Category: News

What’s New, November 9, 2026

My weekly newsletter is back — at least I think it is.

If you’re receiving this, it’s because you signed up for my seldom-published mailing list, which is automatically sent to subscribers when I update my site. For the next few months I’m going to try to update weekly. Wish me luck!

Silver Prices

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that the price of silver pretty much put me out of work for a while. I simply could not buy silver at market prices and then sell my work for enough money to cover my costs.

Silver prices are down a lot — $52.80/ounce today compared to a high of $121.30/ounce last January. I’ve been stocking up at the lower prices so if silver goes high again, it won’t put me out of work.

Silver Prices
Year-to-date silver prices per Yahoo! Finance.

New Jewelry

Silver Triangles
Fused fine silver triangle earrings with sterling silver ear wires.

Because a lot of folks are struggling with the economy, I’m mostly selling earrings and bracelets so that’s what I’ve been busy making. This includes new sizes of my popular spiral hoop earrings (in fine silver and copper), new fused fine silver triangle earrings, new fused silver oval rings earrings, and a new style of beaded bracelet that has less silver and is priced accordingly.

White Buffalo Wire.
A genuine white buffalo cabochon framed in sterling silver wire.

I’ve also made a bunch of new wire framed pendants. Most of these are made with smaller stones, but a few are larger. Because these have less silver — no back plate! — I can make and sell them for less money than the more complex bezel set pendants I’ve been making.

Turq Ring - Round 3ball side.
Hubei Turquoise bezel set in sterling silver.

Way back in December of last year, I began making rings in a Navajo-influenced style. Although I sold a bunch of them at art shows, I have six turquoise rings and one fire agate ring still available. I’ll likely start making new rings in December.

Classes

I’ve made some major changes to my studio, opening up a lot of space for classes. I can accommodate up to four students for project-based classes that last 2 to 3 hours and up to two students for a two-day silversmithing class. Although I have a video online that shows my studio setup, it’s now out of date; I need to make a new one to share here. Look for a link in a future newsletter. If you must look at the old video, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/WAC2lM8fefg

One of the biggest changes? I’ve update my torch setup to a Smith Little Torch with propane and oxygen.

Upcoming Art Shows

I’ll be appearing at Pybus Public Market on select weekends over the next two months. That’s where you can see much (but not all) of my work and talk to me about my processes and custom work. Here’s a Calendar of Upcoming Events.

Online Shop

I’ve nearly finished updating my online shop with new photos and descriptions of almost everything I have available for sale. The only thing you won’t find there are some of my beaded earring styles because of the nature of the beads, which don’t always look exactly the same. Due to an unfortunate incident with an online shopper, I’ve had to introduce new security measures to ensure that each purchase is legitimate and made by the cardholder. I don’t think this will slow down the processing time, however. I invite you to take a look at the shop and it’s different categories of jewelry — this is the best place to see images of everything that’s new, back in stock, and available for sale.

Bonus for Subscribers

Did you read this far! Thank you! And here’s a bonus for you: take 20% off any order of $100 or more between now and December 31. Use the promo code NEWS-THANKS at checkout.

November 2026 Classes Announced

Jewelry making classes this spring.

I’ve just updated my Event Calendar to add a bunch of jewelry making and silversmithing classes, as well as Open Studio dates for November 2026. You can find a description of these classes on my new Classes & Open Studio page and sign up in my Online Shop.

Classes will be held in my fully equipped home-based studio, a 12×24 foot space off my garage with climate controls, excellent lighting, and restroom facilities. I’ve created a video tour of this space so you can see what it’s like before you sign up.

Most classes are limited to four students, although my two-day silversmithing class is limited to just two students.

Pybus Public Market Dates

I’ve booked dates to sell my work at Wenatchee’s excellent local venue.

At Pybus
My space at Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee on October 23, 2026.

Back in 2018, I sold my first piece of jewelry at a day table at Pybus Public Market in downtown Wenatchee, WA. I’ve come a long way since then and, after speaking to another jeweler who still sells there, I’ve decided to come back one day a week for the days leading up to the Christmas holidays.

Generally speaking, I’ll be at a day table at Pybus Market on Fridays in October and Sundays in November and December. You can see an actual calendar of my appearances on my Event Calendar, which is also where you can find my schedule of Open Studio time and upcoming Jewelry Making Classes.

Spring 2026 Classes Announced

Jewelry making classes this spring.

I’ve just updated my Event Calendar to add a bunch of jewelry making and silversmithing classes, as well as Open Studio dates for Spring 2026. You can find a description of these classes on my new Classes page and sign up in my Online Shop.

Classes will be held in my fully equipped home-based studio, a 12×24 foot space off my garage with climate controls, excellent lighting, and restroom facilities. I’ve created a video tour of this space so you can see what it’s like before you sign up.

