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Clam Lake

Clam Lake pendant from Siren, Wisconsin.

I made this pendant for one of my oldest friends. She has a cabin on this lake where we spent many summer weekends as we were growing up. We still make an effort to get out there at least once a year with a cluster of close friends.

While the cabin has always been a great little oasis for us, out in the near wilderness (as close as it can be to wilderness in Wisconsin), it has also been a place where her family has spent countless hours. Cabins are a special place for us here in the Midwest; they allow us to get out of the city for a while and breathe the fresh air.

If you have a cabin that you love visiting every summer, or have fond childhood memories of, get in touch with me. Making pieces of your fond memories is what I do.

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White Bear Lake

This is a pendant of White Bear Lake, a well known spot in the Twin Cities metro area. It is one of the larger lakes near the cities, a great spot for all kinds of recreation. White Bear Lake and the city of White Bear also have a very long history, both for Americans that settled in the area, and for the Dakota and Ojibwe that used to inhabit the region. The legend of White Bear Lake tells the story of two lovers, one Chippewa, the other Sioux. The Chippewa Brave saved the Sioux woman he loved from a white bear on Manitou island where they usually met, but was himself killed by the bear. According to “Indian Legends of Minnesota” by Mrs. Carl T. Thayer, as the Sioux people came to his rescue “they saw the brave sink his knife into the bear. But too late, they both fell to the ground dead. Slowly, as they watched, the spirits of the brave and the bear rose from their prone bodies. It is said that even today, as night falls, the spirits of the bear and the brave wander the Island eternally in search of each other.”

The contours of this lake are so appealing to me on many levels, I’m so happy with how it turned out and hope that it helps to embody all the history and beauty surrounding this unique lake.

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Mokume Gane

If you’ve never seen mokume gane before it might look like magic to you. It sort of is magic. I love the wood grain look of mokume and making it is one of my greatest creative joys. It is a very old technique that originated in Japan, alongside some of their intense sword making techniques. Have you ever heard of damascus, or pattern welded steel? Damascus and mokume are very similar in some ways, the distinction is that mokume gane is made with non ferrous, and sometimes precious, metals while damascus is made with ferrous metals (metal containing iron).

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The technique I use to create Mokume starts with many sheets of at least two different metals. The idea is to create a loose or tight pattern based on the number of layers and how far they are compressed. The sheets (in this case silver and white gold) are stacked together and fused with a torch in a forge/ kiln sort of thing. The process can be very simple but also very very picky. One small bit of dirt left on even one sheet can cause catastrophic cracking later on. Also if you get it slightly too hot the whole pile can melt, forcing you to start over with new metal. A good bond is the goal here so the metals can be seamlessly formed into a final product.

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When the metal has fused and is forged out some, the bonds have become stronger and the piece can be patterned. The words mokume gane refer to the wood grain like pattern that emerges from the bonded metals when some of the material is removed. Once carved the lower layers become visible and are pushed up to the surface during the forging  to create a flush, detailed pattern.

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At this stage I love its resemblance to some ancient artifact of a lost culture. This blackened little slab will now be turned into a pair of wedding bands carved from the same source, a wonderful little metaphor for a marriage itself.

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Mille Lacs Lake

Mille Lacs is a large gem in the middle of Minnesota, a heart of cabin and lake lifestyles. The way the two deep spots turned out like windows really make you want to get a closer look. If you have spent any time in, on or around Mille Lacs then I’m sure you have already fallen under its spell. A beloved spot for any outdoorsy person, this pendant must be calling your name.

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The St. Croix River

The St. Croix River is a dividing line between the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, here in the midwest. The river valley is home to picturesque little towns and dramatic bluffs. State parks are sprinkled all along the river for great camping, hiking, kayaking, boating and more. Have you ever visited?

This ring came from a successful experiment to see if I could follow a river or route’s path to create a unique silhouette that still sits comfortably on the hand. Part of the design sits out over your knuckle while the other side is cradled perfectly in your palm.

