The Seller Connection

It's been a rather hectic few days as the heat in my apartment building was not functioning and I had to flee for a bit with the flock. It seems as though things are back to normal, though, and I'm looking forward to playing with some newly acquired tools and beads in the coming days I have off from my 9-5.

Family, friends and bouts of creativity? Sounds like a plan. My parents were so sweet to get me jewelry tools for Hanukah (including a torch!), and I'm hoping to experiment with them a bunch.

The tools are partially a result from my desire to expand my skill set into the metalsmithing arena. I took a metalworking class at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn in November and learned how to saw, solder, sandblast and finish copper, brass and sterling silver. While I don't yet have photos of the Morning Glory I formed from copper and sterling silver, I do have a pic of a piece I made from a prior etching class at the same venue:



It's Papaya in copper... still waiting at my workstation to be incorporated into a necklace.

In related gifting news, I worked this past month with a fellow artisan on a pair earrings for myself: a rare treat indeed.

Being a jewelry designer with an ever-changing stash of necklaces and earrings, I rarely purchase baubles to wear. But recently, the work of Jill at JillPopowichDesigns caught my eye. I really admire how her silversmith techniques combine with unique gems and vintage glass cabs to create lovely jewelry.

Jill tweaked a pair of Amethyst earrings from dangles into hoops for me, and I am just thrilled with the end result:



(Photo via Jill's shop)

It was a really fun experience working on a custom order with Jill, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special treat for themselves or others.