Most classes are limited to four students, although my two-day silversmithing class is limited to just two students.

Arizona Art Show List, Winter 2025/26

The Jury is in!

The jury is in and I’ve got my list of confirmed shows for this winter in Arizona:

I’ve been waitlisted for the following show. This does not surprise me because it’s a popular show and many artists come back year after year. Still, I’m hoping a jewelry artist backs out and makes room for me. I’ll update this post if they do.

Upcoming Show List

Two scheduled upcoming shows and two still in the jury process.

I was going to wait before posting this, but since one of my upcoming art show appearances is coming up next weekend, I thought it best to provide information about what’s on my calendar and what may (hopefully) be added soon.

Confirmed Shows

White Buffalo
I made this White Buffalo on sterling silver pendant yesterday as I build inventory for my upcoming shows. Shown here with a howlite and sterling silver necklace (available separately), I suspect it’ll be sold in Seattle next weekend.

These are shows that are confirmed.

• Best of the Northwest
November 7-9, 2025
Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115

Contact me directly for free tickets to this show. I have a limited number of them, so first come, first served. Look for me in Row H.

• Wigwam Holiday Festival of the Arts
December 5-7, 2025
Wigwam Resort
300 E Wigwam Blvd
Litchfield Park, AZ

This is my first time at this show and my first show in Arizona since 2021. I’m thrilled to be back and I hope I see you there.

Shows Still Being Juried

Sterling Silver and Variscite Earrings
I premiered this new earring style at my last Leavenworth Village Art in the Park show in September. Textured sterling silver, they each have two or three bezel-set cabochons. This one is Variscite.

I only participate in juried art shows. That means that all artists must submit photos of their work to be judged before being accepted. The jury process also takes into account the number of artists in each category. Jewelry is tough; there are a lot of jeweler out there! I hope to make the cut for these two new (to me) Arizona shows in 2026.

• Cave Creek Fine Art & Wine Festival
January 9-11, 2026
7100 E Cave Creek Rd
Cave Creek, AZ

• Tubac Festival of the Arts
February 4-8, 2026
Downtown Tubac, AZ

Meet Janet LeRoy!

By the way, I’ll be doing all of the Arizona shows with my good friend Janet LeRoy, who has been making art for longer than the 30 years I’ve known her. You can see her work on her website; if you come to any of these Arizona shows, be sure to stop by her booth, too.

Latest Work Can Be Seen in My Online Shop

I’ve pretty much given up on trying to keep this website updated as I make new work.

Keum Boo Earrings
I’ve come up with a new style for the Keum Boo earrings I make and they’re perfect for autumn! These are fine silver with 24k gold fused onto the surface. Blackening the silver makes them pop!

I’ll admit it: I’ve pretty much given up on trying to keep this website updated as I make new work. It’s extremely time consuming to do and I’d much rather spend that time making or sketching out ideas for new jewelry.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that because my Square-based online shop is also my inventory system, I update that every time I add new items or remove items sold to wholesale clients or at jewelry shows. So you’ll find a much more up-to-date listing with details of everything new I make, usually within a week of completion.

Don’t know where to find my shop? Click here!

Open Studio Times Scheduled

Expanded Open Studio opportunities for guests and jewelry makers; see a studio tour video!

After fully overhauling and organizing my jewelry studio and classroom, I’ve decided to open my studio to more than just guests. Starting in April 2025, my studio will be open for three kinds of visitors:

  • Visitors who are curious about silversmithing and want to see what I’m working on. Visits up to one hour are free but reservations are required. You are welcome to brows and buy from my inventory when you visit.
  • Visitors with some metalworking experience who want one-on-one training in my studio to make their own projects. This is especially good for new jewelry makers who need guidance and lack a fully equipped studio of their own. Studio time is charged at the rate of $50/hour in 1/4 hour increments with a 2-hour minimum.
  • Experienced jewelry makers who have worked with me before (or are willing to go through a 15-minute orientation) and want to take advantage of tools and equipment in my studio that they don’t have in their own workspaces. This is a great opportunity to complete projects on their own using specialized tool that are otherwise unavailable to them. (It’s also a great chance to try tools you’re thinking of buying; I am a EuroTool reseller and may be able to get you a good deal.) Studio time is charged at the rate of $25/hour in 1/4 hour increments with a 2-hour minimum

About My Studio

My Workbench
I make all of my jewelry at this workbench.

My home-based studio/classroom is a 12 x 24 room off my garage. It is insulated and features portable climate control, depending on the season.

The studio is fully equipped with a wide range of hand tools, flex shaft, ring and bracelet mandrels, disc cutter, metal shear, rolling mill, grinding/polishing wheel, anvil, vice, ring bender, complete soldering/annealing station, and more.

