Arts | Silver Charmer Jewelry

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts ~ Hammering Away!

28 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Arts, Copper, Crystal, emerald, fine silver, First Friday, Garnet, hematite, lampwork beads, love, Main Gallery 404, Romance, ruby, Tour de Chocolat', Valentine

There are hearts and then there are hearts. I love them all and will be offering many varieties this Friday …..

…at Main Gallery 404 for the First Friday Event and The Tour de Chocolat’: Details and more jewelry HERE!

Here are a few hammered hearts:

Maggie’s Heart: Hammered copper and fine silver.

Hammered copper heart with fine silver and lampworked bead.

Hammered copper heart with fine silver, olivetine and garnet crystals.

Hammered copper heart with fine silver and peach drop.

Hammered copper heart with ruby, garnet, emerald, crystal, fine silver.

Four Swinging Hearts

And a few other new hearts, too!

Almost kept this for myself: Lampworked copper-wrapped bead with crystal.

Agate heart with lampworked bead, hematite, crystal, garnet, sterling, copper,sterling silver.

Fine silver with crystal.

Hammered copper heart with sterling silver.

Hammered copper with blue and green crystal drop.

Hammered copper heart with blue and green crystal drop.

Hammered copper heart with sterling silver and sleeping kitty charm.

Hammered copper heart with sterling silver.

Okay, technically not a heart, but he has a little red glass heart nose… =^.^=

Mr. Kitty; hammered copper with red glass heart nose and sterling silver whiskers.

First Event of 2013

04 Jan 2013 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, cast, cats, Crafts, Glass, Jewelry, mold, Pacific Island, paw prints, Silver

Wow, my first event for 2013 is tonight, January 4, at Main Gallery 404 in Downtown Bloomington, IL from 5 ~ 8 PM!

While the previous owners, Joanne Goetzinger and Martha Burk, will be dearly missed for their groundbreaking work, it’s an exciting new opportunity for Lisa Lofgren, the new owner, who is full of vision and enthusiasm.

Along with Jamie Morse, glass artist, and Jeffrey Kohl, who specializes in watercolors and acrylics with a Pacific Island influence, I’m one of three featured artists. I’ll be demonstrating fine silver casting from 6 ~ 7 PM.

Janthina, Janthina

Casting with fine silver is one of the most magical processes there is and compared to traditional silversmithing, much less labor intensive.

The photo below is what I’ll be wearing tonight; the paw print of my recently departed kitty, Blue Blue. I’ve been holding my breath, afraid for the last couple of months to make the cast from the vet’s mold in case it didn’t turn out as I envisioned; but… I’m thrilled with the results. Hope to see you tonight!

=^.^=

That’s my boy.

All dressed up… =^.^=

Last Chance Jewelry Bash In December

17 Dec 2012 2 Comments

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Arts, beads, Bloomington Illinois, Crafts, holiday, Jan Brandt Gallery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Ricky Lee Jones, Silver, studio, unique, woman cave

For some reason, when I was trying to think of a catchy title for this post, all I could think of was…

Ricky Lee Jones singing “Last Chance Texico” which is a great song for a day like today.

It’s gloomy, drizzly, and chance to sip a hot cup of tea and make jewelry in my studio.

(Here’s the link if you’d like to listen too.)

Or woman cave as the refinance guy called my studio last week.

He said he’d never seen a woman cave before, but my studio qualified!

I think it was the refrigerator that cinched it.

Except for the beer opener, I try to keep it covered up…

Serendipity struck on Saturday when I wandered into The Garlic Press and started talking with artist Jan Brandt.

She opened a new gallery in June 2012, Jan Brandt Gallery, at 1106 E Bell Street Bloomington, IL 61701.

As we conversed, she noticed the jewelry I was wearing.

(Thank you my dear husband for always telling me to wear something I made, even though I do wear other artists’ work that I love…)

One thing led to another and Jan very generously asked if I would join her “Wine and Shopping” event on

Thursday (Yes, THIS Thursday!): December 20, from 5 ~ 8 PM.

(I was going to go anyway, just for fun, but… now I’ll be offering some jewels and have fun too.)

Like a little elf, I’m still working on new pieces.

Pardon my messy bench.

Lots and lots of earrings and more.

Attention desperate gift-givers! (You know who you are!) Please stop by.

Holiday bags mean already wrapped.

And, if you’re not that confident the special someone in your life will come through, select something for yourself.

Jan has a beautiful space and it’s filled with lots of unique artwork, all ready to go home with someone.

Hope to see you Thursday night for some holiday cheer!

Next Up!

07 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, December, First Friday, holiday, Illinois, Jewelry, McLean County Illinois, Merlot, Silver, United States

Wow, this has been a crazy busy month and it’s only December 7th!

I’m thrilled to announce my jewelry is now being shown at the Main Gallery 404,404 North Main Street, downtown Bloomington, IL, 309.828.9500. Okay, my name isn’t in there yet, but… I need to send some photos of my work.

Here’s how it looks in the case (Yep, squeezed in 42 pieces…):

My first event there is TONIGHT for December’s First Friday, which runs from 5 – 8 PM. It is also Downtown Bloomington’s annual Live Window Vignettes. All the shops will be open and offering lovely delightful treats!

My own little spot ~ all silver pieces.

Thanks to the above opening, and multiple venues where my work can be seen tonight, I’m dragging my poor husband to make the rounds. Don’t think he’ll have an issue though once we get out and about.

For December, this promises to be a mild weather evening; perfect for a stroll through Downtown Bloomington.

