I just finished this custom engagement ring for a sweet couple who live locally. He found the center pebble in California, on a beach that's a special place for the both of them. I was able to incorporate the sapphires from an old family ring of his. The pebble started off a lot larger and I was able to trim it down with a lapidary wheel into the small oval shape you see here. It had to be done, because she has a tiny size 4 ring finger! The unique two-tone green of the stone is lovely. I like the symbolism of the two being joined. Call me corny, but I think its so sweet!

Feeling inspired......

It's taken me a while to warm up to all these new social networking tools, but I'm feeling inspired. I've had a hard time figuring out where I fit in to it and what I might be able to contribute or share. That's what it's all about really, sharing, not shameless self promotion. That's how my posts always seem to make me feel. Shameless! I like making jewelry and running my own business, but that's not what I really want to share.
Maybe sometimes.
I do a lot of special orders for people using stones that they've collected in a special place or using old family jewels that they want to recycle. Those projects are really fun, because they get my wheels turning in a different direction. Often times the finished product is like nothing I would have ever made on my own. It's a very cool experience to be able to turn their design ideas into reality using materials that I wouldn't necessarily choose myself........It makes me think of a show that I saw recently on the food network. The contestants each get a basket full of weird ingredients like, squid, Vegemite & gummy bears. Then they have to create something delicious!!! It can be challenging, but it's fun! So, I may post pictures of those custom projects here, but there are other things that get me excited.

I REALLY like rocks. That's probably pretty obvious considering what I do with my jewelry, but I'm talking about rock formations. Geological formations in the natural world. That stuff has always made me crazy! I worked in a shop in Boston for quite a few years selling fossil & mineral specimens and I loved it!

I also like plants. I especially love plants with giant leaves. Something about giant leaves fascinates me and I'm compelled to photograph them. I have 40 or so house plants in my apartment! I also tend a vegetable garden & have several flower beds as well. I started a flower garden so that I'd always have fresh flowers for my craft show displays. It's always a nice touch at the shows.

Bark! Bark is another thing that makes me crazy! I have lots of photos of bark.

So, you'll start seeing some action here other than my newsletter announcements.....odd projects, interesting stones, monster plants........we'll see! Below is a Ventifact ring. The client is a scientist who collected this stone and had me make the ring for his wife. A Ventifact is a rock or pebble that has been shaped, polished, or faceted by wind-driven sand. I had never seen one. It was really cool!

 
The next picture is of a beautiful Shiso plant in our garden last year. Though it's not particularly large, I love the texture! Its fragrant and flavorful leaves are sometimes used in sushi, but Craig incorporated it into an amazing gin cocktail as I recall. Yum!

The last picture is a favorite spot of mine. What a perfect moment that was.....now I'm inspired to try to get back there this week.......

Valentine's Day Offer!

Find that perfect (and unique) gift for your sweetie! Now through February 13th by 3pm (for overnight delivery), enjoy 20% off your purchase at Jennifer's online store. Please use codeLOVE2012 upon checkout. Oh, you'd like to use your own beach pebble found during last summer's special trip to the coast? Well, Jennifer Nielsen Hand-Crafted Jewelry is offering a Valentine's Day special for custom work also! The custom order fee ($30) will be waved, so please contact her directly at 207.799.3460. Deadline is quickly approaching of course: February 7th. (This offer is not valid on the website, all custom work must be discussed with Jennifer directly.) Both discounts are not valid with any other offers. 20% discount does not apply to custom work or gift certificates.

Falling into the comforts of cooling weather...

Charmed, I'm Sure

Introducing the Elements Collection, Jennifer's distinctive and collectable charm series. Each intricate piece combines freshwater pearls, diamonds, Sterling, and 18K gold, with Jennifer's signature gemstones – tide-polished pebbles from the shores of Maine. Sold individually, they can be worn alone or grouped in countless combinations. Jennifer will be adding to the collection yearly offering new "droplets" to combine with your already stunning Elements necklace or bracelet. Look for her Sterling and 18K gold earrings to match.

---

People Are Talking...

Over the summer, there was some chatter about Jennifer's work. See what some bloggers are saying:
GemAntics
Waterside
The Carrotbox
Besides Jennifer's feature article in Coastal Magazine's September issue, her work is also in the Maine Magazine's Holiday Shopping Guide (November/December issue). Look for her on page 33 where she's in good company with other local artists and Maine companies.

