Showing posts with label sterling silver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sterling silver. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Celebrate Womens History Month

 How are you celebrating the beginning Womens' History Month?  

Pink Boots Society


So inspirational to hear the founder of this organization, Teri Fahrendorf,  at the Pink Boots Collaboration BrewDay At Prison City Brewery. this is an annual event in Auburn NY and the entire weekend is a celebration. you can step up and support them on their site below.  They allow donations and sell merchandise.  

 

Looking for other inspirational events which give back to the community for the month.  Feel free to send any events you were inspired by to me.  

These boots make me want to dig in the dirt.


Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  




We need to support our brothers and sisters

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter
#blm 
#standup
#listen

#nojusticenopeace



Buy Local from the Maker 

 

photographer: Tim Fusse

 My Store:  My Shop

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram


Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community




Monday, October 3, 2022

October and Fall is here

 Hello Fall. What has kept me occupied recently?
  • Closed the pool
  • Made Sauce from scratch twice, canned once
  • Fall yard clean up
  • Travel to see family
  • baking 
  • Looking at events for rest 2022
  • Volunteer work. NOW local board member
As you know, Huge Apple in fall person here. 
The volunteers from the compost pile.  For a number of years we had told our neighbors we take old pumpkins.  Annually we add 6-8 neighbor pumpkins to our compost pile.  This years they germinated into a vine.  


Black Lives Matter

 
 
Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  
  
 
 
We need to support our brothers and sisters.   
 #BLM #blacklivesmattter 





Shop Small



My Shop:  My Shop

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram
 

This stunning piece is beach glass from ROC combined with sterling silver to create this necklace.  Have a vacation find you want to wear?  Happy to help you create the wearable art.








Sunday, January 23, 2022

What is a Lapidary

What is a lapidary

 I am a lapidary which means I hand cut my own gemstones.  Having enjoyed cutting gemstones for many years, I have crystal and cabochons to sell.  Also rough stone - which is the rocks before they are cut into cabochons. do you know any  friends whom are jewelry designers or jewelry store owner?  I work with rock lovers al over the world. 

definition  Lapidary

 

Here is a Unakite boulder in the quarry where I have collected some rough in NY state.  The travel mug in this pic is about 10" tall to show perspective. The boulders are over 3 feet tall.  The blue rocks on the left side are mostly calcite.
 


 7 Steps to make a cabochon

  1. select a rock
  2. cut a slab form the rock
  3. decide  the shape of the cabochon & draw it
  4. trim the slice around the lines
  5.  dop the trimmed piece
  6. start cutting the cab
  7. polish the cab
Michigan Kona dolomite slab.  This is a piece of the selected rock cut into a slice.  This is a slab or a slice from the rock.(step 2)   Imagine the rock as a home made loaf of bread cut into slices.  They can be cut whatever thickness I desire.



Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.   FB page  Free the People ROC

 

Join me:stand up, listen to others, be kind and to support our sisters and brothers.  


#bekind #blacklivesmatter  
#stopasianhate #standup
#listen

Being involved is more that attending a march, make phone calls, VOTE, talk about these rights we have,  help friends VOTE! 




Cabochon (step 7)

On the right, a piece of the Unakite I collected as a finished cabochon.  I went through all 7 steps  to create this cabochon..

My cabochons are free form which meas they are not round, or oval like most of the ones I see for sale.  This makes them unique and OOAK.
OOAK means One of a Kind. Cabochons are also called cabs.

What to do with all these cot gemstones? I sell them to other jewelry designers & collectors.  My focus is on my gemstones and showcasing the beauty in them with my wire designs. 




  Buy Local from the Artist

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.  

 


Saturday, January 15, 2022

HAPPY DANCE FOR BILLS FANS

BILLS FAN



Happy Dance for all of us Bills fans everywhere. 

AFC East Champs 2 years in a row.  I believe 

this is the years for them to go all the way!    

Looking forward to the game tonight to watch the rest of the success.  




Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.   FB page  Free the People ROC


Join me:
stand up, listen to others, be kind and to support our sisters and brothers.  

#bekind #blacklivesmatter  
#stopasianhate #standup
#listen

Being involved is more that attending a march, make phone calls, VOTE, talk about these rights we have,  help friends VOTE! 






Shop Local

Support small business.  our goods are not stuck on cargo ships.  

