Thursday, April 19, 2012

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!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

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.......


Thursday, February 2, 2012

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.