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.

Summertime Is Beach Time!

artisan jewelry, gold, gold fill, handmade jewelry, ocean, sterling silver, water

Summer is here and if you know me you know I love the beach… any time of year. Check out these new ocean inspired jewels!

Sterling silver etched fishie pendant strung on turquoise necklace.

Sterling silver etched “fishie” pendant strung on turquoise necklace. Etched fish are originally hand drawn, etched, and put through the rolling mill to make the impression on the silver.

Sterling silver etched starfish and turquoise earrings.

Sterling silver etched starfish and turquoise earrings. Etched starfish are originally hand drawn, etched, and put through the rolling mill to make the impression on the silver.

Sterling silver, keum boo gold, aquamarine and gold fill earring wires.

Last Drop Of Water Earrings, Revisited. Sterling silver, keum boo gold, aquamarine, and gold fill earring wires. Last Drop Of Water earrings represents the environmental struggles of our time.

Tunnels Beach, Kauai.
One of my favorite beaches.

New Designs Sneak Peek

artisan jewelry, Dead & Company, gemstone, Grateful Dead, handmade jewelry, honu, ocean, On The Bench, PITS, Playin' In The Sand, sterling silver, sugar skull, sun, turtle, Under The Sea, water

I’ve been working on some new pieces that aren’t up in the Shop yet and I wanted to share them with you! I’m super excited about this new direction.

They are available so let me know if you are interested. These beauties are perfect for your favorite Deadhead friend or for yourself if you are going to PITS* in Mexico next year. Or just because you love this look!

Also, as always, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Much Love,
~meeshka

 

Sterling silver sun with a faceted labradorite gemstone in the center. Pendant is approximately a 1.125″ diameter circle. Strung on a sterling silver beaded “ball” chain.

This labradorite has a beautiful blue flash!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling silver turtle (honu, terrapin) with a faceted peridot gemstone on the turtle’s back. Pendant is approximately 1.5″ x 1.5″ at it’s widest points. Strung on a sterling silver beaded “ball” chain.

Notice how the shell pattern shows through the peridot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling silver sugar skull (Stealie) with two jumping fishies and a faceted citrine gemstone. Pendant is approximately 1.75″ x 1.” at it’s widest points. Strung on a sterling silver faceted beaded “ball” chain.

All pieces are handmade and one-of-a-kind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*PITS is Playin’ In The Sand: Dead & Company at Riviera Cancun, Mexico; January 14-17, 2023

Easy Giving Gift Guide 2022

artisan jewelry, bronze, gemstone, Gingko, gold, gold fill, handmade jewelry, Love, ocean, Ring, sterling silver, Story Art, Under The Sea

I hate being pushy and salesy but I do want to offer you some ideas for giving this year to make your holidays easier. Every item comes wrapped in a velvet gift bag with a free polishing cloth and, as always, free shipping in the US. I hope you have a stress free season!

Something for everyone.
Items under $100
Here are a few items under $100. Pick up a few special pieces for friends, family, and absolutely for yourself! More items available in ShopTake a moment and browse.

Bangle bracelets

Bangles!!!

Ginkgo earrings

Bronze Ginkgo Earrings

Stacking rings

Stacking rings

Something a little more special, perhaps?
Items from $100 – $500
Sometimes you are looking for something a little more special for that certain someone or for yourself. Here are a few items from $100 to $500 that are sure to please and delight! More items available in Shop.

Gemstone and flame UFO necklace

Gemstones and flame UFO necklace

Bronze ginkgo ring

Bronze ginkgo ring

Sterling silver and lapis lazuli earrings

Sterling silver and lapis lazuli earrings

Top of the line!
Items over $500
There are times when you know you need something just as special as it can get. Maybe it’s a special occasion or you want a bespoke piece of jewelry to hand down through the years. Here are a few items over $500 that are sure to be keepsakes for a lifetime! More items available in Shop.

Sterling silver, gold and Amazonite necklace

Sterling silver, gold and Amazonite necklace

Sterling silver, NuGold and Lapis lazuli bracelet

Sterling silver, bronze, aquamarine and pearl necklace

Sterling silver, bronze, aquamarine and pearl necklace

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New jewelry and blog posts are added to the website regularly so please visit often.
Follow me on Pinterest… there is a lot of great jewelry inspiration there!

Mini Masterpieces

Crow, Doodle, honu, mermaid, Mini Masterpiece, ocean, Raven, sterling silver, turtle, watercolor

Sometimes it’s good to revisit the old friends I’ve created along the way. These “mini masterpieces” are watercolors I did and framed in sterling silver, topped with a vintage glass watch crystal. Most of these have been sold but there are a few remaining in the Shop. Not sure I’ll be making these again but you never know!

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

It’s Still Summer!

bronze, gemstone, gold fill, mermaid, ocean, On The Bench, Tell Me A Story, turtle, water

Clay mermaids from Peru, Aventurine cabachon gemstone, sterling silver bezel, gold fill findings

 

It’s still summertime, on the bench… and off.

A turtle mermaid birthday cake from Drakes in Bodega Bay reminds us of an important message.

Go to the beach.
Dance on the shore.
Make beautiful artwork.
Love, live, laugh… out loud.
Life is short. Eat the cake.

Jeff’s Mom’s Chocolate Cake

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Miniature Mermaids

gemstone, gold fill, mermaid, moonstone, ocean, On The Bench, sterling silver, water

Bumped into these teeny tiny mermaid beads in San Anselmo the other day
and had to have them! Creating these earrings with sterling, gold, and moonstones.

Sketching designs.

Finished earrings with gold fill sun and wave.

Moonstone mermaids.

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Enchanted By The Sea

bronze, honu, ocean, On The Bench, sterling silver, turtle, Under The Sea, water

Continuing my work with bronze and sterling silver, the Honu
medallion is on the bench today. I am forever enchanted by the sea.
The ocean cleanses my soul, eases my mind, and sparks my creativity.

 

Finished necklace

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