Too much fun!

Love working in silver. LOVE! Started like many -- copying traditional silver work (much by the brilliant Navajo designers) ... but finally getting to the point where I can imagine what I want to do, set out to do it and get it done! As this happens my "style" emerges. No surprises ... simple, unadorned, a bit industrial or urban. Truly at the beginning of all that but when you can look at a piece and know that you designed something, set out to do it and succeeded in pulling it off -- exciting!

A few samples ... now on site

Heading back to the studio ... not enough time in the day. :)

CYBER MONDAY SALE!

Today only use coupon code CYBER MONDAY at checkout. Website only

Kensington Fall Festival First Annual

4 days out from the Kensington Fall Festival. What a day!

It started early -- 7:30 Am --  closing Howard Ave - then vendor set up starting at 8:30.

Then it's a blur. Music, crowds (an estimated 5000 people) 

Already excited for next year which will be bigger and better. Thanks to everyone who came!

Updated Fall Festival!

When was the last time you were in Kensington MD ... not whizzing past on Connecticut Ave, but, Old Town Kensington? On Sunday October 18, Old Kensington Row invites you to join us to share the charm and warmth of quaint streets and train whistles in Antique Row to celebrate Fall.

KENSINGTON FALL FESTIVAL 11AM-4PM 

3 bands (maybe 5), handcrafted vendors, antiques & vintage, kids activities all day, food trucks!

...I  knew when I first stepped into Kensington MD that it was THE PLACE for me and a little store one day. Years later I was at a craft show, set up next to someone ... we were talking about our plans for our businesses. We both wanted to open little shops -- when we spoke about where, we both said Kensington and the same moment.

That was years ago, and many things have led to this moment, but we just celebrated the 3 year anniversary of Gala

My little dream come true ♥ 

And there are days that I pinch myself.

So very excited about the Kensington Fall Festival!

 

I am excited to represent (with many others) the conversion of Kensington into more than an Antiques hub --  which it is and will remain -- but now, it can be known as a destination for handmade as well!

On Sunday October 18, 2015 -- join us in welcoming some of the great hand crafters in the region, along with wonderful live music, kids activities and antiques. Cannot wait!

My beautiful studio, Summer 2015

Progress

Life is amazing. I feel so lucky to have found my little spot in this world ... where I know I should be. I love making jewelry, and I love my little store, Gala ... sometimes I want to pinch myself.

Since my last post, a lot has happened. How could that be when you post once a year you ask? Forgot I had a blog, if I am honest ... Lol.

I just read my last post. At the time I wrote it I probably could have anticipated none of what I will write about today.

It's been a real time of transition for me. I found out in August 2013 why I've been limping for 5 years + ... To my own disbelief, I needed a total hip replacement. (WTF?? Right?? I'm only 50.)

...And, somehow, something that's been creeping up on me for some time ...I knew without a doubt, that after creating beaded jewelry happily and successfully for over 10 years, I was ready for more, and that I wanted to take my jewelry creations to another level.

Planning and mulling and fretting and worrying in my way -- knowing that the surgery was going to take it's toll, and time, and ... good god they're going to cut a piece out of me! Aaahhh!

And also, knowing that the ramp up to learning the new skills in the studio would be challenging -- I would need to start working with metals and metalsmithing, and imparting my own style onto my handcrafted jewelry would also take patience and diligence

Everything started to come together in the beginning of 2014. After watching hours and hours of tutorials -- making lists of what I needed -- I began ordering for my studio in January. A metalworking bench and flex shaft and saws -- torches and files and a kiln. It all fit into my studio nicely, and sat there looking very impressive! Then, with all my new equipment untouched, I took my annual pilgrimage to Tucson in February, (this time buying a few cabochons, wondering what the hell would do with them!). When I came home I went under the knife for a total anterior hip replacement, on Feb. 17.

Fast forward to today, July 6 2014, I am happy to report that I am back on the tennis court every week, playing better than I ever have! (Not saying much, unfortunately.)

In the studio, It's been a new beginning as I've healed. I started walking around my new equipment when I still had the walker! Sniffing it, touching stuff, lol. I really didn't know where to begin. Little by little I have started learning and making things. I have a pile of burned sterling silver in the tray! But ... I am learning! And I am so excited at the possibilities! The tools available these days are so liberating -- especially the Sterling Silver Clay. I still feel like I'm just dunking my toe in the water ... and I love the feeling ... like the possibilities are endless.

I hope that I don't forget I have a blog again, but no promises. At the very least, if history tells us anything, you can expect another update in about a year!

posted on Instagram - I'm Linda Blackbourn -- follow me! ♥

I took my annual trip to the gem show in Tucson in February. I am becoming a regular.  I know my way around the venues that I frequent. People recognize me. I'm in on the gossip even. I know stuff! I remember when I first went it was so overwhelming. I never dreamed I would get to this point.

