just a few shots of the three sample rings in progress this week. picture above is right before the bands were soldered on to the bezel cups. below is all three, the silver work done, just waiting to have the "gems" set. aren't my late-1800's goodyear hard rubber buttons fabulous? so chocolate-y and lovely against the brushed silver settings.

i'm heading off to chicago for my best friend's wedding and then a family reunion in michigan. while in chicago, i'm going to pitch this new collection of rings to a boutique there i have loved for years. 

here's one... 

two... 

and three! 

have a wonderful weekend and 4th of july, everyone! i'll be back with stories to tell a week from today. 

introducing susie ganch, one of my teachers from a few years ago. i love her inspired organic forms, fabricated with absolute precision. we met when she was teaching a workshop at ox-bow summer school of art in saugatuk, michigan. it's the summer programming of the school of the art institute of chicago, so you get the high caliber classes in a beautiful woodland setting on the lake. at the time i took her class, i was planning to start twirl, as soon as i could sell my house and move to oregon. i'd been making jewelry for many years, yet i needed to refine my production skills.

in addition to amazing one-of-a-kind pieces like the one you see above, susie had a fantastic production line. we connected immediately like long lost sisters and i learned so much under her tutelage. more than anything, she convinced me my forms were ready, that i was ready to leap out into the market. it took a few more years of getting my ducks in a row, of course!

i think of her everyday in my studio and am so thankful for her teaching. susie will be teaching a metals workshop again at ox-bow this summer in august.  

i bought myself two rings on my trip. the one above, i wear everyday. it's my commitment ring with myself, my dreams and my future. made by a prominent greek woman artisan in 18k gold. my first gold ring, in fact. the twelve slender gold rings are held together in the back, they float inside a open gold box that lays comfortably flat against my finger. i love that the multiple rings move, yet stay together. it functions as a set of worry beads at times. something to play with that has a very soothing effect. and the ring has already opened my vision towards working in gold sooner than i imagined.

in greece i saw so much inspiring contemporary jewelry. the greek metalwork is simply fantastic. from pieces directly inspired by ancient designs, to wonderful, quirky works like the ring below. obviously, it's a special occasion ring. i can't wait to wear it to an art opening or something equally showy.

i think of greece everyday. a deep tug in the heart that is always present.

i miss her like a lover. 

i've been collecting odd little old objects since i was small. i have a reoccurring happy dream where i find an attic full of old trunks, which are full of amazing old stuff. i love the patina of age on a button. it's personal history is a mystery, yet the energy of use is still present. i'm also fascinated by transforming humble objects, like buttons, into gems. above is a peek into one of my drawers of vintage buttons. on the far right, victorian metal buttons, many with floral motifs. moving to the left, vintage hard rubber buttons, produced by goodyear (yes, the car tire company) between 1851 and about the turn of the century. 

staging my work for tomorrow. bezels formed for each button, waiting to be soldered. 

these three vintage buttons have finished silver bezels and are waiting for their backplate to be soldered on. the two smaller ones are early 20th-century glass and will become necklaces. the large lavender one is 1950's plastic and will be a fun ring.

today is my "friday" at the day job. tomorrow, i hit the studio. happy monday, all.