I created this forget-me-not charm bracelet for a customer to give to her boss for Christmas.
The sterling silver chain is pre-made, but the clasps and the charms are handcrafted.
Thanks, Cherie, I hope it was appreciated!
Tag Archives: Ruthie Gray
Sterling Silver Ljiljan Pendant
I created this sterling silver ljiljan pendant for a customer as a gift for her partner.
The Lilium bosniacum is a lily native to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the is national symbol of the Bosniak people.
This design is also known as a fleur-de-lys, often used in heraldic imagery. Thanks, Caitlin. I hope it was well received!
AMOK Atoms for Peace Sterling Silver Cufflinks
Any fans of Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM or Forro in the Dark may be familiar with Atoms for Peace, an alternative rock band with some very famous names in it!
These cufflinks were specially designed to incorporate features of the AMOK album cover, and created for a lovely customer to give to her husband, a diehard Radiohead fan.
Just between you and me, these were the first cufflinks I’ve ever made – they were great fun! The cufflink backs are prefabricated sterling silver, but the rest is all my own sawing work.
I wonder what Thom Yorke, Flea, Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco would think of them? 🙂
Capricorn
Capricorn, The Goat, is the tenth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 22 December and 20 January is born under this sign. Capricorn, the latin word for “horned goat” or “goat horn”, is a cardinal sign, and is ruled by the planet Saturn. Its symbol is 
, representing the body and head of a goat with the tail of a fish. Capricorn is one of the four earth signs.
Onyx is one of the traditional stones for Capricorn. Onyx is believed to assist with repelling negative energy.
July – Onyx
Another stone traditionally assigned to Capricorn is Ruby. It is thought to be good for self esteem, and is worn as a symbol of friendship and love.
Key words for people born under the sign of Capricorn are: Enduring, has a sense of purpose, proud, ambitious. Capricorns can be suspicious and aloof. Capricorn rules the knees, joints, and the skeletal system.
Capricorns share their sign with such notables as JRR Tolkien, Kahlil Gibran and Henri Matisse. You can shop for a Capricorn pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius, The Archer, is the ninth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 November and 21 December is born under this sign. Sagittarius, the latin word for an archer, from sagitta for an arrow, is a mutable sign, and is ruled by the planet Jupiter. Its symbol is 
, representing the centaur’s arrow. Sagittarius is one of the four fire signs.
Turquoise is one of the traditional birthstones for Sagittarius. It is believed to be the symbol of friendship, to protect the wearer from negative energy and to bring good fortune.
Another stone traditionally assigned to Sagittarius is Topaz. Topaz is believed to be very calming and soothing, and to be able to assist with problem solving.
Key words for people born under the sign of Sagittarius are: Free spirit, carefree, love of movement and cheerful. Sagittarians often suffer wanderlust, both in body and mind.
Sagittarius rules the hips, thighs, liver, and sciatic nerve.
Sagittarians share their sign with such notables as Bruce Lee, CS Lewis and Edvard Munch.
You can shop for a Sagittarius pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.
Scorpio
Scorpio, The Scorpion, is the eighth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 24 October and 22 November is born under this sign. According to ancient Greek legend, the huntsman Orion went to the island of Crete to hunt. Orion threatened to kill every beast, which made the goddess of earth, Gaia, angry. To punish him, she sent a huge scorpion which stung Orion to death. Scorpio is a fixed sign, and is ruled by Pluto. Its symbol is 
, which represents the scorpion’s sting. Scorpio is one of the four water signs.
Blue topaz is one of the traditional stones for Scorpio. Blue Topaz is believed to be very calming and soothing, and to be able to assist with problem solving.
Another stone traditionally assigned to Scorpio is aquamarine. Aquamarine is thought to bring peace and serenity, calm the nerves, and protect sailors.
Key words for people born under the sign of Scorpio are: Corrosive, passionate, piercing; brings about extreme situations. Scorpios frequently cause quarrels. Scorpio rules the reproductive system, sexual organs, bowels, and excretory system.
Scorpios share their sign with such notables as Claude Monet, Carl Sagan and Michael Collins. You can shop for a Scorpio pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.
Libra
Libra, The Scale, is the seventh symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 24 September and 23 October is born under this sign. Libra is Latin for weighing scales. It is a cardinal sign, and is ruled by the planet Venus. Its symbol is 
, representing the scales. Libra is one of the four air signs.
Lapis is one of the traditional stones for Libra. Lapis is believed to have cleansing properties, and can help to clear and focus the mind. Lapis has been in use since ancient times, and was once more highly prized than gold. It is used to make ultramarine paint.
Another stone traditionally assigned to Gemini is chrysolite, more commonly known as peridot. Peridot is believed to be a very spiritual stone, full of lightness and beauty.
Key words for people born under the sign of Libra are: Good sense of beauty and proportion, tactful, seek balance and harmony. Librans sometimes have trouble getting off the fence. Libra rules the kidneys, skin, lumbar region and buttocks.
Librans share their sign with such notables as Oscar Wilde, Mahatma Ghandi, and Alfred Nobel. You can shop for a Libra pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.
Virgo
Virgo, The Virgin, is the sixth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 August and 23 September is born under this sign. Virgo, the latin word for virgin, is a mutable sign, and is ruled by the planet Mercury. Its symbol is 
, representing a sheaf of barley. Virgo is one of the four earth signs.
Carnelian is the traditional stone for Virgo. Carnelian is believed to give energy, guard against poverty, and promote good moods.
Another stone traditionally assigned to Virgo is Jade. It is thought to protect the wearer from coming to harm.
Key words for people born under the sign of Virgo are said to be: Precise, differentiatial, doers of what is necessary, utilitarian. Virgoans take a critical point of view. Virgo rules the digestive system, intestines, spleen and nervous system.
Virgoans share their sign with such notables as Roald Dahl, Stephen King and Jane Addams. You can shop for a Virgo pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.
Tool of the Month – Engraving Ball
The engraving ball (also known as the engraving vise) is a steel ball with a slot cut out of it, and a vise clamp across it. It is seated in a cup (in this case, a leather donut, lubricated with graphite) which enables it to be rotated 360 degrees around, and around 180 degrees side to side.
Used most often for engraving (obviously!) the ball gives you a full range of movement so that as you are cutting, you can spin the piece around for ease of access.
Although I have a set of gravers, and understand the principle of engraving (and of faceted stone setting which also requires gravers), I don’t practise those disciplines. Instead, I use my engraving ball for another of its purposes – setting cabochon gemstones.
The same principle applies, in that you can rotate the piece so that you can approach the setting from all angles.I love my engraving ball, and use it all the time – I’d be lost without it!
Leo
Leo, The Lion, is the fifth symbol of the Zodiac. Anyone born between 23 July and 22 August is born under this sign. Leo, the latin word for Lion, is a fixed sign, and is ruled by the Sun. Its symbol is 
, representing the lion’s head and mane. Leo is one of the four fire signs.
Tourmaline is one of the birthstones for Leo. It is believed to be good for lessening falls, both physical and emotional.
Another stone traditionally assigned to Leos is Onyx. Onyx is believed to assist with repelling negative energy.
Key words for people born under the sign of Leo are: Glamour, generosity, organizer, the center of attention. Leos like to take the lion’s share of things. Leo rules the heart, chest, spine, spinal column and upper back.
Leos share their sign with such notables as Coco Chanel, JK Rowling and Amelia Earheart.
You can shop for a Leo pendant in my Celestials Collection in The Silver Forge Shop.