Matchstick Ring

I recently made this custom Matchstick Ring for my super talented, ever fabulous friend Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman, to go along with his new set of Matchstick Cuff Bracelets.   I love it so much, I’m going to make it a part of my permanent collection. It works better than the cast version I think.  Looks amazing next to one of his own designs.

I have been following Ra’mon’s career for years now and am truly inspired by everything he does.  He’s always up to something amazing….have a look for yourself.

Ship and Shape

If you don’t already know about Ship & Shape you simply MUST check this web shop out!  A local Minneapolis based web shop, SHIP & SHAPE was founded by Erin Smith, Maddy Nye, and Annika Kaplan in the summer of 2011. As designers and makers, they set out to create an online venue to showcase quality, handmade goods. In addition to creating limited edition pieces for the site themselves, the founders invite their favorite artists to contribute exclusive items to the seasonal collections as well. SHIP & SHAPE strives to make available unique handmade products to a discerning public.

The shop has such a great look and feel and I’m in love with everything they have to offer….so good!

I am honored to have a piece of mine featured in their Spring 2012 collection.  Have a look at the “relic ring”….available only through Ship & Shape.  Click here for more info.

matchstick hoop earrings

Me and my girl, Kerry Riley of Needle & Black are always trading goods and making custom pieces for each other.  This is one of the many awesome perks of having studios in the same building. The other perks include lots of snacks.  For Kerry’s birthday this year I offered to make her some custom jewelry, so she commissioned me to make her a pair of matchstick hoop earrings. I was happy to oblige.

I should probably make these a part of my permanent collection. They are pretty cool.

A tribute to Janet Jackson

My friend Machen asked me to turn her cherished Janet Jackson “1814″ pin into a knuckle ring about a month ago. Whatever metal the pin was made out of was questionable, so I thought I would just fabricate a ring and glue the thing on, since I couldn’t solder the mystery metal.  NOPE. I tried every glue imaginable and it lasted all of one day until Machen high-fived someone and the pin came flying off.  The high five, a true test of quality. Anyway, it finally occurred to me that I would just fabricate the whole ring…and replicate the pin. Duh.

Here’s the pin…

And the finished ring…

grandma’s amethyst

This necklace was designed around an emerald cut, faceted amethyst.  The amethyst was passed down 2 generations and I really wanted to create a piece with a classic look that could seamlessly continue to get passed from generation to generation.  I had a bit of inspiration to work with but I really felt compelled to go with an old-timey aesthetic.  The stone spoke and I listened.

anniversary gift

This piece was commissioned as a third year anniversary gift, from husband to wife.  The rock used in the piece holds a special significance for the couple and the objective for me, was to turn this ephemera into an heirloom.

The magical element in jewelry making is the ability to encapsulate a memory and to create something everlasting.  With every commissioned piece, this is something I strive to do.