I am just weeks from my departure to my ultimate muse, an island called Savary in Beautiful British Columbia. It serves as my seaside inspiration all year long, as I long so gently for the sound of the tides and winds; the ravens and gulls and the rare footsteps of folks on the beach, passing our forested house on the beach.

* Sleeping Beauty turquoise briolettes from the famous Navaho mine

* Faceted, icy blue Aquamarine rondelle stones (stunning)

* Faceted top quality, shimmering moonstone rondelles

* Cobalt blue quartz briolettes

* Top clarity, step-cut quartz triads

* A focal step-cut, top clarity quartz abstract stone

* Blue-grey faceted quartz briolettes

* Furnace beads by Penrose

* A few freshwater button pearls & Swarovski crystals throughout 'Surf's Up'

 

'Surf's Up - Aquamarine' is finished with a strong sterling Bali silver toggle clasp and measures about 8.5 inches in length and can be easily resized for a better fit at no additional charge.

 

'Surf's Up - Aquamarine' is the perfect sophisticated, seaside sculptural art bracelet to adorn summertime spent seaside or inland and dreaming of the lovely coasts around the world.

It is about this time of year that I have travelled to Oslo, Norway for travel conferences; stayed in the Ibsen Suite at the Grand Hotel on Karl Johan, opposite the beautiful central park, just down the street from the Royal Palace and watched winter turn into spring in a matter of a few days. Those were the days! Single, childless, travelling and really in love with the whole spirit and country of Norway.  It was during these late April trips that I would see spring unfurl from the winter, barren grey to a blizzard of green within just a few days.  Suddenly, half-empty sidewalks were full of Norwegians out in cafes, enjoying the light and the warmth of what, to them, is a long summer's night.

 

Flying into the old Oslo International airport, took one right over Oslo Harbor. It was a beautiful welcoming back to such a glorious country.  Seeing the country homes, palatial houses, long, wooden piers with boat houses on the end,  I remember the gorgeous sailboats, the contrast between the melting ice sea, watercolor blues of Oslo Fjord, the sparkling green of the evergreen forest which joined rock at the sea's edge.  So splendid and exciting.  (The airport has been moved northeast, inland and while a stunning, efficient piece of architecture, the feeling is not the same though I am sure the upscale neighbors of Oslo Harbor are pleased...).

 

Anyway, long-winded - this is the muse behind "Oslo Harbor," done in ice blue, cobalt, purple and sea blue with stunning swaths of fresh spring green.

'Oslo Harbor' is a cornicopia of some of the most talented lampwork bead artists I have worked with ~ you will find the alarmingly exquisite ice blue tulip beads by Heather Davis; spring green 3D flowers by Heather of BeadIntrigue,  the extraordinary sculptural hibiscus flower by Stephanie of ShotofGlass and including her set of cobalt & scroll rounds  and finally, sculpted clay roses by D. Jean Vainio.  The collaboration of these artists in a single bracelet is  just lovely, especially for a place so close to my heart, with such happy memories. It reminds me of a watercolor in beads of different shades of blue, purple and green and varying textures and depth. Accenting the entire piece are  beautiful sterling charms ~ a handsome schooner and two white sterling scallop shells.

 

In composing 'Oslo Harbor,' I built the design in colors around the lampwork beads using semi-precious gemstones and freshwater coin pearls. You will find:

* Stunning cobalt faceted quartz briolettes

* Amethyst rondelles 

* Lilac-pink, smooth amethyst teardrops

* Blue-grey faceted blue-grey briolettes

* High lustre freshwater coin pearls

* Royal purple & soft lillac furnace glass beads by Penrose

* Small, bumpy lampwork beads & green leaves by Bead Intrigue

* Spring green faceted quartz briolettes

* A variety of Swarovski crystals in cubes, rondelles, bicones

 

"Oslo Harbor" is completed with a square Bali Silver toggle clasp and measures a tad over 8.5 inches.  This can be resized at no additional fees.

I am a gardener. It is one of my life's greatest expressions, particularly at this time of year when it is time to put in the vegatable seeds, sunflowers, berry and grape vines and a fruit tree or two.  It is so calming and peaceful to be out in the garden, listening to the quiet of the wind and the song of the many birds, warmed by the sunshine. 'Daisy Days & Strawberries" celebrates this simple, life pleasure.

 

I have been so enchanted by the heritage of Nantucket and have taken great joy in composing bracelets to match the fantasy of the Nantucket in my mind and what little I have read about it. Like others I have designed in this collection,  this one is *the* sentimental charm bracelet for summers spent, like annual winds, on the island. It is a cornicopia of some of the most talented lampwork bead artists I have worked with ~ you will find the alarmingly exquisite tidepool lentils by Catherine Steel, Aqua blue tulip beads by Heather Davis, the extraordinary sculptural hibiscus flower by Stephanie of ShotofGlass;  and finally, sculpted clay roses by D. Jean Vainio.  The collaboration of these artists in a single bracelet is  just lovely, especially for a Nantucket Garden piece, with so many flowers within the context of the wild seashore!  It reminds me of a watercolor in beads of different shades of blue and aqua and varying textures and depth. Accenting the entire piece are the most glorious sterling charms I could imagine ~ a heritage styled birdhouse, a sand dollar and a rope and achor.   Although I don't haunt Nantucket each year, I do go north to my own island - Savary Island- in British Columbia and have done so, since I was 4 years old. So I understand island life and have always thought of myself as an island girl, even when I am 1000 miles south in the suburbs of California.

In composing 'Nantucket Afternoon,' I built the design in colors around the lampwork beads using semi-precious gemstones, freshwater coin pearls with touches of magnifient ice blue aquamarine stone.  You will find:

* Turquoise faceted stones from the renowned, sacred Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona

* Stunning Caribbean blue crystal briolettes

* Beautiful glacial ice blue Aquamarine faceted rondelles

* Hydrothermal faceted cubes in light aqua

* Hydrothermal smooth, clear aqua teardrops

* Variety of Swarovski crystals including faceted cubes, bicones, cosmos and rondelle shapes

* Luminous freshwater coin pearls

* Sculpted clay roses by published artist, D. Jean Vainio

* Furnace beads by the esteemed glassmaker, Penrose

* Two Swarovski blue starfish

* Gorgeous, solid sterling ornate beadcaps on the lentil beads

*And finally a wee Colorado Topaz crystal Swarovski star

 

The piece is finished by a lovely Bali silver toggle clasp.  'Nantucket Afternoon' hopes to remind one of gentle afternoons in the garden of the fine old homes of the islands, enjoying the flowers and the birds with the ever-present beauty and sounds of the sea just yards from your chair.

'Nantucket Afternoon' measures about 7.5 inches and can be resized at no additional charge.