---

Upcoming Shows:

NOVEMBER
THIS WEEKEND!!!! The 6th Annual Gifted Hand: Fine Art, Craft and Gift Show
Friday, November 11, 11 am - 7 pm & Saturday, July 12, 9 am - 4 pm
The Ramada Inn (formerly the Holiday Inn Convention Center), Tennis Court Area, 215 High Street, Ellsworth, ME
www.giftedhandshow.com

Hands to Art Silent Auction and Artisan Fair at Waynflete School
Friday, November 18, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Saturday, November 19, 10 am - 4 pm
The Waynflete Arts Center, 360 Spring Street, Portland, ME 04102
www.waynflete.org

DECEMBER
Portland Museum of Art - Meet the Artist Friday: Jennifer Nielsen Handcrafted Jewelry - Trunkshow
Friday, December 9, 5 - 8 pm
Portland Museum of Art - Museum Store - 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME 04101
www.portlandmuseum.org

I'm in Coastal Living Magazine this month!

The ocean is inspiration for so many of us and this month I was one of the sea-loving artists featured in this fantastic article. It's in newsstands now and would be a perfect end of summer beach read (bring a sweater)!

---

Don't forget my upcoming shows:
This weekend!
Scarborough Fine Crafts Show at Camp Ketcha
    
Date: September 17th & 18th
Time: Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4
Location: Held at Camp Ketcha, 336 Black Point Road, Scarbouough, ME.
Treat yourself these last beautiful days of summer! Come to lovely Camp Ketcha on the Scarborough shoreline and meet some of Maine's finest professional craftspeople who create tomorrow's heirlooms today. Here you will find woodworkers who choose their trees with care, who design and fashion their pieces from raw materials to finished furniture, bowls and utensils. You'll meet potters who mix their own clays and glazes, who fire colorfully carved pieces or earth-toned wood-fired work. Meet jewelers who work with precious metals and gems, glass, bone and stone; fiber artists who create natural fiber clothing, quilts, and wall pieces. Fine basketry, blown glass, bookbinding, and more... all the time-honored crafts are here, and all are made locally, made by hand, and made to last.
Admission: $5; children admitted free.
Proceeds benefit Camp Ketcha and the Maine Crafts Guild.
More Info: www.mainecraftsguild.com


Next weekend!
MOFGA’s 35th annual Common Ground Country Fair
Date: September 23rd, 24th & 25th
Time: Gates open at 9am each day and stay open until 6pm on Friday & Saturday with evening entertainment starting at 7pm. Sunday fair closes at 5pm.
Location: Held at the Maine Organic Farmer’s and Gardeners Association’s educational Center off of Rt 220 in Unity, ME.
Check Web for all the details of this amazing celebration!
Admission: $8 adults 13yrs +, $6 Elders 65 yrs +, or FREE for children 12 and under, handicapped citizens with one assistant, volunteers, and MOFGA members. A one of a kind event! The fair demonstrates how we are all able to incorporate more sustainable living practices into our daily lives and sends us home with the reasons it is in our best interest to do so.
More Info: www.mofga.org

July Shows

The 46th Annual Yarmouth Clam Festival
Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16, 10 am - 9 pm, Sunday  |  July 17, 10 am - 5 pm
Main Street & beyond, downtown Yarmouth, Maine
www.clamfestival.com

Maine Crafts Guild Fine Craft Show at Damariscotta
Saturday, July 23, 10 am - 5 pm  |  Sunday, July 24, 10 am - 4 pm
Damariscotta River Foundation facility (the former Roundtop Center for the Arts Farmhouse), 1 Roundtop Lane, Damariscotta, Maine
www.mainecraftsguild.com/shows/damariscotta-show

Maine Crafts Guild 36th Annual Directions Show at Mt. Desert Island
Friday, July 29, 5-9pm  |  Saturday, July 30, 10 am - 5 pm  |  Sunday, July 31, 10 am - 4 pm
Mt. Desert Island High School
www.mainecraftsguild.com/shows/36th-annual-directions-mount-desert-island-show

Taming the Elements

Jennifer was very busy this Spring designing a new line of beach stone jewelry in which she's incorporating 18k gold & diamonds into the mix. In her new Elements Collection, charming components can be mixed and matched in an infinite number of combinations. Still in its developmental stages, Jennifer offers a sneak peek of things to come (see above). Watch for the official Elements Collection announcement coming soon...