Gems in my Pocket

Canon Photo 5

2011-10-27T17:07:00.000+11:00

With the purchase of my new Canon EOS 60D, I decided to take part in the yearly 'Photo 5' competition.

I've always loved photography, and got a better understanding of SLR cameras whilst studying Jewellery Engineering at NMIT here in Melbourne. We learnt all aspects of jewellery making, right down to running a small business, approaching galleries, and jewellery photography. We used film SLR cameras and scanned our slides to create business cards. I loved it so much that I bought a film SLR with my very first pay cheque!

In all honesty, though, I'm extremely pained by having to wait for the roll to finish and the film to be developed.

The natural move was to ~~borrow my dad's SLR for about half a year whilst saving up to~~ buy my own digital SLR!

The recent photos you have seen here on my blog have been taken using my new camera, and the warmer weather and longer days will have me clicking away without end!

Below are my entries for the Photo 5 competition, and you can also view them here on the Photo 5 website.

'Macro' using Foam - "Simply Cellular"

The tiniest of bubbles are an imposing web in comparison to the garden of pollen within the stamen of a flower. I guess we're all simply cellular under the gaze of a microscope. Taken using a reversed 18-55mm kit lens, held steady by hand. It's a beautiful world through a macro lens.

'Through a Pet's Eyes' - Open Brief - "Shadow's Shadow"

Cats have a way of seeing things that aren't really there. On this morning I watched my cat, Shadow, with the sunlight behind her. Shadow's shadow danced as the sunlight drifted behind the clouds. I captured the light and her soft silhouette. I saw what she sees, when there's nothing really there.

'Panning' using Ribbons - "Spinning, Twirling, Dancing"

Childhood memories of ribbons in my hair and spinning, twirling, dancing without end.

'Low Light' using Sequins - "Night Lights"

A textured glass platter, sequins and candle light.

Reminiscent of city lights through a rain soaked window.

'Fast Shutter' using Powder - "Happiness"

As a child, I hid from the food fights and carefully skipped around the mud puddles. I refused to be a mess, and I missed out on the happiness in that moment of freedom where you don't care about the mess or having to clean it up. I guess I'm making up for it now...

Judges will announce ten finalists for each category on Wednesday 9th November. Voting opens soon after and voters have the chance to win a Canon EOS 7D Super Kit.

The winning photographers receive a Canon EOS 5D Mark II Premium Kit and a 3-day creative photography workshop in Queenstown, New Zealand with Jackie Ranken & Mike Langford.

Good luck to all the entrants!

I'll post a reminder once finalists are announced, don't miss out on your chance to win a prize for your votes!

P.S. Your lovely comments on my photography have been so heart-warming and especially inspiring.

Thank you!

--- Mariann ---

Pretty Little Ducklings

2011-10-14T16:43:00.000+11:00

Doting Mama and Papa and their sweet little ducklings.

Have a beautiful weekend!

--- Mariann ---

Spring Begins...

2011-09-29T15:24:00.000+10:00

Sweet little Australian Wood Ducks

frolicking at McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park

... I breathe in deep,

the scent of spring ...

Pics from the Gem Show

2011-09-26T15:05:00.001+10:00

The Frankston and Peninsula Lapidary Club's Annual Gem Show was a great success!

I was honored to be a part of such a great group of people.

I was the photographer for the event, and had a fantastic time!

We had beautiful mineral specimens, stunning stones and handy tools and equipment on display from very knowledgeable suppliers.

I'm looking forward to next year's show!

Gem Show This Weekend!

2011-08-24T20:53:00.000+10:00

Come along and celebrate the 30th Birthday of Frankston Lapidary Club!

This Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of August

9am to 5pm

Meet our members,

View live demonstrations,

and check out our cabochons and faceted stones,

all cut and polished by our members!

There's also slab rough,

mineral specimens

and tools available for purchase.

Cranbourne Public Hall

South Gippsland Highway

(Corner of Clarendon and High Street)

Entry: $5

Seniors: $4

Children under 16: FREE!

I'll be taking photographs of the day for the lapidary club,

come along and say hello!

I'll have a few of my rings on display, too!

Can't wait to see you there!

--- Mariann ---

A New Embrace ...

2011-08-23T15:11:00.001+10:00

STERLING SILVER, BLUE LACE AGATE

...For a girl with long talons

that she runs through her hair...

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

There's a big event on this weekend, details to follow!

Also, I'll be revamping my Etsy and Madeit stores,

though the event this weekend may delay this

until after next weekend.

In the meantime, I'll be listing these new 'Embrace' rings during the week.

