Monday, March 5, 2012

Blue Sail Studios fine silver jewelry by the sea collection.

Introducing Blue Sail Studios by the sea jewelry collection handmade organic rustic styling in fine silver. From ocean waves to starfish my new collection is underway.  Early stages at the moment but, it's moving forward which is the important part right?

I had a few different names in mind for jewelry line. I didn't want to pigeon hole myself if I decided to add different products all together in the future. Blue Sail Studios was in the top three but,  not my favorite. It was the name that came out on top of the opinion poll of trusted friends.


Simple starfish pendant.  Currently this has a piece of blue ribbon.

The difference between "fine" silver and "sterling" silver is that fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. Sterling is  92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% being composed of other metals. They may look the same, but fine silver is more "pure" and is, therefore, more costly and often considered more desirable than sterling silver.

Individually crafted by hand means even similar looking pieces are not exactly alike. 
 

Urchin pendant with CZ on 2mm black leather cord.

Unlike mass produced pieces these take time to craft. For example on the pendants below the bezels for the stones are hand formed. I think it's time for a big magnifier for those fine details.

I made the larger, heavier urchin pendant for my Mother.
Hope she will like it.

After refining, firing, scrubbing clean and tumbled for hours the piece receives a patina if desired.The part I like the least is the removing the patina solution to show the highlights.  It is so tedious.

I was given this small piece of pottery. 
It looks like Delft. I am not sure.what it is.
 I am pretty proud of this one.

Pottery and glass requires being fired in the kiln to test it first.  No sense in setting in the silver to have it shatter or in some cases completely change color or both.  I wanted to use some sea glass and the test firing completely changed the color of the glass.  A light aqua turned an icky yellow brown.  Blue turned rust. Pretty pale gray veins in aqua pottery just went poof, gone!  There went the designs I had planned.
 

Old world cross earrings with a light rust patina
like they were pulled from a ship's treasure.

Small scallop shells the wears the scars of the sea
hidden back bale.

Some of my pieces are fired twice.  I wasn't sure if the shell pendant would have a jump ring or hidden bale. I prefer the hidden bale even though it is more work.


Ocean waves pendant with hidden rope style handmade bale.
Black leather 2mm cord.

I craft with more of an organic, rustic look overall. I think it lends character and gives each piece it's own hand crafted just for you styling.

Seahorse pendant with background waves and
hidden bale.  Currently this is on a 18" 1.8 mm Rollo style chain.
I think it looks okay but a slightly finer chain may
be a better choice.

Art Nouveau style shell pendant.
I thought I would make something for myself.
 I do not know what I was thinking it is pretty hefty. 


There you have it. Should I keep making more?
What do you like or don't like?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

P.S. I am looking for a graphic artist to design the logo I have in mind.

20 comments:

gpc said...

They are all beautiful. REALLY love the waves!

sealaura said...

I love the rustic pieces so much! And I learned something about silver, very interesting. I love the Art nouveau shell, at first I thought it was an octopus!

rjerdee said...

Love the Old World cross earrings...how much are they?
It was nice that you photographed these with the starfish so that one gets a feeling for scale.

La Dolfina said...

Rita, everything is just gorgeous!!!!
You are so talented, so very talented my friend, for heaven's sake, keep going!!!
Everything you make is just stunning!!!!
XO

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your jewelry is really lovely, Rita! What an exciting venture! Love the new header, too!

WhiteWhispers2u said...

I think they are just fabulous! How fun a new adventure, try it out and see how it goes.I love all your creations~Cheers Kim

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

My favorites are the earrings, the waves and the sea horse pieces. I love silver jewelry.

Completely Coastal said...

I love the organic rustic look. They are all gorgeous..., the seahorse is my favorite!

Serendipitous Home said...

All your pieces are such beautiful works of art. I too especially love the sea horse.
Keep following your heart.

Privet and Holly said...

I think they are
all really lovely. I
am drawn to the
Urchin pendant with
the CZ stone; love it!
Good luck with your
newest venture. I spent
a day with Linda from
Itsy-Bits & Pieces, recently,
and we were both talking
about how successful you
have been with all of your
products and how HAPPY
both of us are for you!

xx Suzanne

Maria M. said...

I think these pieces are absolutely beautiful. They are whimsical and each one proves to be so unique -- every one a lovely find with such character. I love reading about your process -- it seems so delicate. I would definitely keep going with this -- your work is exquisite!

Jo Farmer said...

Very beautiful and stunning, especially the piece with the little slice of blue & white porcelain. Unique and very desirable work...

Jo x
Eliza Interiors & Design

trishie said...

Beautiful jewellery, i'm in love with the sea urchin pendant. And now i know what the difference is between fine silver and sterling silver. i always thought they were the same thing!

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

I love them all, but especially the starfish in the first piece, and the pendant with the delft pottery - very pretty!

Anonymous said...

LOVELY PICS:) I really like your blog...so much nice inspiration.
I wish you great sunny weekend:)

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)

Janna Renee said...

I LOVE THEM! They are absolutely gorgeous! I think the wave pendant is my favorite, and I think that you should make some more dainty starfish. I know there are a lot of starfish lovers out there!

Melissah from Coastal Style said...

Thanks for the birthday wishes - love all of these designs & I think it's a good name!
x
Melissah

Aloha Letterpress said...

Lovely new jewelry! I especially like the starfish and the one you made for your mother.

Kristin Peake Interiors said...

I absolutely adore all of the accessories, this jewelry is beautiful....the bags are fabulous! I can't wait to see more! Would love for you to check out my blog sometime too.
http://kristinpeakeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Leible said...

Ahhhh! I love all of these pieces! I must have some!! I'm headed to your Etsy shop right now to look around! <3 it! Keep making more!!

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