Quartz- watercolors

According to Wikipedia, Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth’s continental crust.  Citrine, rose quartz and amethyst are some of the more common quartz gemstones. Often it is heat treated to attain bold rich colors, which are commercially more appealing.

Dendrite quartz, white quartz, rose quartz with tourmalines. 

The subtle watercolor shades of natural unheated quartz are very beautiful. I set them in black silver settings.

 Beautiful light amethyst long drops await a new design.

winter landscape

My recent posts seem to be more about horticulture than jewelry. I have been busy planning new work but I am also thinking about my Philadelphia Flower Show entry in the dried plant jewelry category. The show theme is "Springtime in Paris" and my task is to make a "necklace for the queen".

marshmallow

passiflora tendrils

red twig dogwood

echinacea

Made with sea oats, iris leaves, acorns, orange peel, lombardy poplar branch, dried peas.

A set of bracelets. My entry 2010. 

Winter bloom

Another year begins and with it the opportunity to think about new projects. I have used many of the stones I bought last year and although a few remain unset, I am excited to buy more at the gem shows in February. 

I love to be outside this time of year because the days are getting longer and my garden begins a new cycle of bloom. 

Chimonanthus praecox,  Japanese allspice

This is a most fragrant flowering shrub from Japan. The blooms are short lived in a vase however it has been blooming outside since mid December.

Jasminum nudiflorum,  Winter Jasmine

This is an outstanding hardy plant from China that will cascade if it is on a hillside. It's a spreading low grower. I had to cut whatever I could for a vase before the deer ravage the flowering stems. It isn't fragrant but the color is very beautiful in the winter landscape.