And

as always,

thank you

thank you

thank you

for your kind words

and sharing in the ups and downs

of creating from the heart in stones and silver.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

The Ring Setter's Clamp...

2011-08-13T22:39:00.000+10:00

The greatest little gadget, and perfect for setting my 'Embrace' rings!

I found this one from an Australian seller on eBay. Great price and overnight shipping for free!

It contains the ring holder and different sized plastic pieces to fit inside a variety of ring sizes.

The tapered fitting on the right fits inside the plastic parts and expands it to secure your ring for setting.

It's just perfect for wide-band rings!

As long as the ring band is not too thick, it will hold it nice and tight for stone setting.

So far, I have been using my ring mandrel for setting stones on these wide band rings.

It was so awkward and the ring kept slipping off, my hands got sore from holding the ring in place and the ring band got bent out of shape with the force of setting the stone and I ended up with a frown on my face!

Here is the lucky ring next in line for the royal treatment of being set with this handy new gadget!

sterling silver and blue lace agate

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Embrace

2011-08-07T18:45:00.000+10:00

I know it's been quite a while, but here it is!

The Embrace Ring with Mookaite

I have a few of these designs on the go at the moment.

The lovely wide bands making for the 'embrace' as mentioned above.

They are eating through my silver supplies, that's for sure!

But it's worth every ounce of silver, making these rings.

A challenge, too, without a swaging block or ring bending tool.

All done using pliers and a ring mandrel and a plastic mallet.

I did however find a really handy tool for holding these wide band rings in place when setting the stones.

My absence explained...

2011-08-05T14:38:00.000+10:00

... I've been here ...

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort

Northeast of Melbourne along the Great Alpine Road

Snowboarding,

Laughing with friends,

Enjoying the winter chill to its fullest.

(I'm not ready for warmer weather just yet.)

So my absence is explained.

I've got lots to show you...

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

2011-06-23T15:34:00.000+10:00

Following on from last week's Workshop Wednesday where I sawpierced, textured and soldered a lovely ring band with elements taken from my Hungarian Folk Art and Ruffled Series of rings.

I think I'll call this one an 'Embrace Ring',

so lovely it is to wear as it wraps around and embraces the wearer.

I soldered a high walled bezel for the mookaite stone, this allows for the curve of the ring band which I file into the bottom of the bezel using a half round bench file. The bezel is resting on the bench file, you can see the curve in the bezel taking shape. 

The ring band is quite large, so the curve left on the bezel from the bench file does not match up with the ring band. To overcome this problem, and to make sure the bezel touches the ring band perfectly for the solder join, I taped some rough emery paper to my ring mandrel and moved the bezel from side to side until the curve in the bezel was perfectly matched to the curve of the ring band.

As you can see, my ring mandrel has Australian sizing, which uses letters instead of numbers.

The bezel is ready for soldering onto the ring band. The base of the bezel is touching the ring band perfectly, making for a good solder join.

I use steel binding wire to hold it in place.

I like to twist little kinks in the binding wire using pliers. Binding wire tends to move with heat, so this helps to keep it locked in place nice and tight during soldering.

Yellow Ochre gouache paint is applied to any previous solder joins. It stops solder from running during soldering. Here, I've applied it to the solder join on the ring band.

I've soldered the bezel onto the ring band, soldering from the inside of the bezel so the outside remains free from solder smears. Little silver buds have been carefully filed away so they sit flat and are ready for soldering onto the scalloped edges of the ring band for decoration.

I'm using the yellow ochre gouache paint again on the inside of the bezel so the solder doesn't run whilst soldering the little silver buds. It's best to keep the yellow ochre away from any areas where you do wish to solder, as the flux will be contaminated and the solder won't join the metal in the place where you need it most. The yellow ochre on the inside of the bezel should be enough to keep the bezel in place during soldering.

I hope you've enjoyed the progress!

I'll be back before the week is done to show you more.

What have you been working on feverishly this week?

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Prettiness!

2011-06-20T15:00:00.000+10:00

Making pretty things in stones and silver takes its toll on my hands.

I get so excited at seeing my nail polish collection.

I pick a color based on how I'm feeling,

or how I want to feel - as a reminder.

Green for Adventurous

Pink for Pretty

Orange for Hyperactive

Yellow for Inspired

Blue for Thoughtful

I carefully paint them on my nails,

reading a book as I wait for them to dry.

I enjoy a full day with pretty nails before I sit at my workbench and sand, file and buff away all the color.

Funny how my jewelry turns pretty as my nail polish wears away.

Ah! The sacrifices of a jeweler!

It's all very much worth it, though.

And I think you'd agree!

(Remove with nail polish remover, and repeat...)

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Next blog post: WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY!

