Emily Proud

I came across Emily Proud's work via the wonderful world of Instagram.  I'm really into dark florals at the moment, so her sweet watercolor arrangements against a black background immediately caught my attention.  Sometimes you just need something beautiful to look at.

sri lanka: part two

We continued on to the more secluded coastal town of Tangalle.  Here we stayed in a little shack right on the ocean.  Many people wouldn't attempt to go in the water because the rip current was so strong, but having grown up in New England we were up for the challenge.  Swimming in a new ocean is exciting, and the Indian Ocean was a very salty and a welcome break from the heat.

The moon in Tangalle was the most amazing thing I have ever seen, bigger and brighter than I could have ever imagined.

I love the beach but can only relax for so long.  We took a day trip to the Mulkirigala rock temple by tuk tuk.

 We pressed on to the dusty town of Tissamahara, where touts were waiting in droves for any sign of a tourist.  Tissa is really the only option for semi-budget accommodation while visiting Yala national park for Safari.  We splurged again on a more upmarket place after being overwhelmed by a long, crowded and pressure filled bus ride.  Sri Lanka doesn't quite know yet what western tourists want.  Upmarket in Sri Lanka must be taken with a grain of salt.  There will be a bland buffet, there will not be good wifi, there will still be bugs/dirt/noise/smelly water & smelly towels, and service is awkward but genuine.

If you head out on Safari, be prepared to leave before sunrise to search for the elusive leopards.  We didn't spot any, but had a wonderful time bouncing around in the jeep through the coastal plains.

tsunami damage still remains

 this was definitely an "is the elephant suppose to get this close" moment as our jeep driver frantically put the car in reverse!

My favorite part of the journey thus far was visiting the sacred site of Kataragama.  The best time to visit is in the evening when throngs of Hindu,Buddhist and Muslim pilgrims descend on the small town to leave offerings.  The whole experience was magical and eerie.

We hired a car to take us North to hill country.  The first stop was the breathtaking tiny town of Ella.  The best way to spend a day here is wandering the train tracks.  They are very much active, however all you have to do is follow the lead of the villagers and move to the side when the (very slow) train comes through.  This felt like a dream in the early evening light.

The Serpent Convertible Ring/Necklace for *A Rarity*

I created this limited edition Serpent piece for Kate Ellen's gorgeous boutique Crown Nine.  Kate created an amazing project called "A Rarity" in which she asks jewelry designers to create a special piece in small quantities available exclusively through Crown Nine.  I created this Serpent ring in slightly oxidized sterling silver with a beautiful green diamond.  The best part about the piece is that it also comes with a sparkling cable chain with pyrite bead so that it can be worn as a necklace too.  I love this  design because it is a little bit edgy, but also delicate and completely wearable-in two way nonetheless!  Once these sell out....that's it!

image courtesy of Crown Nine

 I also welcomed super talented photographer/foodie/blogger Eva Kolenko in my studio space to capture how the piece was made.  Make sure you view the entire studio visit and interview too.

 images courtesy of Eva Kolenko

I also adore these shots that Kate took behind the scenes of the studio shoot (check out Eva's sweet little photo assistant, Parker).  You can see more fun outtakes on her amazing blog.  

looking back

I love these images I came across of influential women jewelers from the mid twentieth century.  It is really them who I have to thank for allowing me to pursue a career in the jewelry industry without boundaries.

 Margaret De Pata

Mary Ann Scherr

 Margaret Craver Withers

 Betty Cooke

sri lanka: part one

Our flight to Sri Lanka arrived after midnight.  The first thing I noticed was the hot heaviness and smoky smell of the air.  We rested for a few days at Ging Oya Lodge before heading South.

 We arrived in the Portuguese/Dutch fort town of Galle by bus.  After a very long and hectic travel day, we treated ourselves to a night at The Fort Printers. The town itself is a mix of cultures and quite charming, with the highlight being the old ramparts that encircle it.

I was ecstatic to come across a jewelry workshop and see a bench in usual disarray.

We continued along the Southern coast to the beach town of Unawatuna.  Along the way were ghosts of buildings destroyed by the Tsunami and you cannot help but think how eerily close the road and train tracks run to the water's edge.   Once in Unawatuna we found loads of European tourists basking in the hot sun and sipping fruity drinks and Lion Lager.  It was a bit more crowded here than we like, so we decided to push onwards.

Before we left, we got to enjoy a rice and curry feast in a family home cooked over these bright red coals.

rose gold feather ring

I love the softness of the feather ring in rose gold that I created for a proposal.