Feeling Chipper

These necklaces are created from sterling chain, wire, and gemstone chips. The gemstones shown here are turquoise, peridot, and lapis lazuli. They skim the area just under the hollow of the throat at about 16 inches.



Although the design is simple, the execution of these pieces is relatively time consuming. Each necklace has nearly 50 small chips that are attached securely to the chain with 28 gauge sterling wire. Each necklace has a swivel lobster claw clasp, so that the necklace will not get twisted and the chips will dangle from the bottom of the chain.



The resulting piece is a delicate, graceful, modern necklace that is completely unique and looks great by itself or layered with other necklaces.



These pieces also enable the wearer to benefit from the intrinsic qualities of the gemstones.


Lapis - Overcome depression and open the door to self awareness. It can help the wearer to become an authentic individual who can openly and fearlessly state state his or her deepest thoughts to another.


Peridot - Stone of compassion. It has a friendly energy and is excellent for healing. It assists in rebirth and renewal of all kinds. Peridot also bring abundance and prosperity. It enhances the healing and harmony of relationships of all kinds, but particularly marriage. Peridot can lessen stress in relationships, anger and jealousy.


Turquoise - Associated with the sky, and bringing sky energy to earth. It can help promote honest and clear communication from the heart. It is also said to protect against pollution in the environment, and to bring abundance. It is very powerful for grounding and protection also.

Beach Glass for the Bat Mitzvah - Life's Cycles

This is a commissioned piece for a young lady's Bat Mitzvah. It features a piece of beach glass from the givers personal collection.




While the spiral detail works well as a design element, it also functions as a significant ancient feminine symbol. In ancient Britain, the spiral seems to have been associated with the feminine as the doorway to life. It has been associated with the cycles of time, the seasons, the cycle of birth, growth, death, and then rebirth. The cycles of time and nature are the cycles of life. This imbues the piece with many levels of significance for the the girl who is making the transition to young woman.

Jewels from the Lake

I completed another multi-piece beach glass necklace that is a commission piece. I took their jar of beach glass to my studio and sifted through it to find pieces that were the right size and shape, to create continuity in the design. It measures 17 1/2" in length with a toggle clasp.



The necklace is designed to hang about an inch below the hollow of the customer's throat. The design is kept simple to keep the focus on each unique piece of translucent glass.

Freshwater Pearl Lariat and Earring Set

I revisited a classic design in the warm, rich colors of fall in a set that I designed to donate to a fundraiser for the local library. Freshwater pearls and sterling silver were used to create this timelessly beautiful set.


Each pearl is attached to the necklace on a hand-hammered paddle. The pearls are arranged such so that they twist gracefully up the chain, so that they dangle gracefully on the wearer.


The heart of the earring is a cultivated freshwater pearl. They are created from the clay disc in the shape of the heart, which is inserted into the oyster. The nacre forms around the disc, so that the natural pearl has a unique shape.

Some lucky bidder walked away with a great set that evening!

Beach glass and gold

I don't work with gold very often, because it is so expensive and I also aesthetically prefer sterling. But I had a commission request to work a piece of beach glass with gold to fit over the pictured gold necklace. I worked out the design and the fit of the pendant with copper wire.


The bail/design element is constructed from 16 gauge, 14 karat gold wire. It is shaped and hammered on the front to give it the graceful curve. Then the bail is also lightly hammered to repeat the design motif and to connect with the linear element of the necklace.

The piece worked out well and the person loved her memento of her summer lake home.

Back to Black

These are just a few of the pieces that I have made in the past couple of days. I have definitely been working a black linear motif. Most of these pieces are are coral, with the exception of the third picture, which is a pendant created from lavastone. The capped pieces utilize a herringbone wire wrapping technique.

Freshwater Pearl Earrings and Simple Necklace Set

I have had these unique freshwater pearls that I picked up quite some time ago and I decided to create something with them. I am attracted to their evanescent glow and completely organic shape. I riffed on the the DaVinci series by wiring the pearls inside of the vessel-horseshoe shape. I kept the detail simple, but textural by fringing the earrings with multiple simple sterling drops. All of the sterling components had to be pre-oxidized so that the pearls did not risk being pitted or discolored in some way.


After I completed the earrings, I wanted a simple matching necklace. At first I thought that I was going to create the piece by pairing the large freshwater pearl with pale green freshwater pearl beads. But in the end, I simply wired the pearl utilizing fat wraps to a simple sterling chain that echoed the detailing of the earrings. I don't do dainty often, but I had seen a simple pearl necklace on a girl one evening and I was inspired. The pearl lends itself to this design, and is complemented so well by the deep patina of the antiqued sterling.


So this is the set. The necklace hangs just below the hollow of my throat and the earrings have great summer presence.

Now I have been utilizing the earring design paired with gemstone briolettes to create necklaces for the next series of work that is evolving.