The Broken Plate

The most meaningful part of my journey as a jeweler and metalsmith are the pieces I make that reflect a period in time that represent someone else's journey.  These are pieces that incorporate history, memories, and emotions.  These opportunities are the gift of my work and I am constantly amazed what I learn about people and what I am blessed to creatively express.

When my friend Cherie approached me about making a brooch from a broken plate, I had not idea about the backstory of this broken plate.  Here is her story:

 

 

 

Tiaras

 I don't know why I've always been obsessed with Tiaras.  Perhaps being a princess is every little girl's dream.  Often I found myself gazing at Jesus's crown of thorns or an angel's halo.  The first Tiaras I made were in 2002 when I was invited by Fragments to premier my wedding band collection in their Madison Ave. store.  I thought if I put some awesome tiaras in their windows, it would generate business.  I created The Glenda tiara from the good witch on Wizard of Oz, the Athena Tiara which represented the Greek Warrior Princess,and the Gabrielle Tiara inspired by Xena Warrior Princess.  

When I recently read M.J. Rose's new book, entitled "The Last Tiara", I pulled out the photos of my Tiaras and realized I was yearning to be a part of the "Tiara Tradition" since long ago.  If you love historical fiction as much as I do, I urge you to read her book which is based on a lost tiara from the gems of the Romanoff Russian jewels.  

                                                                          "Glenda" tiara, 

                                                            vermeil, moonstones and cz's                               

                                                                                    

"Athena" Tiara, pearls and 14k pink gold vermeill

"Gabrielle" Tiara, sterling, 14ky and CZ

AND THEN:      How could I resist the temptation to make stainless crowns for my dog CoCo and my cat Jessie?  They were my Queens!