Belonging...

2011-06-16T13:21:00.000+10:00

I have some great news to share with you!

If you read my blog post on the Hidden Gem that I was incredibly lucky to have found, you will know that I was still waiting on official membership...

* drum roll please *

I'm officially a member!

It feels so good to have a sense of belonging in the lapidary and silversmithing community.

I get so excited just thinking about it!

Thank you to the committee and members at Frankston and Peninsula Lapidary Club,

I look forward to learning and sharing what I know with all the members,

and spending the days cabbing, faceting, soldering and fossicking!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

2011-06-15T14:57:00.000+10:00

Here's a peek at what I've been working on... 

 I draw the design onto card to check how it will fit when made in silver and stone.

Saw-pierced from sterling silver sheet. 

 Shaped and soldered, the cut-outs are 'ruffled' with texture.

My flower stamp is on the inside of the ring.

A little bit of planning is needed with this design.

I need to know what should be done before shaping and soldering and what can be done afterwards.

There's still the bezel for the stone to be completed and soldered,

along with six little silver buds

to help decorate the ring.

I hope to have it finished this week,

more photos to follow!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Rose Quartz Ruffled Ring

2011-06-07T15:53:00.000+10:00

Photos

as promised...

Available in my Etsy Shop

and

Madeit Shop

along with the other pretty Ruffled Rings.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

A Hidden Gem

2011-05-28T22:29:00.000+10:00

Today I found a hidden gem...

(pun intended!)

The Frankston & Peninsula Lapidary Club

I feel so blessed to have found a community of wonderful people so skilled in the art of gem carving, cabochon cutting, gemstone faceting and silver smithing.

All ready and willing to share their knowledge, loan books and organize field trips to gem shows and fossicking for stones.

The club has equipment for all these crafts.

Tubs full of stone slabs just waiting to be made into cabochons,

found while out fossicking and brought in by the members.

Faceting machines with all their intricate dials and angle measurements.

The familiar jeweler's benches.

An enameling kiln!

Cabochon cutting wheels and discs, neatly labeled with emery grit grades and running water to help with cutting and polishing stones.

A little pot of dopping wax, hot and ready to secure your stone for cutting and shaping and polishing.

An array of stones at various levels of the cabbing process sit in little holders.

Cabinets full of stone specimens,

most of them from right here in Australia.

The delight of it all had me floating...

I applied for membership.

I'm looking forward to this journey.

I look forward to sharing it with you!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Something exciting..

2011-05-27T16:30:00.000+10:00

I have some exciting news!

Although I have to wait until tomorrow to reveal all.

Let's just say my tiny little lapidary set-up might just be put to good use!

(She's gotten so dusty these past few years) 

Have your fingers crossed for me...

...and have a grand weekend!

P.S. Be sure to visit me here tomorrow, I can't wait to tell you!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

2011-05-11T23:02:00.000+10:00

My 'Ruffled Series' rings were an absolute pleasure to create!

I loved the process of hammering away to create the textured edges.

So I continued with this series,

But added a new dimension.

The positive and negative.

An influence in my life,

always.

Positive space and negative space,

in the jewellery sense.

Here is today's Workshop Wednesday:

Lovely minty green chrysoprase cabochon, design ready for sawpiercing

Sawpiercing from sterling silver (matching your nail polish to your stone of choice is a must!)

Those little cut out pieces can be used in new jewellery designs (it's got me thinking...)

Paper removed, looking good so far

Texturing the ruffled edges before soldering

Shaping the tapered ring band

Ready for soldering

Adding the oxidized patina before stone setting

My little flower stamp

Ready for stone setting!

---

And here are the final photos

And another in this series with a carnelian cabochon

There is a third ring just about finished, too.

They will be listed in my Etsy and Madeit shop this week!

Thank you for visiting the workshop!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

P.S. It was the coldest night last night in 3 years here in Melbourne.

And today was the coldest day in 11 years for the month of May!

The tops of the snow fields were blanketed with snow.

It'll be a bumper snow season!

I can't wait!

I did say it was cold, didn't I?

It's Cold

2011-05-09T20:49:00.008+10:00

Wowee!

I think I blinked and a whole month flew by without the slightest wiggle of a kitty's whisker!

The days are getting shorter.

We are slowly gliding into winter.

The dark tendrils of the night chase me all the way home from work through the fields and pastures.

It's cold.

---

But I've been making and creating and warming up the workshop with the flames of my soldering torch.

I'll show you what I've made in tomorrow's blog post.

But for now, here's what I've been up to:

Cuddling these..

Tiggy

and Shadow

Enjoying this..

Home

Sweet, Sweet Home

Driving through these..

