Jewelry Found in Nature

Saint Helena is inspiration at every turn for me and I'd love to have more time for jewelry in situ, as I call it.

Rocks and lichen on the way back from a rocky coastal walk.

I can't plan it, I can only “expect”. In some situations it has to happen quickly (like today when I was making the banana leaf necklace it had started to rain). For some ridiculous reason I enjoy that sense of urgency. The immediacy feels more like play to me - no fumbling with clasps or worrying about weight - just design in the moment.

Banana leaf trimmings from our garden.

Woodland finds from High Hill

Tumbled rocks from Sandy Bay Beach

They say inspiration is everywhere. While I'm sure that is true I seem to find it more some places than others.

Far out in the South Atlantic

Seventeen days since leaving home, just over a week since arriving to Saint Helena. When you are here...you are really, really here as the nearest land is an even smaller island 2 days away by sea and the east coast of Africa is 1200 miles to the east.

Impromptu jewelry design on the beach in Cape Town.

Our flight (BWI to JFK to OR Tambo to CPT) was long but uneventful. Thats all you can really ask for in a 24 hr. economy class flight really, right? Uneventful. Our time in Cape Town was relaxing ( I really like Cape Town...I wish it wasn't so dangerous) but rainy. They need the rain so desperately though.

Deck of the RMS in the early morning.

Next - five day sea journey with calm seas, far too much delicious food and ,as always, interesting company. I must admit the sea sickness patches which do their job well also make me a bit dopey but non the less I always find the assortment of passengers on the Royal Mail Ship Saint Helena a bit like the UN. Saint Helenians traveling home, an Australian travel writer, The Bishop of the South Atlantic for the Roman Catholic Church...we are always the least traveled of the bunch.

Arriving Saint Helena 7:45am.

Our rental house is older this time, built fifty some years ago in the traditional Saint style with the bathroom accessed via the veranda. Our sweeping sea view faces directly west. Every sunset captivates me.

Our home while here. 

Our settling in has been smoother and easier this time. Much is familiar but most importantly friends welcomed us back just like we had only been gone a couple days. Sure there are many cultural differences but when you get down to it, people are really so very much the same. That has struck me so profoundly this time.

Looking north from The Peaks. Flagstaff is the pointy hill on the left. The barn which is volcanic formation is on the right. 

Thus far there's been a good bit of nesting, visiting, hikes and walks. We just started volunteering at SHAPE yesterday and now perhaps life with settle into a bit of a rhythm. 

Ever sunset is a marvel.

Shops closing soon and one...more...sale.

Thanks to everyone who made purchases during the past week and to everyone who has taken the time to reach out with kind and encouraging words regarding my upcoming trip to Saint Helena! You guys are wonderful! 

Both my shops, the regular website and my Etsy shop, will be closing in less than 48 hours and as it stands now they will be closed until the end of the year. If there's any piece you've been interested in, now's the time.  I expect the next six months to be a period of growth as I learn and explore new materials. No doubt older designs will be culled in the process. 

All the earrings here are from my one of a kind Redemption Series made from recycled polymer. There a little smaller than some of my pieces, very approachable, very light in weight. I've marked then all down by $10 - no coupon code needed.

All purchases will be shipped before I leave for Saint Helena of course and you will still be able to reach me if you ever have any questions or concerns about your jewelry as my website and email will remain active.

Have a great week! 

The Sale that I almost forgot

Time is getting away from me as I squeeze in all I have to accomplish before we leave in just two short weeks.  Admittedly its easier than for our first trip to Saint Helena nine years ago (there'll be no Legos to pack this time)  but in the flurry of activity I almost forgot to announced my Pre-hiatus Sale!

Use Coupon code Summer20 in my Etsy shop now through May 30 for 20% off total purchases, jewelry and beads, no minimum purchase.

 Everything will ship asap and my shop will close May 31 through the end of the year.

Preparing to set sail...again

Shipping schedules, school schedules and bank accounts (all equally important components here) have come together this year and I'm so happy to be able to tell you we'll be headed back to Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic Ocean early next month!

We'll be out of the country for about two months however my online shops will probably be closed from June 1 through the end of the year.  I'll be working for sure, on multiple projects in fact, but I won't be selling. Selling takes a lot of time and energy that I need to direct 

elsewhere for just a bit. 

Before I go though, I'm listing some pieces that I've been working on. Pretty sub-tropical right? You can find these in my Etsy shop starting Tuesday, May 9.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

My husband and I drove to the top of the Chesapeake Bay and spent January 1 eating seafood and watching sailboats. A good way to start a year, I think. An expanse of sea and sky clear my head.

Havre de Grace, Maryland 

And then it was back to work for me as I prepared for a gallery opening on January 6 at
The Art Alliance Downtown. Located in the town of  Penn State, this is the gallery space for The Art of Alliance of Central PA  who's main offices are located in nearby Lemont.

New pieces created specifically for this show.

The opening was packed pretty much solid 7-9pm, as in "actually hard to get around the room" at points, and I was amazed at how comfortable I was talking about my work. Its illuminating to hear oneself talk out loud about things that usually go on only subconsciously.

The show runs until January 29, Wednesday through Sunday and if you make it to Centre county (a 2 1/2 hour drive for me) to see the show please let me know what you think!