I sat at the bench for a few hours this week and made a ring.
​Nothing fancy, just experiments in simple designs to add to my twisted and wires collection, but I did lose myself in all the possibilities, making rings has always been one of my favorite pieces to make.

​And then lost myself even further when I got a picture of this ring below, and and couldn't resist a little dip into memory lane... 

This ring is long gone. A dear collector from Arizona took it home with her years ago...

​ As far as the new experiments in simple ring-making, stay tuned!

As I was talking to someone the other day, the phrase 'the future is uncertain, and the end is always near' - Jim Morrison's words, came to mind.
But it always, and in almost any circumstance, brings back the attention to what in life that stays, what  goes.

Nothing deep in an everyday object like a simple bangle, and yet...it could be another one of those  keepers.

Got to admit: have been stalling on the showroom front.
Dazed and confused by all the things that always seem to be there, ready to get in the way...
The showroom will happen, but we are probably looking at sometime in early fall.
In any case, while rummaging through boxes of experimental work, this necklace came out and I took a shot at it:

Re-discovered it wrapped up and safely protected in an old wine wooden box, a 'self-power' collection of wearable pieces I made in 1995.
Acetate, drift wood, copper, steel, charcoal, oil pigments, desert sand, human hair, and coated wire make a grouping of a necklace, three rings, and a rattle (not in the box, whereabouts unknown, possibly had give it to my daughter to play with at the time?)

Anyway, and in the meantime, will keep you posted on the showroom and whatever else I find...

There has been some steady progress on the showroom space over the last few weeks, albeit some derailments on the path and completely unexpected events - my jeep currently at the mechanic with a starter problem, towed it to shop, then walked 4 miles back to studio with 2 dogs through busy, hot and dusty roads two days ago... but this is another story.

In the showroom, nonetheless, the new curtains are up at the entrance door and ready to be pulled open, sometime before late summer, possibly.
Things are very unpredictable these times, and changing even faster than usual.
Keeping them open, even if a bit out of focus.

On a different note, but quite relevant right now: the planet is burning and we humans are not doing much to help her cool down. 
Looking into my work this past week, I rounded up my vermeil inventory and made the hard-thought decision to discontinue it. For good.
The vermeil process - a thick 18-24 karat gold-plating over sterling silver, requires high safety measures and produces toxic fumes, all of which goes out into the atmosphere and into the air we breathe.
I use a professional plater for my vermeil gold-plating, and am sure their processes are safe for their work environment and up to standard, but I am taking the step to discontinue this popular finish as a very small personal and professional contribution to doing something to relieve the burden on an over taxed and overwhelmed planet.

So, I came up with a closeout sale.

There are quite a few best-sellers in this finish still available, and they will ALL carry a good discount to move them fast on their way to their happy people...
Putting the sale on a roll for next week...whatever is left.

Well, I have been working on it.

After several trial and error attempts, the trash cans table has finally settled in its cozy location just across the entrance, and with the red stools around, it all makes for a pleasant spot to hang out.
Have been 'testing' it myself these past few days, sipping my tea and jotting down notes on life and work, looking out the big doors onto the bare and quiet parking lot.

I still have to replace the curtain rod and turn the shades into white light canvas drapes, pulling out all the 'show stuff' I have been schlepping all over the country for years.

The other half of the space is still in progress, display cases are out, lights and last details to be figured out, but looking at next weekend for a possible tentative date.

Studio visits are by appointment only and solely open to my collector list subscribers...
Interested in exclusive previews of unique jewelry and wearable art?

It is July and it is Summer, at last...
After a scattered Winter, after an indecisive Spring, we are smack in the middle of this year and pushing ahead.
The bench has been crowded, new work waiting to be completed and new orders ready to go.
This week I took a look at the Slices collection and while the new additions are still a bit hesitant and awaiting the final touches, thought these earrings below could be the perfect match for bright Summer pairings.

The Square Slices Earrings in yellow brass are happily bright and ready to go when you are.
Choose between 2 different sizes and celebrate this Summer in bright colors!

It's been hot in the studio and the showroom progress slow, but steady.
In between several breaks, fans twirling and innumerable glasses of water, I think I have the final overall setup down.

Got all the recycled black rubber mats in place (which my blessing of a 4-legged companion seems to like very much!), putting the rest of my show and booth equipment to good use, have white canvas I can use for curtains and lights to assemble, and then...ready to go in July!