Happy Days

Taken today at the local park

Happy monday everyone!

xx- Sabine

Organic Leaf Necklace

Here is one piece of my latest stash that I managed to photograph this evening.

I hand formed the leaf for this pendant by hand while melting the silver. It's very organic and simple. I didn't want to overpower it with embellishments other than a 6mm bezel set onyx and a round "frame".I kept it unoxidized which would have been too rustic for this design.

Hope you like it!

Sandefjord pictures

Hello!

Here are a few pictures of Sandefjord ( where I live for those of you who don't know ). John took them on our way to Sweden as we were leaving Sandefjord on the ferry.

As far as listing new jewelry goes, I'm not sure when I will be able to list them all since I am working a 7 day stretch at my day job until thursday.

Hope you are all having a happy sunday!


xx- Sabine

The latest stash

Sometimes when I'm not at my day job I like to just sit out on the back porch as the sun rises, look at my flowers and hear listen to the neighborhood slowly moving about. Kid's skateboards rolling past with a thundering sound, cars starting up and the smell of coffee brewing from the neighbors window. I usually need a lot of time in the morning to get the day started. I always seem to be in some sort of fog, having to figure out what I am going to fit into the day. Even if I go to my day job which starts at 8 a.m. I still get up at 6 a.m., cycle on my stationary bike for 30 minutes, shower and then enjoy a long breakfast along with online news of the day. I have tried in the past to get up to just have enough time to eat something, check the news and head out of the door. That doesn't work for me anymore. I'm a total wreck at work for the first hour or so. It's like I can't concentrate. I don't know how I ever managed to get up at 4 a.m. when I used to work as a pastry chef. I really don't miss those days.

John and I went on a ferry ride to Sweden today for some shopping. It's a 2.5 hr. ferry ride each way. A good time to chill with a newspaper or a good book, sit on the back of the boat watching how the boat cuts a trail and sends the waves in separate ways.

I will be posting some pictures of the harbor here in Sandefjord as we were leaving on the ferry, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. It's past 11:30 p.m. and I'm exhausted. 

Tomorrow I am going to enjoy a day in my studio. Planning on making some lower priced items. I have a few ideas and hope that I will manage to get some work done as I will be working at my day job for quite a few days in a row, starting friday.

I'll leave you with some pictures of my backyard surroundings.

How has your day been? Hope it was fun ( or will be wherever you live ).

xx - Sabine

The neighbors shed

A crap apple tree right in our backyard! Thinking about making some jelly.

The sunbeams making it's way through the cherry tree.

A closer look at the abundance of crap apples we get to indulge in.

My dalias, still blooming in late september.

Red River Jasper Bracelet/ Necklace

I have been hoarding this stone for over a year now. I took it out of my cabochon drawer about a month ago not being quite sure what to make with it.  I was never quite sure what I would make with it. I went back and forth between a necklace and a bracelet. Trying to figure out what looks best.  Well, since I couldn't decide I made it into a piece of jewelry that can be worn as both, a necklace and a bracelet. I'm super happy with the result. I think it looks stunning. I purchased this stone in Germany last year as I was visiting my family. Swirls of cream and gorgeous rusty red colors make up this highly polished stone. I opted for a 4mm thick black rubber ( silicone ) string, sterling silver end pieces and a lobster claw closure.  I love the simplicity of it. It fits perfectly for a wrist of 6 3/4"- 8" inches ( that includes the 1" inch extender chain ). It looks best when it fits a bit snug around the wrist. And the best part is is that it can be worn as a necklace as well.
The length of the string is 22" inches.

Back into the studio. I have a couple of more things on the bench that need attending! :)

Hope your weekend was great!


Happy monday everyone!

xx - Sabine

Ruby Heart

Been making a few of these hearts in the last few months for custom orders. This one in my opinion is the prettiest yet to date. It features a bezel set 8x7mm pink ruby that I set inside a pure silver flower.

The heart is shaped as I am melting the silver. A very tedious process. One has to work very quickly without melting everything out of shape. I like the rustic look without the patina. This one I sanded smooth, yet is still has some lovely intentional dents to keep it a unique, yet rustic look. A brightly polished finish really makes this heart stand out. 

I made another, smaller one with a red garnet. Pictures of that one will have to wait perhaps until tomorrow. I am having bread dough on the go again and I am not sure if I will have enough daylight to take more pictures. 