They are still not mining turquoise in China, which is changing the whole market. I am sticking to American turquoise. Lot's of turquoise from the Sleepig Beauty mine, but also Kingman, and even a few strands of very expensive Bisbee Turquoise, which is all mined out.

It is just so beautiful, and high quality. And now it's the same price ... so why not? Seriously. Why would you buy the Chinese stuff if it's the same price?

Just look at the blue!

Also feel like my style has evolved ... though I'd be curious if you feel the same. You can click on any of the photos to see the piece in my online shop ...

Seriously, when you wait MORE THAN A YEAR to make a blog post, a lot can happen. One thing I have realized ... I am not a blogger. But, I do like to keep people updated -- people who are not in my life on a daily basis, or are not local, or are interested in my comings and goings for one reason or another!

The big, humongous news is: I have opened a store!!

That's it in the background. Gala Artisan Jewelry and Gifts. In Kensington MD.

I opened Gala with a lovely partner -- Barbara Catrett -- and we have brought many wonderful artists into the fold.

(Gala stands for G.uild of A.rtists L.ocal to the A.rea) We opened in September 2012, and things have been going great.

You know I had been doing shows and fairs with my jewelry -- and having good success. And doing well with my Etsy shop. And going to the Martha Stewart show, and the Etsy events in NY, etc. But I really missed having a roof over my head, as in a store roof. And the great jewelry sales and the interaction that I had with people at ArtSpring. Don't get me wrong, leaving ArtSpring was the right thing for me, but it was like leaving an adult child that I could no longer help. Heartbreaking. And it was more than just the jewelry sales, (although that was tough to give up), I loved the whole idea of ArtSpring, and being an integral part of the handmade movement in my area. And I missed the camaraderie of artists, and the excitement of building something together to be proud of. 

In the back of my head I knew wanted to do another shop -- kind of take the best of what I had learned from ArtSpring and put it towards something that would really be mine -- not hopping around from vacancy to vacancy in downtown Silver Spring. And, I kept thinking of Kensington for some reason ... that it would be the perfect neighborhood to support a little handmade shop. Well -- fast forward to last summer when I stumbled upon this little, adorable storefront!

...seriously, it was irresistible!

Call me crazy or whatever, but I have had no regrets yet. Love my partner, and the artists we have on board. Everyone falls in love with it when they walk in. And, my jewelry is selling like hotcakes!

ME, on The Martha Stewart Show

I was one of the lucky Etsy sellers invited to be in the audience of  the Martha Stewart Etsy episode. So much fun! Sadly, I don’t think I was featured on the taping, but it was a great experience! Tons of fun!  The episode airs Thursday, April 26 on the Hallmark Channel.

I think Martha is great, and it was only confirmed by the experience! She really brings a lot of attention to crafting, and hand made. She featured two Etsians and their crafts -- one of them is one of my favorites – the tree ring guy. The other was a woman who makes food out of polymer clay and then crafts jewelry from it. She then gave everyone in the audience a bag of Martha Stewart crafting supplies and a $50 HP gift certificate.

...Best of all, though.... is this feature on the Website:

http://www.marthastewart.com/902171/etsy-show-audience#902156

Yes, that's 'lil ole me. And after all, it is all about me ....

Local show season is cookin up!

Tons of new stones and styles! Cannot wait for everyone to see. First show of the season -- Saturday April 28 -- big, open, home show in Chevy Chase DC. -- 5816 Chevy Chase PKWY from 1-5 pm. Hope you can make it!!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Russian Painted Porcelain

If you follow my jewelry, you know I am pretty married to stones and gemstones. Basically ... that's what I do. I like artisan glass for instance, and clay and wood ... but it doesn't move me like stones. All of my jewelry is made with gemstones and semi-precious stones, as a rule.

Well ... I guess all good rules are meant to be broken! When I saw these porcelain beads I gasped ... almost like when I see a gorgeous sample of turquoise. They are truly stunning, and the quality is undeniable.

Made by a small Eastern European outfit, they are created and painted in the ancient Russian Pysanski style. I have only seen them represented there so are truly a unique find. Right now I have 3 pairs of earrings and a couple necklaces in the shop, but I will follow with more pendants and necklaces.

Green Turquoise Freshwater Pearl Earrings

This is the other pair ... truly a playful treatment above these fantastic, freshwater pearls. So beautiful and unique! Earrings measure 1 3/4 inch. I can definitely see these with one of this seasons great dresses! Really Unique earrings.

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Green Turquoise Blossoms!

