Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Fathers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers Day is coming up next weekend, but remember that Fathers Day is just around the corner too! Order now to make sure you get what you want in time! All items can be customized just for you, just shoot me an email if you want to customize a piece you see here.

This first piece is a custom, hand cut sterling silver dog tag. It is made from 18 gauge sterling silver, which is thick enough to stamp on both sides. It has been oxidized and given a matte brushed finish. It hangs from a 20" oxidized sterling silver bead chain. Perfect for your man! Click on my Etsy shop to purchase......



The next piece is a hand stamped keychain. This keychain can be one large sterling silver stamped disc, two medium discs or three small discs. The disc is attached with a soldered sterling silver jump ring. The key ring is solid sterling silver as well. This gift will last forever, and is sure to make dad or grandpa happy! To purchase please visit my Etsy shop.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Such A Pretty Stone!

I bought this turquoise stone awhile ago. I fell in love with it! Okay, I love all my stones, but this piece is extremely beautiful on its own. I was afraid I wouldn't do it justice.

I LOVE the way it turned out! I hand set it in a fine silver bezel with sterling silver back, added handmade sterling silver balls, leaves and a rose. I then soldered the toggle circle to the pendant and finished the chain.  Turquoise is supposed to be the new "in" color for spring and summer! I think the piece has a modern twist with a romantic feel. What do you think?  To purchase see my shop at www.etsy.com/shop/ThirteenGems



Thursday, April 1, 2010

For All My Stone Friends.....my little collection

I caught the stone buying bug a few months ago. In the beginning, I bought a stone at a time and then immediately made something with it. That was good for the budget. But then the bug got worse and I started falling in love with stones, and if you love stones, you know once you love a stone, it has to be yours!

Now I have seen many stone collections and know that mine is teeny tiny! You should see some of the metalsmiths collections! They have so many stones it makes me dizzy!

Here is a picture of my little teeny tiny collection-hey you have to start somewhere right?

They are: agate, turquoise, ocean jasper with druzy, amethyst sage, lapis lazul, agate with druzy, onyx, sonoran sunrise (which I set and then hated-so not sure what I am going to do with it.), chalcedony, some type of jasper (I think), not sure, and fordite.

My favorites are:
This Ocean Jasper. It has a great druzy on the top and another pocket on the left bottom corner.
I think I am going to prong set this, just not sure how yet.




This Amethyst Sage. It has the prettiest purples, creams and browns in it, with dendrites
throughout. I want to make sure to set it so light can get to it....hmmm maybe
a good time to try an open back setting.
Lastly, 


This Agate, that also has a beautiful druzy in the middle.
I love these, the crystals shine so pretty in the sunlight.