From the blog

• November 25, 2022 The Tiny Dancer
  

  The Tiny Dancer was created to help promote the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of the year at a Gala Benefit event.  This piece was commissioned by an avid patron of the arts, for an auction benefit to aid support for the PNB.  The initial concept was to imagine a dramatic design, to be made into a pendant or a brooch, to commemorate one of the six ballets for the Jerome Robbins Celebration.  

  Different concepts were put to paper as preliminary color sketches, each one specific to a certain Robbins ballet.  The final concept for Robbins' "Other Dances" was chosen and the real work began.  

  The unseen part that is often a mystery, is the engineering of the jewelry.  The finished piece may seem static, as if frozen in time.  But the creation of a piece of fine jewelry is magical and the jewelry obtains a life and a subtle movement of its own, through its making.

  For Tiny Dancer, a second concept rendering was made with the appropriate design changes, to create the movement and flow of the dancer.  It was decided that she would be approximately 2.5" X 2.5", and that she would be cast in 18K white gold. 

  The wax model was the next step in the creation.  A medium of hard carving wax was used to painstakingly hand carve the dancer to exacting proportions, as per the original rendering.  The kinetics of hand-carving the piece in wax, brings the dancer to life.

  This is quite a large and voluminous piece, so hollowing out the back helped a bit to lighten it up.  Also, wax braces were added to the hands, arms and one toe to stabilize it though the casting process.

  Finally, she is ready for casting.  After she is cast, the work of hand polishing begins.  Many hours of work later the piece is finally polished to a beautiful luster of soft warm metal. 

  The decision was made to adorn her in pink sapphires and white diamonds to mimic and accentuate the dancer's costume. She was set with 2.24 ct. fine gem quality Pink Sapphires and .70 ct White Diamonds, VS/F quality.

  Special findings were attached to the back of the Tiny Dancer, which enable her to be worn as a brooch or a pendant.  

  She was a great hit at the PNB Gala auction, fetching a wonderful donation for the cause and was a fabulous contribution by the commission of the donor patron.  And, well, I donated a bit of my own time as well.  A certain amount of time was allowed by the patron but the dancer wasn't finished until I was completely satisfied!

   

• July 31, 2020 Our Location

  

  Our Ninth Street Studio design consultation area

   

  So many changes!  A new business, a new location and new designs.

  Pam is still working for and with me, and we are ensconced in our cozy Ninth Street Studio.   Our hours for custom design work are mostly by appointment but we continue to be available 6 days a week and evenings too!

  A big "Thank You" to all who continue to follow me and commission my work.  It has been wonderful to have seen so many familiar faces and rings and pendants, again and again, through the years.   You are all very much appreciated.

  In the meantime, we've worked hard on this new website and we hope you check back often as we continue to add new work.

• July 31, 2020 Platinum is a good choice

  

  A Platinum and Diamond Moiré Vortex ring.

   

  White metal has become a very popular choice for wedding set designs. With the current and continuing volatility of the gold market, Platinum becomes more attractive than ever.

  Platinum is one of the five 'Noble Metals.'  As a 90% to 95% pure alloy, Platinum is heavier and denser than white gold and is very durable.  It looks very white in comparison to white gold, which is an alloy of pure gold and nickel, and it will not tarnish like silver or discolor over time.   Allergic reactions to Platinum are extremely rare. 

   I personally love working with Platinum.  I love the cool feel and its super-white color.  Because this precious metal is so durable, I set diamonds in Platinum prongs whenever possible.   White gold prongs are subject to corrosion by cleaning chemicals such as chlorine but this is not the case with Platinum.   

  Most of my designs can be ordered in Platinum, so think about Platinum as a white metal choice. 

• July 12, 2016 Why Custom Design?
  

  Can't find a design you really like?  If you have a great idea for a piece of jewelry and just can't find it anywhere, then consider a custom design, made especially for you.  All of the jewelry on my website is designed and made by me, personally and 'The Gallery' contains many of my one-of-a-kind custom orders.  Distance is never a problem, as I can scan and email drawings and photos of work in progress.  And you can talk to me directly and work with me personally.  Now, that's something you won't find in a commercial jewelry store!