What’s New

Jewelry Making Classes on June 17, 2023

Two new classes teach aspiring silversmiths how to make two different jewelry items: earrings and cuff bracelets.

I’ve opened my Malaga WA jewelry studio to classes and hope to conduct two on most weekends throughout the summer. Classes include materials and use of tools, as well as instruction for groups of up to four people. Students leave with the skills they need to make jewelry items on their own, as well as jewelry they made in class.

Here’s what’s coming up next weekend:


Spiral Hoop Earrings

Learn basic silversmithing techniques by making a pair of spiral hoop earrings in sterling silver or copper. We’ll work with three different gauges of jewelry wire and a wide range of tools to cut, shape, and texture a pair of earrings and ear wires. Students will leave with new jewelry making skills and their own pair of handmade earrings. Click here to sign up.


Air-chased Copper Cuff Bracelets

Learn basic silversmithing techniques by making a copper cuff bracelet using air-chasing techniques. We’ll start with a regular copper pipe, anneal it, and use ball peen hammers on bench blocks to introduce ridges and valleys. More annealing before fine-tuning the texture and then filing rough edges and shaping to a cuff. Final steps include polishing or applying a patina. Students will leave with new jewelry making skills and their own copper cuff bracelet. Click here to sign up.

New: Kingman Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Shell with Bronze on Sterling Silver

A stone shaped like this needs a setting with the same shape. I sketched this out on paper and then made it reality.

Two Kingman Turquoise with Spiny Oyster Shell and Bronze Cabochons set in sterling silver. I used a thick square wire to create the main setting, cutting and soldering each component before applying a universal texture with a hammer and assembling the pieces. The smaller stone got a custom bezel cup that was soldered into place. I then soldered in the prongs to set the larger stone and the bail. After polishing and tumbling, I finally set the stones. I made the coordinating beaded necklace the next day. I have about 10 hours over 3 days in this piece; it’s one of my boldest to date.

Until sold, this piece will be available at the art shows I attend and on my online store.

New Online Store Under Construction

We’re moving out of Etsy and into a Square-based shop.

After numerous problems dealing with Etsy and its fees, I’ve decided to make the move to a custom shop I’m able to build on Square. As some of the folks who have shopped with me might know, I use Square to accept credit card payments for my jewelry. It makes sense to manage all of my inventory in just one place.

Kingman Turquoise
This Kingman Turquoise and Orange Spiny Oyster Shell with Bronze Pendant is brand new and can only be found in my new online shop.

Although a few links here and there on this site might point to the old Etsy-based shop, the new shop is up and running on Square. Not everything is listed yet — it’s quite a task for me — but I’m hoping to have it fully stocked by the end of this coming weekend.

You can find the new shop here.

Just like Etsy, the new shop offers free shipping for orders over $35 to buyers in the US. It does not, however charge sales tax on purchases shipped outside of Washington State, where ML Jewelry Designs is based. So if you’re visiting from outside Washington, you can save a few bucks in the new shop.

I’m looking forward to feedback about the new shop. If you visit, please come back here and use the comments feature to tell me what you think.

Larimar in Sterling Silver Pendant

Larimar cabochon framed in sterling silver.

Larimar cabochon framed in sterling silver. Comes with an 18″ sterling silver chain. (The beaded chain shown in the second photo is not included; it may be available in the Necklaces section of my Etsy shop.)

Larimar is the tradename 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.


A Larimar in sterling silver pendant. If this pendant is still available when you read this, it’ll be in the Wire-framed Pendants section of my Etsy shop.

Amethyst in Sterling Silver Pendant

Amethyst cabochon framed in sterling silver.

Amethyst cabochon framed in sterling silver. Comes with an 18″ sterling silver chain. (An amethyst and sterling silver beaded chain like the one shown in the second photo may be available separately on this site. Consult the listings in the Necklaces section of my Etsy shop.)

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.

Hand-made by jewelry artist Maria Langer in her Malaga, WA, USA studio. Thank you for supporting American artists and makers!


Amethyst in Sterling Silver pendant. If it’s still available when you read this, you’ll find it for sale with my other wire-framed pendants on Etsy.

May 2022 Classes at Gallery One

Two classes to make jewelry shown here!

Gallery One has scheduled me to teach two jewelry making classes at their Ellensburg, WA gallery classroom:

Spiral Hoop Earrings


Spiral hoop earrings in silver with accent bead.

Learn how to make the very first earring design I began making way back in 2018! Your choice of copper or silver, with or without accent bead. These are one of my best selling earring designs, so I’ll be making more inventory while I teach you how! Materials fee includes the wire in your choice of copper or silver, a choice of beads, and use of tools; you could bring your own bead 6mm or smaller to use in the piece. Learn more about the class here.

Don’t feel like making them? You can buy them online here.

Wire Wrap Stone Pendant


Copper framed pendant.

Learn how to make the wire framed cabochon pendants I launch my jewelry business with and still make today. We’ll be using various types of copper wire to make a custom frame for a teardrop-shaped cabochon and then secure the stone inside it. There’s no drilled holes and no glue. Materials fee includes the wire, your choice of cabochon, and a leather necklace so you can wear your pendant out the door, as well as use of all needed tools. Additional materials kits will be available. Learn more about the class here.

Don’t feel like making your own? Here’s what’s available online now in copper or silver.

What’s New: Week Ending February 26, 2022

Jewelry made during the week ending February 26, 2022.

Here’s some of the jewelry I made this week. See more photos and buy them in my online shop. As always, new items are available online at 20% (or more) off for a limited time between art shows.

Simple Pendants


Kingman Turquoise with bronze on sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.


Malachite on sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.


Kingman Turquoise with bronze on sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.


Rhodochrosite on sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.


African Turquoise on copper. Includes a black leather necklace.

Prong Set Pendants


Translucent moss agate framed with sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.

Bezel Set Pendants


Snowflake obsidian bezel set in sterling silver. Includes a sterling silver chain.


Leopardskin Jasper bezel set in copper. Includes a black leather necklace.

Gemstone Bracelets


Amethyst with sterling and fine silver bracelet. Entirely hand made, with soldered bracelet links.

Video Tour of My Mobile Jewelry Shop

Make jewelry while on the road? I’m set up for it!

Take a 5-minute break and join me for a tour of my mobile jewelry shop, currently parked near Ehrenberg, AZ.

YouTube video tour of my jewelry shop. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more behind-the-scenes and how-to videos from ML Jewelry Designs!

Update on Washington Gallery Inventory Shipments

Good news if you’re looking for a last-minute gift in the Ellensburg or Twisp areas of Washington State.

I’m very happy to see that both of the gallery shipments I sent out last week have finally made it to their respective galleries. That means a total of more than 30 new pieces of my jewelry will be available in both shops today, just in time for the very last minute of shopping.

The galleries are:

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

Confluence Gallery & Art Center
104 Glover Street
Twisp Washington 98856
509-997-ARTS (2787)

If you visit any time at all, please do tell them that Maria Langer sent you!

Enjoy the holidays!