My passion project in the studio today was this quick effort at a wearable, sterling amphora — for the times when you need to anoint a robin chick, a little garter snake, or a pronghorn fawn. Blessings, little ones! Blessings!

This pendant is indeed hollow so it also functions as a place to tuck feathers (shown here holding a Hungarian partridge tail feather) or you can fill it with water and put a sprig of sage or a flower in it. It’s lovely as a simple, empty vessel, too.

What inspired this necklace? I’ve seen some of my ceramic artist friends throwing or hand building amphora forms or using amphora imagery when they go to decorate ceramic pieces. Since I don’t work with clay, I whacked and soldered a metal version into existence…sometimes it’s fun to simply take a shape or technique from another medium and apply it to metal. I never know how things will turn out!

+OF THE WEST+

I am traveling to Jackson today with 90 necklaces, 40 rings, 102 pairs of earrings and 15 bracelets.

I will be showing my work Sing Hat Company on SATURDAY at 245 N. Glenwood just off downtown Jackson square. Doors will open at 10AM and will remain open until folks stop popping by! There will be beautiful food for your to nibble on, drinks to sip and many good people to rub shoulders with.

Christy will also be taking measurements for custom hat orders.

Thank you all for supporting me while I have been preparing for this show! I have worked tirelessly and feel prepared and full of joy! Safe travels to you if you are flying or driving to Jackson for my show and thank you for making the journey! See you soon!

+Of The West+

This might be my favorite necklace I am taking with me to my show in Jackson on February 22nd — and I have made some really cool statement necklaces for this show. This is my favorite agate to work with. Sometimes you see an agate and you say, “I don’t know, is it Crazy Lace? Is it Dryhead? Is it Agua Nueva? Is it Laguna?” You never say that about Prudent Man agate. NEVER. There is never a question. It is so singular, so unique, so Idahoan and tremendously difficult to source which is why I am really excited to be buying a pile of this agate rough in the next couple of weeks…I know a guy who knows a guy. I am hoping to cut the rough myself and use it for my usual design settings as well as inlay (which is a skillset I secretly have and am desperate to employ, for real).

I have seen so many people work with this stone and their designs say nothing of the place the stone came from. It really bugs me. Sorry if that sounds judgmental or snobby, it’s only my passion speaking. I am passionate about this agate. When I design for local jaspers and agates I really want these finished pieces to SPEAK of the land the stones came from. My inspiration for my work comes from my life, from hunting the land I call home, from exploring it, from riding my horses across it, from patiently observing it, from unlocking the mysteries of the sagebrush and canyons…and I want this to be obvious in my work. I am in love with where I live, these stones come from the land I walk and know, I want to express that love and knowing in my work. If you ever find I am failing miserably at this effort of translation please send me a shouty email that says, “THIS SUCKS.” Use capital letters and papyrus font so I really receive the message that I stink.

I can’t wait to see who claims this piece and I hope to make one for myself that is similar in spirit. J’adore!

+Of The West+

There will be feathers and there will be talons! Come see me at my show in Jackson, Wyoming on February 22nd. I will be hosted all day by my lovely friend Christy at her custom hat shop, Sing Hat Company, just off town square.

+Of The West+

High Lonesome Cuffs in sterling silver, 23K and 14K gold and Big Horn Jasper. These cuffs will be at my show in Jackson on February 22nd. I hope to see you there!

+Of The West+

https://www.thenoisyplume.com/blog/2020/01/25/15041/