Peace, LOVE, and Turtles!

artisan jewelry, etching, handmade jewelry, Love, Peace, sterling silver, turtle

It’s been a bit of a rough start to 2024, including the “atmospheric river” here in California, and I’ve been away from my studio. But you can’t have a rainbow without a little rainfall. I’m very much looking forward to better times ahead! I hope all is well with you. Stay safe!

It is crazy that it’s already February and Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. If you are in the San Francisco Bay area check out Made Local Marketplace in Santa Rosa for great gifts and Meeshka Jewelry designs. These pieces are still available, as well as many others.

 

Can’t get to Made Local Marketplace? Check out these designs and others online at meeshka.net. FREE shipping in the USA, and a velvet gift bag is included.

Peridot, sterling silver, and keum-boo 24k gold earrings

swimming turtles cuff

Etched sterling silver swimming turtle bracelet

Etched sterling silver and Sleeping Beauty turquoise necklace.

 

Another gorgeous winter walk in Sonoma Valley.

Peace & Love from Sonoma Mountain,
~meeshka

The Small Works Exhibit 2023

artisan jewelry, Coral Reef, Cuff, etching, gemstone, gold, gold fill, handmade jewelry, mermaid, moonstone, ocean, sterling silver, turtle, Under The Sea

I am once again very proud and delighted to be included in the juried Small Works Exhibit 2023 at Art Works Downtown in San Rafael! I participated in this show in 2013 and I’m excited to be among the talented artists again this year.

“Art Works Downtown invites artists to share their gift of creativity in The Small Works Exhibit, an annual offering of quality fine-art to holiday shoppers and the art-loving public. This dynamic showcase will feature over 80 unique artworks in the award winning Gallery 1337.”  ~from the Art Works Downtown website

 

Mermaid Pendant Necklace: sterling silver, amethyst and pearl
Hand drawn, etched, oxidized sterling silver mermaid pendant with amethyst cabochon. Strung on amethyst/gold fill and pearl/sterling silver chains.

 

Swimming Turtle Cuff: sterling silver
Hand drawn, etched, rolled, oxidized sterling silver swimming turtles cuff.

 

Coral Reef Earrings: sterling silver, 22k gold and moonstones
Coral Reef Earrings are inspired by the record-breaking hot ocean temperatures in the Florida Keys (100°) this summer related to climate change leading to bleaching and a massive die-off of the coral reef. Marine scientists are preserving samples of rare coral species before they’re gone forever.

 

Small Works Exhibit 2023
November 18, 2023 through January 20, 2024
2 Receptions: Friday December 8, 2023 and January 12, 2024 from 5 to 8pm

At downtown San Rafael’s 2nd Friday Art Walks
ArtWorks Downtown Gallery • 1337 Fourth Street • San Rafael

etching

Sketching, Designing and Creating Jewelry

artisan jewelry, Custom, etching, gemstone, gold, handmade jewelry, ocean, On The Bench, sterling silver

Sketching and Designing Jewelry

For me, designing one of a kind jewelry is an intuitive process. I have ideas, sketch out variations, and start creating. What often occurs are finished pieces that differ from my original visions. Going with this flow is the process of listening to my head, my heart, and what unfolds before me, which often can be interesting, delightful and frustrating all at once! Below is a peek into what’s going on in the studio right now.

These are recent drawings that are currently being etched to become new jewelry.drawings for etchings

The process involves creating the etching and designing the piece. In this image I was exploring which stone to use, Amazonite or Turquoise, what shape to make the pendant, and how it might hang.

process

I often design as I go along, starting with a vision and allowing the piece to evolve. Below is a mermaid necklace in progress. Sterling silver, Amazonite, Amethyst, Moonstone, Tourmaline… decisions, decisions.

sketches

Sketches for Coral Reef Earrings to go with the Coral Reef Necklace and Ring.

drawings for etchings

Becoming earrings: sterling silver, Moonstones and gold bezels.

Becoming Coral Reef Earrings

 

Dress Up Your Jeans

I just completed this necklace last week. Playing with etchings from my artwork has been so much fun! Then final decision for the center stone is a beautiful Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.

Sleeping Beauty is a mine in Globe, AZ, where these stones are from, and is named after the mountain range where it is located. Known for its unique color that ranges from ‘robin’s egg’ blue to deep-blue, the Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is one of the most sought after gemstones in the Turquoise world. According to research, the darker it is, the rarer it is. (source: Turquoise Moose)

The necklace is strung on porcelain and silver beads from Africa, with a sterling silver swivel clasp. This piece is not yet up on my website but will be soon.

Dress up your jeans

If you are interested in purchasing this necklace before it goes up on my site, please feel free to contact me at meeshka@meeshka.net.

Custom orders are also always welcome.