Cool Stones

Cyber Monday Modern Organic Primitve Jewelry Sale

2011-11-28T07:37:00.000-08:00

While everyone sees Christmas as a time to buy gifts for others I see it also as a time to encourage and reward oneself for all the efforts one has made during the past year and the trek one still has to ~~fight~~ struggle through during this madhouse season.

Reward thyself!!
40% Off entire site
code: REWARD40
11/28-12/4

Sale

Up Coming Shows - Sample Sale

2011-07-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

After not doing shows for more then 3 years I'm starting to do some again. These shows will determine if I will get back to doing shows as a regular part of my business. I've never liked the stress of doing shows or the long set up time due to my large inventory but I need to do them to move samples. I'll have samples going back many years at these shows and everything will be at sample prices (substantial discounts). So if there are items you've got your eye on I'll probably have samples of them. Come say hi.

Los Feliz Village Street Fair
Sunday July 24, 2011

Malibu Arts Festival
July 30 and 31, 2011

Abbot Kinney Festival
Sunday September 25, 2011

Extra Special

2011-05-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Of course I love all my babies. I wouldn't have created anything I didn't love...but you know there is always one or two that is extra special to me in each collection. Ones that if they never left home I'd be fine with it. I like knowing that they nestle close to me in the drawer while I work. Ones that if they ever left home I'd pretend I barely knew them and didn't love them any extra. Here is one of those. Below is one of those from this Seascape collection. There is something special about this little rock with a perfect white rosette perched on it. Can you imagine happening upon this specimen in nature? The matte silver pronged setting is soft and undemanding too but not lacking in interest and intelligence.
Sterllarite Seascape Ring

Hmm, maybe I should do an Extra Special Don't Leave Home series from now on...

Collection Archives 2004 and 2005 part II

2011-05-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

These are the last of the contact sheets I made. I didn't make one of these with most collections. Here are 2004 and 2005. Click to enlarge.

2004 Spring

2005 Fall

Collection Archives 2004 and 2005

2011-05-03T18:43:00.000-07:00

I was just organizing and deleting files in the large and unwieldy ads/graphics folder because I realize I was afraid to open it due to the frustration and confusion of past attempts. I came across many contact sheets and other ads/graphics pages of designs I had forgotten I made. I remember how much I was into each one of these groups and collections. I see how ideas had naturally worked through their courses over the years and collections. I will be posting some of these past work. Click to enlarge.

2004

2005

A Tumbler Page For Me

2011-05-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

I started a Tumblr page to display the collages I put together for Anne Maa Designs banners, business cards, postcards and the like. I make these because I need to but it's good that I enjoy making them now. Ray's photos of my work are amazing and magazine quality to say the least. Go look and you'll know what I mean.
AnneMaaDesigns.tumblr.com/

Spring Collection - Which One?

2011-04-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

The site is pretty much done with the Seascape Collection. I am not decided on the home page picture. Here are some options. What do you think?

SeaScape Spring Collection

2011-03-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is a pendant from the upcoming new collection. The beautiful zeolite specimen is backed with a cratered sterling back and threaded with a dot and line sterling chain. I love this piece. I can see this growing somewhere in the ocean or forest.

First Peek at New Collection

2011-03-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

This collection has a theme like all my other collections. I don't usually know the theme until the collection is well underway and the common thread is obvious. This collection is called Sea Scape. Here is one ring from SeaScape. This is a vibrant yellow orange fan shaped Stilbite set in a cast sterling two finger ring. It's a fun piece. Primitive + organic growth. Make sure you are on our mailing list to be notified of it's release.

Sample Sale 50% Off

2011-03-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Our first ever sample sale will start tomorrow for newsletter subscribers and will be open to the public starting 3/24. The entire site will be half off the regular price. There will be one of each item (samples) available in most styles except a few styles will have more then one. The samples are what we used in the photo shoot and to base the production on so likely it will be the exact one you see in the photo. Sizes are limited. Our new collection is scheduled for a shoot and I'd like to clear the store for it's debut. This is a super deal.

The coupon code is 'SampleSale' at checkout. Sale runs from March 22 to April 1.

