Four New Items in my Etsy Shop-Etsy.com/shop/foresthollw

This sterling ring is adjustable, perfect if you have difficulties with rings turning once you get it on your finger. Because its not soldered in place-you can "squeeze" it tight. The size fits 8 to 9.

Etsy.com/shop/foresthollow

This is a Cuff Bracelet made from sterling silver and 24K gold. The stone in it is a Lace Agate and is a delicate tint of blue with "lacey" patterns going through it.

This is a man's ring because it is sized very large to a size 12 however it would certainly look fine on the hand of a female as well! The stone is a Carnelian the back plate is silver and gold patterned and the ring shank is textured to a frost like tone.

This is a size 13. I've been trying to add to my shop's "mens jewelry" section. This sterling band is made from two double half rounds soldered together and hammered flat equal distance apart all the way around. Catches the light very nicely.

Plattsburgh State University College 40 year class reunion

 Well I guess its the celebration of the decades when we feel the time passing. Other than children and grandchildren, retirement seems to play time games on us in our golden years! But hey, this isn't about getting old, its about celebrating successes and friends and just life in general.

These pictures represent a wonderful life. John Ackerknecht has been a life long friend and how many folks can brag about going to school with someone from Kindergarten to College? Maybe back when there were one room school houses but today friends come and go with every passing year, job, neighborhood, etc.
John and his wife Christine are a wonderful part of my life.
And then there is Blanche. How can I ever replace Blanche
in my group of friends? She is very special and after reconnecting years after our children were grown, I think we realized how important our friendship was and is. Not many people warm my
heart like she does. Blanche and Tuttie will always be in my life, I know that.

Then there is good old PSUC. Wow! Why didn't I have more fun in college? Going back to campus and to the shores of Lake Champlain made me wish I could turn back the hands of time! I hear people say that all the time but I very rarely feel that way. I'm pretty comfortable in my present skin but being on that campus made me want to go to a studio class, drink much beer and pull an "all nighter"!!!! Seriously, I remember the year of the Vietnam Demonstrations, I was taking a Poli Sci course. It was the last semester of the school year, Spring, time for renewing contracts and my instructor was angry that his didn't get renewed. His response to the college was to offer any student an A if we would join him at the Hawkins Hall Pond to Skinny Dip!
The 60s and 70s were times of turmoil and times of great freedom from the chains of the 50s
and the best time ever to be in college!!!

Ottawa Canada

Outside the Ottawa Art Museum The Louise Bourgoise "Spider with egg sack" sculpture was enormous and felt so surreal. I like her work and enjoy seeing her smaller pieces purchased by Munson Williams Proctor Museum when I'm in Utica.  The eggs looked like rocks but I'm not sure of that...I might have to google it!

 There was much walking in Ottawa and as you can see also much resting! Love the little cafes and bars everywhere.

 From the Ottawa Art Museum. There was a Van Gogh show going on. This is the third show of his I've seen in various museums. Forty plus paintings but I have to say I think I enjoyed it the least. I guess I'm not a fan of his landscapes and the show was mostly that. I do however love his portraits and still lifes.


This was an interior view looking down on the inner courtyard which was freshly planted with some sort of yellow flowers. The graphic design of it was really fun to see. I'd love to go back in a month to see the plants grown.

Street artists are great. This one was using chalk to work from renaissance portraits. I can't even imagine how rough and callous his fingers must be.

Chainmaille with Ruby Bracelet

 I began this piece at the St. Lucy studio and had briefly abandoned it. The jump rings were a nightmare to solder because of their placement.

  I decided to tackle the design once more when I arrived back to NY and was able to do the job I started down South.

  This bracelet is in the Szozda Gallery on West Fayette Street in Syracuse or you may contact me for more information.

Donation to Angel of Fur K-9 Rescue

ANNUAL BENEFIT GARAGE SALE

JULY 21   8AM-8PM

6558 EVANS RD.

ROME NY

THIS DONATION OF EARRINGS WILL BE RAFFLED OFF TO RAISE MONEY FOR LOCAL DOG RESCUE. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS CAUSE. OUR FURRY FRIENDS ARE SPEECHLESS AND NEED YOUR COMPASSION.

I purchased this cab from a lapidary guy who cut and polished it from the rough
rock, Chrysocolla.  There is much to learn from stone cutters, I'm much more aware
of the quality of a stone now when I go to gem shows to purchase them.
   If you're interested in this Cuff bracelet please go to https://www.etsy.com/listing/102516525/chrysocolla-cuff-hand-stamped-sterling. Pay pal or credit card accepted there.

We're back and what a beautiful city Ottawa is. Didn't realize "Canada Day" was the 1st of July while we were there. Free concerts everywhere (Cold Play, etc) and fire works, great food, much drinking and lots of people wearing red and white!  National Canadian Gallery  featured a Van Gogh show. They also have a wonderful permanent collection.

Came home to work left on my bench and decided to set the stones in this pendent I started earlier and make a chain for it....this Ocean Jasper is pale green, unlike the usual ocean jaspers. It's almost a celadon color. I decided that a moonstone would pair nicely with it.  Bruce photographed it for me today so I posted it on Etsy. If you're interested in it please go to Etsy.com/shop/foresthollow.