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram


Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Goodbye 2021

Artist Life

We have all been though a rocky year.  Some more so than others because of how much loss in their lives.  It hit me hard several times.  Here is a place I try to share how I create and what inspires me.  when it is too hard I shut down and get quiet.  Parts of 2021 were like that.  Looking forward to an amazing 2022.  We can only go up from here.  


Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  FB page  Free the People ROC


I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and be ready to support our sisters and brothers.  

#bekind
#blacklivesmatter 
#stopasianhate
#standup

#listen






Shop Local

Genny from Charlotte 
 Support small business.  Our goods are not
 stuck on cargo ships.  

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram


Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.


As a woman in business, I ask you to support small business when you need something.  It helps all of us to survive this pandemic.  




Monday, April 19, 2021

Women Build 2021

 We are happy for some rain for my flowers and vegetables for the spring season. we are below normal for rainfall.  newest transplant to the veggie garden is the broccoli yesterday.  Kale, collards and mustard doing well. had my second large harvest of about a quart of small tatsoi mustard as shown here full size. 

the flowers and perennials seems to be doing well this year.  We had several rabbits overwinter in my yard so we were not sure what spring would look like.  My blue fescue seem to be happy for the trim on their dead leaves by the bunnies.  


Working on some new pieces and a few commissions this month.  Hope to be able to showcase a new line for summer.  my copper pieces we well received.  Working on some for the Women Build project as part of my team, Calico Hammers.    this brooch was a special fundraising piece for Women Build several years ago.  For the rest of the month only they are available is Sterling and copper for $49   Perfect Mother's Day gift.  Please mention this promotion Limited Edition Mom Brooch when ordering your brooch. 

My Page for the Women Build 2021





Black Lives Matter


Free the People ROC is the group in my area.

 FB page  Free the People ROC

I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and speak up.  

#bekind
#blacklivesmatter 
#stopasianhate
#standup
#speakup
#listen





Buy Local from the Maker


 
My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

 

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.








Tuesday, September 15, 2020

What is a Commission

What is a Commission and why do you want one?  Have you looked for a special gift and not been able to find what you want at the store?  Talking to an artist allows your idea to be created.  Commission is another way or saying special order.  Half of my work is done this way.  Simply put when asked to make something special for a person that is not a piece that is currently made.  

 

Bridal Commissions

The pieces here speak for themselves.  Showing both Sterling Silver and 14 karat gf work. The metal, color & style were choice of the buyer.   One winter wedding and two summer weddings shown.

 










Commission Questions

The basic information you need to place an order or request a commission is below.

  1. Basic budget ($50 or $300)
  2. What you are looking for
  3.  How quickly do you need it  

Please note all commissions  are final sales & require deposit to begin the work. 

 

 Commissions come in all forms:  Social Justice

Black Lives Matter! 
Flatten the curve. Wear A Mask. Stay Safe. No Justice No Peace! Participate. Stand up. Practice social distancing.


 For Education  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me.

 

 

Monday, May 18, 2020

Welcome to SPRING in my Garden

 My Garden


Welcome to SPRING in my ROCHESTER Garden.  We are definitely  back to normal temperatures for this city.  Happy Dance here!  Plans for this week include planting our peppers, tomatoes, and beans.  The final hand roto-tilling was done yesterday & the compost incorporated n the soil.  Two very happy gardeners here in this house.


My pond guest has found a regular spot to sit in our pond.  He seems happy and soon should have a mate and then tadpoles.

Jewelry Design

Here is a stunning smokey quartz prong set in 14 ktgf.  I enjoy showing the beauty of the faceted gemstone with my wire work.  As a lapidary I immensely enjoy cutting gems into cabochons.  I leave the faceting to the people who enjoy spending hours to make such tiny beauties as this one here. I will keep cutting cabochons and selling them to other jewelry designers as well as collectors.   I make many more free form organic pieces such at the earrings below and my necklaces you have seen  here, my website or Instagram (links at the bottom of the blog).  Please feel free to see some of my hand cut gemstones on my website or contact me for pics.  Please include your name with the text or email for custom work.  Always happy for special orders.   



 I am taking orders for graduation gifts.  The class of 2020 needs to celebrate leaving high school and becoming adults.  I would be honored for  one of my pieces to be a milestone gift as they begin the next stage of their life.  If the graduation is college, they journey has been longer and more meaningful for the student.  I am able to work within you budget whether is is $50 or $500, your custom piece will make the graduate very happy. We should all celebrate the class of 2020 this year because it has been so difficult and different than any other year in history for a class to finish school.


