forgotten. . . . .

forgotten-dumortierite tourmaline and peridot 016
Originally uploaded by sarawestermark

Ever been walking in a garden at the end of summer and spot a neglected corner? You see in the corner the leaf from the vine that bloomed so spectacularly in the summer. Upon closer inspection the leaf is mottled with the characteristic holes left by a caterpillar. Its still beautiful though. Its almost as if the process of feeding the caterpillar has enhanced its beauty. With its missing pieces it is still functioning, it is still breathing, it is still eating. It is a brave survivor who gives a part of itself to another and does not apologize for anything.

Visit my etsy store to see more....

Etsy Front Page

Thanks to Sophie at duckduckgoose, I have a wonderful screen shot of my five minutes of etsy fame. Enjoy. I need to blog on my new favorite shop on etsy: pocomedio.

new brass leaves

I've been busy! Tonight I just listed these new organic brass earrings just listed on etsy! I love the look of the "gold" brass and the blackened sterling earwires. I'm really excited about this series. I can't wait to work on it some more this evening.

LEAF gets an update

Well lately I've had so much fun with my rolling mill and dried leaves that it has changed how I'm doing my copper leaves. My first version had a punch in the middle with the forged edges of the leaf. I used a high polish to make this leaf really shine.
Now, I cut the leaf shapes, roll them through the mill and then score them down the middle. Of course that is all the easy part! Then there is plenty of filing the edges and then sanding.

All the sanding has made my carpel tunnel begin to act up. So now I'm wearing some wrist guards. I suppose that I should quit typing too!

See my before and after pictures

New Mountain Series

Last week I went to the mountains to meet my EtsyMetal friends at a Gemshow in Ashville, North Carolina. I got some exquisite gemstone beads and loose stones that I am thrilled to get to use in my work. It was estatic to get to meet these metalsmiths in person and I really felt a sense of belonging being in their company.

I got to meet Danielle Miller from http://www.daniellejewelry.etsy.com, Maggie Joynt from http://www.maggiejs.etsy.com, and Beth Cyr from http://www.bcyrjewelry.etsy.com.

My husband asked if I took any pictures of the leaves, but I didn't need to take pictures because I was taking it all in and I knew that it would come out in my work. After the gem show, we went to eat and then I drove an hour away to Maggiejs store in Dillsboro, North Carolina. I am in love with this quaint little place and I must say that my heart aches to go back. Maggies store was artful and cosy and looked as if you took the mountains indoors.

It was a gruelling trip driving 6 hours there and driving back the next day at night took me over 12 hours. I had to nap a lot! One of the highlights on the way back was having a great waffle at a Waffle House somewhere in South Carolina smothered in butter and syrup.

These women are amazing artists and fine people. I am so blessed to have met them! Please check out their etsy stores for your holiday shopping!