Love and Light: a blog hop in memory of Tanya

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I didn't know Tanya for long - we 'met' back in August, during a Facebook event and she sent me some beauties... I loved them, I ordered more (I'll probably make jewelry for a year from her silver and gemstones!) and we kept chatting on Facebook. Not very often, but in a deep way that special friendships allow for.

I knew she was sick and unfortunately in January I learned of her passing - which brought the idea of this memory blog hop. It is meant to remember her smile and her kindness... through a piece of jewelry that is either inspired by her or maybe made with her materials.

She was very generous and kind - with my first order she (not very subtly) inquired what my favourite stone or colour is. I didn't have to think before answering 'Turquoise'. I don't own much turquoise, I do have died howlite or stabilized turquoise, but not the blue-sky one, and somehow she understood that is where my love for turquoise comes from: the pure blue-sky stones I saw in Mexico for the first time.

When my package arrived I was completely humbled - I think she added as much items as a gift that they were in the actually order. Between them a stunning turquoise. Raw, baroque and not drilled. Which meant - wire wrapping was being called for. I have done various wire wrapping so far, but not wrapping a stone. I saw 2 types of wrapping: one that I liked and one that I hated. Hence - I left the turquoise alone... paralyzed with fear: what if I end up with the 'I hate' type? Not even practicing, I could not bring myself to try and fail.

Been there, done that - yesterday I went up to the studio to make something else. I ended up cleaning the studio and in the process all I had left on my table was - you guessed it - Tanya's turquoise! I knew it's her way of gently pushing me and telling me 'this is the time'. So I sat down (I usually listen to music, but this time I have no clue what the radio played), cut the wire and... started. I had no clue what I am supposed to do, I kept doing what it seemed right. In the end - I had a beautiful turquoise, wrapped nicely and snugly. However (there is always a 'but' somewhere) I was unhappy with the look of the wire. It looked scratched (I have been as careful as I could, but...) and I was wondering 'now what?'.

Luckily for me during the cleaning process I found some old glass beads, looking quite ugly... and I thought I will drop them in the tumbler, maybe they get cleaned and nice. They did! And when I went to check them - I had a 'duh!' moment - and dropped the pendant in the tumbler instead. After a few hours this is what came out:

No scratches whatsoever!! Nothing! The wire looks shine and the pendant is beautiful (at least I **LOVE** it and since it's mine, that's all that matters :) I dare you! just kidding - please critique away, I am learning and I appreciate all the suggestions and ideas)

The other sides:

Isn't that a gorgeous turquoise?! Thank you, Tanya!

Right after I started the blog hop I made another piece for this event, and I cannot explain to you why. I hope her friends might find something related to Tanya in this piece - all I know is that it felt like Tanya to me:

It is a red Viking knit shaped in a 'spring' wreath - with 2 butterflies and some shine (in forms of Swarovski crystals). I just love those 2 Swarovski butterflies... not sure why I had to add two, all I know is the piece is complete like that and it felt like her.

I have a couple of pieces I made with her gemstones and materials:

Freya (Goddess of Love): Swarovski, sterling silver, fine silver

The Victorian pendant made with fine silver spacer and sterling silver chain from Tanya

Eivor (wise gift): sterling silver, rubies

The pendant made with rubies from Tanya (I didn't realize you can work with real rubies until I talked to her!)

Audra (Noble strength): quartz, freshwater pearls, sterling silver

A pair of earrings made with quartz crystals from Tanya (she made a note of the exact name of the crystal, but I cannot remember it right now)

Ada: Kyanite, sterling silver, Swarovski

The pair of earrings made with the Kyanite she gifted me with.

Ada: Kyanite, Swarovski, sterling silver

The pendant to match the earrings - again, the Kyanite from Tanya.

But my love remains the Turquoise:

Please make sure you visit the other participants:


Alicia Marinache All Pretty Things <= You are here
Solange Colling Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Liss Silverwing http://lisssilverwing.blogspot.com/
Cherry Obsidia http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk/
Pookledo www.pookledo.blogspot.co.uk
Rana Lea http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Leah Curtis http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/
Ingrid www.wrappedinsilver.com