I will end this with my beautiful pond.   the serenity from listening to the waterfall and seeing the aquatic creatures enjoy the water is sublime.

     Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

We are all dealing with this time in our own way  Remember to be kind., flatten the curve, stay home and stay safe. 


Monday, April 15, 2019

April Showers in Spring Garden


We always welcome  April showers in our garden.  It is the time when we see the garden come back to life from the ground. Almost overnight there is so much bright green everywhere. The crocus on the right were sprigs of green right before the flowers appeared.  

Well before these crocus thought of springing out of the ground, the planning began for the Vegetable Garden.  We use crop rotation to keep the group from becoming overwork.  When the snow was still falling,  back in early February, the layout began.  

The first seeds went int the garden in Much.  Thank you peas for being able to withstand the fluctuating temperatures of late March & early April.   
Shortly after the peas were planted the Mustard & Mesclun went into the garden.  These seeds were started in early March. Happy to say the first harvest will be this week for fresh greens from the garden.  Welcome to home grown in April.  The best thing when making a meal is to have fresh from your own backyard garden. 

Why would you want a garden you may ask?  
  • Flavor
  • Convenience
  • Pride / satisfaction of success
  • Control of the process
  • Non-GMO crops 
  • Fragrance
  • Beneficial guests in the garden

We welcome input from our readers.  The best way to know exactly what people are looking for is to have them request it. We do our best to accommodate customer requests.  Copper teardrops are one answer to  -  more copper pieces please.  These are a new earring design that is proving to be popular.  Shown in all natural copper, teardrops catch the light as they move & are very lightweight.  They are available in both large and small sizes.  

Happy dance for this design and a few others recently in copper.  More on the new copper pieces in a future blog post.  


Custom cut gemstone cabochons are one of our passions. This plume agate showcases the beauty Mother Nature puts into her work.  We take pride in discovering the beauty inside each stone and showing it to you.  These gemstones are available to be set into a special piece for your gift giving pleasure.  

Another way we share the gems is to sell wholesale to other jewelry designers in the area and worldwide.  
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

Note:  Website prices are retail.  Please send PM for wholesale inquiry along with your business credentials.  

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Almost Summer - Rain Dance

Welcome to the end of Spring and anticipation of a great Summer here in Western NY.  Thursday is the Summer Solstice and it marks the official beginning of summer.  Try something new, find an event celebrating it and attend.

We would like some rain here in the garden it is dry here and nature give the best soaking water to the flowers and vegetables.  The snow peas are doing well,  even with the extra warmth this month.  Unseasonable 90's for the early part of June so far.




The Snow peas on the over 4 foot tall vines.  Our harvest in the past few days has been enough to know we can freeze some this year.

Happy to say the tomatoes are on track for the early July harvest.  We can hardly wait to enjoy the first salad with fresh homegrown tomatoes.  We grow all our vegetables from seeds.  With the dry here we are hoping for some rain good soaking rain.  Even made plans to dance in the rain when it arrives.  

What is growing in you gardens?  What are you pans for the summer? Are you ready to enjoy the sand between your toes?  We are and making some travel plans. 

Beach glass ring in Sterling Silver from Lake Ontario.  I only use natural glass created by the years and the water washing it over.  Inspired by the beauty and working on new designs.



Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram


Albert Einstein  "The difference between Stupidity and Genius is that genius has it limits."

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

2018 Vegetable Inspiration


Good day and welcome to mid-spring in Western NY.  Inspired by my vegetables each year.   Veggie garden layout was finished over a moth ago when we still had freezing temperatures.  The   Snow Peas, Mustard, Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Romain lettuce are all in the dirt. 

One of the best things about this season, is investigating the changes the winter has brought to my garden.  Last year my Oregano survived but it was not growing quickly until a new oregano was planted. Still investigating how the perennials and annuals are doing.

 
It is the first of May today and happy to have one third of the vegetables in the ground and growing. As an organic designer, I am inspired by the way the leaves curl in the garden.  Also the angles of the light & shadows around the plants and ornamentation in the gardens.  

Above is the finished Flower I made several years ago in a glass class in Corning, NY at the CMOG.  It was a hot glass class and the surprise part was the actual color of the finished piece.  Inspiration to try another media is a great way to grow as an artist.  I have tried to work in galss several times but my passion is as a lapidary working in wire.
This Sterling silver piece is Seeds of Kambaba, a stunning custom cut Cabochon for this Statement Piece.

