Category: Pendants

New Jewelry in My Shop, Week Ending April 18. 2025

I’ve been a busy girl!

I spent some time in my studio this week, in between various chores that needed doing. I got a lot done, including making a bunch of new pendants, finishing a pendant I’d started earlier in the year, and repairing a pendant that came back broken from consignment. (This is another reason I don’t like selling on consignment.) I also turned a fold-forming experiment into a pair of earrings. Here are the photos and details.

Kingman Turquoise on Sterling Silver Pendant

Kingman Turquoise in Sterling Silver Pendant

A pair of small Kingman Turquoise composite cabochons bezel-set on a texture sterling silver backplate. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Kingman turquoise was first mined by the Navajo people as far back as 600 AD. It appears in a variety of hues, from electric blue to nearly white. Natural cracks in the stone display a silver or black matrix and give Kingman turquoise its distinctive look. This Kingman turquoise has been processed by using a stabilizer and great pressure to form a solid stone from smaller pieces of turquoise. These stones were acquired at gem and mineral shows in Arizona.

Some believe that turquoise is associated with personal protection that can help ease old emotional wounds and chronic stress.

Moss Agate on Sterling Silver Pendant

Moss Agate Pendant

Round green moss agate cabochon double bezel set in sterling silver. A section of the backplate has been removed to allow light to shine through this translucent, crystalline stone. Setting measures 1.55 x 1.5 inches with an additional half in or so for the bail. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Moss agate is a mostly colorless translucent gemstone formed from silicon dioxide with inclusions of green hornblende (or chlorite) and iron. These oxidized minerals, which often appear in filament patterns, add green and/or reddish colors that can look like moss trapped in the stone. Despite its name, however, moss agate does not contain organic matter. Moss agate is found in India, China, and Russia, as well as in Colorado in the United States. This stone was acquired at a gem and mineral show in Arizona in 2022.

Some say that moss agate is a stone of abundance and has benefits for agricultural and financial pursuits. Agate is a birthstone for September and the zodiac sign Gemini.

Brazilian Agate on Sterling Silver Pendant

Brazilian Agate Pendant

Triangular shaped Brazilian agate cabochon prong-set in hand-textured sterling silver. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Brazilian Agate is a transparent or translucent agate with stripes and patterns in a variety of colors. It is formed in decomposed volcanic ash and basalt from the late Permian age up to 275 million years ago. Brazilian Agate is found in the Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Sao Paolo, and Minas Gerais areas of Brazil. This stone was acquired from an Ohio-based lapidary in 2019.

Some believe that Brazilian agate is brings protection, balances emotional and mental activity, and creates harmony between emotion and logic. It is thought to assist in maintaining good blood pressure and heart rate. It is also thought to be beneficial for constipation and minor injuries such as sprains or strains, cuts, and bruises.

Malachite on Sterling Silver Pendant

Malachite Pendant

Rectangular malachite cabochon with fascinating bubble pattern double bezel set in sterling silver. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of this shop to see what’s available.)

Malachite, which gets its color from copper, forms in rounded nodules, grape shapes, cone shapes, or as stalactites/stalagmites. When cut, it features a banding of layers with dark and light rings or stripes. It was popular with ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for jewelry and amulets as well as powdered as eye shadow. It is a soft stone that is sensitive to heat, acids, ammonia, and hot water. Malachite can be found in Zaire, Australia, Chile, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Arizona in the United States. This stone was acquired at a gem and mineral show in Arizona in 2025.

Some say malachite’s powers include protection, power, peace, love, and success in business. It is worn to detect impending danger and is the guardian stone of travelers. They say it promotes inner peace and hope and provides protection and security.

Chevron Amethyst in Sterling Silver Pendant

Chevron Amethyst Pendant

Teardrop shaped chevron amethyst cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 2″ long, including the bail, and 3/4 inches wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz. The name comes from the ancient Greek word for “intoxicate,” a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. Ancient Greeks wore amethyst and carved drinking vessels from it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.

Chevron amethyst is a combination of amethyst and white quartz, blended in a V-striped or banded pattern. Some believe that chevron amethyst combines the strengthening and enhancing qualities of quartz with the stress relieving qualities of amethyst. Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February.

Larimar in Sterling Silver Pendant

Larimar Pendant

A small, bright blue larimar cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 1 3/4″ tall (including the bail) and 3/4″ wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Larimar is the trade name for a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite found only in the Dominican Republic. Its coloration varies from various shades of blue to green, but is most often found as a vibrant light blue.

