Shades of Blue

I just spent the last week in Florida! How wonderful is that? It was business as usual with the work laptop and almost the entire jewelry inventory along for the ride, but somehow business is quite different with waves frothing on white sand and people you love all around you.
It's funny that I made so much blue-toned jewelry before going to Florida - I'm sure it was my subconscious anticipating the sea. The top lapis bracelet with two strands of lapis is a blue that mimics the dark blue of the ocean close to the horizon; the necklace (of Swarovski crystals entirely) has that clear turquoise that you see closer to the shore as does the bottom bracelet made of Peruvian blue opals. The two Swarovski starfish are just a nice bonus! The lampwork bracelet that you see immediately below is a bit of an anomaly, but still somehow seemed to fit into the sea/beach theme.




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Hair Stories: Make It Shine

Amerie, Porschla Coleman and Jessica White brighten the red carpet with ultra shiny tresses.

1. Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Conditioning Wrap & Set Lotion, $4.99, www.walgreens.com; 2. Phytospecific Beauty Styling Creme, $24, www.sephora.com; 3. Platinum Silkening Gloss by Kenra, $12.35, www.brightonbeautysupply.com; 4. Tui Hair Oil, by Carol's Daughter, $18, www.sephora.com; 5. Tui Jojoba & Shea Butter Sheen, $17, www.carolsdaughter.com; 6. Silken Seal Liquid Sheen by KeraCare, $18.70, www.thebeautyauthority.com; 7. Silk Finishing Gel by Mizani, 411.49, www.mountainbeautysupply.com; 8. Serious Shining Spray by Elucence, 48, www.curlmart.com

Black hair can be dull and lack natural shine compared with other ethnic groups, but that doesn’t have to become the story of our lives. Encourage a natural state of glow by regularly conditioning your hair. Just slather on a crème conditioner after washing your hair in the shower and leave it on for ten minutes. Remember to rinse your hair afterwards with cool water to close the hair cuticles. For a little extra gloss after styling, avoid products with mineral oils. If you see it listed as one of the top three ingredients run for the hills! Products with a high mineral oil content are purely cosmetic and just sit on top of the hair shaft instead of nourishing it – which should be the objective. If you like using a particular product with minerals oils be sure to wash (and condition) your hair once a week. Silky smooth hair is only a healthy regimen away!

Stephen LeBlanc Art Jewelry

What exactly is art jewelry? Some jewelry is just too beautiful and too unique to be called anything but art jewelry. Some of it is too precious and/or fragile to wear. And, to me at least, it also means that the piece is designed and handmade by the artist. To me, anyone who can take a sheet of precious metal, and or wire, and create a piece of jewelry from scratch, is a jewelry artist.



Stephen LeBlanc draws his inspiration from the natural world with his line of hand forged jewelry. By concentrating on the transitions within each form, edges become expanding planes and surfaces respond to one another. Each piece is created from one piece of material, which LeBlanc stretches and forms to its extreme limit of plasticity. All of his designs are offered in different metals, hence the different prices.





Ginkgo Necklace & Earrings

Hand forged from one piece of silver, this stunning anticlastic sterling neckpiece has a high-polished and matte finish, and lays gracefully around the neck and culminates into a perfect ginkgo leaf. Matching earrings have integrated ear wire.

$245 - $275



Stephen began working in metal in 1994, during his second semester at Skidmore College. After three semesters of metals classes, he left Skidmore after two years to move on to a more direct method of learning and studying with masters of the craft at Deer Isle and the Haystack Mountain School of Craft in Maine. He enrolled in a session of glassblowing, yet even in his glasswork he was incorporating metal. Following a month of glassblowing, he set up a metal shop - he needed to refine his work and understand why he was so drawn to metalwork.





Unfurling Silver Neckpiece & Earrings

A single hand-forged arc of silver gracefully unfurls through the artist's use of anticlastic raising. Contrasting matte and high-polished surfaces highlight this neckpiece and earring set's beautiful curves. Matching earrings have integrated ear wires.