The image below is the charcoal black finish for this design. Visit my Shop to order one of your own! It can be made for a range of ring sizes.

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Lake Itasca

This lake has a unique three armed shape that made for an interesting pendant design that its wearers love. The first person that requested this particular lake has a wonderful history that connects her to this amazing place, and I was so happy to be able to bring it to life for her. Lake Itasca is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River and resides in a Minnesota state park of over 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes. It is a paradise of hiking, biking, and scenic trails, towering pine forests and waters perfect for kayaking, fishing, and boating. Anyone who loves the outdoors, especially out in the fall months up north, needs to spend time here.
img_20160928_083317I also just spent the weekend camping in Itasca State Park and loved it. The colors have just started to turn vibrant up north and it was definitely boasting some fantastic scenery despite the stubborn rain clouds. One could easily spend weeks exploring all of the lakes and trails in that park. It is well worth a visit or five. We went kayaking directly on Itasca and visited lakes all along single lane through-road. And while I was too chicken to climb the fire watch tower, I’m sure the views from the top are breathtaking. Even just lounging on the dock and enjoying the crisp fall air would be a great way to spend the afternoon.img_20160925_165523

If you have ever spent time at Itasca, then I know you’ll wear this with fondness. Find this piece in my Shop.img_20160926_224251

 

 

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Mississippi River

The Mississippi river crawls down the length of the United States beginning at Lake Itasca and pouring into the Gulf of Mexico. This ring is a great, dramatic vision of the entire river’s journey, and emulates its natural bends and curves while remaining a crisp image within its parallel edges. The Mississippi has been an anchor in shipping and transport through the states but is also the home of a great deal of outdoor fun.

Whether it reminds you of a time you spent on the Mississippi or reflects a long journey you have taken in your own life, this ring is a great reminder of nature’s presence.

Pictured here is the charcoal black option for this ring’s finish. See both in my Shop.

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Lake Superior

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Lake Superior is a magical place for me, I am frequently pulled to its shores by a craving I can’t explain. If it has been a while since I have visited I feel the need to see it again and refresh my memory of the sensations it gives me.

Being near a great lake is powerful on its own. The history of the region and the scars the lakes have filled are inspiring to say the least. Superior itself has a long history of trade and travel, and supporting many peoples.

I draw a lot of inspiration from this lake so I made two versions of this piece, one is a large statement choker and the other is more of an everyday memento. I really enjoyed bringing some of Superior’s details to life in each version and I treasure them both. When I am away from the rocky shores of Superior this pendant transports me there in my daydreams.

Keep an eye out for its siblings, which are currently in the designing stages and wear this pendant as a symbol of your own love of this great lake.

To buy one of your own Click Here

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Minneapolis Lakes

This pair of earrings was the first design I came up with as part of my collection of topographic pieces. I had been thinking about a way to incorporate special places into my jewelry, and when the words “chain of lakes” came to mind, I instantly thought of earrings! This particular chain just so happened to work perfectly for a pair of asymmetrical earrings that have just enough weight to dangle and swing just above the shoulder. The sandblasted finish makes them just sparkle in the sunlight, reminiscent of the glittering sunlit lakes they emulate.

DSC06172Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Earrings, featuring Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, Cedar lake and Wirth lake in a pair of asymmetrical Earrings. Made of Argentium Silver with a sandblasted finish.

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Lake of the Isles

This pendant is one from my Minneapolis chain of lakes earrings. I love the unique shape of this lake and how perfectly it worked for a pendant. I wanted to accentuate the Isles from Lake of the Isles so I made them the top layer and I’m so happy with how it looks. I’ve loved spending time around this beautiful little lake in Minneapolis, if you have too, commemorate it with one of your own!

DSC06143Lake of the Isles pendant. Made of Argentium Silver with a sandblasted finish.