Geode Ring

Raw Citrine Chunk Necklace

Blue Topaz Decay Ring

Raw Amethyst Chunk Cocktail Ring

Anne Maa Designs Sample Sale

Work In Progress

2011-02-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Deep in the middle of this collection. The possessed obsessed process of designing and making a collection has always been something I've loved and feared. Love the intensity and drive of it and fear the exact same. Not comforting to not have a say in your own life. Only comforting part of this is knowing it ends when it's exhausted.

Here are 2 shots of part of the collection. These were taken so I can match the wax sculptures to the stones once they are cast in sterling if I forget. I also had to refrain from using all the rock specimens in this collection and mentally group the stones into different cohesive collections for future seasons. Editing is a discipline I'm constantly aware I have to keep a handle on. I so admire a tight and well curated collection

With the coming of a new collection there will be a sale of the present collection first. Sign up for our rarely seen NEWSLETTER to be notified of the sale and release of the new collection.

Back

2011-02-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

Back. From the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and in other ways too, I think. Got lots of raw gems and rough chunky rocks. This is my first time at the Tucson show looking at this category of goods. The previous years there I always hunted semi-precious gemstones and beads and findings. This is like a whole different world. No less in size and completely extensive. Below is a picture of one flat of Cactus Quartz, or Amethyst Cactus, or Amethyst Drusy.

Custom Sculpted Sterling Rings

2010-12-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

Here are two custom sterling rings made first in wax then cast in sterling. They are in sizes 2.5 and 3 for a eleven and thirteen year olds. These designs allow for play without worrying about damaging the ring and also allow for future size adjustment for the growing finger. To make a simple design interesting I made the continuous band thick and thin, round and flat.

Simple, Modern and Primitive Quartz Rings

2010-11-17T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have a thing with quartz. I love them clear, embedded, raw or with things protruding from them. I have a love affair with anything clear and see through like ice or glass. Here are some of the many quartz I have collected and set in simple, modern, sculptural and primitive designs.

DENDRITIC QUARTZ RING

Lost Treasure Primitive Rutilated Quartz Ring

Bronze Sculpture II

2010-09-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've updated. Many things have happened and changed in the mean time. Looking at my last entry, I feel like picking up right on the same topic so I took a few more pictures of the same collection of bronze and would like to post more of them here.

This is a difficult piece to photograph due to the fact that it is hard to understand what this looks like in two dimensional photos unless you see it in a series of shots or in a video. It looks very different from angle to angle. This is conceived as a piece of sculpture to go in the garden to be discovered if you pay attention to rocks and stones. It is easily blended in with dirt, rocks, plants and other organic matters. To be used in this way it would be displayed convexed side up with the ridges and spikes facing up. It's other use is as a planter or pot with the concaved side up. Drainage holes are built in with the cracks at the bottom. It can also be a display bowl to hold items on a table or shelve.

I was interested in exploring the medium of metal, bronze in this case, but not using it in the traditional way it is used in which it looks like bronze. I wanted the metal to look and behave as clay, ceramic, or wax. I wanted this piece to look like it could be make out of one of those materials. It looks dry and cracked on the bottom and you can see where chunks of material are piled on and pressed but not smoothed or blended in which one doesn't usually see in a bronze sculpture. I don't believe a material should or can only be used as the way it's commonly used. It seems pointless and an useless exercise to continue to produce what a factory can easily produce.

This organic and almost alive piece measures approximately 5" long and 4" wide with a height of 3". I can only guess that the weight is 5 lbs since the only scales I have are for grams and oz.

Bronze Sculpture I

2009-10-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe this blog should be named Cool Stones and Hot Metals. This is one of my bronze castings. I sculpt in primitive styles because I love it. I continue to sculpt in this style because that's my only capacity when it comes to working with my hands. Yes, I'm very limited. Good thing is, I'm not interested in looking at perfect facsimile of a person or animal cast in bronze. There are plenty of people who can do that well. Just look at all the garden sculptures and you'll see what I mean. I want to look at an artist's interpretation of something. Interpretations often involve personal experiences, twisted translations, passionate opinions and tainted glasses.

New Collection

2009-10-20T18:07:00.001-07:00

This is not a large collection but is a tight collection. I have also edited out some pieces from the existing collection so the whole set is more stream lined.

As always, the green stone ends up my favorite ones to look at. This one is the Slice of Green Ring with a stalactite slice of green agate and quartz. Nature doesn't get much prettier then this!

