I’ve talked many times about planning ahead and my lack of a plan. To plan or not to plan. This past week I decided to quickly sketch out these earrings before I went ahead with them. I had two beautiful Peruvian opals and two Bisbee turquoise to work with. Let’s see how it came together.
This is what the silver bezel looked like almost done. I still had to solder on the holder and clean up the mess before I oxidized them.
These are the finished earrings. Looks like planning ahead on these worked to my advantage.
Here’s an example of not planning ahead. I had a few disasters on this ring. The setting didn’t want to cooperate with me so I turned the negative into what I think is one of my favorite rings. This turquoise is from the number 8 mine. It’s a beautiful stone.
I left the bezel open on this side….definitely not in the plan but it worked. You get to see how pretty the stone is.
This is the back of the ring. I did reticulate the silver early on to give it an interesting look. The shape, the bezel, the little bit of silver on the edge….those things were not planned and I’m happy they happened organically.
Finally…… two silver bangle bracelets with Bisbee turquoise. I wrote *inhale love, exhale gratitude* on one and *may my heart be brave, my mind be fierce & my spirit be free* on the other. Not really pre planned but they’ve been on my mind for the last two weeks.
You can find my work at my online shop or if in the Arizona area I welcome studio appointments.
Fill your heart with art
~manon
My name is Manon. (pronounced Man + O) Yes….my mom cursed me with my name. In her defense I guess she never though I’d leave Quebec. I’m a jewelry artist and painter. I’ve been creative as long as I can remember and things haven’t changed. I now live in Scottsdale, AZ with my man, Rob. I spend most days in my studio making pieces that speak to my heart. Thanks for stopping by!!
Spring is a time of renewal…even in the desert. Even though we had a mild Winter you can still feel Spring in the air in Arizona. The cactus are starting to bloom, the days are getting longer and much warmer. I took the above picture as we were getting ready to go out a few days ago. I hope you can see the rainbow in the background. It was a really special moment that I wish I had my Nikon with me instead of my phone.
I made these earrings last year and they never really inspired me. Since Spring is the time of renewal and new beginnings I thought I’d give these babies a renewal bath!!
©manon
Sterling silver earrings with agate beads.
Here they are as beautiful new drop earrings with yellow agate beads for Spring.
©manon
Silver earrings with yellow agate.
I really like the way they turned out. I think I’m the queen of reinvention. If it doesn’t work go in a different direction!!
This is also an untouched photo of a sunset I just recently took. My phone did just fine for this one. I love sunsets year round here but lately the sky has just been amazing. Everything seems to be coming to life….including the snakes…..yikes. I love this time of year. Spring into Spring, renewal, reinvention and the promise of new things to come.
fill your heart with art
~manon
My name is Manon. (pronounced Man + O) Yes….my mom cursed me with my name. In her defense I guess she never though I’d leave Quebec. I’m a jewelry artist and painter. I’ve been creative as long as I can remember and things haven’t changed. I now live in Scottsdale, AZ. I spend most days in my studio making pieces that speak to my heart. Thanks for stopping by!!
Two weeks ago today I had the most amazing experience. I had been to the post office the week before and the mail girls asked what I did (since I mail parcels often with them). When I told them that I’m a jewelry artist and I often use turquoise they told me they had a lady that comes in that her father recently passed away and she had a ton on turquoise to sell. I gave them my card and thought nothing more of it. Well….. she went there last week and called me right away. I drove to her home not knowing what to think and when I got there her table was full. Her father had been an artist and bought a ton of stone from a Bisbee miner. He cut and polished all of it. He told his kids it was worth more than gold to him. I started piecing it out and she made me an offer for the whole lot. I took it. This is only a quarter of what I have and it is overwhelming to see the beauty in each and every one. It was my lucky day and I hope I can do justice to all these gorgeous pieces.
This is the first piece I made with the Bisbee turquoise.
This is the back of that Bisbee piece.
I enjoyed making these a couple of weeks ago with the Kingman turquoise. They are all sold but I will be making more in the future.
I’ve also been making many different moon pendant commissions. This one is actually a gift for my mom. The back has my dad’s favorite song and the date they were married. I want her to know that whenever she looks to the moon he is looking down on her and protecting her.
I did just list the last moon I have available on my Etsy shop.
That’s all for now!! I’m heading back to my studio.
Fill your heart with art and turquoise
Happy Holiday!!
~manon
Hey there!!
My name is Manon. (pronounced Man + O) Yes….my mom cursed me with my name. In her defense I guess she never though I’d leave Quebec. I’m a jewelry artist and painter. I’ve been creative as long as I can remember and things haven’t changed. I now live in Scottsdale, AZ. I spend most days in my studio making pieces that speak to my heart. Thanks for stopping by!!