Out on the Web, on my Hand

Today I was e-mailed by Marta in Barcelona. She writes a blog in Spanish about contemporary jewelry. I have never come across most of the artists that she is featuring. While looking at her site, I discovered a link to a great site called The Carrotbox All rings, almost every day! I love the idea and I admire the blogging discipline. Again, many new (to me), artists mixed in with the ones that I have encountered in the US.







I have also begun to collect rings by other jewelers. So far I have an Ananda Khalsa,

(This is a miniature painting under hand ground glass, set in silver)

two by Dahlia Kanner,

(Textured silver rings with blackened details)

and another by Todd Reed.

(Silver and 18K ring set with rough diamond cubes. Todd's signature material)

I would like to get a ring by my good friend Deborah Harrison Miller soon. This is the one I have in mind:

(18K ring with diamond accents and a mint green tourmaline)

The best thing about having a ring collection is that I can enjoy looking at the rings on my own hand.

Germantown Craft Show

This weekend I am travelling again to the beautiful and craft-loving city of Philadelphia to participate in the Germantown Friends School craft show. A small well-curated show, it should be easy for collectors to see and contemplate all of the work available.

I managed to make a new pair of earrings and a new necklace, both hand-fabricated in gold, since I arrived home last Friday from the last round of shows.

The bracelet above is one that I made from some beautiful aquamarine beads that I happened upon last year. There is also a matching necklace and they are both accented by orange sapphires and my metalwork in 18K gold.

It may be strange to use the phrase "happened upon" when describing sourcing the materials for my work, yet with colored stones, that is usually how it happens. Supply and demand are so volatile that if something is nice and not too expensive, it will not be around later when I decide that I wanted it. Likewise, if one should happen upon a piece of colored stone jewelry that astounds and is unusual, don't hesitate to buy it. The stones may not be available to make that piece later! I know people who have been haunted for years by the one that got away.