I don't know about you, but this time of the year turns me into a hermit. I love being inside, working, baking, sewing and cooking. I really wish there would be more hours in the day to fit everything in I'd like to do. It is not an easy thing for me to still have to work part time at my other job. I always wonder how other artists who still have a job on the side make it work. Often I would plan on working in my studio when I get home from work, but on very rare occasions I can actually manage to make it work. My creativity gets put on the back burner which at times leaves me frustrated, especially when some good ideas arise. I find myself "rushing" through my day job days and not really living in the moment as one should. Do you ever experience the same? If so, please let me know how you deal with it.

I am working on some simpler, everyday pieces for my other shop which I hope to have finished by the end of this week. There will be some bronze, copper and silver items. I might be jinxing it if I promise to have them finished...been there, done that...*laughs*

I was so lucky to have finally found a place that takes silver scrap here in Norway. The best thing is that it is just a 20 minute drive from here! Last friday I went there with three kilos worth of silver scrap. In return I got shop credit of 10000 Kroner ( approx. US $1750 ). Of course I bought tons of silver, sheet in a few gauges, wire and tools. Feels great to have all the shelves filled up with materials I use most.

Below are some new items I made over the last few days. I am still in love with hand cast buttons, and yes, I am still going to cast some in copper.

Thinking about all you people in the US affected by hurricane Sandy! Sending you tons of well wishes and hope you are safe!

xx
Sabine

Adventures in jewelry

Hello friends,

I haven't been blogging much these past few months because I wanted to focus primarily on working hard to develop my own style of jewelry.
It started once I purchased some decorative vintage and antique buttons. I began casting them in silver and was so excited about the outcome that I started to use them in my designs.
I do like to make one of a kind pieces, which keeps things interesting for me, however, I also want to offer more items that I can re-create.
There might be a lot of big changes coming up next year ( maybe a move ) which makes me want to work even harder to make a dent in this competitive jewelry marketplace. I rarely take a day off these days. If I am not working at my other job, I am in my studio. I love it, because I can see results. In turn I feel well balanced, happy and complete. Sure, there are days when I feel like the muse doesn't want to come out to play. I have learned, when that happens, to just take it easy, to take a step back without being too hard on myself. One simply can not be creative 24/7.

Below are some new items I have made in the past little while. Hope you like them as much as I do.

How have you all been doing?

Happy wednesday ya'll!

xx
Sabine

Pretty in Pink

Hello!

How have you been?

Everything is just roses around here, mostly. I wish there would be more hours in the day as I tend to be most creative in late afternoon/evening. I honestly could work all night if it weren't for my neighbors. Hoping to have my own HUGE studio space sometime within the next 12 months. But I can't elaborate much more on that at the moment as things are still up in the air. In the meantime I shall try to remain positive and utilize the space I have available to the best I can.
Today I made a plume necklace with the most gorgeous pink ruby I have in my possession. I think the stone was meant to be used in this plume design. It makes the whole design pop. I'm in love!
I just listed it in the shop:

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Stunning pink ruby in oxidized sterling silver.

Hope you are all well and are enjoying some nice spring weather!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with some breaks of solitude!

xox

Sabine

New from the bench

Hi all, 

How are you?

Today I woke up to snowfall! We haven't had a day of rain or snow in weeks. In fact we've had some pretty warm spring days already in march. But I am not going to complain. Living down south is no comparison to were we used to live. 69 degrees north, above the arctic circle. I can now deal with pretty much any kind of weather. 

Yesterday I took a day off everything, well almost. My neck was hurting so much, to the point were I could hardly move, so I thought it's time to take it easy and do as little as possible. I think my leather apron might be the culprit of my neck pain in the last little while. It's heavy and seems to drag my neck down if that makes any sense. Today I just tied it around my waist instead and it feels less strained.

I finally finished the majority of my textured spring collection. The simplicity of these items really hit home. I love them. Just looking at them gets me in a better mood. I'm  just in this happy frame of mind at the moment where everything seems to fall into place. I stopped criticizing and doubting my work and just let it flow. I'm my own worst critic, which is a good thing isolated, but if misused can drive me crazy.

So below you can see my latest items. Modern textured items with gorgeous stones. They'll bring a smile to your face as soon as you put them on! :)

Again, it's late. I have pretty bad time management when it comes to my work. It seems to take me forever to start my day. Most days I don't get to go to my studio until after 11am. There are always tons of things to do...well, *coughs* I get easily distracted...

Hope you friday is as good as mine and then some!

