Rich Garnet

I loved the somewhat stop sign shape of these rich red garnets. I'm often stumped though as to what kind of Lampwork bead I should add to the mix. So this time I opted for a simple Fine Silver charm. The large white freshwater pearl sits slightly off center and the bird clasp is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Kyanite

I have been searching for this particular precious stone for some time. Finally at the last Gem show I was at, I was able to acquire some. It's a very pretty cornflower blue with some striations running through it. This piece has some faceted ovals as well as some round disks. I paired it with handmade Fine Silver circles and a Lampwork winged heart bead, which is laden with Silver leaf and glass shards and frit. I love the silver beads that look like balls of string. This piece is one that will be in the upcoming shows.

SILVER & BOLD SHOW NOV. 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Higgason, Bassett Jewelers, 715-356-7272

Headline: Bassett Jewelers welcomes three local artists to their showroom

Bassett Jewelers is hosting a series of jewelry trunk shows featuring local designers on Nov. 22, Dec. 6, and Dec. 13 from 10am to 4 pm. "Silver and Bold: A Northwoods Jewelry Designers Showcase" will feature artists Kathy Furda of Rhinelander, Betty J. Christian of Lake Tomahawk and Wendy Powalisz of Land O’ Lakes on three separate saturdays in the store’s showroom. Each artist will be on hand to talk to customers directly about their pieces.
The event was conceived by owner Susan Bassett and marketing manager, Amy Higgason as a direct response to customer inquiries. "We’ve had so many requests for items made locally. We felt it was the perfect time, with the holidays approaching, to showcase some beautiful, hand-crafted pieces made by area residents" notes Susan Bassett. Higgason, who is also an artist, assisted in selecting the designers. "I’ve worked with all three of these ladies and their craftsmanship is first-rate. They each have their own signature style and unique approaches to their materials."
Artist Kathy Furda is first up on Sat., Nov. 22. Furda designs jewelry incorporating glass lampworked beads and fine silver pieces. She makes her beads over a torch. It involves melting glass rods over a metal rod and then reworking the glass into art forms. Furda fuses fine silver wire to some of her glass beads. She also uses fine silver clay to create silver beads that are then fired in her kiln. "I like the combination of smooth glass beads and textured silver. The range of color, style, glass and precious metals that can be utilized is unlimited. It’s a very exciting creative medium." states Furda.
The store welcomes Betty J. Christian on Sat., Dec. 6. Christian began creating wire wrapped jewelry in the late 90’s. Her intricate pieces are formed one at a time using only hand tools and jigs. She works primarily with sterling silver, but also uses 14K gold-filled wire and copper wire in some designs. Most pieces incorporate gemstones or other bead materials, including pearls, glass, wood, bone, clay, and seeds. "When I work with wire it seems to take on a fluid-like quality as it willingly flows into form. Each piece is a fun journey of creation" claims Christian.
Shoppers can meet Wendy Powalisz at Bassett’s showroom on Sat., Dec. 13. Powalisz lists playing with her grandma’s necklaces and big jars of buttons as an "early delight." Her fascination grew as she learned how antique beads traveled across the globe as currency. "Imagine the stories they could tell" she remarks. Powalisz began collecting vintage glass beads from Europe, African trade beads and semi-precious stones from around the world. She combines them with fairly traded silver from Thailand. "I still play with beads and buttons, but today they end up as one-of-a-kind jewelry creations."
"We are excited to share this fine work with our customers. It's a talented group and as a small local merchant, it's our privilege to promote these area entrepreneurs." Bassett ads.
Each artist will be at the store on their day from 10 am to 4 pm. Preview pieces are on view at Bassett Jewelers, located at the stoplights in downtown Minocqua. Please call 715-356-7272 for more information.

Something different...

I had to throw in something a little different, if for no other reason, than I simply don't like to be too predictable. This piece has a larger Lapis colored bead that's heavily silvered. It also has some multi colored glass shards and a soft velvety etched finish. A pyritized Ammonite fossil completes the piece.

Recently sold...

There was fun had by all at the Open House at Bosacki's Chocolates and More. Lots of wine was tasted, as well as gourmet delights and I even sold a few things. The matching earrings and pendant went to a good home. This pair of earrings has a little armature from which the glass disk is suspended. The disks are softly etched to give them a worn feel.

The pendant hangs from a Fine Silver bail and is in the company of a Tibetan Mali bead and some Dutch Dogan rings. I am working hard getting ready for the next show which will be at Basset Jewelers in Minocqua. Next posting I'll have more info.

Fine Silver Circles

Also at Bosacki's will be this pair of handmade Fine Silver disks and circles intertwined with each other. There's lots of movement in these and they're topped off with coin shaped Iolite and Freshwater Pearls.



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New Style

Here is a pair that I finished recently with etched glass disks of clear and a light steel green. They have Fine Silver disks in the center and a new style of wire. They will be at Bosacki's Open House on Nov. 5th. Stop in and taste some wine from White Winter Winery, specially blended chocolate by Cathy & Colleen, and a variety of other gourmet items.

YIKES!

This is what I woke up to on Monday morning! The view is actually looking out over the deck at my studio. Needless to say it was cold and the winter jacket and gloves had to come out. But there is a short reprieve for Thursday as we'll get into the 60's. More earrings coming soon.

Getting ready for Bosacki's Chocolates Open House....

The Art Tours may be over for the season, but for me there is still a line up of activities. Right now I'm getting ready for Cathy Bosacki's Chocolates & More Open House. This will happen on Nov. 5, 2008 from 4pm to 7pm. Cathy & Colleen run a wonderful business with some of the best tasting chocolate around. (My personal favorite is the dark chocolate Mocha Truffle, but I wish they'd bring back the carrot cake chocolate hint hint!) They invite the artists who have works at their store to be present with new work for sale. They also offer samplings of their other gourmet treats. It's a great time to try some things you just might need for the upcoming holidays, pick up some gifts, and socialize.

I'm concentrating on making a wide variety of earrings for this offering and this is an example of just one style. I'll post others as I get more photos taken, so stay tuned. The disk beads on these pieces are made from Black Nebula glass which contains lots of silver in the actual rod, which gives it the metallic sheen. The Fine Silver circles are handmade as well as the Fine Silver ear wires.

Northwoods Fall Art Tour

Just thought I would post a few new things that will be at the Rodd Umlauf Gallery in Lake Tomahawk for the Northwoods Fall Art Tour. It's this Friday Oct. 3rd - Sunday Oct. 5th. I will be there helping out all 3 days, so if you want to get a look at the Fall Colors and see some fine Northwoods Artists get in your car and go for a drive. You can find the info on the right side of this blog for hours, maps, places, etc.