New Collection

Biggest Sale Ever

2009-09-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

We're having our biggest sale ever right now. Enjoy 40% off the entire present collection with the exception of the wire wrapped, wire-band rings. Those are just too difficult. Believe it or not, those are the most dreaded, most hand hurting things to make. Many people do wire wrapped rings, but aside from one other designer, mine stand alone. They are also part of what I'm known for but I've been phasing them out for the last 3 or 4 collections. Lovely as they are, I've grown so much since I first started the wire wrapped rings that they don't look part of the collections any more nor do I see any desirable gems that I've not used yet. With the new collection coming out there will be even less of these rings offered.

The sale of 40% off will run through Sept. 18. Take advantage of it because it's a rare thing!

Anne Maa Designs Sale

New Design Geode Earrings

2009-06-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

Although my favorite piece of jewelry has been the ring... every day rings, cocktail rings, and bold, modern, sculptural, in your face rings, I want to break from the ring to post a pair of earrings from the new collection. Continuing on the path of raw and rough stones is the split geode earrings. There are a few pairs of these earrings in this collection, all added the last minute. This is due to my late discovery of a new source for them. I was only going to choose a few sets of the geodes but ended up with quite a bit more. "Why not?", I discovered, seems to always be my motto when faced with tempting choices. I guess it's ok since I am rarely moved by many stones anymore. Good thing I don't like sweets...I can only imagine where that would lead me...

Here are some split, polished sets of tiny geodes clutched in matte sterling just as organic as the rocks are. I like the back almost as much as the front.

*New 2011 collection coming soon with more styles of geode earrings.

Geode Earrings with Drusy Center
wire wrapped geode earrings

New Collection Lapis Lazuli Ring

2009-05-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

This is another ring from the new collection soon to be released. This is a perfect half geode of lapis lazuli of intense blue with a star burst in the center. I have both halves of the geode was was saving the set for a pair of earrings with 22k gold when I unintentionally sculpted the ring base for this ring. Being the impulsive, spur-the-moment person that I am, I decided to cast the ring. I would have preferred 22k or 24k gold with this intense blue but this coil design satisfy enough of my desire to see lapis in ancient treasure settings...anything ancient Egyptian or Chinese.

Raw geode lapis lazuli, Rough gemstone organic ring. Hand sculpted cast sterling.

Preview New. Sale of Old

2009-05-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

A collection is gathering and a date for the photo shoot has been set. It is an uneven collection with mostly rings, a few necklaces and no bracelets and earrings so far. I might leave it this way. I think only what I truly love and am naturally inspired to do should go in my collections. And when I can, I try to balance the collection out.

A sample sale is coming before the new Spring Summer Collection arrives. As always, Newsletter subscribers get advanced notice of the sale before it goes public.

Here is a peek at one of the new pieces...Amethyst Stalactite Tip Ring. A light amethyst stalactite tip wrapped in hand sculpted wax then cast in sterling with all the imperfections and finger prints. Sterling is left in a soft matte satin finish for the organic look.

LAVENDER AMETHYST TIP RING

What's Been My Problem

2009-02-16T20:17:00.001-08:00

I've not gone this long without putting out a collection before and it does not feel right. It also doesn't feel right to not grow or progress with each collection I put out thus the stand still. I have been discouraged by the lack of improvements of a situation and the obstacles I can not seem to get past. It would be easy to put out a sell-able and understandable collection if it didn't feel so pointless to me. Why add to what's already out there.

If I insist on what I would like to do then it might be a while before I can put forth anything at all. I think I might to do a mini suite for now with what I can access. I know it might feel like somewhat of a stand still collection but hopefully I'm just more critical of my own work.

I see that I've been breaking my own rule of providing pictures of with each post. I've dug up some OLD designs of the past. I think it's appropriate to post them since we will be at a stand still mode. I think these are from 2004.

Pre Holiday Sale Coming

2008-11-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

A sale in time for the holidays will be announced soon. Newsletter subscribers always get first dibs and exclusive deals so if you are not on our list you can sign up here. This is your chance to get what you really want for Christmas!