And relaxing here..

the iconic Luna Park

near sunny St Kilda beach

The Esplanade Market there is an absolute treat!

I hope your Monday is a beautiful start to the week ahead!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Stuck in a Book

2011-03-28T15:03:00.000+11:00

A package was delivered early in the morning last week.

It caught me by surprise, as we don't get mail very often

(except for bills!)

So, in my excitement,

I ripped open the parcel,

and found I had some lovely reading material.

And we all know that a good book is best enjoyed with a hot cup of herbal tea:

Lark Books has published '30 Minute Rings',

the next book in their '30 Minute' jewelry series.

It can be found here, and their fantastic blog can be found here with all things crafty and the occasional call for artist submissions for upcoming publications.

The reason for my excitement is that my 'Rough and Smooth Ring' makes an appearance amongst the many talented artists and their projects featured in this book!

You can see my previous post on this project here.

I'm still on cloud nine on having being selected and published.

I'm floating into a wonderful week ahead.

I hope you are, too!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

18ct White Gold

2011-03-24T19:57:00.000+11:00

I had the amazing opportunity to make 18ct white gold wedding rings for a lovely couple last month.

Gold is such a wonderful metal to work with.

It has a rich, earthy presence,

a beautiful weight in the hand,

and strength beyond measure.

I enjoyed every moment of crafting with this noble metal.

I was driven by the knowledge that it would represent the love and life journey of two people as they become husband and wife.

Here's how they were made:

18ct White Gold

stamped

Straight edges for a perfect solder join

Bending into a ring

Ends touching, ready for soldering

Soldering

Hammered finish

Smoothing the edges

Polishing inside the ring band

Satin finish outer

Polished finish inner

His and Hers wedding rings,

ready for life's journey.

I am so grateful for the people I meet

through doing what I love.

Thank you,

from the bottom of my heart.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

2011-03-23T19:35:00.000+11:00

... A tour in pictures ...

Designs flow from mind

to pen

to paper

Snippets of solder sit in tea-light candle holders

'The Complete Metalsmith'

Tim McCreight

Work in progress

Silver sheet and wire

waiting patiently

for fire

and forging

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park

2011-03-22T22:45:00.000+11:00

A few months ago I entered a competition in the local newspaper.

The prize was a guided tour of the sculpture park at McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin, Victoria.

I was delighted to find that I had won and asked for two more tickets so my mum and two of our lovely family friends could enjoy the day together.

We were greeted with complimentary coffee and scones with jam and cream in the gallery cafe before the tour began. The gallery director gave a short introduction, then we split into two groups to tour the current pieces in the 2010 McClelland Sculpture Survey and Award.

Nestled amongst the extensive grounds of the park, we strolled and were greeted with a new sculpture hiding behind each twist and turn along the path, every 20 steps or so.

The biennial exhibition has a grand prize of $100,000 for the winning artist and their sculpture becomes a permanent piece at the gallery.

Below are a few of the amazing artworks in the 2010 Sculpture Survey:

'A white nest: 2010' by Chako Kato

yarn, steel pegs, dimensions variable

'Glory Days' by Jason Waterhouse

1972 Holden HQ Kingswood Station Wagon, acrylic filler, steel, paint

'Strange fruit' by Adrian Mauriks

epoxy resin, steel, paint

'To the centre II' by Greg Johns

corten steel

'Alexander the Great' by Dean Colls

corten steel

'DNA II' by Jonathan Leahey

corten steel, stainless mirrored steel

'Reflective simulations' (detail) by Gregor Kregar

stainless steel

'Primordial' by Matthew Harding

mirror polished stainless steel

'Top shelf' by Louise Paramor

plastic, steel, pins, bolts

'Tygers I, II, III' by Caroline Rothwell

bronze

'Space junk from Adelaide' by James Kenyon

steel, electronics

'A moment of media-tation' by Jud Wimhurst

wood, plywood, lacquers, 2 pac paint, mirror, polycarbonate, polyurethane resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, fibreglass, acrylic fresnel lenses

A most wonderful time was had by us at the McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park.

The short tour was just a glimpse at the incredible pieces of art on display.

Needless to say, I will be visiting again and again to marvel at the talent and savor a picnic by the lake.

Click here to view all the entrants in the 2010 Sculpture Survey and details on their artwork.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Workshop Wednesday

2011-03-03T11:50:00.001+11:00

I made some beautiful rings as part of

a new series a few weeks ago.

It's called the 'Ruffled Ring' series,

and here's how they were made...

Bezels and surrounding feature wires formed and soldered 

Baseplate sawpierced from sterling silver sheet

Bezel and feature surround soldered. Ring bands formed and stamps cut out ready for soldering onto the base, along with the ring bands.