Some believe that Larimar is an emblem of all that is calm and clear in this world. Although it is considered a water stone infused with a sense of cleansing calm, it was actually formed volcanically. That marriage of molten fire meets the Caribbean Sea means that Larimar can cool hotheads and provide inner strength and courage to those in need.

Dendritic Opal in Sterling Silver Pendant

Dendritic Opal Pendant

A dendritic opal cabochon framed in sterling silver. This pendant measures approximately 2″ tall (including the bail) and 1″ wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Dendrite opal (also known as dendritic opal or moss opal) is a form of common opal that has dark tubular or orbicular inclusions called dendrites made of iron, manganese, or other metallic oxides. Dendritic plumes often look like mosses, ferns, or trees; good lapidaries cut dendrite opal to bring out these features. Opal is a birthstone for October and the zodiac sign Libra.

Opal is found primarily in Australia but can also be found in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and Russia, as well as Idaho and Nevada in the United States.

Some say that opal has healing powers, brings good luck, reduces depression, and helps its wearer find true love. Dendrite opal is also believed to help wearers recover from difficult past lives and grow spiritually.

Kingman Turquoise with Bronze in Sterling Silver and Copper Pendant

Kingman Turquoise Pendant

A Kingman Turquoise with Bronze cabochon framed in sterling silver and copper. This pendant measures approximately 2 1/4 inches long, including the bail, and 3/4 inch wide. When purchased online, this pendant comes with an 18-inch sterling silver chain with lobster clasp. (Beaded necklaces shown in some images are sold separately; check the Necklaces section of my shop to see what’s available.)

Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Kingman turquoise was first mined by the Navajo people as far back as 600 AD. It appears in a variety of hues, from electric blue to nearly white. Natural cracks in the stone display a silver or black matrix and give Kingman turquoise its distinctive look. This Kingman turquoise has been processed by adding bronze with a stabilizer under great pressure to form a solid stone. This stone was purchased from a gemstone dealer in Arizona in 2022.

Some believe that turquoise is associated with personal protection that can help ease old emotional wounds and chronic stress.

Sterling Silver Leaf Earrings

Sterling Silver Leaf Earrings

Sterling silver leaf earrings made with the fold-forming process. Leaf is approximately 1 inch long. Highly polished for a sparkling shine. Sterling silver ear wires with a small rubber stopper (not shown) that can be used to help prevent loss while wearing.

This is a prototype and currently the only pair available. I may make more with the same or a similar design depending on how well this pair sells.

Buy Online and Save!

All of these items — and any others currently in inventory — are available in my online shop until sold. Click here to visit my shop.

Keep in mind that pendants sold on my online shop come with a sterling silver chain. Because of the high cost of doing art shows and the increased cost of silver, chains will no longer be included with pendants sold at art shows.

New Pendants in My Shop, Week Ending April 11, 2025

Two new wire-framed pendants have just hit the shop.

I was away for the past week or so but I brought along some materials to make pendants in the evenings. My day’s activities kept me pretty busy so I didn’t get much done. I did, however, finish these two:

Mookiate Jasper in Sterling Silver

Mookiate Jasper in Sterling Silver

When I was in Arizona this winter, I stocked up on some of the really colorful mookiate cabochons that I love. I’ll be tapping into this inventory to make new pendants for the rest of the year. This is what I finished last week.

Mookaite (or Moukaite) jasper is named for Mooka Station, the 700,000 acre sheep farm in Western Australia where it was first discovered. Like other jasper stones, Mookiate is a chalcedony and member of the quartz group. The broad patterns of red-browns and golds that sweep through it are actually finely-divided minerals such as clay and iron oxide.

Some say that mookaite carries an invigorating frequency of strength and vitality and increases life forces within the wearer’s body. It enables the wearer to utilize these positive energies to increase will and focus personal power.

Mojave Turquoise in Sterling Silver and Copper

Mojave Turquoise

Mojave Turquoise is a brand new stone to me and I bought a few cabochons in Arizona this winter. This is the first pendant I’ve made with this stone.

Turquoise is an opaque, blue to green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. Mojave Turquoise is created by infusing natural Kingman turquoise with other metals and minerals, such as copper or bronze. This infusion results in a striking range of colors, including vibrant greens and blues, often with intricate matrix patterns. Kingman turquoise was first mined by the Navajo people as far back as 600 AD. It appears in a variety of hues, from electric blue to nearly white. Natural cracks in the stone display a silver or black matrix and give Kingman turquoise its distinctive look. This stone was purchased from a gemstone dealer in Arizona in 2025.