Ruby, Pyrite and MOP Suite

2008-09-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Aside from the Kyanite suite and the Amethyst Geode Suite there is the Burmese Ruby, Pyrite and MOP suite. These rubies are different then what's been available on the market. They are Simple Cut, which is one of my favorite shapes, especially for a traditional stone like ruby. They are also a bit more milky in color which I was surprised to find I liked so much. Now pyrite, here's a stone that I've never had much affection for but fell in love with in these old fashion shapes with it's worn, decrepit looks. They also looked so good with the off looking rubies. Then there's these antiqued looking mother of pearl beads I've had from the beginning of my jewelry career. I was very attracted to their raw and unearthed treasure appearance and understood why they were so much more expensive then all the other MOP strands I've seen. I've been keeping them for a special use. With the Burmese rubies and decrepit pyrite they are perfect.

Sliced Amethyst Geode Suite

2008-08-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

These amethyst geodes are sliced to show the different layers. Since I relate everything to food I see them as bacon slices or watermelon slices. They are wire wrapped horizontally or vertically and suspended on chains like perfect specimens. It is the best way to display these delicious, translucent jelly candies.

Amethyst Geode Slice Necklace

Kyanite Suite

2008-06-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

There are a few suites in this recent collection that were unexpected and it turns out I really like them. Two of these suites were last minute additions. I was just cruising a trade show with nothing in mind and saw someone carrying a tray with some of these stones. The combination of colors set off a spark in me so I stopped to take a look and it ended up with me getting stones that are not usually of interest to me. I've not been a fan of kyanite because most of the kyanite (blue and green) I see are full of inclusions with a dry and faded look and I'm all about lush and rich. These kyanite slabs were not only beautifully rich but also shaped uniquely with the holes drilled in an unexpected way. The usual way being through the thickness of the stone. Seeing these immediately gave me flashes of how they'd look finished but in an abstract, none exact way. Actually, it was a feeling of how I would feel when I looked at the finished piece. This is what usually happens when I'm inspired by the stone. Then I go chasing that feeling by putting together the right ingredients in the right way.

Here are the kyanite pieces. They are really amazing to feel and stroke in one's hand because their shapes suggest that they should be metal, like a dog tag but they are translucent with streaks running through them.

New Look

2008-06-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's not that I liked the way my blog looked before. I am just entirely not fluent in html or code or anything technical so I had to put up with the least offensive template I could find. It's not that I'm entirely happy with the way it looks now but I am glad to have thought to go into the template and start making up numbers in the color code area. I compared these color code numbers with Photoshop but of course those are not the same color codes so I just input random numbers and chose from there. One day I know I will end up with the clean, modern and non-sterile look I want. In the meantime, I think I like these strange colors together. For now.

Sample Sale Vintage Anne Maa

2008-06-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am finally tackling the project I knew was inevitable...going through and deciding what to do with all the samples from past collections. I mean real past, as in 2004 when I first started. I designed two collections with glass beads before moving to gemstone beads. I have a special attachment to those early collections when I don't usually like to even look at past designs much. I think making jewelry felt magical to me then. I really stumbled on to it by accident. It was confusing, exciting and full of possibilities and I had no idea where it was going to lead. My fashion design past life gave me the structure of thinking I needed to put out collections. It also kept the idea of selling to friends and family completely foreign to me. I started to learn how to use a computer (didn't know how to turn it on or off, or what a browser was) and also learn how to type so I can sell online, which was the only place I wanted to sell. I loved to be anonymous and not deal with real people. I still feel the same way and I'm glad I don't feel lonely in my work in that respect.

I've slowly started to put some pieces in a new Etsy store. I'm realizing I can't just hoard those samples forever and there's no reason to do so either. I've been 'shedding' in many ways in my life at this point and find that I don't need or want much now. It's a freeing place to be...though it is a lot of work to 'shed' sometimes.

Here are some designs from the early collections. These will be listed or may already listed.

I never thought of having a store on Etsy but now I have two. I can't say how long these stores will last. They might start to feel too tied down for me or I might find them too tedious to upkeep. For now here they are:

Sample sale - www.AMDsamplesale.etsy.com

Supplies - www.AMD.etsy.com

Faux Bone Ring

2008-05-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted. One of the reasons is that I just couldn't readily remember my sign in information and didn't want to have to think that hard. Silly, I know, but such is my life.