Reminder Mother's Day is 12 days from today.    May you be inspired by your passion the way I am.  Take the other turn toady and see when it takes you.   Buy Local, shop small & support the  Artists / Artisans  where you live.

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

Monday, August 21, 2017

August How did this happen?



It is August and the summer is nearing the final hurrah.  Enjoy every moment.   The garden is tenacious because of all our compost it had received over the years.  We are happy to have a decent harvest at this point of the summer. Our experience and well enriched soil are why we have a successful garden.


Our harvest so far from the backyard garden:  beefsteak tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, tomatillo, kale, swiss chard, celery, thyme, oregano, sage, chives & fennel.  Several of them in this pic at right.  Green salsa = tomatillo salsa have been put away for later this year. One delicious way to use the salsa, is as a marinade. 




Went to the 2017 Flour City Brew Fest at the Rochester Public Market this past weekend.  It is a great way to enjoy the many unique and interesting creations by the talented brewers in my area. Certainly on the list of not to miss events for 2018.  A fantastic band, Grass is Dead was the headliner at the fest which made the event delightful.



Sterling silver or 14ktgf - which is my favorite metal to create with? This piece is Sterling & dichroic glass from a glass class from several years ago. 

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

Enjoy your journey creating memories with your family through this beautiful season. 

Monday, October 3, 2016

Dog Days of Summer in Rochester, NY

 

Wrote this back in early August.  I went out to water the plants and it was not posted.  Ab it late but the beauty of the plants are shown. 

This was a visitor to my garden toward the end of August. I believe it is a red tailed hawk.  Hope he is eating the mice and squirrels that seem to be enjoying my root crops.

The summer season ended with a drought and federal disaster area for my county and the surrounding area.



Dog days of summer here in my gardens photos.  New York was in early drought stages, is early August  Seems like we just planted the garden.  We have a happy and prolific garden due to water wise gardening practices.  My most prolific plants have been the early spring crops: cilantro, greens, lettuce, peas, radishes.  As the heat arrived:  lettuce, mustard greens, collards, kale, cucumbers, & yellow beans.

My bush beans are quite happy with the heat wave which lasted the entire summer.  My several days a week watering with recycled rubber soaker hoses keep them happy. We have about 10lbs of beans in the freezer for later, the most ever saved.  They are still producing which is unusual,  normally we take the plants down in mid September.

Another of the prolific vegetables are the bell peppers and the broccoli. A different variety, Jalapeno show below.  Especially with the cooler fall temps now and the much needed rain this past week.  The broccoli has taken off and we are eating it a few nights a week.



Apparently the heat is not done here, yet.  High of 79 forecast for the end of this week.  Grilled dinner outside on the deck is what we will be doing.   Mine as well enjoy the unseasonable warm while it is here.  The leaves are certainly falling and it will back to true fall weather.

The Holiday season is here.  Panda Wear is accepting holiday orders thru 11/1/16 for delivery in December.  Please order early.  

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Leaping toward SPRING


Hi Everyone and best wishes for February 29, aka Leap Day. We all got to enjoy an extra day this year! Hello March 1st.  I feel the winter coming to an end and spring is in the air.  Here are a few photos from last years garden. 
The seed catalogs arrived about a month ago so throughout February I’ve been reading and planning my vegetable garden design for 2016.  Decisions had to be made on which vegetables to plant, how much space they needed and which ones to put aside for another time….the BIG question every year.  Some years it’s an easy decision however this year there were several new things which would be great to grow, but space is always a big consideration.  




Only 20 days until the FIRST day of SPRING.  The seeds have now been planted and the waiting begins.  I’m counting down the days until the seedlings are big enough to go outside. We started the lettuce and cooking greens so they can be enjoyed earlier this year on the table.    
 It’s so exciting to look forward to a fantastic 2016 growing season, I just wish the garden was larger.  Happy to report the first seeds are sprouted today, March 1st.




One of my custom cut free form stones set in Sterling silver.  The wire and design accent the best parts of the stone and compliment the new owner of this piece. To find my work:

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Supplies

Facebook:  PW Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram


 For all the new readers of this blog,  I am an avid gardener and lapidary.  Most of my inspiration comes from nature as can be seen in my work.  Whether it is the arch of a branch, the stem of a bush or the pattern of a flower... I picture designs I make with wire and gemstones.  As a lapidary, when I am cutting a stone my design can take shape based on what I see in the natural stone. Roses and snapdragons from the garden.   

Happy growing and enjoy your day.