Found jewelry

I enjoy assembling found jewelry pieces so much that I've started to arrange travel plans around locations that might prove to have engaging"ingredients". And I'm married to a person who fully goes along with this though so we're good.

See over there

A created splendour

Made by one individual

From things residual

- Patrick Kavanagh

Although I use anything available and sometimes, in all honesty, trash can be disturbingly compelling, I was relieved to have found very little trash in Maine a few weeks ago. What was there was mostly fishing/lobstering related (not surprising).

I dispose of the trash (recycling when possible) but often leave the natural pieces in place. (Yes, I bring home a few treasures sometimes but after 50 years of picking up stones and shells I've become rather discerning.)

I watched this particular piece get washed away by the rising tide. Will plan ahead and film this part of the process the next time.

In Saint Helena last year I arranged a necklace of fish scales that blew away in the wind before I could even get a decent photo, "temporariness" certainly being part of this process. It can be both melancholy and freeing at the same time.

I hope you have a great week! I'm taking a couple days away from the studio to savor the dwindling summer before my husband goes back to work next week.

Gathered in the cleft of the rock.

Water views and respite

Headed out for some water views and much needed respite first thing in the morning. Although we hadn't planned on any sort of vacation this year, I'm so pleased we sorted out a week in Maine. Below are photos from the day we spent a day Calvert Cliffs on the Chesapeake Bay last week to help us get in the mood. 

We'll spend part of the week camping (please, please let the weather forecast improve!) and half the week in an Airbnb...that includes fully stocked studio space! 

Per my usual though, I will spend as much time outside as possible. I may do a bit of drawing and painting along with some beach combing and arranging of stuff found on the beach. Nothing too strenuous, save a bit of paddling maybe. (And I will do my best not to check news on my phone but I can't figure out at this point if that is foolhardy or absolute wisdom. I'm counting on my family to text me if there is something I absolutely have to know. ) 

You can find me on Instagram (at gwilliamson) as internet allows.

Mixing work with pleasure

We managed to organize an end of summer trip to Maine last week. After delivering jewelry to the newly opened shop Quench in Belfast we concentrated heavily on relaxing. I'm happy to say here, on a small cove on Westport Island, it was not difficult.

The Trading Post was built in 1815 and at high tide is very much ON the water.

 The shop Quench - Provisions for the Savvy -  is spot on and a great addition to the shops, art galleries, bookstores and eateries in Belfast.

Quench is carrying my Reef and Fragment collections.

Jen (of Quench Metalworks) carefully chose other artist's work to carry alongside her own to fill her charming, wedge shaped shop in the heart of Belfast's artsy shopping district. I am so pleased to be part of her line up. Definitely make time to stop and see her at 9 Beaver Street if you are in the area.

I bought a pair of Jen's sterling silver mini pod earrings but I love these ferns too. They are available in her Etsy shop… if you can't make it to Maine. 

I see jewelry

I love limpet shells but have never collected any quite this large. I feel sure a new necklace will come from this afternoon of beach combing.

I love the subtle colors, textures and shapes of these limpet "hollow beads". 

I collect ideas of jewelry inspiration with a bunch of other creative folks on my Pinterest board "I see jewelry" where we post images of things, nature and objects that make us think of jewelry. You can follow us here if you like. 

And today we're off to Edinburgh for Samuel's long awaited first "real" train ride, museums, cafes and shops. Have a great weekend! See you on Monday with a post about our favorite castle…so far.