I had meant to post pictures of a ring I bought many months ago but somehow never got to it. It is the only piece of jewelry I felt the urge to buy since I started designing jewelry almost 5 years ago. I used to always collect and wear jewelry passionately and then it all ceased when I started designing them. I just lost the need to own and possess them once they were made. I felt free! It felt really good to not be hoarding and lusting after jewelry anymore. But soon I realized I had transferred that obsession to gemstones. I knew that appetite would be insatiable and damaging but had to walk down that road anyway. I knew my self too well to try to stop an obsession. Well, now I'm over the gemstone hoarding too and it feels good. Empty...but good. I don't see another obsession coming on but we will have to wait and see.

Anyway, back to the ring I bought. It is a ring carved out of faux bone and the surface is pitted with small pock marks and colored inky blue. I was instantly in love with it when I saw it. The artist is Emily Watson and she is a talented multimedia artist. She was kind enough to send me these pictures of the ring I bought so I can show them here. I just love the sculptural quality of this ring and look at it all the time on my finger when I drive (that's when my hand is resting in front of me for a length of time)...although it is probably not a good idea to not keep my eye on traffic. This ring is so ME!

New Collection Launched

2008-04-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

Most new items are in Limited Edition.
Lots of new Necklaces and Earrings to match.
Of course there is Metal.
There's no new bracelets but all available Bracelets are on sale right now.
I always like to put together a Home Page that looks good.

Hope you like.

Spring Collection -Modern Rutilated Quartz Ring

2008-04-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

The new collection has been shot and will launch in a week or so. This is the first time we had to use a black background for one of the rings. I've resisted this for a long time but finally had to give in. This is a one time deal...I hope. I had no choice since this gorgeous ring was very unphotogenic on white background. Here is how this rutilated quartz ring look on black.

Spring Collection - Bronze Rutilated Quartz Ring

2008-03-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

The Photo shoot has been delayed so I'm posting another ring. This is a gorgeous reddish bronze hair rutilated quartz in a simple cut. It was not intended for a ring I'm sure but I just had to. This is a GOOD SIZE ring and not for the timid. The band is tilt-able and can also be stringed on a sterling chain and worn as a necklace.

Again, I have to let you know that certain styles go fast when the collection is released so sign up for the newsletter for first dibs. I hate to see disappointed customers.

Spring Collection - Quartz with Tourmaline Ring

2008-03-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is another new ring in the upcoming spring collection. This is a rough piece of quartz embedded with tourmaline. The back was left open for light to pass through. I never know how a piece would turn out exactly. I go in with an idea and an fuzzy image of the finished product and see how things work out, which is the main excitement for me. I love how this one turned out.

Newsletter gets you notification of Spring Collection release.

Spring Collection - Lemon Quartz Ring

2008-03-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

he Spring Collection is pretty much finished though I have more interesting materials that have not been used yet. Maybe I should save them for the next collection since this collection is already full of interesting items. One of my main areas that needs discipline is in keeping the collection at a manageable and reasonable number of pieces. Sometimes it's not good to just indulge one's whim.

This is one of the rings I'll have in the new collection. The lemon quartz is a unique shape. It is both modern and classic. It reminds me of a graphic drawing of a traditional diamond shape.

Lemon Quartz Ring - modern and organic

Dark Lemon Citrine!

2008-02-22T17:13:00.000-08:00

I am pretty much done with beads (stones with drill hole). I don't see much new or different gemstones out there to excite or inspire. I rarely go to trade shows for supplies anymore. I went today to look for a non-bead gemstone for a wedding ring request. I didn't see anything close to what I was looking for but came home with this strand of beads that caught my eye. It was almost the equivalent of my mortgage, in southern California! I had to have it...I knew it the whole time I was pretending I was just going to look at it, to play with it and put it back. I'm so glad this happens way less often then it used to.

Feast your eyes...3/4" dark lemon citrine simple cut gems! Huge, clear and modern. I can't stop looking at it!

I wont need the whole strand but will have to wait a season or two before I can put it up in my Etsy shop. I wonder if anyone will pay what I paid for this. This is exactly my weakness.

18K 3 Ring Set

2008-02-21T16:49:00.000-08:00

I just finished a custom ring set and want to share it with you here. I will make an effort to start photographing the custom work I do. I am finding that I have no reference photos when I need them.

This is a 3 ring set like the sterling ones but in 18k gold. I love how it looks...warm, matte and natural, like it grew that way.