Some believe that turquoise is associated with personal protection that can help ease old emotional wounds and chronic stress.

Buy Online and Save!

Both of these pendants — and any others currently in inventory — are available in my online shop until sold. Click here to see all the pendants currently available for sale.

Keep in mind that pendants sold on my online shop come with a sterling silver chain. Because of the high cost of doing art shows and the increased cost of silver, chains will no longer be included with pendants sold at art shows.

Learn to Make a Pendant Like These!

I’m now offering classes in my studio to teach people how to make wire-framed pendants like these. Learn more here.

New Class: Making Wire-Framed Cabochon Pendants

Back by popular demand: wire-framed pendant classes.

Wire Framed Pendant

Wire Framed Pendant

Wire-framed Pendant

There’s wire wrap and then there’s wire framing. While wire wrap is often a heavy-handed technique popular for turning crystals into pendants, it often hides the stone from view, making the wire stand out more than the often beautiful stone it imprisons. Wire framing, in contrast, creates a custom frame out of square and half-round wire that fits the stone and holds it in place. The stone is the main attraction — as it should be!

Making Wire-Framed Cabochon Pendants remains, by far, my most popular class. I’ve taught it at gem and mineral shows in Quartzite AZ, at Gallery One in Ellensburg WA, and, of course, in my home studio before it was much of a studio. I stopped teaching it primarily because I’ve moved onto other techniques that involve soldering and bezel settings. But for folks who don’t want to use a torch, framing a cabochon is a great alternative.

In this class, you’ll start with a cabochon of your choice (or you can bring your own) and sterling silver or copper wire. With the use of hand tools, you’ll create a custom pendant. I’ll take you step by step through the process, creating my own pendant as you create yours. I’ll have plenty of examples to show you what’s possible.

Learn about class availability on my Event Calendar page. Reserve your spot in my online shop.

Class fee: $75 per person

Includes: 2-3 hours of hands-on training in my jewelry studio, a suitable quantity of sterling or copper wire, a gemstone cabochon, and use of tools and equipment.

Available for an additional fee: Sterling silver chains, kits including wire and cabochons for making your own pendants at home, and jewelry making tools.

Maximum Class Size: 4 people

Minimum age: 16 and older; attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cancellation Policy: Once booked, you may cancel the class up to 7 days before the class start date. There is a $10 cancellation fee to cover the cost of refunding your payment; my credit card processor will not refund the credit card fees I pay. I cannot refund class fees if you cancel within 7 days of the class start date, so if you need to back out last minute, I highly recommend that you find someone to take your place. If I have to cancel the class for any reason, the full amount of your class fees will be refunded.

November & December 2024 Jewelry Making Classes

Four classes at Gallery One in Ellensburg will help you make holiday gifts recipients will treasure.

I’ll be teaching four jewelry making classes at Gallery One in Ellensburg in November and December 2024. Here’s a quick summary of what’s coming up. If you’re interested in any of these classes, sign up now.

Split Bar Silver Dangle Earrings

Split Bar Dangle Earrings
An incredibly popular earring style at art shows, I have a large selection of beads and stamps so you can personalize your pair.

Wenatchee based artist, Maria Langer, introduces you to her most popular earring style! In this class you’ll learn everything from making jump rings, punching holes and stamping patterns, to assembly. No experience required.

Skills you’ll learn:
– Measuring and cutting silver strip and wire
– Filing silver strip to round and smooth corners
– Stamping designs onto silver strip
– Punching holes into silver strip
– Creating jump rings (instructor demo) and using pre-made jump rings
– Connecting earring pieces
– Attaching beads to earring pieces
– Making ball-end head pins (demo) and using headpins to make ear wires
– Connecting earrings to handmade or pre-made ear wires

$53/person. Offered November 16, 2024.

Beaded Chain Bracelet

Beaded Chain Bracelet
You can make a beaded chain bracelet like this with your choice of at least a dozen different beads. (There is an additional $10 charge payable in class for turquoise beads.)

Join Wenatchee based artist, Maria Langer in making beaded chain bracelets. These virtually unbreakable bracelets don’t use open jump rings to connect links. Instead, they use a double loop wrap technique that ensures all links are connected permanently to each other and a lobster clasp. These can be made in silver or copper. A wide range of gemstone beads will be available to choose from. No experience necessary.

Skills you’ll learn:
– Measuring and cutting silver or copper wire
– Creating beaded bracelet links with the double loop wrap technique
– Connecting each link you make to the one before it as you make it
– Connecting a manufactured lobster clasp

$53/person. Offered November 16, 2024.

