At The Bench

For a very long time I've wanted to learn the craft of silversmithing. Some say it's a "dying" craft, but because of my love of all things jewelry related I'm not ready to use such harsh terminology. A few years ago I took a class at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg called "The Missing Link". I'll have to show you the i.d. bracelet I made in that class sometime. This current class is in conjunction with Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society and I'm really enjoying it! Not only is it fairly close to my studio, I'm learning skills I can use in my existing designs and gaining inspiration for future collections! So far, my only injury has been a seared finger from a blazing hot nickel, but that's another story. Enjoy these pics, and I'll keep you posted on the progress of my projects!

Project #1 - Twisted Sterling Silver Bracelet!
I wear this almost everyday. 

Project #2: Rose Quartz Pendant
The gallery wire I used for the bezel has
 a sweet inverted heart shaped pattern.
Simple and pretty - I like it a lot.

The base, bezel and bail are all polished sterling silver.

I thought you might like to see works in progress, and this is
the start of my ring! Believe it or not, the pendant started out
looking like this too.  I'm using fine silver - it will be interesting
to experience the difference of working with fine as opposed
to sterling silver.

Here I've added the Brecciated Jasper stone,
 just to give you an idea of what it will look
like when finished.

As Seen On...

We recently met ICM Awards New Artist of the Year Laura Dodd! She fell in love with our Anna Bracelet so much that...she took one home with her! You can get one here. This beautiful photo is by Kim Lancaster.

Gus Mayer Trunk Show April 29 & 30!

d. marlene jewelry on Talk of the Town

On Turning 40

Okay, I admit it. I've hit the big "40". For as long as I can remember I've always dreaded that number. But I can honestly say that this has been one of the best birthdays. Ever. For starters, my husband booked a trip for us to NYC! What fun! We enjoyed finding out of the way (to us anyway) places for breakfast, shopping (where I snagged my Club Monaco sunglasses), sight seeing....it's really not hard to forget life as you know it including any numbers that may or may not be involved when you're gawking at the Tiffany Diamond. AND on day 3 of our trip we attended the MJSA Expo (Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America). What more could a gem lovin' jewelry designer ask for? Well, friends, let me tell you...as of yesterday d. marlene jewelry is available in Gus Mayer at Green Hills Mall! Gus Mayer is Nashville's leading designer specialty retailer. Not bad for our inaugural retailer relationship. So all in all, so far this 40 thing isn't too bad after all. I think I'll survive it. And if my sense of self and sense of calm have anything to do with it, I know I will.

Not Only For A Day

Through the years, I've had the honor and pleasure of designing many a bridal jewelry ensemble. I truly enjoy custom work. The look on a client's face when she sees the finished piece is priceless. There's no way to describe being a part of a woman's happiness on the day she's looked forward to and anticipated for much of her life - the day when she'll be queen, if only for that day. Thinking back on my own bridal jewelry reminds me of the old adage "the cobbler's children have no shoes". It refers to the fact that a cobbler is so busy making shoes for other people that she has no time to focus on the footwear needs of her own children! This was me in 1998. But not now. I've learned in my thirty-something years to live in the moment. Don't get me wrong - I'm still working on it. Everyday. The difference now is that I'm able to step back and enjoy the process of life. My life. And although I welcome the occasional commissioned piece, I'll continue to build the foundation and focus of this business on being a part of a woman's happiness not only for a day, but everyday.

We stand among friends, my groom and me.

Purse-onality

I'm all for giving credit where credit's due, so I'll be the first to say that the idea for this week's blog came from Marie Claire's September issue. Christiane Amanpour I am not, but regardless - there's something intriguing (to me anyway) about the contents of a woman's bag. Purse-onality perhaps? In Handbags, Anna Johnson writes "marked with life, stuffed to the gills, saved for, bruised, and cherished like a child, a good bag becomes an intimate extension of the body."

I made this bag for our trip to Scotland in 2007 with comfort and a spirit of adventure in mind. It served the purpose well, and I recently dug it out as a reminder. When I carry it, it truly does become an "extension" as it fits perfectly and comfortably.

Where would I be without my Marble memo? I use it to job down jewelry ideas as they come, words I like, picture arrangements, web addresses and anything else I want to remember. While we're on the subject of writing, these are my two favorite pens, ever. One is from our W Hotel room (you're supposed to take those along with the little shampoos, right?) and the other is Le Pen and I paid a lot more for it than what you can get them for here! Alright, on to my glasses...an appendage I recently had to succomb to, but only to see far away. My husband especially likes them for some reason. And at least now I have something to put in my mesh glasses case that I couldn't pass up at TJ Maxx a few years ago. Which leads me to another TJ Maxx find, my Tignanello wallet. I love the blush color, and I keep it clean and lovely with Franklin Covey leather conditioner. TJ Maxx is right down the way from Cosmetics Market, where the gal told me this Therapy Systems gloss is very complementary on me. Hhmmm...I don't know, the verdict is still out on this one. It may or may not be staying in my "extension".

I'll leave you with this piece by David Roby:

I Have a Handle on the Situation

I have a handle on the situation.

I have a handle on my space and contents.

My vacant hollow.

Or the items of which I house a dozen odds and ends.

I always know what I possess or what may be un-there or missing.

To study my physiognomy, one might think not much or lacking.

But closer on inspection, I am near divine and worthy of great travels.

A true companion of love and comfort, recognition, the familiar.

I have been held in such a clutch and such a love storm

by my mistress and her values.

She takes me aboard a thousand footsteps, always holding on and never once ignoring.

Mostly I am there to steady, to balance her or witness.

She sometimes shuffles through my soul in search of needy things,

like painted sticks and looking glasses of which I keep most dear.

She searches inward and there she looks inside my sacred space.

Full of painted stick and looking glasses,

I am my lady's handbag.