There’s a beautiful thing to coming home
and settling back into routine.
There’s a underrated bliss found in reconnecting with tools, stashes of sterling and rock. My cabochon collection looked different while pulling open drawers, flipping through options and touching smooth domes with hungry fingertips. I have a couple thousand stones, sometimes certain rocks get overlooked. I came home and felt drawn to different colors and patterns. I sketched designs (and am still sketching designs) that hold portions of the sea. I couldn’t set enough ocean jasper. I’m still waving “see you soon” to the Pacific, like a strand of bull kelp, close to shore, pushed into movement by the tide.
I couldn’t recall the heat of my torch until I sparked it to life.
It’s been a bit like an awakening — a slow remembering of the habits of my body and mind while doing delicate work…and the work IS delicate in the way that all love crafts should be. There’s the slow chew of a saw blade through sheet metal. The painting on of flux. The swift swing of flame inside a bezel or atop layers and layers of sterling. These are delicate motions I go through for hours at a time. I don’t grow weary. My eyes are not dim. I’ll never grow tired of the movement of smithing. It delights me far to well to ever live without it.
This talk of silver and tools might seem far too romantic for some of you but it’s just the right amount of romantic for me. I love the work of my hands. I dream in silver.
For the necks:
From top to bottom:
Montana agate (with dendrites that resemble a swarm of honey bees)
purple chalcedony
ocean jasper
chocolate turquoise
For the ears:
Copper and sterling earrings.
Etched. Roll printed. Post styles and French Ear Wire styles.
And for the girl on a budget, I’ve whipped up a new Itsy Bitsy Necklace.
It’s perfect for layering or wearing bare, on it’s own. A pinch of grace in etched sterling silver. I wear mine now, it’s light on my neck, like a finger tip on a temple. You’ll wear them well. I know.
And for the fingers:
[ocean jasper]
[ocean jasper with a pinch of druzy]
As pretty on the back as they are on the front for every lady should keep fresh flowers on hand…
Made with love. Built to last. Crafted to hand down to the generations next.
In case you didn’t know,
I cherish your support.
Thanks for believing in me.
When I need it most.
Lovelove.
JSL
Oh My Gosh! What a bountiful harvest it is! Lovely new work, the itsy bitsy necklace is darling! Everything else, edible!
Hi Plume. I finally got your delightful newsletter when you were away. Sounds like you had a lovely time…I myself am heading to Newfoundland in October to visit a friend…can't wait to see the east coast for the first time. I expect to see lots and lots of rocks.
wow! all of that jewelry looks fabo! hopefully i'll be able to snag something this time around 🙂
hope you had a wonderful vacation!
Oh, what a nice way to start the day! Not one, but TWO new posts…words to savor and beautiful photos and new works, a feast for the eyes.
It is so nice to have you back. I've missed you. Enjoy your Saturday.
xo,
Kim
I love your new necklaces !
this embossing look is simply beautiful…i'm lusting after so many, but shan't get my hopes up. i wonder which one of these will go best with my new boots :}
lovely, as always.
Not one whit too romantic.
What goes into the making comes through in the wearing.
D 🙂
i love all of your romanticizing about the process. i feel the exact same way when i am in my studio. i love the anticipation just before the solder flows, and then the instant gratification of a perfect seam. i love the hiss of the torch and the sound of the hammer and the sprinkle of silver fairy dust on my knees while i saw…
both you and your work are such an inspiration to me.
Wow all your work is so Alive, i love the etchings!!!
Oh, lovely! Welcome back from your nourishing trip. And what delicious creations… Oh lala!
xo
Love the etching. You make such beautiful pieces.
Pam
O my goodness! huh huh huh huh…all this silver talk is making me pant!?!
xoxo
Welcome back, Miss Plume. Your new pieces make me swoon…
MUST HAVE THAT CHOCOLATE TURQUOISE NECKLACE. (Oh, and the ocean jasper ring!) You've outdone yourself again Mrs. Plume!
Welcome back! Most travel is like hitting a reset button for your life–a very handy thing sometimes. 🙂
Your new designs look very plumetacular. Here's hoping they fly to lovely homes soon…
thank you for your gorgeous passion for both metal- and word- smithing on a monday morning(for me). my heart is inspired.
beautiful as always.. hope you had a wonderful vacation
Fantabulous!
Nice to have you back J!
LOVE those earrings!!!
♥♥♥
Thanks dear girls, so very much, for these lovely comments. Love you all heaps!
XO