Donna's pearl ring

Donna had an old pearl and blue zircon ring that she wanted updated and modernized. The ring was very delicate and had very little gold in it. I carved this chunkier ring in wax to make it sculptural and hollowed out the underside to lighten it. The pearl is set lower to protect it on the one side and the blue zircons are tube set to modernize it. Her daughters birthday is also in December (blue zircon) and I have a feeling she will be wanting to wear this ring now!

Tanya's pink topaz ring

Tanya was given two round pink topaz stones and she wanted them in one ring. They are slightly different in size and color so it took me a while to figure out how to put them together. I was going to add several smaller pink stones, also in different shades. That was going to be too busy so instead I just united them with this ring shank with three strong linear elements. The result is a very bold ring, which made Tanya very happy!

Klimt Series

I have made several attempts over the years to create a jewelry series that is influenced by my favourite artist, Gustav Klimt. I haven't been happy with then so I thought this year I would try again. I took a different approach and decided to carve the designs in wax and then cast them. I am really happy with the feel that I was able to get by doing it this way. There is a certain painterly effect that I can capture while using some of Klimt's motifs- like the swirl (my fav). I am also able to create more sculptural pieces and have a new twist on a form that I use like the teardrop. This has opened up so many possibilities- now to do them in gold. If it's Klimt, it has to be gold!

Joanie's ring

Joanie and her sister found me at Festival of Crafts in Calgary. They had a handful of rough polished orange carnelian stones and an old gold ring with three small diamonds in it. They wanted me to make a special ring for their Mom using one of the stones and the diamonds. Their Mom thought the diamonds would be too flashy, so I 'hid' them in the texture of the top of the ring. I also thought the texture complimented the rough stone and I love the contrast if that with the smooth sculptural surface of the rest of the ring. The result is a unique design for a very special Mom!

Gene's ring

Pam found me at the Butterdome Craft Show in Edmonton and was very happy to discover that I could help her. Her husband Gene had an accident and his wedding band had to be cut off of his finger. She had the old mangled ring and some extra gold and wanted a new one made for Christmas. I had to get working since I was back in the studio on December 13th! She had six diamonds from another old ring that I placed randomly in the texture part of the band. The next ring will be one for Pam to match.

Home sweet home

Back home after the first big show of the season - there is more snow here in Kelowna than in Calgary! It is always great to see my regular customers and to meet some new ones too. Thanks so much to everyone that has supported me over the years. I will be back in Alberta December 1st to 4th for Festival of Crafts at the BMO Centre on the Stampede Grounds. Now back to my messy bench (after a good nights sleep).

My messy bench

Full production mode! This time of the year always sneaks up on me. September hits and I start to plan and organize, October sees me working later hours, and November brings full on panic. I'm off to Calgary on Wednesday for my first big show of the year, Art Market. I'm coming with some new designs and am always excited to see my faithful, regular customers!