I use a flat head screwdriver for patterning the ruffled edges.

Ring bands and stamps soldered onto base. Ready for a dip in oxidizing solution to add dimension to the ruffled edges. I then set the stones into the bezels.

Below are the pretty rings from the 'Ruffled Rings' series:

Sterling silver and chrysoprase

Sterling silver and labradorite

Sterling silver and dendritic opal

Sterling silver and purple jadeite

Available from my Etsy shop here,

and my Madeit shop here.

The labradorite ruffled ring will be listed this evening.

I hope you enjoyed my Workshop Wednesday!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Garden Envy

2011-02-15T12:47:00.000+11:00

Beautiful Orange Eucalyptus trees,

planted in my neighbour's front yard.

Yes.

I envy them.

But I adore the Eucalyptus growing tall

in our own front yard.

Smooth, milky white bark.

Tall and graceful.

So elegant.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Giveaway Winner!

2011-02-07T18:26:00.000+11:00

Ready...

Set...

And the winner is....

----{--{@ AmerissaG @}--}----

Congratulations!

Please send me an email,

and your lovely Rustic Australian Mookaite Earrings will be shipped out to you as soon as possible!

mariannmonika [at] gmail [dot] com

Thank you so so much for all of your tweets,

follows and kind words.

I never could have imagined that my giveaway would be such a huge success!

And it's all thanks to you!

I'll be back in the swing of blogging.

Stay tuned for more jewelry designs

and this topsy-turvy little life of mine.

Hugs and kisses from across the oceans

and continents.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2011-01-24T15:18:00.002+11:00

It’s a brand new year and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

What better way to celebrate than with my first ever giveaway?

Here’s what you can win…

Stunning Rustic Australian Mookaite Earrings – completely handcrafted

in my humble little workshop.

Each and every link in the chain, and those delicate little leaves were crafted by my hands in sterling silver. And with lovely, rosy mookaite beads to add a dash of colour.

At a total length of 10.5mm, they swing delightfully from the ears

and brush lightly against the neck.

Oxidized and brushed back to reveal a rustic, antique hue of silver.

“The landscape of the Australian outback,
captured in a stone.

Mookaite is so very reminiscent of the rich, red earth that envelops this sunburnt country.
It sticks in your pores
and doesn't let go of your heart.
It simmers beneath the midday sun
and keeps you warm as the sun sets
and the stars sparkle in the midnight sky.”

And here’s how you can enter:

Follow this little blog of mine [1 entry]
Mention this giveaway on your blog [1 entry]

(you may use the images above for this purpose)

Follow me on twitter @mariannmonika [1 entry]
Tweet about my giveaway and link

to this giveaway blog

[1 entry]

Become a fan of my facebook page [1 entry]
Update your status with a link

to this giveaway blog

[1 entry]

Leave a comment below for each entry you make.
There's a total of 6 chances to win!

If you already follow any of the above, you will still gain an entry, just let me know!

Entries close on Saturday 5th of February.

The winner will be drawn on SUNDAY 6^th of FEBRUARY, so be quick to enter!

But there's plenty of time for shipping and gift-giving on Valentine’s Day!

Good Luck!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

A Helping Hand...

2011-01-21T16:05:00.000+11:00

... we all need one sometimes ...

These earrings from my 'Pollen Series' are heading to incube8r gallery in Fitzroy, Victoria.

All of the incube8r galleries

[ MELBOURNE - BRISBANE - SYDNEY ]

have set up display cubes for handmade artists wishing to donate to help the victims of the extensive flooding in Queensland.

100% of sales from these cubes are donated

to the QLD Flood Relief Fund.

Head on down to your nearest gallery to snap up
handcrafted goodies and lend a helping hand.

Artists wishing to contribute can find more details
on incube8r's facebook page.

To all those affected by the flooding

in Queensland,

New South Wales

and Victoria

- stay strong!

We are here to help

and you are in our thoughts every day.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Water Rising On All Four Sides...

2011-01-13T15:23:00.001+11:00

Queensland is flooded.

Relentless rains from heavy, gorged clouds have emptied on the northern state of Australia.

The extent of the flooding is devastating.

Whole towns are under murky water.

Fourteen souls have lost their lives.

Many more are still missing.

The Brisbane River is expected to peak at 5.2 meters. And 40,000 homes are already affected. Power has been cut, and those with warning packed up their precious belongings.

Others had no warning at all, as river banks broke their boundaries with the force of an inland tsunami behind them.

Livestock has been lost.

Wildlife struggle to survive.

Snakes slither to higher ground.

