This weeks inspiration was Monet's Water lilies. I just love the gentle colours and the lightness the paintings evoke. The soft blues and greens are a perfect combination of Amazonite, Aventurine, Kynite, Prehinte and Jade with just a hint of blush from Rose Quartz. Capturing the blush of pink from the water lilies in a lush environment of greens and blues.

Summer is ending here in Oz and the fall weather we are having made me feel light and free myself. I have to admit I did the necklace three times before getting it to fall right. But I think I captured the essence of what I love most about Monet.

soon to be posted here

I Dream Of:: A New Moon

There is something so special about a full moon over a silver sea. When I made this bracelet, that is exactly what was going through my mind. It is just the right amount of silver to light ratio. Not surprising, I sold it as soon as made it. I didn't even get a chance to put it on the inventory list! Wonder if I should do another with a necklace and earrings. Maybe a whole series of moon light inspired jewels....?

agate with quartz crystal and swarovski crystal

click here to see more from Made in Stone

I Dream Of:: A Job Well Done

Here is the complete bridal party jewellery. The maid of honor and the sweet, little 10 year old, bridesmaids are all very happy with the results. Now just the bride remains to be done up.

I Dream Of:: Wedding Bells

Just working on a wedding commission and thought I would share my ideas with you all. The color is dusty rose. Very simple dress. I am thinking of stones in a variety of colors. Tourmaline colors to be exact, with contrasting pearls. I am trying something new too! A ribbon flower made from organza. It just sits to the side not in the center. A bit of color contrast, a bit of shine and a bit of luster. What do you think?

Sorry the photo quality is poor. I think my camera is on the brink of quitting.

I Dream Of:: Beautiful Gems Floating in Ribbons

After much thought, work and pain over how to make these precious little treasures wearable and visually pleasing, I am proud to announce the latest successful offspring of Made in Stone.

Bridal Lotus Flower Necklace : Gold Fish Cluster Necklace: Lily Pond Necklace:

coming soon to the website

The necklaces were my starting point. As you have watched over the last few months... My first was for a custom order over the holidays. After falling in love with the concept and the creation, I gathered some beads and put a few color combinations together. I had to wait a few weeks for my shipment to arrive with all my silver pins and wire! (I was extremely low after my last show.) Once I got my shipment and myself organized I started a frenzy of twisting and cutting and stringing. Finally, I have my dreams realized.

After all this creating, I had a dream about a bracelet tied up in a bow! But, dreams are often far from reality....

Daisy Cluster Ribbon Bracelet

My first problem was how to create a bow with ribbon around your wrist if there is no one there to tie it? As often is the case, bracelet also undergo lots of tugging and pulling. How then do I make it secure? After two days of working out the kinks I leave you with these two new ribbon bracelets. Bows are disguising a convenient and sturdy little snap!

Detail of 925 Sterling Silver Citrine and Tourmaline

I wore mine all day today and it was comfortable and secure!

Floral Bouquet Ribbon Bracelet: using Rhodonite,

Afghanistan Jade and Rose Quartz

I Dream Of:: Aching Fingers

Spent most of yesterday making lots of lovely gems. I will post even more in the next few days. After so much twisting and cutting and beading my fingers are a bit sore. I believe a feel a callous coming up on my pointer finger!

With all this work, I am off to the shop to purchase some beautiful ribbon for my new season of jewels. I mentioned them earlier and they are just about done. I created 4 necklaces yesterday and dreamt about a style of bracelet. Still working out the logistics of how it will wear. I am so excited about it. Maybe I will have them done today for my post tomorrow!

Like what you see? Want to see more? click here to access my website.

I Dream Of:: First week of School

Busy week for me. My bathroom is getting walls this week and the tiles go in next week. Lots of men in and out and I am so happy it is almost over. I am tired of Cleaning up the dust after every workday.

First week of school is half over. My little man is off to big boy school with his big brother and I didn't cry!