Spiral Hoop Earrings

Spiral Hoop Earrings
This is the first style of earrings I ever made. It looks great in silver or copper.

Handmade jewelry makes a great gift and these spiral formed, texture-hammered silver or copper wire hoops are sure to be a hit! In this class, Wenatchee based artist, Maria Langer will teach you shaping, hammering, making ear wires and assembly. No experience required.

Skills you’ll learn:
– Measuring and cutting silver or copper wire
– Filing silver to smooth ends
– Shaping wire into a spiral shape with two loops using mandrels and tools
– Hammering a texture onto the shaped wires
– Securing the hoop shape with another wire
– Making ball-end head pins (demo) and using headpins to make ear wires
– Connecting earrings to handmade or pre-made ear wires

$53/person. Offered December 14, 2024.

Wire Framed Pendant

Wire Framed Pendant
What better way to show off the beauty of a cabochon than to frame it in shiny silver or copper wire? I’ll have many stones on hand to choose from.

Are you looking for a challenge? This workshop takes wire wrapping to a new level, framing a gemstone cabochon in sterling silver or copper wire as wearable art. Wenatchee based artist, Maria Langer, will guide you in designing and building the frame, bail, and flourishes for your chosen cabachon. No experience necessary.

Skills you’ll learn:
– Developing a strategy for securing the stone
– Measuring and cutting silver or copper wire
– Joining wires to make the stone frame
– Setting the stone
– Securing the stone in place
– Creating the bail
– Creatively securing the wire ends.

$63/person. Offered December 14, 2024.

More Info

Ages 16 and up are welcome. Please register at least 72 hours in advance. Classes may be canceled if enrollment minimums are not met. Cost is per student.

Gallery One is located in downtown Ellensburg, in the middle of the state of Washington, just off I-90.

408 North Pearl Street
Ellensburg WA 98926
509-925-2670

More New Pendants and Beaded Necklaces

I add a variety of new items to my online shop and in preparation for two back-to-back art shows in Leavenworth, WA.

I was busy in my shop for most of last week, continuing to make inventory for upcoming shows as summer winds to a close.

I started the week by making six beaded necklaces to match pendants I’d already made. You can find all of these in the Necklaces section of my online shop; I’ll be displaying them with the pendants I made them for at upcoming shows, even though they can be purchased separately.

Bumble Bee Jasper Necklace Howlite Necklace

Kingman Turquoise Necklace Onyx Necklace

Picture Jasper Necklace Ruby Zoisite Garnet Necklace
New necklaces in my shop. Left to right, top to bottom: Bumble Bee Jasper and sterling silver, Howlite and sterling silver, Kingman Turquoise with sterling silver and copper, black Onyx with sterling silver and copper, Picture Jasper with sterling silver, and Ruby in Zoisite and red Garnet with sterling silver.

Then I got down to it and made a few more pendants.

Kt Square w Cuts and Neck
Kingman Turquoise, orange spiny oyster shell, and bronze cabochon bezel set on sterling silver.

I had this nearly square Kingman Turquoise with Spiny Oyster Shell and bronze cabochon that was really calling out to me. I bezel-set it on a nearly square sterling silver backplate, which I accented with hand cut lines and stamped sterling silver balls. I used a tube bail; the photo here shows the pendant with the Kingman Turquoise beaded necklace shown above, which is sold separately.

Malachite Pendant
Malachite cabochon bezel set in sterling silver.

Because I was completely out of stock on pendants with another popular stone — malachite — I chose a small round cabochon and set that with a completely new style, using square wire wrapped around the bezel to form part of the bail. I’m not sure how much I like this design, but the stone is certainly pretty. I’ll be making a malachite necklace to go with this this weekend.

Silver Cross
Sterling silver cross with Kingman Turquoise accent stone.

And finally, since I was so happy with the way the prototype copper cross I made last week came out, I made one in silver using the same techniques but upgrading the bail. I really like the rough, handmade look of these pieces.

All of these pendants are available in the Pendants area of my online shop and will be at my upcoming shows — until sold.

Keep checking in for more items as I make them. I can’t update this site daily, but I hope to be able to keep doing it at least once a week as I add inventory, show dates, and classes.

New Pendants and a Prototype of a Christian Cross Design Now in My Shop

I add four new pendants to the shop, including some fresh new designs.

I spent most of the week working on projects in my garage, but I did get to spend a few days in my jewelry studio making new pendants for upcoming shows and my online shop.

