Pages

.


What do you think of these solution?

.


Constance Wicklund Gildea Jewelry

Over the years, we've fallen in love with a
technique called keum boo - a technique
where thin pieces of 24K gold are fused
directly to the surface of silver
using heat and pressure.

Each piece of jewelry made by
is a work of art. We are especially
intrigued with her pieces that feature
the keum boo technique using shapes and
textures from actual leaves.
She has other collections of work
that feature techniques such as
 engraving and embossing,
and they are equally as lovely.
But it's the keum boo pieces
that consistently draw our attention.

Here are some of our favorites.

Each shows the intense effect that 24kt gold
can have when it's fused on silver.
And we especially love the oxidation on
these particular pieces; it enhances
that striking contrast
between the gold and silver.

Here is her oxidized Leaf Cuff.



 
This alternate version of her oxidized Leaf Cuff
is studded with diamonds.



 
We love her oxidized Leaf Earrings from this collection.

 


And this pair of earrings is studded with diamonds.




Here's an example of a bead from this series.




This artist has developed very controlled methods
of pattern and design development, and
her focus on mixed metal pieces
produces gorgeous work.
We admire it for the imaginative designs,
creative use of materials and techniques,
and superb skill of the artist.

We are inspired!
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Finally Flip Flop Weather...


Warm weather has finally arrived in Michigan now if the rain could just go away it isn't ideal for flop flops. The Love Peace Flip Flops piece is available in my shop HERE.



La Dolce Vita
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

You Capture: Motherhood



As you can tell my kiddo was done with pictures, but at least I got a few.

Photobucket
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Individual Cherry Cheesecakes


I made these for Mother's Day and they are so easy and so yummy and the best part is that they don't need to be cut, they are ready to serve.

Individual Cherry Cheesecakes Recipe

12 vanilla wafers
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese-softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 T. vanilla
21 oz. can cherry pie filling (or your choice of fruit pie filling)
12 baking cups.

Put paper baking cups into muffin tin. Put one vanilla wafer in bottom of each cup, flat side up. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar and continue beating. Add eggs and vanilla, beating them until creamy. Spoon the batter over the 12 vanilla wafers. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until spongy but not browned. Once done allow to cool then top with cheery pie filling and refrigerate until ready to serve.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Jaclyn Davidson Jewelry

Hand forging is an ancient art
that Jaclyn Davidson uses to
create her jewelry.

The image of a metalsmith who uses
extreme heat to hammer and shape
metal leads to the image of this artist who
takes that energy and effort to
create pieces that evoke an impression
of delicacy and softness.
By directly manipulating the metal with pliers,
hammer and heat, the artist bends, stretches and
shapes the metal to do her bidding.
Her botanically-themed
jewelry resembles the soft tendrils and
delicate curves found in nature. Her work seems
to have life imbued into each piece.

Hand forging is time consuming. Working with
gold, sterling silver or steel, each piece must be
created and completed before moving on to
the next piece.  And so each has to be
different in some way from all the others; even
repetitively making the same thing over and over
one can't help but make them all unique. 


Let's look at some of her charming pieces.

This is exquisite. 






So delicate and strong at the same time.






Here we have more sweet tendrils. 

  



 These gingko leaves seem so fragile.





  Lots of detail work can be seen in this piece. 


 

Much of the charm and warmth of handwrought
jewelry come from the subtle variations in form,
shape and feel that hand crafting offers.

The true beauty of hand-forged jewelry is that
you can see the hand of the metalsmith in each piece.
That's what we love about handcrafted work -
it's obvious when an artist loves what they do.  
 
Enjoy!
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Happy Mother's Day!


Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all the Mama's have a very special day!
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Being a Mom


There was a time when I never thought I would become a Mom,{ it's a long story infertility and multiple miscarriages and I can now talk about it with out crying} but guess what I am a Mom and it is the best gift ever! Do you know what I love best about being a Mom seeing my little guy turn into a fine little man he really is a good boy and I think man that has something to do with me!

What do you love about being a Mom?
reade more... Résuméabuiyad