Crocodiles are free to roam.

Many of the countless families have lost everything.

Not all insurance covers flooding.

When Victoria was alight with raging bushfires on Black Saturday and 173 lives were lost in one day, fellow Aussies opened their hearts to help rebuild towns and communities.

It's time for us to return the compassion and pray for those affected by the floods.

Until the end of February I will donate 15% of all sales from my etsy and madeit shops to the Queensland Flood Relief Fund.

Please click here if you wish to make additional donations.

You can also visit news.com.au for up-to-date information.

It's hard to imagine where one can go

and what one can do to escape,

when water is rising

on all four sides.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Queensland and northern New South Wales. Please keep safe and search for higher ground.

I know your spirits are strong.

You will get through this.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

Little Ideas

2010-12-10T13:28:00.001+11:00

Whilst working on my Pollen Series earrings...

...I kept breaking sawblades when trying to cut the looped wire.

Being a jeweller means:

-:- Constantly finding solutions to problems,

-:- Committing the solutions to memory

(I should really use that leather-bound notebook for this)

-:- And jumping for joy when experimenting

and it all goes to plan

(and adding to your silver scraps box

when it all goes horribly wrong)

On this particular day...

(which was hot and sunny, then hot and rainy, then hot and sunny again)

...the problem aforementioned was solved once and for all.

You see, when sterling wire is wrapped in large loops on a mandrel,and especially when it is quite thin,it doesn't hold its shape very well when one decides to saw-pierce them into separate little circles.

Thus, sawblades are broken, other loops below the one being cut are gouged by the sawblade, and Mariann gets very upset.

So the solution was to hold the looped silver in place,

and hold it there with masking tape at opposite sides.

With the sterling silver loops held in place...

... saw-piercing them was a breeze!

I hope this helps you too!

What tips have you learned along the way?

- Mariann -

xoxo

She Wears High Heels...

2010-12-07T11:46:00.000+11:00

... in the workshop ...

Oh, yes she does!

- Mariann -

xoxo

The Pollen Series...

2010-11-29T13:06:00.000+11:00

... truly organic ...

My mind is so mechanical.

Observing the symmetry of life.

Calculating angles,

shapes,

and dimensions.

But I can't help but be influenced by the organic,

haphazard

side of nature.

As such, my pollen series earrings emerged.

Oxidised sterling silver, dyed coral, quartz

and some with glass beads.

Listing in the shops midweek.

- Mariann -

xoxo

Our Wedding

2010-11-23T12:39:00.002+11:00

Damascus Steel, 9ct White Gold, Diamonds

from Studio Tola

The Kiss

My niece and our family friend's little boy

Signature canvas

courtesy of Lee from Lily-Lee Gallery and Studio

I am still speechless.

The perfect wedding can do that, you know!

A big thank you to Jonathan from

Jonathan Sander Photography

for our amazing photos
and

Victoria Golf Club

Home of the 2010 JBWere Masters

-Mariann-

xoxo

Road Trip to Kyabram

2010-11-09T12:00:00.000+11:00

I love a good old fashioned road trip.

I stare out the window,

and have only a few words to say,

as I'm lulled by the scenery that speeds past the car window.

Country Victoria is so green at the moment, rather than the parched, sandy fields that I recall from childhood weekend holidays.

It is a welcome change and so refreshing to be heading into summer with the blessing of an abundance of spring showers.

The sheep and cows were so fat and healthy.

All the dams were full to the brim.

A delightful day.

We stopped in at Shepparton on the way home from Kyabram.

'Mooving Art' Sculptures in Shepparton.

A delightful day,

indeed.

-Mariann-

xoxo

My Hungarian Heritage

2010-11-04T16:05:00.000+11:00

Sometimes,

You find yourself.

Before you even knew you were lost.

And a new chapter opens.

But a page is taken from the chapters that came before.

This is where I find myself.

Looking to my past,

and finding a new path to a brighter future.

I was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary.

Surrounded by chickens and grape vines and nettle leaves.

Tapestry hung from the walls, with decorated plates adorned with colourful folk art flowers.

I step back to these childhood memories,

and leap forward to the designs swirling in my head,

flowing out onto paper,

being filed and soldered into the jewellery I am creating now.

Folk art tapestry of old,

created with sterling silver and stones.

From a part of me

I hope you can cherish, too.

- Mariann -

xoxo

Marianna's Day

2010-11-01T15:32:00.001+11:00

Today is the Hungarian Name Day for Marianna.

All the days in the calendar have a name for them in Hungary.

Name Days are often celebrated as one would celebrate a birthday, with flowers and cake and big hugs from grandma.

