyterian Church charities

Misty

This is just one of the lovely designs I'm debuting this weekend. Come find the ones for you!

Summer Solstice - the time of perfect balance.

I've been making the most beautiful summer flower earrings. They are gorgeous and light as a feather. Everyone seems to look good in these because I make them in such a variety of shapes and colors. What's the silhouette for you? See for yourself at:
10am - 3pm
Kenilworth Presbyterian Church
Saturday, June 20, 2009
4028 SE Gladstone Street
Portland, OR 97202

Spring!

Last Thursday I was out and about, astonished by the gorgeous foliage, buds burst open that very day to celebrate the first day of spring. Trees filled with blossoms, bushes aglow and flowers turning their faces to the sun. Oregon is now officially alive and alight with beauty.

I just had to make something that illustrated what Mother Nature was doing... what do you think?

Stay tuned...

... there are lots more new things coming soon. I'm having such a good time with the power tools. I can't wait to see what's next!

Thursday and Friday...

... I'll be at the Littman Gallery at PSU from 12 -4pm. Come see me.

Is it Spring yet?

No. But soon. In the meantime I've been enjoying working with the warmth of copper. What do you think?

Mermaid's Treasure...

Faceted mauve pearls are tucked in between abalone beads of all shapes. A pearl moon reminds us our feminine intuition is a gift.

The abalone flower pendant captures pink, blue and lavenders, making it a reflection of all the ocean's secrets.

The accompanying earrings are faceted mauve pearls framed in rich abalone.

Altogether, it's a wealth of delicate beauty. The mysteries of the deep, all for you.

Nefertiti's Dream...

Breathtaking peacock colored 'corn flake' pearls meet at the center at a hand-fabricated dream catcher ending with a sterling silver Eye of Horus.

This is truly a queen's collar.

Rose Queen -

Luscious mauve mother-of-pearl and silver beads come together to encompass a double strand of mauve 'corn-flake' pearls ending in a delicate sterling hand-forged rose.

A tumble of the cornflake pearls make enchanting earrings.

Dream Swirls -

Deep, gorgeous faceted Amethysts wrapped in swirls of rolled gold wire.

Notes from the Workshop

It's winter time in Oregon. Snow, rain, sun, we have it all! My little dog Foxcie is surprized every day when she goes for a walk. She spent 14 years in the Southern California sun and now she's in new weather every day.



While I'm enjoying the variety of weather, I'm also creating a lot of new things for springtime.


I'm also keeping busy helping people re-cycle jewelry that they no longer wear. I turn pieces that have been sitting in their drawers for years into fresh new designs. Often I'm able to make them a complete new jewelry wardrobe, as well as give them a lot of additional pieces to give as gifts for a fraction of the price of new jewelry. What a wonderful thing to be able to reduce your carbon footprint while staying fashionable current! This has been an interesting and worthwhile new direction in my jewelry making. My eyes light up when I see a woman coming with a bagful of old jewelry. It's like a treasure chest for me, and when I'm done, it's like a treasure chest for the client too!

Druidess...

... green coin pearls and peridot wire-wrapped with sterling silver. It feels alive with calming, peaceful energy.

Dreams...

... caught inside a frame of silver... "Midnight"

is created of Blue Goldstone and Mother of Pearl.

This piece is all about your inner self. Empowerment.

New for the holiday...

... is this stunning mother of pearl and sterling bracelet:
"Gifts of the Mother"

And after Fire?

Ocean, of course.

Abalone shells and freshwater pearls.

Soothing and hypnotic.

It's already mid-November...

... and it's all so beautiful here. The leaves are painting the ground garnet red, pumpkin orange and beaten gold. It's a new palette every morning.

I've been working so hard getting ready for all the holiday shows that I haven't put any of the new jewelry on this blog.

Here's my "Fire Goddess". All freshwater pearls, and a hand-made glass goddess that's all mine!

