Art is not a thing, it is a way.

Here is a photo of a few cabochons I have received in the post recently.  In no particular order we have: Red Tigers Eye, Sea Sediment Jasper (WIP), 2 lovely Labradorites, an Azurite cabochon, Ocean Jasper annnnd one Rainbow Moonstone. A couple of these cabs are for custom orders. Two of these are going to be gifts, the Sea Sediment Jasper work in progress is for the winner of my "100 likes" contest over on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GreatHornedOwlDesign) and the rest?  They'll probably end up for sale in my Etsy shop! The bottom picture is a closer shot of the Sea Sediment Jasper WIP. I'll be adding more Sterling and some bead work.  

Ammonite Pendant

Ammonites are the most widely known fossil: they are cephalopods and first appeared in the seas 415 million years ago in the form of a straight shelled creature known as Bacrites.  All species of ammonites became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period.  Ammonite fossils are found on every continent and come in every naturally occurring color.

I've created several pendants using Ammonites since I've begun making wire wrapped jewelry...here are a few pictures of the latest commission for one.  It's mostly 14K Gold wire with Sterling Silver beads of two different sizes.  It's pictured with some of the hand painted boxes as well!

 

Custom Holiday Box Project

I decided to create some unique painted boxes to house my custom pendants for Holiday orders.  I've been asked by customers if there isn't some way that I could stamp or sign my work- so I will be signing the bottoms of these boxes.  It's a small thing but I know I always appreciate it when I purchase something from an artist and you can tell it was made thoughtfully and with love and care.  :)  Here are a bunch of pictures of the Holiday box project. The lovely gold paper will be used to wrap the pendants after they've been put in plastic for safety.  My wonderful husband was even kind enough to help me paint a couple of these!    :)  

Magic Rocks!

Rainbow Moonstones are probably one of my favorite stones....and I'm beginning to think everyone else's too if I'm looking at how many I've wrapped in the past two years for custom orders.  :) Very soon I'm going to be wrapping one up for my own personal jewelry stash....just have to get through the Holiday season which I'm super excited to say, has been pretty busy this year.  I really feel like I'm coming into my own "style wise" Here are some pictures of the latest Rainbow Moonstone Pendant I've completed.  It's a really nice sized one- I've put some pictures of it with one that is smaller, about the size of a nickle. PS...I also found this AWESOME paper at my local art supply store.  I'm going to be using it to wrap orders before placing them in the custom made jewelry boxes all my Holiday orders are shipping out in.  Keep an eye out for pictures of the boxes soon.  

This stone rocks!!!

First off, my apologies for the title of this post.  I simply couldn't help it.  Also, it's true!  This is a rockin stone.  Ok, ok...seriously-  

African Red Gold Tiger Iron (Tiger Eye) Chatoyant Stone Cabochon. 

Here is a geeky stone tid bit: Chatoyant means that the crystals within a stone are aligned in such a way that certain areas of the stone are iridescent, or change luster 

and color as you move the stone back and forth in the light. The chatoyance is subtle in some pieces, and very flashy in others. All are amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces. Gorgeous! ♥ 

At this point- this cabochon is available for wire wrapping.  Message, comment or email for deposit details! 

A Family of Lace Agates

I've finished wrapping the last of the three Crazy Lace Agates for my clients custom order!  I thought I'd share some pictures of each one- and also all three as a little family!  Enjoy! 

Business as usual...

Usually I try to keep all my wire working back in my little studio...but sometimes it creeps out into my living room.  Specially on Friday or Saturday nights when JimmyB is also working on a drawing/painting.  Anyway I'm in gear finishing up the last 3 pendants I need to complete before mailing out Holiday orders- the end is in sight!  Yay!!  

Brisbee Banded Azurite

This is the last Cab-O-The Day post from my Facebook page until the Holiday vacation is over with and hubby goes back to work.  This is a Brisbee Banded Azurite cabochon.  It reminds me a tiny bit of the Crazy Lace Agates I love so much but his particular stone is quite rare and fairly expensive.  It's upwards of 375.00 but it's just SO gorgeous I had to post it anyway.  Here are some interesting tid bits about this particular Cab: This piece came from a collection from the 50's and exemplifies Brisbee Azurite at it's finest.  The deep blue Azurite mixed with the light blue Azurite bands makes it just stunning!  The mine in Brisbee Arizona was opened in 1917 and closed in 1974. This piece came from the Czar Shaft. 

Azurite is also known as "The Stone of Heaven"  Enjoy! 

A free form Apatite Cabochon. So unique and beautiful! One of the many things that's so great about semi precious stones is that they are so affordable!  The deposit on this one is only 15 dollars.  Comment or feel free to email with questions or for more details.  

Cab-A-Day Cabochons!

Every week day over on my Great Horned Owl Design Facebook page I post a new cabochon! Here are some pictures of Cabochons of the past.  Most are still available- feel free to comment on this blog post or send me a message at 1eyedcheshire@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to see one of these wrapped or would like info on the deposit for the stone!  Happy Friday!!

Abalone Shell Cabochons. *In the Mauri culture, these shells are named pāua ; in South Africa: Venus' Ears or Perlemoen! 

 Australian Chrysoprase with Matrix

 Azurite Cabochon

 This is one of my all time favorites- Parrot Wing Chrysocolla. (Chrysocolla mineral mixed with Jasper) 

 Peruvian Chrysocolla Cabochon: 
A very rare variety of chrysocolla, distinguished by its larger crystallization and very intense colors of turquoise, green and black, topped with inclusions of rich brown.

 Gorgeous natural Ruby in Fuchsite 

Golden Goodness

I created this OOAK 14K gold wrapped Goldstone pendant for a very special lady in my life- Mom!!  She fell in love with this Goldstone cabochon so I wrapped it up for her as a surprise before her last visit up here to New England to see me and husband face and our fur kids. Like most of my creations this pendant relies heavily on techniques gleaned from Art Nouveau styles-  dynamic, undulating and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm, found throughout architecture, painting, metal working, jewelry making or sculpture. Sadly these pictures really don't do this piece justice.  

One more delicious Lace Agate

As I mentioned in a previous post- I was commissioned to wrap three Lace Agates.  This is the second one I've finished up for the custom order. Such a lovely stone.  Grey Lace Agate wrapped in Sterling with Sterling Silver bead work.