The Sunday Times: Issue #21

Busy day in our household as I run around making last minute additions to the collection, photographing existing pieces, editing photos, and pricing all the things! It's a 6-month build up to a moment that usually feels exciting but also nerve-racking. Did I remember to solder all the jump rings closed? Did I make any typos on the website? Did I remember to photograph everything? Dave helps by making me tea and proof reading listings.

Looking at it all now... I really need to remind myself of how it felt before it even began in order to really take in and appreciate the work that went into this Part I. Otherwise my mind is already full speed ahead on Part II.

I think back to the first day of the Tucson Gem Show at the beginning of the year when all of these pieces of jewelry were just ideas in my head, swirling around in a vague wash of sea foam green, teal and gold. I hadn't yet found the incredible Ancient Roman Glass that would be the key to unlocking all of the necklace designs for the collection. I hadn't yet made a final sample of the Fontanella Pendant and seen the incredible response to them online. I hadn't yet found the beautiful Afghani metal stamps that would be even more inspiration for charms and texture (and give birth to the idea for next year's collection!).

I thought it would be fun for this issue to be a little recap of the last 6 months - from initial inspiration through to the final product.

So pour yourself a cup of tea and get comfy.

“If you know what you want to do and you do it, that’s the work of a craftsman. If you begin with a question and use it to guide an adventure of discovery, that’s the work of the artist.”

- Rick Rubin

STARTING WITH AN INKLING

THE COLOR OF WATER

The inspiration for my collections usually starts with just one thing. This time it was the color of the water here in St. Pete, Florida. Specifically the color of the water in our favorite little cove. Then the idea blossomed into a collection based on the idea of "Paradise." Everyone has their own idea of what Paradise looks like to them. I'd already been thinking about that idea last year when I was researching the Italian name for "heaven" when trying to name what eventually was called the Divino Collection. "Heaven" directly translates to "paradiso" in Italian but it didn't feel quite right for that collection. "Divino" and the divine felt closer to what I was trying to create since it was inspired by clouds and the heavens, but I put "Paradiso" in the back of my mind because I still loved it.

BUILDING A MOOD

WHAT DOES PARADISE LOOK LIKE TO ME?

I then dove into Pinterest to find the images that I either already had or needed to discover to define what Paradise looks like to me. What colors, silhouettes, textures, and icons feel right? What stones do I want to try and find in Tucson?

ROCK HUNTING

CHOOSING THE STONES

Arguably the best part of being a jeweler is getting to pick out stones. Finding the right ones can be tricky, and narrowing down your choices to the ones you can actually afford can be even trickier! Above are some of the stones I chose to use for Part I of Paradiso, with many of the larger stones saved for Part II. Part I will be noticeably heavier on the necklace and charm side because I felt like those really needed to be available in the early part of summer since I feel they are more suited to summer outfits, with more rings coming at the advent of fall. Below are some of the stones that will be included in Part II.

FINDING THE SILHOUETTE

THE HARDEST PART (FOR ME)

The thing about putting a new collection out with a new inspiration and moodboard every season is that there has to be some kind of continuity between seasons to make it all feel like the same brand. But it can't be so similar that it's predictable and monotonous. I really struggled at first to fight my instinct to put every stone in our signature cathedral setting. For the first ring I made for the collection (the square tourmaline at the top in the photo above), I did just that. I knew that the cathedral was best for that stone in order to allow in as much light as possible, but as I was carving it, I felt that I wanted the other, more organically shaped stones to have more organically shaped settings. But I had never really done an organic or sculptural carving before so I had no idea what that would look like for Palm Sunday.

When I'm lost or not sure what to do, like in this situation, I always refer back to my inspiration images. What information can I find there that can lead me in the right direction? I consulted the images below to find answers.

And this is the shape I discovered:

BUILDING OUT THE COLLECTION

I always think about rings first and then use those designs and stones to help inform what the rest of the collection needs in terms of necklaces, charms, pendants, earrings, etc. This collection was probably the most fun I've ever had designing non-ring things. I found myself wanting to make rings less and less, being pulled towards beading or inventing new versions of tassels and chain. I had so much fun making vessels and fountains, each one a little different with it's own personality. I had me feeling the way I did back before I even knew how to make rings, it felt more like play.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

You'll have to wait a few more days to see it all come together! I haven't had a chance yet to take a "class photo" of Paradiso Pt. I, but I'll post it and email it once I do. And if I get all of the pricing done ahead of Wednesday, I'll send that info along as well!

Remember, the collection releases at 6pm ET on Wednesday, June 18th.