Can you believe it... ? This Saturday is the first of the holiday bazaars. I've chosen events that are ALL fundraisers for local schools, churches and hospitals. It's a great way to help the places that help up stay independent and thrive! Here's where to find me for the next several weeks:
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Sat - Oct. 25, 9 - 4pm
Tualitan H.S. Holiday Bazaar - 22300 SW Boones Ferry Rd.
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VAEA Holiday Craft Fair Nov 3,4 & 5
Mon Tues 6:30am - 6pm. Wed - 6:30-2:30
Portland Veterans Medical Center
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Agia Sophia Academy Artisan Faire -
32nd & Glisan @Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Portland
Sat - Nov. 8 - 10-5pm
Sun - Nov. 9 - 12-5pm
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Holiday Extravaganza
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church - 2036 SE Jefferson, Milwaukie
Sat. - Nov. 15 - 9-4pm
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Girls Night Out Marketplace Bazaar
Southridge High School - 9625 SW 125th Ave, Beaverton
Thursday night - Nov. 20 - 4:30 - 7:30.
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Holiday Bazaar
St. Anthony's Catholic Church - 1660 Elm St. - Forest Grove
Sat. - Nov.22 - 10-5:30
Sun. - Nov. 23 - 10 - 4pm
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Band & Auxillary PTO Craft Fair
Tigard High CAFETERIA - 9000 SW Durham Rd - Tigard
Sat. Dec. 6 - 9am-4pm
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Holiday Bazaar
Butler Creek Elementary School - 2789 SW Butler Rd., Gresham
Sat. Dec. 13 - 9 - 3pm
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There will be a Dec. 6 event as well - I'll give you the details when I get them.
I hope to see you this week at Tualitan High.

It's the end of the farmers market season...

... and almost the beginning of the holiday season! Whew.
Orenco Station Farmer's Market has rolled up the sidewalks. I hope all the great people we've met there have a wonderful winter and come back healthy and happy in May.
Robert and I have 2 more Saturdays at the Art Court in Beaverton and then we're off to the next thing.
Starting during the Hallowe'en season Robert will be drawing caricatures at the Jantzen Beach Mall most weekends until Christmas. Look for him there in the center court with his easel. He'll be there when he's not drawing at all the private holiday parties and office parties that keep him moving fast this time of year.
Stay tuned because for a list of places I'll be this season. When my new computer comes back from the hospital I'll be posting some terrific new pieces I've been working on.
Hope to see some of you soon!

Saturday at the Market

This is a picture of my new booth setup - still easy to find as people love those purple tablecloths! I'm adjacent to the Beaverton farmers market on Saturdays. It's such fun, and I love the people.
This market is said to be the largest in the state and it sure seems that way when the market bell rings at 8am. It smells heavenly - I was by the fresh tomatoes and basil this week and it was wonderful.

Booth at the Market

Summer in the Pacific Northwest...

... is just as hot as summer in Los Angeles! (It just doesn't last as long)

We've been busy every weekend meeting people here in our new home. On Saturdays, between 8am - 1:30 you can find Robert and me side by side in our booths at the Art Court in Beaverton. It's run by the wonderful people at the Beaverton United Methodist Church (thanx Carin) & runs adjacent to the fabulous Farmer's Market. Needless to say, we've gotten healthier and happier since we've been set up there. Every week I pull Robert away from drawing caricatures & have him man the jewelry booth for a few minutes as I rush up and down the aisles getting organic produce for the week. The berries, butter lettuce and asparagus are things we never get tired of. I even know how to make a strawberry rhubarb cobbler now!



On Sundays, we have a whole different experience in Milwaukie, in front of the Masonic Lodge. Patrick Sheehan makes it fun to be on Main Street criss-cross from the Milwaukie Farmer's Market. We're there from 10am until 2, except for when I zip over to the Market to get the plants that are all over our balcony. I'm wild for hot pink & purple fuchsias, so I have several of them.(They always put me in mind of black & white Humphrey Bogart movies and arched doorways.) I got a big pot of miniature petunias in purple, white and violet. Last week I got an ornamental oregano, which I'd never before seen. It's foliage has very subtle coloring, lavender, green, cream - but the amazing thing is - if you rub the leaves it releases a heady oregano scent. Otherwise, it gives off a much lighter version all the time. It's heavenly to sit out there at night, smelling the pine trees & spice.



I've been making a lot of new jewelry, I can't wait to see who gets what. It's always such fun when people find 'their' special piece. It happened last week with a lady who stopped in her tracks when she saw a kyanite necklace I had on display. The stones matched her eyes and looked incredible on her. But it wasn't quite the right style for her... she told me what she thought would be perfect... but she wasn't sure she should splurge... Well, her husband was behind her, watching, and when she reluctantly moved on he came up to me and said "Make her the necklace you two talked about... it's her. She looked beautiful in it." I'd like to add a picture here of the lady "in" the necklace, but I think he's going to give it to her in a more personal setting. Meanwhile, I put the first kyanite necklace out again the next day and a woman put it on and never took it off. Don't you love it when that happens?

Spring Snow...

... Blossoms.
When we went to the library last week we were astonished to be in the midst of what appeared to be a snowstorm - bombarded by a flurry of white blossoms that drifted in the streets.
Oregon... fascinating.