I'm going to go turn on my Kitchen Aid ( yes, my super sweet J man bought me one over christmas ) and make some bread dough and watch the latest episode of The Apprentice. Oh man, I wonder if I can stomach another episode with Aubrey and Lisa..yikes...

Ciao for now!

Thanks for reading!

xx

Sabine

Spring and summer collection items

It's 7:30 pm and I just got out of my studio. It's been a fun, long day creatively speaking. I managed to finish some items I have been working on for a while. Tried some casting as well which unfortunately didn't want to turn out for me. The molten silver just didn't want to flow the way I liked it to. I'll try again tomorrow.
My latest pieces are not oxidized. I need a change. In fact, oxidized, rustic jewelry doesn't sell as good here in Norway. People seem to really like bright, simple pieces. So, with that in mind I decided to polish all of my new items to a beautiful brushed bright finish. I really love it. The pastel colors in the chalcedony stones come out looking so fresh and bright. Hope you'll like it too. Really would like your honest opinion.
So, here we go:

Pink, lime green and blue chalcedony in sterling silver.

Pink, lime green and blue chalcedony stones set in sterling silver.

Pink, lime green and blue chalcedony stones set in sterling silver.

Pink, lime green and blue chalcedony stones set in sterling silver.

Pink and lime green chalcedony in sterling silver.

Pink and lime green chalcedony in sterling silver.

Limited edition made to order collection:

A little abstract and a little geometrical. Sterling silver and chrysoprase.

A little abstract and a little geometrical. Sterling silver and chrysoprase.

A little abstract and a little geometrical. Sterling silver and chrysoprase.

A little abstract and a little geometrical. Sterling silver and chrysoprase.

Classy and simple pendant with beautiful rose cut aqua chalcedony.

Classy and simple pendant with beautiful rose cut aqua chalcedony.

Little butterfly pendant necklace in sterling silver.

Little butterfly pendant necklace in sterling silver.

I have also have a couple of earrings in the works which I hope to have completed by tomorrow!

The smell of shepherds pie from the oven is telling me to wrap this up. John's been patient with me these days having late dinners :)

Thanks for reading!

xx

Sabine

New series

After some good constructive advice I have finally started work on a made to order line of jewelry.
I have been wanting to do this for a long time, but never really paid too much focus on it since I love the freedom of making one of a kind items. Quite frankly, I really do need to have more cohesive collections.

I love making one of a kind items, however, I do realize now that in order for me to do this eventually full time I will need to come up with a more cohesive line of jewelry.
My designs are often all over the place and I really need to gain more of a diverse audience.

So, these past few days I have been working on a made to order collection. Geometrical designs with chrysoprase is one. Simple with a beautifully brushed finish. I'll have a preview of them here on my blog tomorrow. I hope you'll like them as much as I do. They are quite a bit different from my usual floral inspired items.

I am having a big SALE in my shop right now! Please check my sale section! Discounts from 20-30%. I need to make room for my new made to order items.

As far as my stone shop goes I just place another huge order for more smallish cabochons. Very much looking forward to that. So stay tuned and check in once in a while for updates on newbies:)

How creative was your day?

Midnight here, going to bed. Gym early tomorrow. Yawn.

See ya tomorrow!


xx
Sabine

New supply shop

After much talk we decided to open up another stone shop. So last night John designed the banner and today I opened it with quite a few cool cabs. I will be adding more items as time permits. Go check it out and let me know what you think. Also, if you happen to have any wishes regarding stones, let me know and I'll see what I can do! Click here to check out the shop!
I'm off shopping to hopefully snaggle up some summery clothes!

Wishing you all a lovely saturday!

xx
Sabine

Here they are!

I just finished photographing all the new cabochons.
If there are any stones you'd like to acquire before they are listed, send me a convo through Etsy

8mm rose cut natural amethyst cabochons

Cushion cut natural blue chalcedony- rectangular shape

Square cushion cut natural blue chalcedony 

Various shapes of gorgeous pink chalcedony

Stunning rose cut lime chalcedony. These come in 8mm and 10mm sizes

10mmx14mm white opals. These are incredibly beautiful. Great luster and super price! $7.50 dollars each!!

Aqua chalcedony, rose cut. These come also in 8mm and 10mm sizes.

Beautiful natural ice quartz cabs, 10mm rose cut

Antique cushion aqua chalcedony 10mm, rose cut. Gorgeous!

Various shapes and sizes of stunning whiskey quartz. 

I'm ready for a nap, but since it's already almost 5:30pm I might have to pass on that lovely idea. I went to the gym this morning working my ( hopefully ) behind off and feel rather beat. Perhaps I'll head off

 to the studio instead to peruse my new beauties, and hopefully come up with a brilliant idea on how to use some of them in new designs! :) 

Wishing you all a super duper friday!

