Friday, February 24, 2012

When The Raven Calls

My work in the shop lately has been wonderfully productive, it's amazing how focused one can become when you're limited for time.  There's been no daydreaming, no mindless tinkering around with ideas only to lose focus and scrap it all together.  All the sketches I've been working on in the wee hours of the morning while Leo and I hang out have slowly come to life..and how wonderful it is to finally see them develop.

I've found myself drawn to my wildlife designs - birds, bears..totem animals that speak to me of things I have yet to figure out.  I'm flattered and delighted that people have contacted me regarding the Phoenix ring I listed just before Christmas, a ring I designed and created with no expectation of selling.  My largest ring yet, this design was hand drawn with no thought to practicality, created purely on aesthetics.  I fell in love with it..and must confess that I was a little sad to see it go.  I'm currently in the midst of creating another one, something a little different but just as luxurious with heaps of sterling and a simple turquoise. I'm hoping to have it finished by the middle of the week, Leo allowing, of course!  I'm excited about it..as I am to share this new raven ring I've been working on these past few days.  




Sterling, Agate

Let there be a raven more...
Let it soar and fly.
Let there be a raven nor...
Let it circle by.
Let there be a raven more...
T'will it stay up high? 
Let there be a raven more...
Forever more, the most more ever high. - Michael Gale

Made entirely of sterling and a snowy specimen of agate, a raven sits perched upon the beautiful stone.  This ring sits on your finger with a decadent weight, tumbled for hours for strength and comfort.
Available now in my shop

Have a great weekend everyone!

xo Blue Gnome


Sunday, February 19, 2012

Keeping My Sanity Series


The last few weeks have been a sleepless blur..the unfortunate thing is that this will not be ending anytime soon..the amazing thing is the capability of the human body to adjust to just about anything.  I'm no longer staggering around the house like a zombie, putting the milk carton away in the cupboard and the toaster in the fridge.  As Leo has slowly begun to establish a daily routine, I'm finally able to entertain the thought of managing my day to day life somewhat (ha!) showering, get dressed and having a meal or two all in the same day! I've even managed to sneak some time in my shop - while some might call that a luxury, for me it's become a necessity to preserve my sanity.  Despite the staggering number of things that need to be done to keep a tiny baby happy, I was craving..no..aching for a creative outlet. 
So with a baby swing set up in the far corner of the shop, Leo and I were able to reach a compromise.  A little "Tina time" makes for a much happier mommy and Leo agreed that a happy mommy makes for a happy baby.  It really must be true when they say that a baby remembers and finds comfort in the sounds they hear while they're in your belly because while the tumblers tumbled and the hammers hammered, Leo slept peacefully in his corner.  

So in brief 1 1/2 hour increments, over the course of many more days than before Leo's arrival, I've managed to put a few little items together.  Although very different in design and inspiration, I'm calling them a part of my Keeping My Sanity series - because without them I'm a little scared I might drown in maternal responsibility.  

All Leo approved.  Currently available in my shop.

xo Blue Gnome

 Bear Totem - Sterling, Ocean Jasper


 Sanity Ring - Sterling, TeePee Canyon Agate


Rumor Ring - Sterling, Turquoise