$255 - $390



Anticlastic Raising is the process of forging a piece of metal so that it has opposite curvature at a given point. The metal is worked in a way that stretches the outside areas of the metal and creates a concave curve, while the center section of the metal is compressed and forced into a convex curve.





Mokume Gane & Anticlastic Twist Earrings

Using the ancient Japanese mokume-gane technique, LeBlanc forges palladium and 18K gold together into these exquisitely patterned earrings. Each earring is given its subtle twist through anticlastic raising. Also available in sterling silver with matte or polished finish.

$180 - $1625



Mokume Gane is Japanese for wood-grained metal - an ancient technique originally used to forge katana blades. Soft metals like copper and silver are pressed together, heated, and rolled to create the distinctive wood grain like pattern.



Artist Statement

Following a series of commissions and working in mediums including metals and wood, I was ready to try another avenue to expand my skills. This quest brought me to southern Maine, where I commenced classes at the Maine College of Art. It was there that my metals instructor suggested an apprenticeship at the Ronald Hayes Pearson Studio, and insisted that I apply. Soon after, I was off again to Deer Isle.



During my two years of apprenticeship at the Pearson studio I continued to expand my learning experiences in a variety of media. I explored blacksmithing at Haystack once as a student and the following year as a teaching assistant for master blacksmith Doug Wilson. Haystack Mountain School of Craft has become a foundation for both my art and my life, drawing me back to expand my horizons year after year.



Following my work with Doug Wilson, I was requested as a teaching assistant for master metalsmith Heikki Seppa; the Finnish creator of synclastic and anticlastic raising techniques with metals. I have been blessed with opportunities during my lifetime to learn from true masters of craft who have assisted me in refining my skills, while nurturing my passion for metals and fanning my creative flame.



My work incorporates the forms and essences of the natural world. In observing the interplay of form and function, my goal is to create work that draws people to explore this dynamic interplay. I do not strive to duplicate, but to integrate elements of these organic forms into each one of my pieces.



The medium of metal lends itself to developing these naturalistic forms with the durability and integrity afforded by hand wrought metal. I intend to grab the viewers' interest, to intrigue and coax them into taking a closer look to understand and explore the form.

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Omorovicza: From Budapest to your Face!

I feel like every time I go looking for a new skincare product, I end up spending hours reading boxes and testing-out various creams only to end-up buying from the same brands that I always do. I have such a hard time sorting through all the clutter, not to mention how easy it is to loose track of finding effective products when you’re faced with all that cute packaging!
Let me save you some time and effort -- next time you’re shopping for skincare, go straight for the Hungarian Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream and their Thermal Cleansing Balm.

Anyone who has been to Hungary knows that people there take their beauty regime VERY seriously. Like Parisians love their wine, Hungarians love their facials, so I’m scolding myself for not having discovered Omorovicza sooner!

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm ($102) is a black (how cool is that!?), very thick balm that clears congested pores and draws out impurities (think Neutrogena on Speed!) -- perfect for your nightly facial cleanse.



If you’re like me and have a lot of expression lines from smiling :) Or also like me, obsess over every little wrinkle you spot on your face! -- Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream ($260) is what you want to look for. It helps fill in both expression lines and wrinkles, giving your skin added evenness and a smoother texture. Best of all like the balm and the other 14 products in the Omorovicza skincare line, the Plumping Cream contains 22 minerals along with Vitamin C.

On a side note, the couple behind Omorovicza operates a luxury salon in Budapest where they have a reputation for giving the city's best facials..sometimes, I think, I could really use a private jet!

Jewelry Bargains at Ross-Simons

Ross-Simons, a trusted jeweler by over 4 million customers since 1952, offers a fabulous collection of jewelry that sets the standard for exquisite design. Their jewelry experts work hand-in-hand with artisans from around the world to bring you the most extraordinary styles at exceptional prices.





Multi-Gem Compass Ring In 14k Yellow Gold

Blue Topaz, Peridot, Amethyst, and Citrine around a 3.2 carat Citrine cabochon.

North, south, east and west: all points are colorfully covered with .75 ct.

Set in embossed 14k gold.

$199.75





Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings In 14k Yellow Gold

Freshwater pearls are housed safely in 14k yellow gold cages.

$106.25





14k Yellow Gold Graduated Wide Laser Cut Band

A wide band of 14k yellow gold with a contemporary edge.

Laser cuts create a modern hatch-work pattern.

Dimensions: 5/8"

$212.50





14k Yellow Gold Engraved Heart Locket

A graceful floral motif frames a pretty engraved heart on this heart-shaped locket.

On a fine 1 mm rope chain with spring-ring clasp.

Set in polished 14k yellow gold.

$165.75





Diamond Braided Band In 14k Yellow Gold

Luxe brushed-finish plait of 14k yellow gold.

Edged top and bottom with .10 ct. diamonds.

Band measures 1/2" in width.

$420.75





Multi-Gem Bangle Bracelet

4.10 ct Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Blue Topaz, and Garnet.

In multi-shaped bezels dot a textured vermeil bangle.

18k Gold-plated Sterling Silver.

Slip-on.

$85





Mother-Of-Pearl and Hammered Disc Earrings In 14k Yellow Gold

Plenty of glow with hammered 14k gold circles.

Mother-of-Pearl discs.

Hanging length: 5/8"

Clutch/posts backs.

$148.75





Yellow Gold Textured & Smooth Geometric Pendant

Bark-textured diamond shape drops from its glossy, curved counterpart.

Rope 1mm chain with spring-ring clasp.

Bold and graphic in 14k gold.

Fits chains up to 7mm.

Hanging length: 2 5/8"

$276.2575





14k Yellow Gold Fanned Oval Loop Earrings

Three loops of lustrous 14k yellow gold with a triple-ribbed clasp.

Hanging length 3/4"

Post closure.

$191.25





Tiger's Eye & 14k Yellow Gold Bar Bracelet

Polished bars of tiger's eye.

14k gold geometric links.

Box clasp.

$505.75





14k Gold Scroll Motif Dome Ring

Swirling scrolls sweep over this shimmering dome ring.

Ring measures just over 1/2" in width.

$212.50





14k Dot Detail Hoop Earrings

Velvety satin-finished hoops.

Bright polished dots.

Snap-bars.

3" long.

$199.75



Have a great week!

Maggie

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Green Day

Here's my casual Mother's Day attire for a lazy afternoon of lunch, shopping, and people watching in Santa Barbara. When the weather is cool and overcast as it was today, it inspires me to brighten up my day with bold colors such as the green in my jacket. To let the jacket take center stage, I wore accessories in neutral colors.

Floral printed tee - GO International, Target

Fringed scarf - Target

Cotton jacket - Charlotte Russe

Straight leg jeans - Rapsodia (Buenos Aires)

Boots - Mossimo

Patent handbag - Kohl's

Minty Feet

It’s almost embarrassing to say, but I have an aversion to mint to the point where I still use bubble gum toothpaste! That said, when wearing heels is part of your day-to-day life and summer is fast approaching, it’s definitely time to crank up the heat on your foot-care. Mint seems to be especially effective for foot creams (maybe because of the potent smell!?). I’ve tested out a few and one that seems to work well is Peppermint Foot Therapy The line is dedicated solely to feet products, so I figure they must mean business! (More after the jump!)
I tried their Exfoliating Foot Scrub and the Massaging Foot Butter (all their products come in uber-girly pink packaging), and loved the sandy texture (similar to St. Ives Apricot Scrub, for those who have tried that) and the smell was actually fairly mild and didn’t seep into my fingertips. The Foot Butter also contains Shea Butter which I’ve been obsessed with ever since first trying L’Occitane’s signature hand cream.

The one downside is that the creams are somewhat oily, so you have to rinse your feet once you’ve applied the product.



There’s also a men’s line -- I would suggest the Foot Deodorant stick if the man in your life isn’t as into his beauty regimen as you are – easy and effective!

Note that like all good things pink, a percentage of proceeds from the woman’s line are donated to the HBC Think Pink Program.