See ya'll tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

xx

Sabine

Friday Special

I am having a new special every friday where I choose one item that will be 20% off. Sale lasts only one day, until 12am EST.
Today's deal is: Click here

I'll be posting of our new cabochons sometime later today when I'm finished taking all the pictures!

xx
Sabine

Amethyts and garnets

Took a day off from the studio today and it felt mighty good! I don't like exhausting my creative spirit. 

Went to a garden shop to check out some plants that I'd like to plant in my containers. I realize it's a bit too early for that. I guess the warm weather go ahead of me a bit. 

The UPS man showed up today with a small batch of lovely amethyst and garnet cabs. Ohhs and ahhs are  getting to be very common around here :)

Tomorrow we are expecting one HUGE load of cabs. Can't wait to share them with you!

How was your day?

xx

Sabine

What wonderful spring weather we've been having. Yesterday we had 21 degrees C and today we're having 18. I almost feel guilty sitting behind the bench. However, I did sneak in a little walk around the neighborhood this morning.

Spring bulbs such a crocuses are in full bloom.

A few hours were spent behind the bench working on a couple of custom order rings and three pairs of earrings for the shop. I'm in a earring mode at the moment. It's funny how it works. A few weeks back someone asked me why I don't make a lot of earrings. To be honest, I make what I'm in the mood for. If I need to sit by my bench trying desperately to be inspired making anything, that takes the fun out of it for me. The purpose for me making jewelry is that whatever I make comes from a deep inspiration or for a lack of better words, the muse.

So today we have two pairs of "confetti" type earrings and one pair of "Stillwater" earrings.

I have been meaning to make confetti earrings for a while now. I think they are fun and no two are alike. A tad abstract, yet with an organic look and feel. 

These ones are post "stud" earrings which come with lustrous mother of pearl cabs.

They are so pretty, I think I need to make a pair for me as well.

Another pair of "confetti" earrings. These ones feature beautiful natural amber. I love how the reflect in the sun.

 They'll make you smile all day.

And lastly we have a pair of "stillwater" earrings which feature gorgeous rose cut aqua chalcedony pear cabs. As I mentioned in my last post. I'm in love with blues and greens these days. 

You should've heard me gasp when I got a large shipment of chalcedony stones last week. Others would think I have gone insane getting excited for stones...:)

Well, the sun is still shining and I think there might be a soft ice cream in order for today. In fact, this years first ice cream!

Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful wednesday as well!

Thanks for reading!

xx

Sabine

Well hello again,
I must admit I have been contemplating if I should stop blogging altogether since there seems to be no consistency. I seem to be going in spurts where I absolutely love it, and on the other hand I'm struggling to keep it going.
So, I decided to give it another try. This time I am going to try blogging earlier in the day and not at the end of the day when I'm feeling tired.
Often I feel like I don't really have all that much to say. I'm too hard on myself ( german work ethic roots ) *coughs*. Enough said...
However, I feel incredibly inspired these days and can't seem to stop to produce new jewels. Even on days when the muse is in a hibernating mood I still try to make something, or at the very least try to learn a new technique. It works for me, although I realize that I need to take more time to just chill and to have those quiet moments to regain my energy. Last week I decided to go back to the gym. There is a new one down the street that opened a little while ago. Oh it feels so damn good again to be on the treadmill and working a good sweat. When I go for my nature walks I usually take it quite slow. It's sort of meditative for me, to take in all the smells and sounds around me.
Speaking of sounds. Today, when I was working in my studio, I had the window open and heard the most amazing bird chirping orchestra. Spring is definitively here. I think the neighborhood cat is engaging a daily early morning fight with the magpie birds whom seem to live in our backyard. Never knew those birds can make SO much noise.

John and I have ordered a ton of new cabochons including chalcedony in different shades, amethyst, white opal, chrysoprase and quartz. They should be getting here early next week. Looking forward to be using some of them in my designs. As you probably have noticed I'm using a lot of green and blue shades in my latest designs. I'm just so in love with those colors at the moment. After all, winter is over, out with the dark, in with the bright and colorful.

Please check out John's shop. He's updating it with beautiful new stones all the time. Check back once in a while and if there is a stone you like to be made into a design, let me know! Click here.

Have a wonderful, happy tuesday! It's almost midnight and I'm off to bed!

Nighty night!

xx

New sprouts on my lilac bush

New sprouts on my lilac bush

New sprouts on my lilac bush

Sabine