Larger Mixed Metal Jewels

Although currently we are in a time of making more smaller jewels, in the past we have made some fairly large pieces.
The two necklaces on the right were 6 to 7 1/2 inches long.
The taste of jewelry buyers changes and goes in cycles.
Currently we are in a cycle of smaller pieces being the ones
that sell the best so we are in a cycle of exploring making
smaller pieces that please us and our customers. Not that
large pieces would never sell but not with frequency. The
top two necklaces to the right were collaborative pieces
that we both worked on together although Carlie did the
majority of the construction on both. Jima polished some
of the stones and did the top pieces on them and the bead
forms on the chain. Both are constructed using silver, copper & 14k gold. The top piece has fresh water pearls, a piece of
scenic jaspar and an Orissa garnet. The bottom one has a
black onyx, a piece of holly blue agate from Oregon and a
an agate tear drop.


In earlier times we made even larger pieces, especially Jima who sometimes got carried away, making things like 5 inch in diameter medallions with 8 inches of dangling metal pieces
and earrings that brushed the wearers shoulders when the
head was turned and rings that came inches back over the
wearer's hand.

To the left is another collaborative piece, Jima made the medallion and Carlie incorporated it into her necklace. This was one of a series of necklaces that started with Carlie making some with interesting antique buttons where the medallion shape is in this one. It was a very interesting series.

Another collaborative piece although most of the work is Carlie's. This was made for a customer/friend in Chico, California, an area where we have done art shows for over 40 years. The multi stone piece in the bracelet has the birthstones of our friend's children. Jima polished one of the stones and did the sun piece.
We haven't been doing much collaborative work recently but will again. We collaborative at the idea level constantly, throwing ideas and techniques back and forth between our side by side workbenches.