Inspired by...Codognato

 Yesterday I discovered the jewelry of Codognato. This is a jewelry house in Venice, Italy that has been in business since the mid 1800's. They are especially known for their skull designs and it is obvious to see why! Major sighs occurred when I saw all these gems.

 People always ask why I make skulls and I often wonder if I should slow down on them but seeing this work just made me feel good about my love for using them. I will not quit making skull jewelry! Although I still don't feel like I can use those pieces when I apply to art shows, which is really sad. Last night I happily sketched out a small collection of new skull designs that I will work on next month during christmas break.

Oh x-mas break! A week off from work, I can hardly wait.

Why do you make jewelry?

This is the theme for this month's Etsy Metal Blog Carnival. I know it will be fun to read all the other team mates responses to this question. Here's mine:

 I have always loved to make things for as long as I can remember. I'm sure I drove my mom crazy with the request to constantly craft. I remember having a big book as a kid full of projects that I could grab and pick a project. What really kick started the specific desire to create jewelry though was a trip to Albuquerque and Santa Fe when I was in junior high. Walking through galleries and seeing all the gorgeous art jewelry was what hooked me. I had fallen in love with some particular pieces that were layered wood and hand painted in all sorts of bright colors and patterns. Upon our return home I immediately started trying my hand at this type of jewelry. Not long after I was turned onto Fimo and did polymer clay jewelry for several years before taking some metals classes in college.

So, thirty years later I still love making jewelry and learning new techniques/materials. I've just set up an enamelling station in my studio and look forward to many fun years with this new medium.

Here is a list and links to some of my team mates who are participating in the blog carnival:

1. Cynthia Del Giudice - http://CynthiaDelGiudice.blogspot.com
2. Laura Jane Bouton - http://laurajanebouton.blogspot.it/
3. silentgoddess http://silentgoddess.blogspot.com
4. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
5. Peculiar Forest http://peculiarforest.blogspot.com
6. Tosca Terán http://www.nanopod.me
7. Nodeform http://nodeform.blogspot.com
8. Mary Anne Karren: http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/
9. My Precious Studio: http://mypreciousstudio.blogspot.com/
10. Deborah Lee Taylor: http://www.e5jewelryblog.com
11. 2Roses: http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
12. Anne Walker: http://www.creativeinclinations.blogspot.com
13.Andrea Ring http://www.amuckdesign.blogspot.com
14. Gracebourne Design http://www.gracebourne.blogspot.com
15. Danielle Miller http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
16. Evelyn Markasky http://markasky.blogspot.com
17. Inbar Bareket http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog
18. Jewellietta http://www.jewellietta.blogspot.gr/
19. Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog

Gem show

Went to the gem and mineral show today to pick up some cabochons. I found these gorgeous pieces of turquoise, some Druzy and amazingly bright Swarovski pearls.

I haven't really set stones in my work since college, will be fun to bring this element back in.

What are your favorite stones?