Want a preview? Here’s a video tour shot in March 2025:

Although supplies such as pickle, liver of sulfur, and limited sanding and polishing supplies are included, materials such as metal, stones, and beads are not; many materials are available for purchase at the studio, including hundreds of gemstone cabochons obtained at Arizona art shows over the years. (I suspect I have the largest collection in Washington State.)

Dates & Reservations

Right now, all open studio hours are on Wednesdays between 9 AM and 4 PM. You can check the Event Calendar for upcoming dates, as well as project-based classes. A different day might be available Studio use, whether guided or unguided, is limited to two people. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow anyone under 18 years old.

Reservations are required at least 2 days in advance for all open studio times. (The studio will be closed to the public if there are no reservations.)

If you are just a visitor or you’re coming to work for the first time, you’ll need to call me first at 509-699-8044 (leave a message if I don’t answer) so I know what you have in mind.

If you’re coming to work or learn, I want to make sure my studio can accommodate your needs. Once we’ve established that it can, a non-refundable prepayment for two hours is required. (You can thank the folks with last minute cancellations in the past for this policy.) At the end of your visit, you’ll be required to pay for any additional time.

Shibuichi Comes to ML Jewelry Designs!

In my never-ending exploration of new materials and techniques, I’ve begun working with Shibuichi, a Japanese alloy of copper and sterling silver.

In my never-ending exploration of new materials and techniques, I’ve begun working with Shibuichi, a Japanese alloy of copper and sterling silver known for the interesting effects that can be accomplished by applying patinas.

Shibuichi Earrings
A new material, a new earring design. Shibuichi has come to ML Jewelry Designs!

This is my very first Shibuichi project, where I combined a variety of metalworking techniques — texturing, cutting, and doming — to produce domed disc shapes. Once the components were made, I used several metal finishing processes, including tumbling, scrubbing to prepare for the patina, and then applying several coats of a specialized patina, washing and judging the color for the desired effect between each application. Finally, I assembled each earring using sterling silver jump rings and hand-formed sterling ear wires.

What’s interesting about this material, as opposed to my sterling silver earrings, is that the texture pattern appears in a lighter color; normally, my processes for sterling silver make the pattern appear as the darker color.

Although it’s hard to see in this photo, the color of the copper included in this alloy does show through a bit, giving the earrings a somewhat golden hint of color.

You can find these earrings in my online shop or in my booth at Art Shows.

Hand made by jewelry artist Maria Langer in her Malaga WA studio.

2025 Studio Days Scheduled

I set up Open Studio days for visitors to tour my jewelry studio and watch me work.

Spiral Hoop Earrings
I made 11 pairs of fine silver spiral hoop earrings this past week.

I was on the road for much of 2023 and 2024, but I’m back now and hard at work in my studio, creating inventory to send out to the shops that sell my work and to bring to the shows I sell at in person. I’ve already listed some classes for specific projects, but I’ve also decided to open my shop for guests who just want to see how I make some of my jewelry or join me to make something of their own.

If you’re interested in learning more about how I make my jewelry, check the calendar for one of my Open Studio dates. Find one that works for you and contact me to make an appointment for a studio tour. (I cannot allow walk-ins; my studio is at my home and if I’m not expecting someone to join me, I might not be available. My calendar is subject to last-minute changes.)

Segmented Circle Pendant
I’ll be making various riffs on my segmented circle pendant design over the next few weeks.

If you’d like to learn jewelry making with me, I recommend that you browse through my online shop and find a jewelry item that you’d like to make. Then get in touch, and let me know what you’re interested in. I can give you an estimate of the time and materials cost and we can set up an appointment for a class, possibly on one of the upcoming Open Studio dates.

Keep in mind that if you’re already a jewelry maker and just need access to a shop with specialized tools you don’t have, my Open Studio time is when you can use my tools and equipment for an hourly fee. Contact me to learn more.

Euro Tool Flex Shaft
No jewelry studio is complete without a flex shaft. This Euro Tool 1/4 hp flex shaft retails for $119.95; I sell it for $90. (Pick up only; I cannot ship large tools.)

An Open Studio date is also a good time to purchase jewelry making supplies or tools that you can’t find elsewhere in our area. I work with real sterling and fine silver, as well as quality copper and gemstone cabochons — none of which is available locally. Contact me if you need to buy something for your jewelry making needs. Remember, I’m now a Euro Tools dealer and can get just about any of their products for you at a discount.

As always, if you have any questions, contact me. As my contact page explains, my phone does not ring for unknown callers, so me sure to leave a message if you call. Text is the best way to reach me; I respond quickest to text messages.

I’ve scheduled Open Studio days through March so far and will be adding more dates as the year progresses.