Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist July 2017

from the editor IT’S DARK AND TEEMING outside, and my backyard is flooding as never before. The cold, drenching rains and dusky mid-day skies make it seem more like late November than early April, but there’s hope. Summer craft fairs will soon start up. I close my eyes and picture festive, sunlit aisles of exquisite handmade wares and, in my head, hear the excited murmurs of visitors eagerly seeing what’s new. Every show season has its attraction: the tremendous variety and buzz of holiday shopping; stocking up after the holidays at winter wholesale events; the circuit starting again in spring when you can try out new ideas and still have time to tweak before the next holiday rush. The flavor of summer at its best is equally distinct: outdoors, warm and bright,…

NEXT TIME: Lexi Erickson’s Blue Cloud Drusy Pendant Roger Halas’s Sterling Silver and Blue Zircon Dolphin Cuff Bobbi Maw’s Eye of the Hurricane Crystal and Wire Pendant Riff on the design of any of these pieces or any other pieces within this issue, using a design feature such as color, texture, form, value, line, space, repetition, balance, contrast, unity, or variety for your sketch. Please indicate which piece your entry is based on. Sketch a setting for this faceted zircon stone from Smokin’ Stones, page 30. DEADLINES: JULY 31, 2017 Email digital scans at 300 DPI or send photocopies of no more than three sketches per challenge, indicating the design factor that is your starting point. Sketches will not be returned. WRITE TO US ANYTIME: What do you think about what you’ve seen and read in Lapidary Journal…

from the editor IT’S DARK AND TEEMING outside, and my backyard is flooding as never before. The cold, drenching rains and dusky mid-day skies make it seem more like late November than early April, but there’s hope. Summer craft fairs will soon start up. I close my eyes and picture festive, sunlit aisles of exquisite handmade wares and, in my head, hear the excited murmurs of visitors eagerly seeing what’s new. Every show season has its attraction: the tremendous variety and buzz of holiday shopping; stocking up after the holidays at winter wholesale events; the circuit starting again in spring when you can try out new ideas and still have time to tweak before the next holiday rush. The flavor of summer at its best is equally distinct: outdoors, warm…

This is an absolutely wonderful magazine — I have been subscribing for a very long time, and I feel that it just gets better and better. For one thing, it has something for everyone from beginners to advanced jewelry makers, including business advice for marketing and, most importantly, information on how to make jewelry easier and better. I am amazed at the tips and advice that your experts are willing to share with the world. You have really transformed this magazine into a most valuable tool. I will continue subscribing even though I am not currently making much jewelry. I intend to in the future, and I want to learn all that is available from the magazine and its contributors. I've been meaning to write for a very long time.…

BOBBI MAW’S Larimar Necklace Larimar, chalcedony, Swarovski crystals, beads, gold wire “Those Who Can, Teach” Page 44 “ Eye of the Hurricane Crystal and Wire Pendant” Page 56 DENNY WONG’S Mermaid Pendant 14K yellow gold, Tahitian pearl Trends Page 24 HELEN SERRAS HERMAN’S Dragon Fishes Necklace Australian variscite, 14K gold, chrysoprase beads Trends Page 24 KIEU PHAM GRAY’S Box Ring Sterling silver “Those Who Can, Teach” Page 44 “Earring Jackets” Page 50 WANT TO BECOME AN LJJA CONTRIBUTOR? Contributors’ guidelines for print or online publication can be found at www.interweave.com/jewelry KIM ST. JEAN’S Pendant Sterling silver sheet and wire, turquoise “Those Who Can, Teach” Page 44 Bezel Set Cabochon and Leather Wrap Bracelet Page 64 MICHELLE BRENNAN’S Eye of the Beholder Pendant Silver and copper jump rings, crystal focal bead “Amethyst Bar and Stainless Steel Byzantine Chain” Page 72 GRANT ROBINSON’S Horse Push Puppet 18K yellow gold, blue agate, onyx, pearl “Pearl Chime Kinetic Pendant” Page 28 LEXI ERICKSON’S Thulite and Reticulated Silver Earrings Thulite, silver, copper “Blue…

NEXT TIME: Lexi Erickson’s Blue Cloud Drusy Pendant Roger Halas’s Sterling Silver and Blue Zircon Dolphin Cuff Bobbi Maw’s Eye of the Hurricane Crystal and Wire Pendant Riff on the design of any of these pieces or any other pieces within this issue, using a design feature such as color, texture, form, value, line, space, repetition, balance, contrast, unity, or variety for your sketch. Please indicate which piece your entry is based on. Sketch a setting for this faceted zircon stone from Smokin’ Stones, page 30. DEADLINES: JULY 31, 2017 Email digital scans at 300 DPI or send photocopies of no more than three sketches per challenge, indicating the design factor that is your starting point. Sketches will not be returned. WRITE TO US ANYTIME: What do you think about…