Rectangular Pendants

Picked out a few stones from my stash. They are rainbow moonstones, labradorite, and turquoise. Unfortunately, the marquise shaped lab disappeared after dropping onto my floor. Maybe I'll find it, I hope. And then disaster hit the setting for the turquoise on the left. I'll try to fix that pendant next week.

While photographing these pendants, I'm beginning to understand why moonstones got that name. It's like the darker the surrounding, the more vivid the irridescence.

Check out the orange diagonal strip on the moonstone to the left. It is so striking and makes for a very interesting stone. On either side of the stripe are some gorgeous blue and green schiller. The labradorite in the middle is small but has an intense icy blue flash. The smaller moonstone has soft peacock color and a dash of orange. I chose to use a chain with rectangular links to go with the pendant shape.

To see more pictures, click here.

MAG SF at Maker Faire, 2010

Besides checking out all the exhibits and demos at this year's Maker Faire in the Bay Area, I volunteered some time helping out at the Metal Arts Guild San Francisco (MAG SF) booth.  I carpooled with Harriete Estel Berman (actually her husband dropped us off so we didn't have to pay $17 to park for one day) and was her helper at her Riveting workshop. 

Here's Harriete showing the techniques of riveting.  Since we were stuck under a large building overhang, the lighting wasn't all that good.

Our participants busy working on their pin or pendants

Riveting with the hammer on a horn anvil

Wha-la!  A beautiful pin.

A pendant

A western-themed pin (note the cowboy hat on the bottom)

These are just a few happy students who were so proud of their own creations.  It's just wonderful to see the big smiles on their faces.