Now, the following I just added to my shop today, so they are definitely NEW!

I had a special request for a twig band, so I set out to have my first pieces cast from actual twigs.  Pretty exciting.  It’s always exciting to have a new technique to be able to add to my bag of tricks.  I’m still not carving in wax, but this is still a great start.  Look for more coming soon.  I have some 14k gold bands like this one and some others coming soon!

Aquamarine Twig Ring with 14k Rose Gold Setting and Sterling Band

Modern Sterling Teardrop Earrings with Unique Texture

Shimmer Cuff in Gold

Rhodolite Garnet Checkerboard Cushion Ring in Sterling Silver

White Sapphire and Recycled 14k Gold Studs

Sterling Silver Bar Ring with Colombian Emerald

Last, but not least, a quick bump update.  12 more weeks and counting!

I received a beautiful book in the mail last week.  I had heard that my work was on the cover of this absolutely beautifully done book by Melissa Hunt.  But, it was such a pleasure to get my hands on it to see what was inside.  Not only does it feature the beautiful work of some incredible independent artists, but the step by step instructions and illustrations are so well done.  I’m really honored to have some of my work featured on the front as well as inside.

My second piece of news is an interview done by The Upcoming.  It was so much fun and you can read the interview here.

I’ve been doing a good amount of designing these last couple months.  I will have a great big jewelry update next week.  Lots of fun and jew things to share!  Maybe an updated belly shot too.  I’ll finally be in my third trimester in a few days.  Phew!  The final stretch.  Ugh.  Literally.

I’m feeling better now, so making plans for some more serious time in the studio before our little girl (yay!) arrives.  My mind has for the most part been elsewhere, but inspiration is striking, especially since my annual trip to Tucson to gem shop earlier this month.  I found so many fun things : ).  I do hope to be sharing new designs in the near future.  It feels good to be back.  I won’t be so long next time…

My Holiday Sale is going on now until November 8th and everything is 20% off in my shop.  Just enter the coupon code “HOLIDAY20″ when you check out!  Get Shopping!

Tromping around in the woods…

Playing tourist in Canal Park and Park Point…

But, the really special part of the trip is to get up to the cabin on the Gunflint Trail.  It’s a huge part of my childhood and the visit is never for quite long enough.  One day I’ll get up there for a couple weeks.  No electricity, phones, TV, internet…  Ahhhh, peace and quiet!  And, it’s just one of my most favorite places ever.

Lots of time sitting on the dock…

Maybe doing some of this…

Did I mention sitting on the dock?  Morning, noon and night.  Never get tired of it.

And, who could resist feeding these little guys?!  Beware, they are total pigs, but so dang cute.

And other very “Minnesotan” sights and activities….

I’m already excited for next year.

Oh, and I have a few more new jewelry items to share soon – so stay tuned.

I thought I’d share some new designs from the last month or so.  Some of this is available in the shop and the last few are a couple custom items.  Click the titles to head to my shop for details…

Turquoise Ring in 14k Gold and Sterling

Silver Rose Cut Diamond Ring with White Sapphire Accent in 14k Gold

Recycled 14k Gold Post Earrings

Rose Cut Pink Sapphire Ring with White Sapphire Accents in 14k Gold and Sterling

Ombre Earrings with White Moonstone and Chrysoprase

Faceted London Blue Topaz and White Sapphire Ring in Sterling

Labradorite Ring in 14k Gold and Sterling

Custom Wedding Set in 14k Gold – Morganite Engagement Ring and Green Sapphire Wedding Band

Agate Ring with 14k Gold and Sterling

5 stone White Sapphire Wedding Band in 14k Gold

So, a little exploring…

For you local dog lovers, we went to Whidbey Island and visited the most AMAZING off leash dog park.  It’s called Double Bluff Beach and there are miles of beach front that your dogs can go nuts on.  We all highly recommend it.  This is what pure joy looks like…

Kyra had fun too.  She prefers to take her time and really appreciate all the wonders of nature around her.  And then roll in it.

Cooking and eating…

Strawberry jam.  So good.  I’d eat it on paper.

Eating outside on the deck is one of my favorite things about summer.  Every night we can.  So fun to find new things to stick on the grill.

Gardening…

The whole garden is quite lovely right now.  All the beautiful nasturtiums.  The squash blossoms, basil, beans, peas.  Ahhh.  The colors and smells are just wonderful.

Oh, and this is Lulu eating a log.  Total random cuteness for you.  You are welcome.

And, socializing.  I feel weird posting photos of people other than myself, so this terrible photo of fireworks will have to do.  But we celebrated the 4th with great friends and it was such a great day.

And, finally, working!

I have some new items to share and some custom to show off soon so stay tuned!  Wedding season.  Phew.  It’s a busy one.

Then, my most favorite update Etsy has made for quite a while.  Custom “About” pages for all shop owners.  What a great job they did enabling us to tell our stories.  Check mine out here.

And, of course, jewelry to share.  One custom, the rest new for the shop.

I love this custom birthstone necklace.  So subtle – kid’s initials on the back.  Adore!

Then, there’s the garden.  Lots of greens and goodies getting harvested.  There’s another bumper crop of strawberries coming this year.  I can’t wait!  I finished my last jar of strawberry jam from last year a couple months ago, so I’m more than ready for more!  It’s probably my favorite thing to grow.

I’m a little obsessed with green smoothies right now.  My favorite is spinach, apple, mango and melon.  Yum.

…and more signs of spring

And sweet pup faces.

Just one more… : )

All of this is making life pretty sweet.  I’m sending some of it your way…

We also discovered sage leaf tempura.  Oh dear.  It’s so good.  I have a ridiculous amount of gorgeous sage right now and found this recipe in my cookbook In Season by Sarah Raven.

Sage Leaf Tempura

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Plenty of sea salt and pepper
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups iced sparkling water or cold beer
Peanut oil for frying
30 to 40 sage leaves, depending on size and variety

Sift the flour into a bowl with the salt and pepper and make a well in the center.  Add the eggs and, with a balloon whisk, mix in the beer to make a not too smooth batter.  Keep the batter in the fridge until you need it.  Heat up your oil to about 350, dip your sage leaves in your batter and start frying!  Cook until golden and fish them out with tongs, dry them on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.  Oh, and eat them!!

And, of course we had to grill garden burgers.  Because getting the grill out for the first time just calls for it.

Then some ball throwing and a nice, long neighborhood walk topped off the day.  Pretty perfect.

Oh, the colors in Seattle in the Spring!  Pretty incredible.  Today is another beauty, but it’s back to the studio for me.