Chainmaille Set

 Well, here are the finished pieces. I felt a little insecure with the process but as I became further and further along it got to be exciting.

I have only done a few pieces of Byzantine chain maille and I do love the pattern. My son, Jan, gave me a book for mother's day and I've been experimenting more with chains. I've always been good in math and I like inventing patterns so I guess it all fits.

The weight of each piece is pretty hefty because each part of the flowers are doubled up, using two rings for each part. I tried to keep it looking delicate and feminine using crystal beads for a little sparkle.

                                                              If you're reading this, I would love it if you could leave a comment. I'm not sure I'll continue to create more chainmaille. The time it takes is quite long. I suppose if I did more I would get faster at it. I also would like to use Argentium rather than sterling so maybe I will plan another project. Thanks for looking!!

"I left my heart in Stuart!"

 I've been contemplating painting a series of small canvases using "Stuart" Florida as my theme. I'm anxious to get back into my encaustics once more and I'm feeling like a mixture of acrylic, oil and encaustic images might be the place to visit. 
  I truly love the familiar and welcoming places I've found in this wonderful little city. My walks and explorations of downtown and drives to surrounding ocean towns have given me peace and serenity. You know how sometimes there's that unsettled feeling going on inside of you that you can't really explain? Like left over unpleasant business you haven't dealt with or just a worry  you can't put your finger on. Well that goes away when I'm in some of my favorite places in Stuart. For some reason I'm able to find peace here that I haven't found anywhere else. I like breathing in the warm breezy night air and hearing the faint music from a nearby bistro. I love the sound of the waves and the sounds of the ocean birds as they skim the surface of the water. I love sitting in a court yard late at night of a coffee house listening to chatter and laughter.  These are just a few of the pieces I'd like to put together.  I never thought of myself as a routine loving person but there's something very comforting and safe about going to the Osceola Grill for breakfast every Sunday morning, followed by a short walk to the green market in the nearby park in the center of town. The flower vendor and I have become once a week, simple, friends who know nothing personal about each other but share the same happy greeting effected by the music, colors and lazy wanderings of people around us.
  I feel a need to express some of these feelings as I'm used to doing on my canvas. I think the thing that I'm not sure of is the imagery of it all. My paintings have never been about the actual image or about the literal message coming from the painting. I like to think of my images as multi faceted. I don't want to illustrate. Mmm, well I guess I'll try playing with these images until it feels right. Sorry for the rambling but then what's a blog for if not for rambling? Thanks for listening!!!

Enjoying Life with Friends in Stuart Florida

Go to my Etsy shop for Mother's Day!!! Free shipping!

This delicate cuff bracelet has a nugget of sterling with just the right little pocket to hold the white cultured pearl in. I soldered a post before setting the pearl and oxidized the nugget so that the white of the pearl stands out.

 I used a heavy gauge of half round sterling for this cuff and another sterling nugget which I made by pouring hot molten silver over rock salt crystals. This one is a bit heavier but this time I decided to set a half drilled black pearl and give the silver a nice high shine to set it off.

I love antique vintage sterling silverware. This lovely piece has a carnelian set on it and is of a heavy construction. I made it to a size 8.5. If you enjoy wearing a big ring and one that will surely be noticeable than this is the one for you! Providing its your size! SOLD

Finished Aquamarine Ring for Chris!

Sterling silver and 14K gold Aquamarine Ring size 6

Do you like the stone set horizontal? I do! The "balls" on this ring are 24K gold and the shank, although you can't see it in this pic has been "dimpled" to reflect light.  I hope you like it Chris!!

don't be afraid to click on comment and write something. I always enjoy reading comments. thanks

Forest Hollow Gift Gallery 315- 826-7162 or email forest@ntcnet.com

RIP Linda and Jim, I miss you both everyday since you've been gone.

Life is Good!

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Docked at Downtown Stuart for breakfast and shopping and free concert. It's taken me 61 years but
I've finally realized how to enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow. Well...most of the time that is!
Surrounding myself with close friends old and new has helped me understand the importance of laughter.
I love to laugh and I love it more when it's shared.

Bath Tub Beach in Stuart florida

Love this beach! Small, not crowded, great surfing to watch on other side and best part is that its minutes away!

Sterling High top converse sneaker earrings

Just one of the few pair of sneaker earrings I've created
down here at the Port St Lucy Rock and Gem club studio.
I purchased the most beautiful chasing tools from an Etsy shop
called 2moontools. The owner actually made a special one for
me to use on the toe and heel of this earring. This tool maker
does an incredible job if you're interested, check him out on Etsy.

Happy Birthday Bruce!

I don't know which if funnier.....Bruce's birthday cap or me with a palm tree growing from the top of my head!

Another glimpse at the 2011 show

 Here are a couple of the encaustics I completed for the Syracuse show in 2011. The encaustic technique is great for me, considering how fast I like to work as a painter. My first exposure was given to me from a class I took at the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta, Florida. There will be more to come I'm sure. I LOVE the process.

Recently completed Hematite and Sterling cuff bracelet $95

 I'm enjoying my studio experience at the St.Lucie Rock and Gem Club. Here are a few pieces I've completed here. They are available on Etsy for those interested in purchasing.


SOLD

Happy New Year Maya from Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bruce!

The beginning of a new year

Jan and Allison at the Szozda

 Well, I feel my work on the canvas has taken a new and exciting turn with encaustics and my Metals
are becoming stronger with my Etsy Shop helping with exposure.  Looking forward to 2012 and new
work. The Port St. Lucie Rock and Gem Studio will be a great learning experience for me this year.

There are many experienced Lapidary guys there and although I'm not really interested in learning the
art of cutting and polishing stones, I sure am excited to watch and learn from them. There's also lamp
work glass artists there. I'd love to learn how to make lamp work beads.

I'll be sketching and posting so "stay tuned". I'm going to try to blog more consistently this year.

I don't know how exciting my writing will be but I'll have some fun pictures anyway!!!

Happy New Years to all of you out there!

"summer" or in December: "think summer"!

Summer, 48x48, Acrylic on Canvas

Etsy Metal selections for jury review

Sterling Pill Keeper with red jasper cab. Completely hand wrought including chain

Etsy Metal selections for jury review

Flawed Carnelian and black onyx cabs set in Deco Style neck torque

Jasper and African Porcupine Quills set in Sterling

Fused sterling silver and fresh water pearl necklace

"Nature Inspired" Szozda Gallery-C.Wilkinson and Bruce Thomas

The many faces of an upstate New York December

Can you believe these were all taken within a week of each other? That's the Adirondacks alright!

Simple and yet elegant. Sterling Silver double half round band with three 14K gold balls soldered equal distance apart. Ring size is 6.5

Etsy.com/shop/foresthollow

Star Sapphire sterling ring Size 7

Etsy.com/shop/Foresthollow