And today, it's my Name Day.

(Simon and I - dancing a traditional Hungarian dance on our wedding day. Oh, how I love my man!)

-Mariann-

xoxo

I've Been Stranded on an Island...

2010-10-27T13:00:00.004+11:00

... in the Andaman Sea ...

Away on the best kind of holiday...

...OUR HONEYMOON

Fresh from the ocean...

swimming with tropical fish ...

... the salt still on my skin

... kissed by the coral ...

Relaxing in tranquility by day...

... resting in bliss by night.

THAILAND

you've left us mesmerised.

And I am completely rejuvenated.

I haven't moved from the workshop in days.

(and that's just the way I like it)

- Mariann -

oxox

The Little Desk That Could

2010-09-17T16:22:00.000+10:00

...and tales from the typewriter...

I'd like you to meet

Dorothy

(the wind picked her up and she landed in my path)

and

Ophelia

..the retro orange typewriter.

Dorothy has such heart.

Every scratch,

dent,

and broken handle

has so much to tell

of her long

adventurous life.

And sweet little Ophelia.

Your presence in my home

and the clickity-clack

of your creamy bakelite keys

makes my heart skip a beat.

You will write many tales

and thank-yous

to the lovely people I meet

and greet

through the humble

little gems that I so dearly

love to create.

What new addition to your home has you

dancing in circles,

and whistling,

and singing songs?

xx All my love xx

Mariann

There she is...

2010-08-14T21:59:00.003+10:00

... at her workbench,

making and creating

on a windswept Saturday night.

She

heaven.

xx M xx

My Offering

2010-07-15T12:16:00.001+10:00

I've made a decision.

I'll open my heart

to you.

When I sit at my workbench, you will be with me.

We will sit side by side,

and laugh,

and smile,

whilst wires, stones and sheets of silver dance along the benchtop

and come to rest on our fingers, in our ears and near our hearts on a necklace.

This will be my offering,

my contribution to my fellow jewellers,

and the lovely friends I meet along the way.

Seeing the process,

and the result.

It's as though the jewellery making process is a sacred, guarded secret. But I want to share it with the world, a world that is so full of mechanically made, identical, quick-fix jewellery and components.

They have no meaning,

no feeling,

no story

and no strength.

My aim is to let you see the handmade process,

and for you to share in the journey of each and every piece.

Care to join me?

Let's start with this pretty ring...

...it follows on from the picture in my previous post.

The components, the bezel and the ring shank were soldered.

The stone is now ready to be set in the ring

I created a bezel pusher from a nail head when I studied at NMIT.

It has been my trusty setting tool ever since.

The bezel pusher is pressed against the bezel at opposing sides of the stone until the bezel is nice and snug against the stone and the stone does not move within the setting.

A ring clamp holds the ring secure during setting.

A burnisher helps to smooth out the marks left from the bezel pusher.

I made this burnisher from the pointy end of a nail.

A quick sanding with fine emery paper helps to smooth out the bezel.

I use Jax Oxidizing solution to give the ring an antique finish.

Several coats are needed for a deep, black finish.

A quick rub with scotch brite helps to highlight the layers on the ring.

I like to use fine pumice powder and fine steel wool to soften the metal after the scotch brite.

The result is a lovely satin sheen on the silver.

Floret ring in sterling silver and chrysoprase.

This evening I will be adding more patina to this ring to really give it some serious definition.

It will then be photographed and listed for purchase tomorrow.

..all my love..

- Mariann -

xoxo

Neglected

2010-07-02T15:37:00.002+10:00

Working full time means my creative urges are sometimes left unfulfilled.

This pains me to my very core.

I cannot begin to tell you how much of my waking hours are spent thinking about jewellery,
thinking of jewellery designs,
thinking of jewellery tools that I must acquire to make the most fabulous pieces...

My head is left muddled..
..did I finish that ring tonight?
..I remember having made it. Or was it just another daydream that got mixed up with my
reality of all the jewellery thoughts swirling around in my cluttered mind?

My workshop sits quiet and still in the frozen air of the evenings of late.

I promise to thaw it out.

I'll show you...

...but you must be patient...

xoxo

-Mariann-

To My Fellow Jewellers and Artisans...

2010-05-25T11:05:00.001+10:00

... a poem ...

"For the times when we sit at our workbench,

touch the cool silver

and let it warm in our hands

pound our hammers

to the beating of our hearts

and feel our souls burn

with

the

flames

a thousand

torches"

by Mariann Monika

I wrote this poem a little over a month ago.

I can't remember the last time I wrote a poem.

This one was written on a whim after I received an email from Lark Books

to say that my submission for their '30 Minute Rings' project had been accepted.

