Ahhhh... Pearls

Today I was making a pearl necklace for a custom order and realized what fun it would be to see what it takes to knot a pearl necklace. I always admired women like Julia Child, Audrey and my sweet grandmother in law Celia Exendine who all wore their pearls daily as they just belonged.....Classic respectable women who worked hard yet never forgot their feminine side. I personally believe it is their weight and the way they travel smoothly around the collar bone. So here are a few photos I took while putting this necklace together. Grab your coffee and enjoy.

Ironing the thread is a must to get perfect knots.

Making the knot with my pinpoint tweezers the old fashioned way.

How it's Made

Thought I would post a small blog showing some of the tools I have used to shape and create a ring from sheet metal. Please keep in mind, I am not a writer, just an artist. So I cut my metal with what to most looks like a drafting tool..good thing I paid some attention in my drafting class years ago...by scoring the metal I know that my line is straight. Then I hand saw the metal, the old fashioned way, with my 00 blade, or as some say, " double 0t". You have to wax the blade so it goes smoothly. Then I file it making sure it's not sharp...I use another tool with a fat heavy steel end to roll and bend the metal after it has been annealed. then solder it, pickle it, polish, and shape it on the steel mandrel...oh and then setting the gorgeous stone.....Okay, I am probably boring you, but you get the idea...just by looking at the photos you can see this is a lot of fun. The best part is seeing it take shape, and smiling because you made it.

Butterfly named Freedom

This is Freedom. She is a Yellow Sapphire hand cut butterfly made from recycled sterling silver. I stamped small leaves as a symbol of her dependence of green plants and clean air.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/116177353/yellow-sapphire-butterfly-necklace

Rainforest Passion Topaz Ring with White Sapphires

Rainforest passion topaz and white sapphire ring set in sterling silver. I find myself just staring at the center stone of deep hypnotic green sparkle. Here is the link https://www.etsy.com/listing/105204814/rainforest-topaz-white-sapphire-fancy

Work and Play

Traveling the southeast coast networking and enjoying the beautiful Emerald coastline of Florida!! Will return with some wonderful photos.. Hugs Resa

Fleur de Lis Diamond Tiara and Diamond Peacock Feather Mask Lorgnette

These were also at the GIA booth at the JCK convention. Had to post them for their beauty. Princesses of the Royal House of Bourbon often chose the Fleur de Lis. This tiara is unsigned circa 1890 old European cut diamonds, silver and gold. Peacock Feather Mask. The American Art Nouveau lorgnette resembles a single peacock feather when closed, yet reveals a hand-held pair of reading glasses when unfolded.

JCK Convention

Just returned from the JCK convention in Las Vegas and all I can say is WOW! Gorgeous jewelry designs everywhere along with the ability to meet the artists. Held a two million dollar emerald cut diamond ring with more emerald cut diamonds all the way around the band on my finger just to see what it looked and felt like. I enjoy more of earthy type jewelry, but it was smashing. One of the most remarkable was the Enchanting Red Egg hosted at GIA's booth. This music box features enamel, precious gems and metals. When the ruby on top is pressed, the egg reveals a carousel of exotic animals that revolve and move up and down to music, using mechanisms adopted from mid-19th century Swiss musical snuff boxes.