House We Love

This is the house that Travis and I love! It is in an artsy neighborhood of Indianapolis called Broad Ripple. It is a perfect first home for us, and I am really excited to make a bid on it. We just have to wait for Travis to get a job offer. Wish us luck!

Precious Metal Clay Jewelry

Here are some of my older designs using hand formed precious metal clay. I like how using PMC gives an organic, human feel to something that can be so cold and mechanical.

Life Cycle

Life Cycle #2 (2006)

This is a bangle I made completely by hand. It is constructed out of sterling silver and oxidized copper. The sterling leaves are pierced and polished to represent "life", and the copper leaves are etched,pierced, and oxidized to represent death. The bangle itself is marriage of metal on top, and all sterling on the inside against the wearer's skin. Also on the inside the lyric "My heroes have the heart to lose their lives out on a limb, and all I remember is thinking I want to be like that" by Gnarls Barkley is stamped on the inside as a private reminder to the wearer to live life to the fullest. I like this piece because you can wear it two different ways and it relates in an intimate way to the wearer.

Life Cycle #1

Etched, oxidized copper and etched sterling silver
["Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." -John Lennon, on back]

Life Cycle #3
Anodized aluminum, copper, & sterling silver

My Dream House

My husband, Travis, and I are currently in our last semester of grad school and looking to move out of Muncie, IN. Where we will move we have no idea. I guess wherever we get jobs. I was looking at houses in the Indy metro area and found this old Victorian that I thought was the most beautiful house I had ever seen. I like the idea of mixing a very classic style of house with somewhat modern interiors to give it a nice balanced look. Well designed, yet comfortable.

Paloma's Nest

I was poking around Etsy and stumbled upon a store call Paloma's Nest that sells the most exquisite pottery ($12-$44). I love the pure white color and the simplistic use of text. The shop also sells balsa wood cards. Their tagline, "crafting, one PEACE at a time" is a lovely sentiment reflected in their work.

My Bunnies

Here are my babies, Molly and Lucy. Molly is a dark gray and white Netherland Dwarf and Lucy is a black and brown Tan rabbit. They are the cutest little rabbits and are so fun to have around. Rabbits make excellent pets because the can be trained to use litter boxes and do not require as much attention as dogs, do not have dander like cats, and still have lots of personality. Visit the House Rabbit Society for more information on adopting a rescued rabbit.

Molly & Lucy

More Etsy

I spent the weekend taking more photos of some of my older jewelry and posting it to my Etsy shop. I have already sold my labradorite and marcasite earrings. I am excited to get back into the studio to try some new techniques and styles, mixing my silversmithing techniques with my love of gemstones and vintage pieces. Here are just a few samples of my recent Etsy posts:

Handmade glass bead, vintage faux pearls and crystals, sterling silver dragonflies and clasp

Sterling silver bangle that I hammered and oxidized

Handmade glass beads, hematite, Czech glass, and sterling silver

Etsy Site

I recently opened a shop at www.etsy.com. Etsy is a great place to buy handmade items from independent artisans like myself. My shop is Sakura Designs and I am going to be selling my beaded jewelry featuring semi-precious stones and vintage pieces, as well as some of my new metals work. I will be working this spring on a new website featuring all of my new work & I will keep you posted on that.

Bracelet made with vintage pieces, Czech glass beads, and 18k gold-filled chain & clasp.

Earrings featuring faceted labradorite, marcasite, hematite, & sterling silver

Earrings featuring ceramic dragonfly beads draped in 18k gold-filled chain

Thesis Show Pics

Here are some photos of the pieces in my thesis show, Body Adornment. I wanted to create pieces of forged silver that accentuated the beauty of the female form without overshadowing it.