Ruby In Zoisite
Ruby in Zoisite cabochons on hand stamped and pierced sterling silver. Buy it online.

The first is a variation on a design I’d done in the past for a triangular stone. In this case, I’ve got two Ruby in Zoisite (or ruby-zoisite) stones bezel set into a pierced and stamped sterling silver back plate. I do all the cuts and stamping (and related filing and sanding) by hand, so there’s a lot of work in this one. It came out great (in my opinion) and although it comes with a sterling silver chain (like most of my pendants), I plan on making a beaded necklace for it that combines ruby in zoisite, garnet, and sterling silver. Look for it soon.

Ribbon Variscite
Ribbon Variscite on sterling silver. Buy it online.

Next up is the first of two “ribbon” stones. The first is ribbon variscite, a relatively rare and costly stone that I picked up two years ago at the Tucson gem and mineral show. The variscite appears in a vein like a ribbon it its matrix. I did a simple back plate design for this one that has evenly spaced cuts around the bezel setting.

Bio Chrysoprase
Bio Chrysoprase on sterling silver. Buy it online.

The other ribbon stone is bio chrysoprase, a rare form of quartz with a great green color in a line through the stone’s matrix. It’s an almond shaped stone and I used a design similar to one I’ve done before, framing the stone in a hand-textured sterling silver structure and setting it with prongs. This design is a lot of work — there are 10 individual solders! — but I think it’s so worth it.

Copper Cross
Copper cross with Kingman turquoise cabochon. Buy it online.

And finally, something completely different for me — by request: a Christian cross. I’ve been thinking about how I wanted to make this piece and decided to try a prototype in copper before I dive into silver. The design requires thick sheet metal — 18 gauge — which, in silver, can be quite costly. So I experimented with copper to get the right shape, stamping design, and cabochon positioning. I think it came out nice and I will be making more of these in sterling silver over the weeks to come. Until then, if you like copper, you can get this one at a very reasonable price.

I’ll be at Leavenworth art in the park for two consecutive weekends starting on August 24, so if these pieces don’t sell from my online shop, you can find them there — along with any other new pieces I create over the next 10 days.

Segmented Ring Sterling Silver and Copper Pendants

Several riffs on the same basic pendant design.

Ring Onyx Pendant

Ring Turquoise Pendant

Ring Variscite Pendant

Three versions of the same basic design: Sterling Silver ring with Onyx stone, Copper ring with Kingman Turquoise Stones, and Copper ring with variscite stone.

Inspired by a photo in the now defunct Lapidary Journal magazine, I’ve completed three riffs (so far) on a design that combines silver, copper, and small gemstones.

I start by making and texturing a sterling silver or copper ring. Then I hand cut, texture, and solder on sterling silver and copper circle wedges or halves. I add bezel cups for various sizes of small gemstones such as turquoise or onyx, as well as a ring and hand-formed bail. After applying patina and polishing, I set the stones and the piece is done.

I like making these because they’re all subtly different and the combinations of shapes, textures, metals, and stones is limitless. They range in size from a diameter of 1.7 to 1.8 inches with another half inch at the top for the bail.

I’ll be making custom beaded necklaces for each pendant — provided I have the coordinating beads — that will be available separately. (You can see the one I made for the piece with the onyx stone in the first photo.) The pendants will come with an 18″ sterling silver chain if you prefer not to buy the beaded necklace.

What do you think? Care to sketch up a variation that you’d like to see and wear? I’d love to make your designs a reality and this is a great piece to make variations of.

Other Pendants Added to Online Shop

I few pendants that managed to avoid being listed in the online shop are now online.

I don’t know how I missed them, but in reconciling my online shop inventory to what I actually have on hand, I found five pendants that had never been listed.

Two of them are my rotated square style pendants, which I make with round stones. I made a batch of 5 of these about a month ago and never added them to the shop. I sold three to a wholesale client last week. These two are left:

Bumble Bee Jasper Square Picture Jasper Square
Two of my rotated square style pendants: Bumble Bee Jasper (left) and Picture Jasper (right).

And then there were two wire framed pendants that actually made it into my inventory database but, for some reason, did not appear in the online shop. They’re there now:

Red Tiger Eye Wire Frame Rosetta Lace Agate Wire Frame
Here are two sterling silver wire-framed pendants: Red Tiger Eye (left) and Rosetta Lace Agate (right).

Dicrotic Glass Prong
Dicrotic glass cabochon prong set on hand-textured sterling silver.