These are the new items I made this week. They look lovely on. I wore them on his first day of School. Check them out here and at madeinstone@etsy

I Dream Of:: Business

Today, I sent my eldest off o school and took on a playdate for my youngest who starts school on monday. Then, while best mates played, I devoted my afternoon to updating my Etsy site. I also chased my husband to fix my website so that I can get back into it and update my showcases. So far, nothing is happening with the website dramas. At least I can rely on Etsy! Here are a few of my listings.

I Dream Of:: The Northern Beaches

Living in the Northern Beaches is a gift. Almost as precious as these two little gifts here. Every time I say, "lets go to the beach" they cry about how they don't want to leave the house, after dragging them to the beach, they cry about having to leave.

I believe that I would react the same way if my husband said we were packing up and leaving Australia. I really wasn't excited about moving to Sydney. But, it is days like these with my boys around me playing, getting all this fresh air and sunshine and the Pacific Ocean displaying colors of Aqua and Turquoise against the Coral beaches that I think "I love it here." Knowing that my beloved San Francisco is across the sea is just a comfort. Although, I kicked and cried about having to leave the city and people I loved, I will kick and scream just as hard if I ever had to leave my new home. Is it possible to have your heart in two cities?

My boys climbing the rock at Whale Beach. The surgery went well and my little guy has been a trouper this summer wearing this hot head gear every time we are near sand or water.

It isn't the best photo, these were taken with my iPhone... But I love the rocks at Whalely. The whales come up against the rocks just past this point to give themselves back rubs!! haven't seen it yet...

I Dream Of:: Fresh Ideas

Unfortunately, my necklaces are on hold as I am waiting for the shipment of findings. So here are some lovely little things to look at that I did create...

This is the last necklace I created before my supplies ran out. I just love the neutral colors and the feel. The pendant is Serpentine with Yellow and Green Jade, Labradorite and Sterling Silver Chain.

I just love these bookmarks. They add style to any book and are a pleasure to use. Each bookmark is finished with a Stone charm, Sterling Silver and Tassel. Function and Form!

I Dream Of:: a line of sweet clusters

Today I started working on my new line of necklaces. I really enjoyed the necklace I sold this christmas and thought designing a few more would be fun.

As I woke up this morning I started taking down my christmas decorations and putting together colors and ideas. Yes, it is a bit bizarre to take down christmas decorations and create something at the same time. But De-decorating makes me sad and creating makes me happy ....

These are a few clusters that I came up with this morning. I also have a wedding order coming in July. Do you think she will love the pearl cluster? Imagine that on a white organza ribbon... Devine

I dream of :: The End of Year

Oh it has been a while! I have had to neglect my computer life for the home life. We have been busy with some urgent and stressful family affairs and some dramas with the new house. Now we have Christmas hot on our heels. On with the shopping, decorating, preparing the outdoors (which are so far from finished it makes me want to cry), now the kids are on school holidays. But, that means I can do the little things I have been wanting to do! No more rushing.

I have been getting all my creative juices flowing. I have made a load of Jewellery which has been selling like hot cakes.

www.madeinstone.com

I have bagged my outdoor room, painted and selected the color scheme. The flower/vegetable garden bed is in the process of being built. the wrap around deck is being quoted. the ceiling has been repaired and the upstairs bathroom is in the process of getting a make over! And my baby boy is in the clear! whew! Bring on 2010!!

I Dream of:: The New Arrival!

I just opened my online store!  I am so excited about this.  I have been building this site for a few months and I owe a very large thanks to my husband.  He  was so very patient with my all my changes. Now that I have my store on line,  I would like to extend some of the Joy of it's arrival.  

To celebrate, Made in Stone is giving away $5 per online order at time of checkout.  Stop by, browse and feel free to give me some feedback. I would love to hear from you. 

(promotion code: grandopening)

This is how my jewellery gets it kick start.  I take inspirational photos whenever I go out.  This is taken from Avalon Beach NSW.  I was homesick.  I loved the color of the water hitting the rocks at low tide.