Yay!

A big thank you to fellow jeweller

Valerie A. Heck

for kindly posting about this project on her blog.

I send you a big THANK YOU and *hugs* across the oceans and the continents,

I could not have done this without having found you and followed your blog.

My achievements in life have been few and far between,

but you have helped me realise that anything is possible!

...Thank you, Valerie!

'Rough & Smooth'

Reticulated Sterling Silver Ring

... though the day is dreary,

there's a smile on my face ...

Happy Day!

xoxo

-Mariann-

Mookaite Earrings

2010-05-12T15:31:00.002+10:00

... the first of many!

I am excited to say that a series is born,
each one handcrafted from sterling silver wire and sheet,
filed,
soldered
and oxidized
for a rustic finish
and adorned with mookaite beads.

Mookaite originates from right here in Australia,
From the very heart of this Great Southern Land.
It is mined near Mooka Creek at a place called Gascoyne Junction,
about 600 miles north of Perth in Western Australia.

Australian Outback Mining,
owned and operated by Glenn Archer,
mines mookaite and many other gemstones,
minerals and fossils in Western Australia.
I am delighted to have found his website.

I am astounded and uplifted by the many
dazzling,
unique
and colourful stones that are mined right here in Australia.
Mookaite is so very reminiscent of the rich, red earth that envelops this sunburnt country.
It sticks in your pores
and doesn't let go of your heart,
it simmers beneath the midday sun
and keeps you warm as the sun sets and the stars sparkle in the midnight sky.

I adore mookaite.
It is the landscape of the Australian outback,
captured in a stone.

Happy Day!
xoxo
- Mariann -

Monday Motivation

2010-05-11T15:00:00.002+10:00

I worked through the night last night.
Motivation carried me.

This is what I (almost) finished

The night crept up so silently,
I didn't realise how late it was
when I reached for my hammer.
Alas, the sleepy sun had retired,
and so had my neighbours,
so I didn't want to wake them with my tinkering.

The hammering will have to wait until tonight,
The solder joins will be cleaned up,
the patina reapplied,
all the components will be put together,
the mookaite jasper beads will be attached,
and a new pair of earrings will be born.

The most time consuming part was hand fabricating the jump rings,
and soldering them to make the chain.
I wouldn't change this for the world, though.

I love handmade,
I love making handmade.

My oh my! Did those leaves turn out pretty!
I just have to make more,
I just can't get enough!

Happy Day!
... once again!
xoxo
- Mariann -

I dreamt I was drowning...

2010-05-10T11:39:00.003+10:00

... the waves crashed through the window,
I ran up the stairs.
I felt the house slipping,
slipping,
down with the torrent of waters,
and the muddy earth that had given way.

It really does feel that way at the moment.
Like I'm drowning in water,
being pulled down
into the deep,
dark,
abyss.
When I triumphantly reach the surface,
there's no triumph at all.
Just a wishful gasp for fresh air,
that is in fact thick and stale.

My bones are heavy,
creaking under the weight of the world.

(When did earth's gravity decide to pull with thrice the force?)

My marrow is replaced with lead,
My muscles struggle to move me.
I can hear the creaks and groans within.

(I hope I don't fall apart)

There are so many things I yearn to do...

...there never seems enough time.

- Mariann -

...there are still gems in my pocket...

Lest We Forget...

2010-04-25T17:11:00.002+10:00

... Our fallen soldiers.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
The acronym ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps whose soldiers were known as the Anzacs.
Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand. This is a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same rememberance day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

The day begins with dawn services at memorials across this great southern land, from the capital cities to the smallest towns. Veterans and their families march through the cities, 'The Last Post' is played on the bugle in rememberance of those who have fallen in war, and one minute's silence is observed for the brave soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget."

Laurence Binyon
'Ode of Rememberance'

Anzac Biscuits

A traditional Australian biscuit, they were sent overseas to serving Anzacs in World War 1 due to their excellent keeping properties.
I baked these biscuits for the first time this afternoon.
They filled the house with the sweetest coconut scent.
I have never felt so grateful for the enormous sacrafice of our soldiers during times of war as I have today.

I'd like to share the recipe with you...

ANZAC BISCUITS

1 cup plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
half cup coconut
125g butter
3 tablespoons golden syrup
1 tablespoon water
half teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1. Sift the flour into a bowl. Add the sugar, rolled oats and coconut.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the golden syrup and water.
3. Stir the bicarbonate of soda into the liquid mixture.
4. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
5. Place walnut sized balls of mixture on a greased tray and bake at 175C for 15-20 minutes.
6. Biscuits will harden when cool.

- Mariann -
xoxo