'Soft Earth' Neckpiece

This neckpiece which is currently available at e.g.etal features natural banded agate beads from Karratha in Western Australia. I just love the dark browns and amber colours in these beads and the fact that they are Australian makes them even more special in my eyes. The clasp is about the same length as the beads which are approximately 3.5cms long to keep things looking balanced while adding a little drama. And to finish things off I added  a little oxidised cap to one of the beads featuring one of my favourite classical motifs of a bird in flight for a special accent.

'Cochineal' Neckpiece

Cochineal -

ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from French cochenille or Spanish cochinilla, from Latincoccinus ‘scarlet’, from Greek kokkos ‘berry’ (the insect bodies were mistaken for grains or berries).

Neckpiece,2013

oxidised silver clasp,

treated coral beads,

cast brass bead from the Ivory Coast,

wax cord.

Desire

Just dropped this Neckpiece into e.g.etal.

It is made from fused sterling silver chain with Eros (desire) stamped into the tear drop shaped link in Greek. The beads are 10mm sea bamboo with the large one being about 14mm in diameter.

Those stamps have become one of the best things  I have  bought back from my overseas trips!

Pink Ice.........

Irregularly facetted Rose Quartz from Madagascar

Sterling silver fused chain and clsap.

available at e.g.etal

Pegasus on Turquoise beads

What else could I put Pegasus the winged horse on but turquoise blue beads. These beads where another special vintage find that I have re strung on plaited cord. 

vintage turquoise beads, sterling silver, plaited cord

available at e.g.etal

Vintage Porcelain Beads

These beads where bought back from Canton China in 1969 by one of my stone merchants. They have the most beautifully hand painted cobalt blue flowers on them and I was able to buy just enough for two neckpieces. The first one was sent off to e.g.etal strung on a thick black plaited cord with a large silver clasp that can be worn at the back of the neck or on the side. These are some of the most special beads I have found in a long time they look like beautifully crafted mini works of art.

Iranian Worry Beads

Sterling silver clasp with computer engraved arabic geometric pattern, red Copal Amber worry beads from Iran.

Available at e.g.etal from today.

Chrysoprase Beads

Today I put the finishing touches to this neckpiece. These irregularly shaped nuggets of beautiful Chrysoprase were mined in Australia. This piece will be available at e.g.etal from tomorrow.

9ct yellow gold clasp, Australian chrysoprase, braided cord

chrysoprase |ˈkrisəˌprāz|
noun
an apple-green variety of chalcedony containing nickel, used as a gemstone.
• (in the New Testament) a golden-green precious stone, perhaps a variety of beryl.


ORIGIN Middle English (in the New Testament sense): from
Old French crisopace, via Latin from Greek khrusoprasos, 
from khrusos ‘gold’ + prason ‘leek.’

Wood and Forest Nymphs

These special pieces were delivered to e.g.etal last Saturday.

I have more to post and will do some catching up soon

wood nymph

neckpiece

matte carnelian beads,
sterling silver oxidised (blackened) clasp

forest nymph 

neckpiece

aventurine, onyx, sterling silver

the clasp has a gazelle in relief pressed

into it and a small coin shaped dangle

close up of the aventurine beads 
and the onyx bead

nymph |nimf|
noun
1 a mythological spirit of nature imagined as a beautiful maiden inhabiting rivers, woods, or other locations.
• chiefly poetic/literary a beautiful young woman.

BLACK artist statement

BLACK

will be open this week again from tomorrow 

Thursday 9th September

Friday 10th September

Saturday 11th September

1pm - 6pm (all days)

37 swanston street

floor 7, room 10

melbourne 3000

Katherine & I will be taking turns sitting the exhibition so drop by for a closer look at our work and a chat.

below are some detail shots of my work

my artist statement

My approach to the making of my work for the show ‘BLACK’ was an intuitive one. I started with the choosing and collection of my materials, onyx, hematite and obsidian. They are all black but when one is put next to the other differences begin to be observed.

The polished and facetted hematite beads a contrast next to the grey black of the oxidised silver pieces. The matte black onyx has a different quality to the matte black obsidian. These subtle overlapping differences create interesting contrasts that draw the eye to small details.

Next I looked at the way black was used in Sappho’s poetry and drew on her words to add a lyric component to my work while meshing it with classical symbols of strength such as the snake and lion.

Black for me is a colour used to symbolise danger, strength and mystery all powerful and interesting ideas to convey in wearable contemporary jewellery pieces.

read Katherine's artist statement here

New Neckpieces

I delivered these two works to e.g.etal today.

These unakite beads are a mixture of pink feldspar and green epidote.They are about 10mm in diameter and I have strung them on jade coloured silk. The clasp is made from sterling silver and I have added a small lucky charm which can be seen in the second photo. I have named this piece lotus because of the olive green and pink colour of the stone. The clasp can be worn at the back at the back or at the side.

Sea bamboo beads, threaded on white silk cord with a sterling silver clasp. These beads have been dyed and they are a lovely coral pink colour not orange like my photo below.... 

Turquoise and Gold

Arizona Turquoise Beads & 9ct yellow gold.

This neckpiece is available at e.g.etal. After finishing this neckpiece I have to admit I did think about keeping it for myself. I have always loved turquoise and as a teenager talked my parents into buying me a watch with a turquoise band that I was sure I would wear for EVER. I havn't worn the watch in ages but I just might use its turquoise for earrings.......

'Ambrosia' Neckpiece

Sterling Silver, Orange Tibetan Banded Agate