Hope you all had a happy sunday! I sure did!

xx - Sabine

My version of a challah

My other passion besides metalsmithing is baking. I used to be a pastry chef when I lived in Canada. After my solder wouldn't want to flow easy today I decided to go and check my pantry to see if I have enough ingredients to make a pastry ( or two ). John works mostly nights and I often make him some sort of goodies to take along to the office. This gives me a chance to bake once in a while. I bake bread on a weekly basis, but I LOVE to try something different once in a while. 

Wish you were here. The apartment is filled with the smell of this delicious pastry:

Today I made a challah ( a jewish style bread ). I filled each strand with my handmade frangipane, a french style almond filling. It's a time consuming pastry, but utterly delicious.

I regret not having taken pictures during the process of making it. I also just eyeball the ingredients since I don't really have a recipe for it. I will try and see if I can write it out and so I can post it and let you try to make this. Your family would love it!

Now you'll have to excuse me while I sneak into the kitchen and slice myself a piece of this warm pastry. Perhaps a large cup of hot chocolate to go with it? 

Happy friday everyone!

xx - Sabine

Random pictures I take on my walks

Fall has arrived here in southern Norway. A beautiful time of year to capture the colors of the vast and rugged landscapes here. Although this picture has been color manipulated by me I still wanted to bring forth an autumn's feel, crisp air, rays of sunshine sneaking its way through trees and branches and shine upon fallen leaves, reflecting on a summer gone by.

I most often carry a camera when taking walks. A "bad" picture can be transformed into something really fabulous by manipulating colors in graphic programs. This one I retouched in iPhoto which comes with any Mac computer.

Trying out some color schemes in iPhoto.

Abstract artwork by a Norwegian artist. I want them all!

A funny glass sculpture by a Norwegian glass artist.

A saw these as I was walking past a local artists studio: A painted snow board. What a cool idea . I absolutely love the colors.

Hello everyone!
Just sitting here in my studio, gazing through the window thinking how lucky I am to be here in this beautiful country, to share my life with the most amazing man and to get to craft jewelry. Today I wanted to share with you some colorful pictures of the area I live in. Hope you will enjoy them!

Have a happy friday everyone!
I'll be in my studio if you need me! :)

xx - Sabine

I got up early and spend the majority of today in my studio. Never seem to be able to stay out of there for long these days. The muse is calling on me constantly which is a good thing isolated, but at times I can't seem to concentrate on doing other things that need to get done.

I had such a great time sitting behind the bench smithing away and  listening to some new albums I had downloaded from iTunes.
It's been a great and productive week for me in my studio!

Today I crafted two turquoise pieces, one chrysocolla, one agate and a pair of gorgeous amber earrings. The earrings took quite some time to make since I filed each pedal's grooves by hand.  They also go well with my amber necklace that is for sale in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56002687/handcrafted-amber-pendant-necklace

I will be listing these starting this evening local time. Not sure if I will manage to post them all since I also need to finish some overdue housework.


How has your week been so far?


xx - Sabine

Handcrafted amber earrings in sterling silver. 

Handcrafted amber earrings in sterling silver

Robbins egg turquoise necklace in sterling silver. All handcrafted.

Robbins egg turquoise necklace in sterling silver. All handcrafted.

Chrysocolla heart pendant necklace in sterling silver. All handcrafted.

Chrysocolla heart pendant necklace in sterling silver. All handcrafted.

Handcrafted turquoise necklace in sterling silver.

Handcrafted turquoise necklace in sterling silver.

Handcrafted turquoise necklace in sterling silver.

Agate necklace with hand stamped bezel. All sterling silver.

Agate necklace with hand stamped bezel. All sterling silver.

Agate necklace with hand stamped bezel. All sterling silver.

Things I love

I absolutely love Scandinavian fashion. Here are some of my favorites:

ALways like romantic styles like this one. I think I might have to snaggle  this one! http://www.nordljus.net/en/art/top-saint-tropez.php

http://www.nordljus.net/en/art/shawl-shantil-white.php

My personal favorite clothing company: A lot of my jewelry designs are inspired by their collection:

staff was founded in 1997 by Jannie and Lars Schacksen based on the fundamental idea of designing and producing clothing for hair dressers - hence the name staff. However, it was soon changed to design womens wear and the relaxed and raw style and the many design detalis were soon much in demand. http://www.nu-woman.dk/inspiration-29810.htm

http://www.nu-woman.dk/inspiration-29810.htm