SURF/SAND/SILVERSMITHS

Members of the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild (MBMAG) will be exhibiting a collection of fine jewelry and miniature sculpture at the Pajaro Valley Arts in Watsonville. Details, a map, and a list of participating artists can be found on the postcard below.

Each artist may exhibit up to three pieces for the show, plus up to 6 additional pieces for sale in the gallery shop. My own three pieces for the show, plus images and information related to the inspiration for the work, are below.

“Talisman for the Journey” – a necklace featuring an ammonite with a glowing amber stone tube riveted to it. The wire prong setting is built on a frame that I made many years ago and just discovered is a perfect fit for the ammonite.

The photo above shows the back of the setting with the tube rivet for the amber cabochon.

The length of the necklace is adjustable from 18″ to 21″. The “weight” at the end of the extender chain is one of my lampwork glass beads.

Spiral Galaxy – a galaxy in which the stars and gas clouds are concentrated mainly in one or more spiral arms.

The spiral is probably the oldest known symbol of human spirituality. The spiral has been in rock carvings thousands of years old, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed at, but it has been found on tombs, and almost certainly has a connection with the sun, which traces a spiral shape every three months in its travels.

“Flores del Mar”- silver ring with 18K gold

The design for the ring was inspired by the photo of a slice of agatized coral.

“Aqua Pools” – bracelet – silver, turquoise, tourmaline, chrysoprase, and Peruvian blue opal

“Brain imagining indicates that proximity to water floods the brain with feel-good hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol actually drop. Scientists have also discovered that ………………….. water increases our ability to focus.” Wallace J. Nichols

The meaning of the color turquoise is open communication and clarity of thought.

For thoughts on the bullseye symbol, see my previous post  for November 9, 2015.

Sanctuary

This is the ring I created for the Monterey Metal Arts Guild    http://www.mbmag.org/   exhibit currently showing at the Pacific Grove Art Center in Pacific Grove, Ca. The title/theme of the show is “Sanctuary” and this seemed a good title for the ring as well.

The unusual piece of abalone shell was selected because it reminds me of the look of the dawn light on the ocean surface on a peaceful morning. Living within sight of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary is a blessing and a daily reminder of how lucky I am to be near such beauty. In fact,  from my bedroom window I can watch the dawn arrive and see how the color reflected on the bay changes from moment to moment. Morning is my favorite time of day!

The silver bezel and ring band were roller printed using a texture plate I created by photo etching an image of seaweed I took at Asilomar Beach.