I love it when magic happens in the studio. What happened with these Green Turquoise heishis feel like magic! They are so springy and fun just wired like they are here. I made these ... and another pair with pearls. These earrings measure 1 inch total including .925 Sterling Silver Lever backs. Just the perfect size for everyday!

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Copal Amber

I went to this year's Tucson Gem Show with a few things on my list, and one was the word "yellow". Specifically, I was looking for "the yellow" from Pantone's 2012 list: Solar Power.

I was standing at one of my regular bead vendors when I saw it across the corridor. I made a bee line and grabbed a hank and said "is this amber"? "Copal Amber" was the answer. What I knew was that it was gorgeous! Exactly what I wanted!

Back home I figured I better figure out what Copal Amber was. I knew one thing ... if it was real amber, I wouldn't have spent as little as I did. I also knew it was light and lovely -- but it was clearly natural -- not some sort of man made fake amber. (Not to mention that the seller was VERY reputable.)

So ... according to academicemporia.edu:, (and everything else I read):

Amber:

Amber is a fossilized resin, not tree sap. Sap is the fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, while resin is the semi-solid amorphous organic substance secreted in pockets and canals through epithelial cells of the plant. Land plant resins are complex mixtures of mono-, sesqui-, di-, and triterpenoids, which have structures based on linked isoprene C₅H₈ units ****

Therefore Amber is formed as a result of the fossilization of resin that that takes millions of years and involves a progressive oxidation and polymerization of the original organic compounds, oxygenated hydrocarbons. Although a specific time interval has not been established for this process, the majority of amber is found within Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary rocks(approximately 30-90 million years old).

On the other hand,

Copal Amber:

Copal Amber is not the fossilized, hardened resin that is known as amber, but rather an immature recent resin. Confusion is inevitable. "The oldest known substitute for amber is copal, a resin which is very similar in appearance" , but Copal is not many millions but many thousands of years old.

Okay .... so in a few million years it will be amber -- I can live with that. Right now it is gorgeous, and beautiful. (and affordable!)

Blue Lapis Lazuli Stretch Bracelet Margarita Sterling Silver - $40.00

This is my second stretch bracelet. If they take off ... I will make more.
Blue Lapis Lazuli Stretch Bracelet Margarita Sterling Silver -- Hand Crafted Gemstone Jewelry



This is my first series of stretch bracelets. I meet too many people at shows who don't want to deal with the clasps. That being said ... I don't want them to look "cheap" ... so ... here it is:



Fantastic color the gorgeous, matte finish Lapis Lazuli nuggets (10-20mm), serpenti...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Colorblock Copal Amber Sponge Coral Red Yellow Bracelet Sterling Silver - $40.00

First time I've ever made stretch bracelets. People ask and ask because the are so much easier ... but, I've just always thought they didn't look good without some beautiful silver. Well ... added some beautiful silver! Two new bracelets have been added to the site. Here's one: Colorblock Copal Amber Sponge Coral Red Yellow Bracelet Sterling Silver



This is my first series of stretch bracelets. I meet too many people at shows who don't want to deal with the clasps. That being said ... I don't want them to look "cheap" ( I love my sterling silver accents and clasps!) So ... here it is:



Fantastic color in this new, chunky Color Block beaded Br...

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

I am a turquoise hoarder ...

I am so drawn to turquoise. When I go to the shows I wait and dedicate some real time to finding the best (to my taste) turquoise. It used to be that you could get some pretty beautiful Chinese turquoise -- very blue and lovely -- for much less than what most people consider the best (from Arizona). But nowadays, they have closed their mines, and the prices are compatible with Arizona Turquoise. So what? I just stick with the real thing. The gold Standard. Usually Sleeping Beauty, but sometimes Kingman or some of the other AZ mines.

You would think then that I would get back to my studio and go wild. NO. It sits there like a precious relic in it's original packaging. Somehow it's comforting ....

Well, I looked through my Etsy shop the other day and realized I have very little turquoise in it. You should see how much turquoise I have!!! Anyway -- cracked some out today. ... I do get shortness of breath around the stuff ... (really). And somehow ... it just asks for gold. I just think it's one of nature's wonders...

More than De-stash!

I know a lot of people share my joy in making jewelry, or even just collecting beads. So this is the first year that I made a point to buy a little extra of many items when I was at the gem show in Tucson. (There are so many things there that you just don't see anywhere else.)

Last year I started a small wholesale supply store on Etsy. It started out mainly as de-stash -- mainly gemstone beads and pearls that never made it into my designs for one reason or another. The shop is for hobbyists and designers alike. Little by little I have been adding the items I picked up in Tucson this year. Yes ... the prices are like that of a bead shop ... but not the quantities! There are just selected items that I think are special and unique -- and not too many of them. I have added the Etsy mini to the left panel of the blog, but here's a mini mini: