Etsy Shop for secondsister

Zuni Zinnia Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:43 -0500

$38.00
The silver smiths of the Zuni tribe like to use lapis. They are known for their amazing inlay work and needlepoint pieces.

Slab earrings are a Navajo style of earring that I really like. I found these wonderful slabs of lapis and topped them with my signature zinnia stamped flower on copper. The ear wires are sterling silver.

Although these earrings weren't made in Zuni style, they are lapis and have a true rustic look like old tribe pieces.

They are 1 1/4 " long and almost 3/4" at the widest point.

Mrs Brown Ring

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:43 -0500

$130.00
In 1866, Queen Victoria developed a curious relationship with a Scottish servant of her household named John Brown. Brown had been in service to the Queen for several years as a horse attendant, but in the mid-1860s Victoria came to look upon him not so much as a servant, but as a close friend. Brown was a Scottish highlander who was proud of his heritage. Furthermore, he was rough and informal in his manners, drank frequently, and had a thick Scottish accent. His treatment of the Queen was often surprisingly casual, an attitude which shocked those who saw them together. He was overheard calling her "woman" on at least one occasion.

The Queen, however, adored Brown and spent hours at a time with him. She soon gave him control of her household. In July 1867, the Queen was scheduled to watch a military review in Hyde Park, but her appearance was canceled by her ministers after she had insisted that Brown stand by her side during the event. The royal children came to resent his closeness to their mother especially during the Queen's illness in 1870 when Brown was permitted to see her, and her own children were not. Much gossip surrounded their unusual relationship. Some Britons began to refer to the queen, jokingly, as "Mrs. Brown".

The coin I used to make this ring is an 1866 twenty cent piece, printed in Hong Kong during the British rule. It is 25mm in diameter across the top. Three pink sapphires adorn the underside of the ring totaling .75 carats. The band is 8mm wide at the thinnest point. This is a one-of-a-kind and is a size 7.

Rick Rack Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:43 -0500

$28.00
I've always liked rick rack. I have a large collection of different colors and sizes. I just love the zig zag pattern. This is a little rick rack necklace is made of turquoise and malachite stones. It is very delicate, yet the colors are bold and fun.

The chain is oxidized silver and 16" long.

Lunar New Year Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:42 -0500

$98.00
Last year I made a necklace in celebration of Chinese New Year, so I decided to start a new tradition and I made another one this year. This is the year of the rat, however, I decided to stick with using a dragon because, after all, it is had to find a nice looking rat. Not that there is anything wrong with rats. My husband is a rat (in the zodiac sense only).

This dragon is carved into a large piece (1 5/8" X 2 1/8") of brown serpentine. It is signed on the back with a leaf by the artist. The silver disk on the leather clasp is the symbol of long life. I used only semiprecious stones and knotted them for extra strength. It is an asymmetrical design with the clasp on the side. It is 17 1/2" long.

In case you were wondering:
The Rat (鼠) was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is an animal associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order, yet also associated with death, war, the occult, pestilence, and atrocities.

Cherry Blossom Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:42 -0500

$12.00
Hand painted ceramic bead
Button closure
16"

Out on a Wire Ring

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:42 -0500

$100.00
Three midnight blue sapphires are suspended on a wire.

Size 6

The Orchardist's Wife Bracelet

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:42 -0500

$89.00
I have often thought that after the harvest must be a wonderful time for a farmer's wife, allowing that the harvest is good. It must feel as if you have your family back.
This bracelet celebrates harvest and the wonderful fading art of orchard farming.

It is 8" long but can be adjusted if need be.

Botswanian Agate
Smokey Quartz
Carnelian
Red adventurine
Gold-Filled components

Homesteader Earrings-On Sale

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:42 -0500

$25.00
Oh, how I wish I had bought more of these beads.

The mine is currently closed down and tied up in probate court so this beautiful turquoise is getting very hard to find.

When Sacred Buffalo turquoise was first discovered in the Dry Creek Mine on the Shoshone Indian Reservation near Battle Mountain, Nevada in 1993, the miners weren't actually sure what it was. This "turquoise" was harder than they expected. After it was assayed, though, their suspicions were confirmed: it was, in fact, turquoise. It was not until 1996, however, that the now-famous Sacred Buffalo / Dry Creek turquoise was finally made into jewelry.

Sacred Buffalo turquoise is one of the few turquoises crafted completely in its natural state. It is not treated or color enhanced.

Were $35

These earrings are 2" long.

Indian Anna Ring

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:41 -0500

$125.00
I often wonder about the travels old coins have seen. How many hands have they touched? In seventy years, did this anna lay in some dark drawer or was it carried around in pockets and purses? Coins, like people, seem to get their character by coming into contact with many people. They may become dented and scratched along the way, but they are also polish and softened.

An Anna was a currency unit formerly used in India, equal to 1/16 rupee. It was subdivided into 4 Paise or 12 Pies (thus there were 64 paise in a rupee and 192 pies). The term belonged to the Muslim monetary system. The Anna is not commonly used since India decimalised its currency in 1957.

I handstamped the band to this ring with the word "luck" in the center. May this old coin live a new life atop your finger and bring you luck.

This is a substanital ring. It is a size 9+ and is 1 1/2" in diameter across the top. I am unsure what metal was used to make this coin.

Eighty Four Charing Cross Road Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:41 -0500

$198.00
Named after one of my all time favorite books, these earrings feature gorgeous briolettes of London blue topaz and midnight blue sapphire.

Ranch Hand Bracelet

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:41 -0500

$32.00
This one's all foot loose and fancy free. It's rugged and girly and most of all eye catching.

This one's for the cowgirls out there. Or, for the cowgirl at heart.

This bracelet is one long piece of leather which wraps around three times to create a layered bracelet. It can also be worn as a necklace.

It will fit almost any wrist.

Desert in Bloom Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:06 -0500

$45.00
My husband's family has their roots in the West. His ancestors were Native American with names like "Shot in the Eye". I gather they were a motley crew but had an aesthetic eye for the fine art of silver smithing. The entire family, including myself, like to buy, wear and goggle Indian jewelry. There are a few squash blossom pieces that have been passed down, but for the most part the things I have I bought in the last 10 years or so. A trip to Sedona usually sets me back more than I want to mention here, so I started making my own pieces similar to the things I have seen. These earrings are a product of I trip I took to Sedona not too long ago.
The rust colored stones are hessonite garnet and the turquoise is a vivid sky blue with no matrix from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona.

They are 1 3/4 inches long.

Farmer's Wife Bracelet

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:06 -0500

$68.00
How difficult it must be to live in China as a farmer's wife. By all accounts, it is a very toilsome life. The labor is non-stop, nutrition is lacking and illiteracy is the norm.

I see grace in the rural women of China. They may be tied down by the confines of their domestic duties, but surely as they work shoulder to shoulder with other women, they laugh, they create, they sympathize and grow. There is beauty in that.

This bracelet features a drilled jade endless knot bead. The endless knot is a symbol of Buddah's continual widom and love.

It is 7 1/2" long.

Rainy Days and Mondays Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$80.00
What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.
-The Carpenters

When I was little, my older sister had the Carpenters "Saturday" vinyl record. I swear she played that thing until I felt so depressed I couldn't stand it. I ended up hiding it from her and when she finally located it (slid between our dresser drawers) the Carpenters had lost their luster. She moved on to hair bands.

The funny thing is, I really like the song now. Call it nostalgia.

This quirky little necklace is just shy of 17". I used a myriad of stones to create it. The cloud was made out of pmc silver. The "rain drops" are blue topaz and blue/green sapphire. The stones on the chain are aquamarine and apatite.

Canyon Ranch

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$26.00
My husband's family has their roots in the West. His ancestors were Native American with names like "Shot in the Eye". I gather they were a motley crew but had an aesthetic eye for the fine art of silver smithing. The entire family, including myself, like to buy, wear and goggle Indian jewelry. There are a few squash blossom pieces that have been passed down, but for the most part the things I have I bought in the last 10 years or so. A trip to Sedona usually sets me back more than I want to mention here, so I started making my own pieces similar to the things I have seen.

My favorite combination is turquoise and coral together. I think the colors really set each other off and are very eye catching. I knew I had to work leather into these earrings somehow. I think they turned out great.

They are almost 2 inches long.

Carlsbad Flower Fields Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$28.00
Every year from about March through May, the flower fields in my hometown of Carlsbad spring into full bloom. They are situated on a large hill overlooking the ocean. It is truly breathtaking to walk amongst the fields during this time. How can one not pay tribute?

These earring are entirely handmade (like all my jewelry) and trimmed with cherry quartz and apple jade. They will make you feel happy when you wear them.

They are 1 1/4 inches long and about 3/4 inches wide.

Wine Makers Necklace-On Sale

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$32.00
Five little red wine garnets fall between the collarbones on this delicate necklace. I knotted them with rust colored hessonite garnets on yellow silk. This necklace is all about the richness of the harvest and celebrating the season.

It is 17" long. Sorry no resizing. The clasp is a gold filled toggle.

Was $45

Dandelion Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$135.00
Mrs. M. Grieve, author of A Modern Herbal, had this to say about dandelions:

"Small birds are very fond of the seeds of the Dandelion and pigs devour the whole plant greedily. Goats will eat it, but sheep and cattle do not care for it, though it is said to increase the milk of cows when eaten by them. Horses refuse to touch this plant, not appreciating its bitter juice. It is valuable food for rabbits and may be given them from April to September forming excellent food in spring and at breeding seasons in particular.

The young leaves of the Dandelion make an agreeable and wholesome addition to spring salads and are often eaten on the Continent, especially in France. The full-grown leaves should not be taken, being too bitter, but the young leaves, especially if blanched, make an excellent salad, either alone or in combination with other plants, lettuce, shallot tops or chives."

I'm guessing she's English. Dandelions are so common, and at times noxious, that their beauty and usefulness is often overlooked.

This necklace is entire handmade and sparkling with sapphires.

It is one-of-a-kind and 16" long.

This necklace was extremely hard to photograph. I didn't get a good one of the entire necklace. There are more stones flanking a spring ring clasp. If you are interested, convo me and I'll try to get a shot of the back of the necklace.

Lady Gouldian Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$68.00
Don't let the name fool you, Lady Gouldians can be males too. They are finches. Beautiful little gems of the animal kingdom. I love the idea of owning finches. In fact, I went as far as buying a darling little cage. But the fact is, I don't really want to have to take care of finches. Maybe when I become very rich I will hire someone to take care of my birds for me.

The name Gouldian was given to them by John Gould in memory of his late wife.

These earrings are bright and feisty, just like Lady Gouldians. They are 2" long.

Peruvian Princess Bracelet

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:05 -0500

$50.00
A golden bowl covered the face of a 1,500-year-old mummy discovered in a pyramid in Peru. The mummy, of a woman believed to have died in her 20s, is remarkably preserved, and the body is ornately tattooed on the arms, legs, and feet. The enormous mummy bundle contained ceremonial war clubs, 23 spear throwers and the remains of a teenage girl who had been sacrificed, leading archaeologists to wonder if she could be the first known female ruler from the Moche culture.
What is of interest to me though, is that she was also buried with LOTS of jewelry. Gold jewelry.

I love the look of 24k gold vermeil against cool Peruvian opal.

This bracelet is 7 1/4 inches long and absolutely gorgeous!

North Shore Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:04 -0500

$15.00
Come on surfer girl, you know this necklace is screaming your name.

16" long with vintage glass beads.

Plum Partridge Necklace

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:04 -0500

$165.00
Plum Partridge. Sounds sort of like Christmas, but it's not. This bird is my third and favorite of the series I am making. Purple is my signature color.

Percy (that's what I named him) is 2" tail to beak and 1" around the waist. He likes ripe figs and going out on Saturday night.

This necklace is 16" long, however it can be lengthened.

Naamita Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:04 -0500

$88.00
In college I had a roommate named Naamita. She came from India to study architecture at an American University. She was a tiny thing, only weighing around ninety pounds. She had raven black hair and large expressive eyes that she lined with coal pencil. I seldom saw her without a bindi on her forehead and her collection of saris was stunning. She was a cultural experience unto herself.

We lost touch after I moved out of the dorms. I often wonder where she is today. Did she go back to India? Did she get a job here in America? These earrings are in honor of her and the wonderful culture she embraced.

They are 2" long. I used both gold filled and gold vermeil components. The briolette in the center is a natural emerald, the rest of the green stones are tsavorite, a relatively uncommon from of garnet.

Maharani Earrings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:04 -0500

$185.00
Maharani is the female equivalent of Mahārāja. In other words, a maharani is either the wife of a king, or a queen in her own right.

These earrings are most defiantly royal in nature. I think they look like old Hollywood glamour and National Geographic all rolled into one great pair of earrings.

They are almost 2 1/2" long. I started these earring with the color combination in mind. I searched high and low for the exact color of poppy pearl and London blue topaz. The topaz is AAA grade and absolutely stunning.

They are the second installment in my "Blooming India" collection.

The components are 24 carat gold vermeil.

Hippy Hippy Shake Bracelet-On Sale

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 -0500

$24.00
After making this bracelet, I looked at it and thought- my word this piece looks like it is straight out of Woodstock! I think the butterfly has a real 70s look to it and any jewelry made out of wood hearkens back to the first time bell bottoms were in. If you have a little hippy in ya, this one's for you.

It is 7 1/2" long.

Blue Lagoon- On Sale

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 -0500

$12.00
This is a fun eye catching necklace. The pendant was made by a good friend of mine (see picture left) in her home studio. I really love the fresh color combination of this piece. I knotted cobalt blue glass beads onto silk. I really enjoy knotting. It's kind of like knitting for jewelers.

This necklace is 16" long. Sorry, I can't remake this one. It is one-of-a-kind!

On sale from $25 to $12.

Cousteaus Creature Necklace

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 -0500

$165.00
"Below the thunders of the upper deep,
Far far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth"
-Tennyson

Probably no legendary sea monster was as horrifying as the Kraken. According to stories this huge, many armed, creature could reach as high as the top of a sailing ship's main mast. A kraken would attack a ship by wrapping their arms around the hull and capsizing it. The crew would drown or be eaten by the monster.

This octopus is named Jacque. His father heralded from Spanish seas, but his mother was French, and she named him after her grandfather who used to tell her stories of Captian Nemo and his fanciful adventures. Jacque has never attacked a ship. In fact, he is quite shy owning to his slight lisp. He likes oysters on the half shell and siestas at noon. He is a little over 2" long and 1 1/2" wide.

This necklace is entirely hand fabricated and made in honor of Jacque Cousteau and his surreal vison of ocean life.
It is 17" long.

Chinese Dowry Bracelet

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 -0500

$110.00
In Chinese culture, as with other cultures, it has been martial custom for the bride's family to offer a dowry.
A bride's dowry is mainly interior ornaments or daily necessities. Of course, wealthy parents always had the option of throwing in some real estate or couple of servant girls...

Items commonly found in a dowry:
-jewelry
-1 pair of chopsticks to indicate "fast son";
-2 bowls tied up with red string which is called "sons and grandsons bowls";
-toilet kettle;
-bed spread and pillows and quilt embroidered with dragon-phoenix design;
-scissors and ruler; wallet and belt,
-sliced candy;
-tea sets including tea pot, tea cups and tea tray;
-clothe wrapped together with cypress leaves,
-lotus seeds,
-lucky money (Li Shi),
-dried fruit such as dragon eyes

I created this double bracelet as a symbol of double happiness held together with a lotus bloom which stands for purity. I used a padparadscha in the center of the lotus and while tiny pink coral and peridot beads dangle from the bracelets.

Each bangle is 2 1/2" in diameter.

Winter Sparrow Earrings

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 -0500

$28.00
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Secondsister Winter Collection: Scrapologie

For this collection I tried where ever possible to use vintage costume pieces that were broken or otherwise useless. I clipped and twisted and glued until I shaped each piece into something beautiful. I was shooting for old Hollywood glamour and I think I achieved just that.

One of the main components in this collection is silk ribbon. The ribbon I used was cut from old parachutes, then dyed to create some of the most luxurious embellishments I've ever seen.

Russian Mandala Earrings