oh my, what a druzy!

I've seen other designers use druzy in their work, and I just couldn't resist any longer. It has everything I look for in a gemstone; a unique cut, great texture and depth, uniqueness and sparkle, of course!

I just finished this really cool "caged druzy" necklace. It features a one of a kind piece of druzy captured in a hand-crafted sterling silver setting. A bright diamond adds interest to the bail, which moves freely along an oxidized ball chain. This necklace pretty much sums up my jewelry aesthtic: a bit rough, rugged and organic offset with luxurious details.

Love it! This piece will be available soon on sarahswell.com

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingletown all the way..

Well, it's that time of year again. Jingletown Holiday Art Walk time, that is. I cannot stress how amazing my neighborhood, Jingletown, is. Come visit this little artist 'hood tucked away near the Oakland-Alameda estuary, and you may meet a puzzle maker, a mosaic artist, a furniture maker, or many other colorful characters that make this community so unique. The Sarah Swell Jewelry studio will be open for all your gift-buying needs. Come on by and say hello! Visit jingletown.org for a map and details.

Outside In

Talk about never having to leave the house! Built in 1960 by architect Daniel Leiberman in Mill Valley, CA, this house was designed, naturally, to bring the outside in. And that it does so well. The beams radiate out from the center column and walls of glass allow uninterrupted light to fill the space. It somehow reminds me of the tree houses from Star Wars, but more modern, and oh so much cooler.

Weathered Locket Featured!

The Marin Store featured my silver and gold weathered lockets in their most recent email marketing blast!  I love the locket because it's elegant and funky at the same time.  Not to mention, the handcrafted hinge and catch make it very special, as does the unique key clasp.  This is one for generations to come!

Gentlemen take note: with its one-size-fits-most and sentimental and eye candy appeal, jewelry is an easy and ideal holiday gift. Those wanting to stick to an under $100 budget will love Bodie Design Studio's Porthole Earrings, Heart's Desire Jewelry's Concentric Shapes Earrings, and Kathy Kamei's small Be A Light Earrings.  If you're feeling naturally inspired, you may like Isharya's Druzy Earrings, Stephan-Hill's Mount Tam pendant necklaces, or Amber Marie Bently's eco-friendly Pink Tourmaline Ring.  Seeking a statement piece? Look no further than Lauren Ramirez'sPhoenix Earrings, Sarah Swell's Weathered Lockets (shown), or Regine Pfanz's Ball N' Chain Necklace.

Mess!

This is how my bench looks after days of non-stop work.  Quite messy, huh?  For some reason, when I have a ton of work to do, I just can't justify taking 10 minutes to clean up and start fresh. Perhaps I should rethink this strategy.

Bound Together

I was lucky enough to actually attend the wedding that I made this slightly rugged, yet still refined wedding band for.  The Groom's ring was cast from an actual shipwreck plank that I found along the San Francisco coast.  The white gold ring featured rope accents on both sides to tie together the nautical theme.  It was very appropriate for a classic wedding on gorgeous Cape Cod.  The bride was glowing in her stunning strapless gown, and the groom's smile was no less than a mile wide.  With the reception held at a beautiful old inn, it felt like a throwback to another time and place, one that I did not want to leave.  Cheers to the bride and groom!

Stars + Ravens

I'm absolutely obsessed with local gal Sarah Boruso's nostalgic collection of carefully made clothing called Stars + Ravens.  The intrigue lies just as much in her inspiration as in the breathtaking details and draping of her garments.  Not to mention, she's the lead singer in a band, AND her name is Sarah (with an "h")

What's not to love?