Full Swing into the Shopping Season

Hard to believe we are almost through November! I'm currently offering free shipping on all new purchases from my etsy shop through the end of the month (Wednesday!) You can use the coupon code "yipee" at checkout and save a few bucks...

Lots of wonderful stuff!

For those in the Portland area, I'll have my work at a fabulous Art to Wear holiday show next weekend, 

Dec 2nd and 3rd at Ann Williamson's in NE Portland

AND, if that weren't enough, you can find me at the LOCAL 14 pop up gallery in Lake Oswego through the Holidays 

and always at The Real Mother Goose and David Frank, both in Portland.

Autumn's last gasp

Last night we had a pretty big wind and rain storm in the Portland area. I had just remarked at how pretty the Japanese maple looked this year. Seems like the red was extra intense, but then again I think I say that every year... Alas, that windy night did a number on the trees. 

The back yard, where we have an old big leaf maple is carpeted in yellow. Bruce has that job, I cook.

The Art Spot - Pop Up Gallery in Lake Oswego

LOCAL 14, Lake Oswego Arts and Crafts League is approaching it's 45th year. Once a year, in October, the women's art group puts on a big art show and sale at the World Forestry Center in Portland, OR. Three and a half days, and then it's over... 
Now, for fans of the group, you'll be able to continuing shopping right through the Holidays. L14 is taking an empty storefront in Lake Oswego and turning it into The Art Spot pop up gallery! Things have been slowly coming together the last couple of days in preparation for our opening day on Friday. Painting is done, lights are being set and art is filling up the space at 1st and B Streets, Lake Oswego. It's like a concentrated L14 Show! Currently, gallery hours will be Wed - Sun, 11am -6pm. Dates are being set for a grand opening celebration. Please stop by if you're in the Portland area!


                                                             Lots of elbow grease getting the place in shape.

                                                               

                                           

Still putting on the finishing touches

By Friday, perfection!

etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, The Finale

It's hard to believe that another season of Project Runway has come to an end... The etsymetal team has been following along, challenging ourselves weekly along with the PR designers. This week we learned who the Project Runway winner was. 

Our final challenge was to create a mini collection. With only a week to design and execute, it was challenging, especially at this time of year when we are trying to fill orders, and get work to the galleries. Check out the etsymetal blog for all of this week's entries!

My goal was to put together a 3 piece collection using those materials I really enjoy working with such as Nevada boulder turquoise and pearls. I've also popped in a rose cut diamond on the pendant. All pieces are fabricated in sterling silver with 14kt gold accents. The cognac diamond is set in 18kt gold. 

  

  Pendant featuring Nevada boulder turquoise, keshi pearl and cognac rose cut diamond

             Earrings with Nevada boulder turquoise and freshwater pearl

        Ring, Nevada boulder turquoise and freshwater pearl

You'll find these 3 pieces in my etsy shop for only a short while!

Coming up next on the etsymetal blog is the newest challenge surrounding the new Project Accessory.

I'll have to skip that challenge, but do stay tuned to the etsymetal blog for that one. And remember, you don't have to be a member of the etsymetal team to play!

etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, Week 12

                                                                                           Imperial jasper with carnelian drops in sterling and 14kt gold

For last week's Project Runway challenge the designers spent a day on NYC's Governor's Island, in search of inspiration for the creation of a mini collection. For the etsymetal challenge, we followed those same guidelines, using Governor's Island or a hometown park for our inspiration.

My neighborhood park, Maddax Woods, along the Willamette River is a constant source of inspiration and rejuvenation, not to mention our go-to dog walk destination... Goat Island, in the first photo, is a Great Blue Heron rookery. Flores is imploring me to hurry it up!


My challenge entry this week is a pair of earrings using a gorgeous pair of Imperial jasper in mottled greens evoking the cool understory along the path. The beautiful red band running through it reminds me of the Willamette river that borders the east edge of the park as well as the beginning of our Fall colors. The conical carnelian drops, echo that color perfectly!

                                                                      
Our final challenge will be to do a mini collection, just as the final 4 Project Runway designers are preparing to show their collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Stay tuned for that! Meanwhile check out the etsymetal blog with all of the current and past team challenge pieces!

Etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, Week 11

Things have been pretty busy here lately in my little neck of the woods, and I've had to miss the last 2 weeks of the etsymetal Project Runway challenge. (You can find some cool entries from past couple of week's challenges on the etsymetal blog if you're so inclined...)

Last week's show "For the Birds" challenged the designers to create something inspired by one of these 4 birds brought into the studio. 

And, as you can probably guess, the etsymetal challenge traveled along a similar flightpath...

I looked through my collection of stones and found a wonderful piece of ocean jasper with a colorful,  graphic design. I set it in sterling silver with 14kt gold bits and a stylized "tail".

Fun challenge this week!


Next week's challenge: "The Final Challenge" . In this episode, the designers were tasked to create a mini collection emphasizing their overall fashion vision. They went to Governor's Island in NYC to find their inspiration.
The etsymetal challenge: create a piece inspired by the sights on Governor's Island. Or, visit your local park and pick up a little inspiration there.
OK, we'll see what happens...
Meanwhile, see all of last weeks entries here!

Etsymetal Project Runway Challenge, Season 9, Week 8

In this episode, the designer's challenge was to design an outfit for a client's wife or girlfriend. Our challenge, at etsymetal, was to do the same, either by choosing a look from the episode to work with, or to ask a man to describe what his wife or girlfriend would like and design something for her. I took the easier path I guess, buy deciding to choose one of the outfits already designed  and do a piece of jewelry to coordinate with that. My choice for this week was Anya's a-symmetrical dress...

I used a pair of Brazilian agates I had with the look of an animal stripe and paired them with golden coin pearls, picking up the warm golds in the belt or obi in Anya's design.

I made the earrings so that the agate drops can be detached and the pearls can be worn alone, or a-symmetrically, which was my intention while being worn with this gown.

Next Week's Challenge:

"Image Is Everything"

Project Runway Challenge:

In this episode, the challenge was to design a look for a member of an up and coming band, The Sheepdogs. It was a menswear challenge and an image/style challenge.

Our EtsyMetal Challenge Translation:

Rock And Roll!!

Make a piece with music in mind. You may use The Sheepdogs for your inspiration or chose 

another band and make it masculine. We can make menswear too!

 Unfortunately, due to the LOCAL 14 show in Portland next week, I will have to miss this challenge, but you can see the rest of the challenge pieces next Friday on the etsymetal blog!