August 2015 Newsletter Giveaway Prize Winner

Congrats to Anita, who won last month’s newsletter giveaway, and scored herself a pair of purple Czech glass earrings of her choice. She chose these lovely orchid Czech glass earrings:

Orchid Oval Czech Glass Drop and Sterling Silver Earrings

Anita has the gorgeous shop Echidna Art and Cards, where I do like to find beautiful greeting cards! You may also have seen some of Echidna Art and Cards’ stunning work featured in my ‘Worthy Cause’ posts. You might love to own some of their work, too – I know find it hard to part with some of the cards I’ve purchased!

This month, green is the colour for the newsletter giveaway, and there are plenty of choices in the green Czech glass section of my shop.

If you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you are automatically entered into each month’s draw, so good luck – next month it could be you!

Gemstone of the Month – Serpentine

Serpentine is the name given to various minerals found in serpentinite rocks. These are used as a source of magnesium and also in industry, and as a decorative stone. The Irish Connemara marble is a form of serpentine.

{Serpentine – Image Hannes Grobe}

The name is thought to come from the Latin serpentinus, meaning ‘serpent rock’ – based on the mineral’s greenish color and smooth or scaly appearance.

{Antigorite – Image Rob Lavinsky}

Serpentine has been used since ancient times to guard against disease and sorcery. It is believed to provide protection against venomous creatures such as snakes and insects. It is thought to balance mood swings, and to promote the ability to solve conflicts peacefully.

{Serpentine Sphere – Image Adam Ognisty}

Serpentine is beautifully offset by silver I think – it’s my current favourite stone!

I have some serpentine in my gemstone collection. If you find a stone that appeals to you and you’d like to have it set in a ring or a pendant, get in touch – I’d love to create something beautiful for you.

{Serpentine cabochon from The Silver Forge Gemstone Collection}

Flashback – Onyx ‘Schnoerkel’ Pendant

I made this piece when I was studying at the Goldsmith’s School under the supervision of my teachers. I found this black onyx cabochon at the annual Gem Show here in Brisbane, and designed this pendant to suit it.

The spirally curlicues are known as ‘shnoerkels’ (having two German teachers had its interesting and educational side!) and the piece was set in dental plaster to solder.

As I was expecting any minute at the time, my kind teacher Sue was worried that I wouldn’t get back to class to do it, so she set the stone for me! 🙂

Worthy Cause – Beyond Blue

Three million Australians are living with depression or anxiety. Are you, or someone you know, one of these people? If so, beyondblue could help.

beyondblue is working to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety in the community by raising awareness and understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery, management and resilience. They have plenty of information and resources available, so if you need ideas or help, visit their website now.

I know the debilitation and pain of depression and anxiety first hand, so this month I’ll be donating 10% of The Silver Forge proceeds to this worthy cause. If you’d like to help and get yourself something fab at the same time, pop into my online shop.

In My Jeweller’s Workshop III

I know how much I love seeing people’s workspaces, so I’m pleased to show you a few more photos of my own little workshop!

15 May 2015

I see in the photo above this rhodochrosite pendant, these seaglass and cuttlefish cast pendants, and this gorgeous custom moss agate ring. On the left is a box in which I keep all the gemstones that are works in progress – there are some that have been in there for some time, I know. I’ll get to them all eventually, promise.

29 May 2015

Under my bench in this photo is the page I use to bend ring shanks to size when they are not going to be a complete ring, for example when they are going underneath a cabochon setting. I can see some of the pieces from my new extraterrestrial collection, and the work in progress on this divine custom chrysoprase set – one of my favourites, I confess!

30 Jun 2015

There is a sheet of silver over on the right rear, and I see the beginnings of some drusy earrings and this lapis ring – and a few other goodies, too.

30 Jun 2015

And here am I, working away. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy what I do!

14 Aug 2015

A sneak peak at some upcoming treasures for you here – and as always, tea. A nice cup of tea’s what keeps me going sometimes. How about you?

Flashback – Sterling Silver Hair Stick

With help from one of my goldsmithing teachers, I created this hair stick not long after I started at the Goldsmith’s school.

It has become my favourite piece to use to represent The Silver Forge brand – in part because of the simplicity of the plain silver, and in part because of the spiral, which reflects in my logo. I am drawn in a huge way to spirals. Fibonacci sequence = fabulous – but instead of the golden ratio, I’m calling it the silver ratio!

I based the design on a similar hairstick that I found whilst touring in China, so it has special meaning to me. I love my hair stick!

July 2015 Newsletter Giveaway Prize Winner

The earring giveaway for June was a pair of coral red Czech glass hoop earrings, and the lucky winner was Sue Lynn! These earrings are on their way to Denver, Colorado, USA. What well travelled pieces I have!

Just to change things up a little, the earring giveaway for August is going to be a pair of purple Czech glass earrings of your choice. You have to be happy with that!

If you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you are automatically entered into each month’s draw, so keep your fingers crossed!

Flashback – Pearl and Sterling Silver Ring

On a trip through China with my family in 2008, as part of a tour of Shanghai we visted the Jin Mao Tower (at the time the sixth tallest building in the world). Our tower entry tickets rather bizarrely entitled us to a free pearl each at the top of the tower (don’t ask, I still don’t know!), so we wandered past many vendors of tourist tat, and found a counter where a girl whisked out some big flat oysters, popped them open with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, and offered us a choice of pearls!

We each chose one, and I held onto them for some time, then decided to set them in a ring so that I could enjoy them.

The top of the ring is reticulated – a method that involves heating a sheet of silver to almost melting point, so the surface becomes textured. Fun stuff!

As another addition to my family was on the way at the time, my very kind teacher Sue, gave me a little seed pearl to set in the top of the ring along with the other three. I treasure this ring, and still wear it today!