Thursday, April 30, 2009

Gotta' Love the Front Cover....


Check out the front cover of the May issue of Profile Magazine, and you'll see some of my latest bead work featuring, Black Onyx, Red Cinnabar and large Sterling Silver Heart. How exciting is that!
Profile Magazine can be viewed at:
http://www.profilemag.com.au/

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Queen for a day...



O.K.....how great is this chair? While in Vietnam in Feb. I looked into a hotel lobby while walking by and spotted these chairs. I just couldn't resist walking in, sitting down, and having my photo taken. I love everything about this chair!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pink Peruvian Opal....Lovely!




What a beautiful stone, Pink Opal from Peru. Photos' are of tumbled stones and a pendant of my design featuring Peruvian Opal and Vintage German cut Glass, set in Sterling silver.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Colour...The Spice and Inspiration of Life!







A few snaps of recent, colourful moments...Top Photo "George" the parrot, Renee Blackwell Design "Carnival Beads", Beautiful Leaded Glass in Queen Victoria Building, Sydney and Last picture, Street art in Bali, Indonesia.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Sydney, Australia...Hard to beat this city!



I have been all over the world, but I must say Sydney is still one of my favorite Cities to visit. I never ever get tired of seeing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Botanical Gardens or experiencing the eclectic flavors in every nook and cranny of this magnificent city.
Several years ago my mom and I sailed under the bridge aboard a huge cruise ship at 5 am on a cool morning with the sun just rising and flags flying with hundreds of passengers standing in silence as we glided under one of Australians most recognizable landmarks.

Although my trips to Sydney usually involves work, this past week end was a welcome exception. My traveling buddy the fun and fanciful Michelle, awesome friend and manicurist extraordinaire and I flew down early Friday morning and staggered back on the plane late Sunday evening.
The primary reason for this trip was the Vintage Fair which takes place a couple of time a year in the suburb of Canterbury a quick taxi drive from the city. For anyone who loves cool stuff (open for interpretation!) this is one for the top of the list. Although not a huge show, it is big enough to have good variety and quality, small enough not to be totally overwhelming. The attraction for me is old jewellery, beautiful buttons, glass stones and any sort of antique or vintage components I might find to use in my jewellery designs. Imagine stall after stall of lovely clothing, jewellery, hats, purses and fabric all in exceptional condition. Quality sums up just about any item in this show. Long before most of the clothing we wear ever though of coming over in huge container ships from China or all the other mass markets of manufacturing., these pieces were made with care and attention to detail. No loose buttons, dangling threads or cheap feeling fabric here.

I also appreciate that the stall holders invariably know the intricate details of their wares, which I find fascinating and useful. Connection to source, story and history makes anything found or purchased that much more special.
Sydney Rocks!

So Many Beads, Rocks, Gems and Stones...So Little Time!



“So many beads, rocks gems and stones…so little time!”

Let’s start with one of my all time favorite stones on the planet and it’s found right here in Australia. It’s called Prehnite, and most of what I buy comes from Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory. I first came across this lovely stone several years ago at a local rock and gem show and fell in love with it. It’s a strange yet beautiful yellowish-greenish-cloudy-to clear colour, depending upon what part of the rock is cut and polished. One of the things I love the most about this stone, is the variety of colors and patterns all from the one rock…of course part of the magic is in the cut and polish or facet and that’s where my pals come in…we’ll call them Paul and Ken. I met these two fellas’ at a local rock show and we’ve become fast friends. Paul digs, cuts and polishes or tumbles the stones, an incredible labor of love and patience. Ken chooses to cut and facet the Prehnite he works with and I usually set these beauties as rings.

I am often asked if I have a certain jewellery design in mind when I buy my stones and gems, and I must confess the answer is no. When I am presented with for example a tray of Prehnite stones, I could never limit myself to whatever designs I might have swirling thru’ my head that particular day. Rather, I choose each stone like a child in a candy shop…carefully selecting each lolli for colour, size, texture and my very own visual feast. I might go back to my studio Harmony House that day and work with the stones, or they might get mixed in with hundreds of other stones and gems, for another day, another inspiration, another design.

One of the best parts about what I have chosen to do with my life and work, incorporates meeting and working with so many lovely people, young and old, from all walks of life!

Flash!
Prehnite is regarded as a rare precious gem and Australia has about 90% of the world's resource of this beautiful gemstone.