Damask Whispers

In March I took a class with Debbi Simon, who is an innovative jewelry designer. We worked with metal and torches, stamping images that were then resists for the flame to produce these marvelous colors and patterns.

I took that knowledge to make some pendants for the senior dancers from my daughter's dance studio. Puzzle pieces to symbolize how they are all interconnected and a necessary part of the whole, and each was stamped with a different pattern to symbolize their uniqueness.

Some of my practice pieces were copper blanks that I had cut in 3/4" x 1 3/4" so that I could practice the technique. To me they look like the softest and most luxurious damask linens that have a shimmery reversed pattern in swirls of blues and greens and purples on the copper. I couldn't let these test pieces go to waste.

This picture is really hard to show the beauty of the colors. You will have to trust me. The pattern shimmers in the light with rainbow hues. And there is pattern and color on each side so you look as good coming as going.

I paired these copper damask dangles with some terra cotta colored lampwork glass beads rolled in silver leaf from Julianna Cannon of Studio Juls. These one of a kind earrings are available on my website.

I would pair these earrings with a soft and flowy sundress like the Varanasi Maxi from Anthropologie.

 

 

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

Santa Fe Earrings

Santa Fe Earrings

One of the places that I would love to revisit, Santa Fe has a very distinctive character that is unforgettable. The cultures of indigenous people, Spanish missionaries and frontier Americans were blended together in a facinating quilt of their heritage. The artists of the many pueblos in the Santa Fe and Taos area are know for their pottery, much of it designed and fired using the same methods as were used hundred of years ago. Contemporary artisans of all kinds are drawn to the "Land of Enchantment" and artists colonies have become well established and internationally renowned.

Terra cotta ceramic components in my earrings are from Pajego Art House . They capture the southwestern mood when accompanied by burnt yellow seed beads, turquoise sea glass, with gun metal and brass accents.

shop til you drop by bohobeader featuring t by alexander wang

T By Alexander Wang / Mango jeans / BC Footwear strap sandals / Leather handbag / Vivienne Westwood bandana scarve, $62

See more of my southwestern earrings on Etsy or Artfire.