Old work, new picture :)

The central piece and the toggle is made of silver (the gold leaves are gold-plated with a keum-boo technique). This necklace is made of Japanese gold- and platinum-plated beads. The only reason for making it was I had extra beads from this project. (Souds like a good reason to me :)

Upcoming winter classes

Advanced Stone Setting Workshop One weekend: December 10&11, 2011. Time: from 11 am to 5 pm. Price $150.00 + tax.

Advanced Silversmithing course 8-Thursday course, January 12th to March 1, 2012. Time: 6.30 pm to 9.30 pmPrice $215.00

Engraving 5-Saturday course, January 14 to March 3 (No class January 28 & February 4), 2012. Time: 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Price $215.00 + tax.

To sign up for the classes call Mountain Gems at (604)298-5883 or Toll-free (Canada/USA) 1-888-593-1888

Custom work

This is the second stone for the "suprise" order. On one hand I had a request for a "suprise", on another hand... I do not make sketches for my pendants with the sea creatures. They are ment to be a "game"... I take all of them out, and see what this stone "wants" to have around it. This stone "wanted" a turtle...

I put the pendants into the little jewellery boxes and took them to the customer.
- Customer has ordered a suprise, customer is getting a suprise, - I told her.

She opened the box...

- Did you know that I was collecting turtles? - she asked... and gave me a hug.

She also told that she would have to fight her daughter for this pendant. So... I got another order. It won't be done before Christmas, though.

Custom work

I got two stones for a custom work... And a very specific task: "Surprise me!"

Well.... If it was my stone and I did not care that anybody would ever like it and buy it.... this pendant could look completely different :) I have to admit, that I was a little bit scared to do "too much"... so... possibly... I did "not enough"...

However, the customer saw the sketch and liked it. So I have become a little bit more brave and did not show her a sketch for her second stone... I will publish the picture of it later this week.

Russian jewellery artists

There are many great artists in Russia. There are many talented jewellery designers among them. However, as any artists of a country with its own culture and history, modern Russian artists have their own preferences in the materials that they like to use. Russian people like chic in their every day life, they like colour and intricate forms. No wonder that seed beads and lace making techniques have transformed from traditional ways of use, known in the past centuries and into something completely new to fulfill the imagination of these new artists who have the world open in front of them. They study all innovations. They love their background. Then they put everything aside and start creating...

Alice in Wonderland

I just thought I would not be able to find another carver that could impress me as much as Dashi Namdakov when I've come across this Russian wood and ivory carver! His name is Joseph Epshtain. Look what he has made!

These are the figurines from the "Alice in Wonderland" book made into a chess set.

I hope he can find a connoisseur who can afford this beautiful piece of work!

My necklace is published in a designer jewellery book

My necklace that I wrote about before is included into this wonderful book of designer jewellery. The book is for sale here. Preview is available.

Creative Treasures

Jewellery Masterpieces virtual collection

There is an amazing Russian carver... a sculptor and a jeweller whose work can become an inspiration for anybody who does carving. It has become an inspiration for me too. He has the highest level of creativity and fantasy that ever exists. I am looking at his works and I see his world, as I see the worlds of Erte, Lalique or Faberge.

He says that he tries to introduce people to his ethnic culture (which is not Russian), but could anybody else do this introduction in a way he did? I would not believe so. It was a talent that could not avoid an international attention. And it did not. The artist works in Italy and England. He had exhibitions in the best galleries all over the world.

His web-site is a pure eye-candy. I will be visiting it again and again... whenever I need an inspiration... His name is Dashi Namdakov.

Gothic Necklace

I have always liked elegant evening necklaces in Gothic style. Black lace, glimmer of dark stones and hanging chains... I think this is very feminine and exquisite. Being a designer I had to try and make a few pieces of jewellery in this style. I asked a friend of mine to make me some handmade laces and used them for my Gothic/evening necklaces.

Small beads are garnets. Chains and a clasp is made of copper. Enigmatic tektite is set in sterling silver. The result is as fabulous as I could imagine...
The necklace is available at the Just Jewellery gallery in White Rock.

(Update: the necklace is not available anymore)