And finally, there’s a rather large pendant I made a while back, before I was doing more bezel settings. It’s a gorgeous piece of hand-crafted dicrotic glass prong-set on a piece of textured sterling silver.

You can find all of these (until they are sold) in my online shop or at art shows I’ll be appearing at throughout the summer.

New Fold-Over Pendants in Stock

Five new pendants added to inventory.

After last week’s visit to the shops in Winthrop and Twisp that sell my jewelry, I had to hustle to start building up stock. So I started with some items I already had partially made: my “fold-over” bail pendants.

Foldover Kingman T Bronze
Kingman Turquoise with bronze on sterling silver.

Foldover Kingman Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Shell with Bronze
Kingman Turquoise and Orange Spiny Oyster Shell with bronze on sterling silver.

Foldover Labradorite
Labradorite on sterling silver.

Foldover Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli on sterling silver.

Foldover Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz on sterling silver.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I make these in batches, completing one step on all pieces before moving on to the next step. For those who are curious, the steps are as follows:

  1. Cut sterling silver sheet in two different sizes of the same elongated teardrop shape. These are all hand cut. I’ll normally cut more than I need for the pendants I plan to make so I have some already done for next time I make them. That’s why the ones I made this weekend were already partially made.
  2. Sand the edges of each cut piece to smooth them.
  3. Choose the stones for each piece. I have a dwindling inventory of small gemstones that are perfectly sized for these. I try to pick a variety.
  4. Make the bezels for each stone. None of these are “standard” sizes so I need to make a bezel from scratch for each one. I start with fine or sterling silver strip and then size, cut, solder, pickle, and shape it.
  5. Solder the bezels onto the teardrop back plates for each pendant, then pickle, wash, and dry them.
  6. Stamp the backplates with a variety of designs. I have no set design so these are all different every time I make them.
  7. Apply a darkening agent to blacken the silver.
  8. Use a variety of techniques to polish the pieces so the silver is bright while the cuts made by the stamps remain darker. This involves manually polishing and putting each piece through a series of tumbling processes that take four to six hours.
  9. Wash and dry each piece.
  10. Set the stones. I need to remember which stone goes into which piece since they’re not interchangeable!
  11. Roll the bail around bail-making pliers to create the bail.

Because of the assembly line process I use to make these in batches, if I start early enough, I can usually make 4 to 8 of them in a day — that’s how I can keep them affordably priced. The trick is to get them into the tumblers at roughly the same time as early in the day as possible. While they’re tumbling, I can usually get started on a new piece that isn’t part of a batch.

All of my fold-over bail pendants are made of sterling silver (and stamped as such on back) or copper with good quality gemstone cabochons set in them. They come with an 18″ sterling silver chain. They retail for $69 and can be found in my online shop or at many of the shops and galleries where my work is sold.

Low Inventory on Pendants

A visit to a wholesale client and gallery leaves me low on pendant inventory.

Good and bad news….

I recently went up the Methow River to two of the shops that sell my jewelry. The first was The Iron Horse in Winthrop. I first started selling there back in summer 2022 and they made a very large first purchase of my work. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that they’d sold every pendant and most of the earrings and bracelets I’d left with them last year!

Owyhee Jasper
 
White Buffalo

I finished making these two pendants on the same day I left them at The Iron Horse in Winthrop. The top pendant is Owyhee Jasper on sterling silver and copper; the bottom one is White Buffalo on sterling silver.

A fifteen minute session with their buyer pretty much wiped out my pendants and beaded necklaces inventory. Indeed, she purchased two pendants I had just finished that morning that were never even properly photographed! (I snapped photos for my records before I left them with her.) She also stocked up on my new tube and bali bead earrings and a few other earring styles she’d bought on my previous visit.

If you’re in Winthrop, I hope you check them out. You can find The Iron Horse at 229 Riverside Ave, Winthrop, WA 98862. Tell them Maria at ML Jewelry Designs sent you.

Afterwards, I went to The Confluence gallery in Twisp and left five pendants with them. They’ve been selling my jewelry for about four years now and had sold out on all of my pendants, too, although they still had enough earrings on hand. You can find The Confluence at 104 Glover Street South, Twisp Washington 98856.

That left me with an inventory of only six pendants for my online shop and upcoming art shows. Needless to say, I’ll be busy in my jewelry studio over the next few weeks. Keep checking in to see what’s new.

So the good news is that I sold a bunch of pendants to retail shops that sell my work, thus getting them out into the wilds of Washington State. The bad news is that my online shop is nearly empty and I’ve got a lot of work to do.