:: Desert Archaic Talisman ::

Here's my latest offering from the desert Dreaming...

:: That Cuff ::

So here's that cuff I've been going on about, the one with the cracked stone.  It is all heavy sterling with a matte picture jasper (foreground) and a fossil tree fern cab behind it, both Gary B. Wilson stones.  I am extremely happy with the way it turned out; it's getting to the core of the Desert Primitive aesthetic I've been reaching towards for some time now.  I took my time with all of the elements and ensured that they're all balanced and integrated.  For years now I've been looking at stone and primitive ceramic surfaces, in particular those Anagama-fired pieces with the fly ash deposits and deeply encrusted surfaces.  This is finally getting there.  

The only flaw is that I should have used heavier silver in the backing for the stone's bezels.  I was afraid it would make an already heavy bracelet even heavier, but the price I paid was having the picture jasper crack between the tab and opposite side.  I've repaired it according to a professional recommendation and it looks and feels fine, but I am a bit leery of selling this piece due to the potential for further breakage. 

If I were to put it up for sale it would be well over $500...there's a lot of time and heavy silver in it. But the truth is I have become attached to it and want to hang onto it for a while to use as a touchstone for further pieces...and they will come.  I would love to hear any feedback you might have and if a piece like this would interest you.  

Today I worked on carving some new desert Archaic style petroglyph stamps for my boxes and so on.  I looked at the DIY rubber stamp kits and they seemed very high-tech and toxic to me, but one day at the art supply I stumbled on some rubbery printing block material that you can carve, and have been having luck with that, and it may last longer that those jelly-like clear rubber stamps.  You've probably already seen the first ones, the large and small spirals.  I've pulled out my rock art books--must have two dozen of them now--and am finding a lot of ideas.  

More to come...I'm off to work on a new listing...

:: Textured Silver and Turquoise Cuff ::

Here's that cuff I promised you.  Its larger sister is still waiting for me to go into town to get the fracture repair compound so I can (hopefully) fix the cracked stone.  Then we will see!  

:: Dawn, Go To Your Happy Place... ::

This week is all about teaching, it seems. My son asked me to start giving him formal drawing lessons, and tomorrow I am teaching a workshop on crystal grids, which I've been preparing for yesterday and today. This weekend we will be going down to White Sands for our annual walkabout, a much-anticipated trip. I'm bringing metal clay with me for direct-impression elements out in the dunes.

In the studio over the weekend I spent two intensive days making a fantastic primitive sterling cuff with two set stones, but managed to crack one of them in the very last stages of refining the patina.  It figures.  That's the nature of jewelry making!  Next week I'll try to repair the stone and if that goes well, I may list the cuff...that is, if I can bring myself to part with it. More metalwork is on the way, regardless.

Desert Blessings, Dawn

:: New and Ancient ::

There's a theme going today with these new ammonite talismans!  Over in my Etsy shop, I've also listed a meteorite ring...check it out!  More metal work to come...

:: Quartz in the Sun ::

I was a little under the weather yesterday so this is a day late...another necklace is on the way, this one with an ammonite pendant, and then this week I think it's time to get the metalworking gear out and set some stones!

:: New Malas and Spirit Beads ::

Today I have this unusual mala here, and another more traditional one just listed in my Etsy shop.  A new set of Spirit Beads is going to appear there next...enjoy!

:: Finding A Quiet Place ::

My favorite style of Spirit Beads, this set is a sister to my own personal strand.

:: New Work ::

My first Spirit Beads necklace in a long time is here and I love the way it turned out!  The link is below, along with that antique spindle whorl necklace I've been promising you for a long time.  Tomorrow I am away from the studio worktable...meeting friends for spiritual work and planning a workshop on crystal grids I am giving in April...and someone has to do the grocery shopping eventually...but I will be back to it by the weekend!  What's next, only Spirit knows.  

:: Solar Tribe ::

These are just beautiful, and it is so important to stay centered nowadays.  Prayer beads are a great way to do that and to remember the spiritual in daily life.  Even if you don't go for a large set like this, a small set or talisman can be a great support.  Over 10 years ago I came upon a small book called "A String and A Prayer" by Eleanor Wiley and Maggie Oman Shannon.  It was about prayer beads that weren't attached to any religious tradition, called contemporary prayer beads.  You chose what they represented yourself, and the book detailed several ways to make them.  I was enthralled...I loved all religious prayer beads but had always wanted something of my "own", to reflect the spirit in the landscape and beyond.  I started making them and as you can see I still do today.  I encourage everyone to find a copy of this book and try making your own!  These beads are such good medicine.

:: Back from the Outlands ::

I've returned from a wonderful but grueling, trip and am slowly returning to work...here's the fossil ivory talisman pendant as promised.  I'm going to start working on the Spirit Beads listing next, and will likely list them tomorrow.  Also in the works is a short recap of my recent adventures...stay tuned.

:: Heading Out Again ::

I am off to the deserts to the south and west for a few days to do energy work with the land, visit some good friends and who knows what else. This is a spirit-guided trip, which means that for the most part I won't know exactly where I'm going or what I'll be doing until I get there...nor do I know how long I'll be gone. Probably around a week, though. I may check in from the road, but meanwhile this and my website shop will stay open, and I will ship orders as soon as I return. I never did get around to listing that fossil ivory talisman as I had my hands full with trip prep, so it will wait until I get back. There is also a really spectacular new set of Spirit Beads, "Solar Tribe", and I'll list that as well. Off to the Bright Lands...

Many Blessings,

Dawn

:: Solar Spiral Layered Earrings ::

These are Desert Primitive at its best...love those wabi sabi silver discs.

:: Utah Juniper Sterling Cuff ::

I got this beautiful silver cuff listed for you today!  Two new pairs of earrings are over in my Etsy shop, with a third to appear here tomorrow...

:: Grace in the Desert ::

Just listed this beauty yesterday...for desert dreaming.  And the sun is just coming out this morning!  That means I'll be able to get outside and photograph the new pieces in a little while.  Look for them later today... 

:: A Primitive Fused Fine Silver Bracelet ::

Haven't done one of these in a while...I forgot how much work they are!!  Apologies for the red-shift in the photos; I shot in late afternoon light instead of my usual midday reflected sunlight because a storm is coming in and I didn't want to wait until next week to list this.  Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

:: Mojave Silver Granite Cuff Bracelet ::

Here's what's new today!

:: The Antique and the Ancient: From Tibet to Chaco ::

The latest treasures!

:: A Stunning and Powerful Maya Antique ::

This one is amazing.  And it's the largest one I've seen.  It makes a potent symbol of women's power.  

:: Primitiva ::

The latest addition to the Desert Primitive tribe!  And don't forget...you can now check out with PayPal!