Here’s a list of places in Downtown Bloomington you can find Silver Charmer Jewelry:

Main Gallery 404, 404 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL

The Grey Dove Studio & Gallery, 105 B West Monroe Street, Bloomington, IL

Off the Wall Gallery, 318 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL

Merlot and a Masterpiece, 412 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL

McLean County Arts Center, 601 North East Street, Bloomington, IL

Kelly’s Bakery & Cafe, Art-on-the-Wall, 113 North Center, Bloomington, IL

Hopefully, I’ll bump into you somewhere!

Some Days You Get The Duck!

07 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff! Tags: Arts, Bead, Beadwork, craft, Handcrafted Beads, Jewelry, Shopping, Silver, Supplies

When our Bead Therapy Group gathered the other night to compare the results of our project, what I’d expected was confirmed:

I was out of my league with intricate beading. Even though beading is what ignited my passion for jewelrymaking, once I found silver, I chose a different path.

So, let’s get to it. My friend and ringleader, Diane, gave us the challenge. This group of beads. Make something, she said.

Definitely not my chosen colors…

Someone asked if we had to use all the beads?

No, we could omit up to 3 groups.

Were we limited to only these beads?

No, we could add whatever we wanted.

Hmmm, let the games begin.

Miss Judy’s piece.

When the first guest arrived wearing her piece, I knew I was in trouble. Judy added 3mm. crystals in between the two lacy “wheels”; the top part of her “swingy” drop. They sparkled like crazy.

Miss Nancy at work!

See all those intricate little drops at the top of her piece. Never in a million years, but for Nancy, pretty sure she could do it in her sleep. It is a beautiful piece; the lower half was strung on leather before she connected it to the copper chain.

Miss Kathy’s creation.

As you can see, things were getting serious. Kathy added metal-formed copper and raised the creative bar a notch. She also had coordinating earrings (Why didn’t I think of that?), which I forgot to photograph.

Miss Diane had hers done early.

Did she plan the colors to coordinate with her centerpiece? Diane, again–our ringleader, and supplier of the beads in the challenge, claimed not, but she did have hers done early, and it was beautifully simple. Not sure if my photo captures the intricacy of her macrame’, but she loves the asymmetrical and so do we.

Miss Jean and her bling!

Then, of course, as expected, Miss Jean and her bling walked through the door. Cool or what? It took our breaths away.

Miss ZuZu wants to play with EVERYONE!

Our next two regulars didn’t participate in this jewelry challenge (Next time, ladies!) but brought their three-year-old tots instead; another sort of accessory that made my dog very happy. ZuZu likes kid jewelry!

Some days, you get the duck!

And finally, I think I mentioned it was quirky; my piece, which someone brilliantly suggested I wear! Thank you very much! But, I did have fun with his tail-feathers!

So looking forward to our next challenge!

The Bead Therapy Group rocks!

A Little Fun…

04 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff! Tags: Arts, Bead, Crafts, friends, Jewelry, laughter, Supplies, therapy

The past few weeks have been all about deadlines and news. And, yes, there will be more announcements to follow!

This little project has a deadline, too, but it’s a fun one!

I’m a member of a not-so-secret group of fellow jewelry artists who enter “Bead Therapy” every week for a couple of hours to exchange ideas, laugh, vent… you know, another version of the ever-so-popular book club.

One member gave us a challenge along with exact components for everyone to create a unique piece and share with the group this week. I confess, with all my responsibilities recently, first I had to find my pack to start working on it.

Possibly not my chosen colors…

The rules are simple. We have to use some of all the different beads (I believe we can exclude up to 3 types.) and we can add whatever we want. Jewelry or art; our choice.

Once I got my mind wrapped around the colors, I’m loving the process. I’m only doing this for fun, so… the sky’s the limit, right? The only person who’s seen my progress thinks I’m a little warped, but then… he knew that when he married me.

The big reveal happens in two more days. Stay tuned!

Two New Guys

18 May 2011 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bead, cats, Crafts, fine silver, Jewelry, Milwaukee, porcelain, Shopping, United States

These are two of my new guys.

Last year at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee I found an artist specializing in porcelain components (give me a minute and I’ll add the proper name information when I locate it). Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I found these treasures and decided to somehow encase them in fine silver. A few more should join their company in the very near future.

I have a feeling June is going to all about the cats.

=^.^=

Two new guys...

Gather at the Gallery ~ a “Celebration”

13 Dec 2010 Leave a comment

by GJD in Uncategorized Tags: Arts, Christmas, Crafts, discussion, Glass, Jewelry, salon event, Shopping

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 6 – 8 PM, I’ve been invited, along with glass artist, Jason Mack, to display and talk about our art.

(There will also be selected items available for purchase.)

I’m delighted and honored to have been asked to be a part of this event.

Eaton Gallery, run by Herb and Pam Eaton, and Main Gallery 404, run by Martha Burke and Joann Goetzinger, have joined together to bring a salon style event to downtown Bloomington every third Wednesday of the month, “a gathering of stimulating people to amuse, refine one’s taste in art and increase one’s knowledge through presentation and conversation.”

In other words, a group of people having fun talking about different types of art which can include paintings, photography, sculpture, music, performance, or written work.

This month Jason and I will be adding glass and jewelry to the mix. As visiting artists we will each give a short presentation and commentary which will hopefully lead to some questions and a group discussion.

The event runs from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, and is free to the public. Light refreshments and coffee are also provided.

The address for Eaton Gallery is 411 N. Center Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

This month’s theme is Celebration, “Art created, commissioned, given, or displayed to celebrate important happenings and events.”

I’m really looking forward to it and hope to see familiar faces and meet some new ones too!

Silver Charmer Jewelry