Jewelry Supplies, Gemstones for Sale

2008-02-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

I finally did it. I did two things that I dreaded. I'm finally starting to sell off some of my loot from my hoarding days. I opened a store on Etsy which was dread #1. I'm not good at learning new tech stuff. I also started the endless task of photographing, editing, and uploading with all the tedious product details. That was dread #2. I'm glad to have started and now find them not to be so hard. I do have so much of everything it's a bit defeating to think about it. It'll have to be a side thing but I will keep at it when I 'm able.

If you are in the market for stones, clasps, findings and chains then you might want to take a look at what I've hand picked for myself but never got to. Things will be about wholesale prices, which was what I paid. Some were purchased before the silver price hike of late so you might be getting a even better deal.

www.AMD.etsy.com

Truth Be Told...

2008-02-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the support on the previous post. It helps greatly to be understood.

I can't wait to see his other copies of my rings when I see him next. Actually, I can guess how they will look, given the techniques they use.

For some twisted reason I bought a few of his amethyst rings. I'm not sure why but maybe I wanted to get in on the sell knock off game too...just so I'm not a victim. I'd be the ultimate un-victim if I sold my own knock offs. Sick, I know.

Alright then, where can I sell these rings is the next thing I need to figure out.

Knocked Off Again

2008-01-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Getting knocked off is a fact of life, I keep telling my kids when they complain of being copied by each other in their art work. I tell them there's no way of preventing it and not much can be done about it. I tell them to see it as a 'good' thing...their art is good enough to 'inspire' others. They don't seem to buy that much though.

I come across lots of this in my work too. I don't get as steamed as most people I know when this happens. I am actually flattered most of the time, aside from feeling disgusted, that is. Another thing that happened besides getting knocked off is appearing on eBay as a fake. A seller posted a wire wrapped ring and claimed it was an Anne Maa Design designer ring and included a link to my site. I showed it to my kids to prove this happens to adults in the real world too. That didn't seem to help in lessening their frustration when it happens to them either.

Recently the supplier I've been getting my raw chunky stones from for my last 2 collections proudly showed me the ring he had made in his native Uruguay. It was a knock off of my ring (the stone were from him) that I showed him months before. Since I was very picky and specific on the stones and what I needed them for only a small amount of what he supplied met my requirements so I was instructing him on what type of stone I was looking for. He went on to ask if I'd mind if he made my Amethyst Stalactite Ring and sold them in other states so as not to take business from me. Sadly, my understanding of how these things worked made me not bother to put up a fight. Also knowing that the knock off would not be something I'd buy and that there's nothing I can do if he were to do it behind my back. I told him to go ahead. My comfort in a situation like this is always that I will be onto my next thing in no time. I am already done with the designs he is copying.

Here is his copy of my ring. The one he saw and knocked off was the cast ring with prongs that was not online and I didn't take pictures of it before it was sold.

I am currently working on the Spring Collection and and having lots of fun exploring new areas.

Sale and New Collection

2008-01-15T17:07:00.001-08:00

The sale is underway so sign up for the Newsletter for the link before it goes public.

Of course the Newsletter after that will be the one announcing Spring Collection. Don't miss it! I have something very different still. I seem to be moving forward faster then I planned. Now I have lots of unused materials left. I need acquire in a more conservative way if I can't stay put long enough to use them up. Hard lesson to learn for me.

Design Inspiration

2007-11-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

I am itching to start the next collection although this is NOT the right time. I am also trying to finish some interview questions from a Japanese fashion website. I used to ramble on a bit more about my thoughts on design then I have recently. Since I'm lazy I will post some of my answers here. Answering these questions make me realize I am very much of an 'unplanned' type of person. It seems I purposely not think about how to go about things. I just let things happen and follow my first instinct and reaction and see where they lead me. I used to not be like this. Probably as I get older I find that I don't need to control things or have controlled situations anymore. It does feel freer and I feel good about being truer to myself.

Here is a part of the interview that relates to spontaneity. The question is 'What is your greatest inspiration when you design'.

My inspiration come from the materials I happen to use. The materials I use is what I happen to see and fall in love with. It’s all very unplanned and I have no idea where the next collection will be until it hits me. I know this is probably not the way most designers work but I love working this way. I have complete faith that it will be good in the way that I will love it. The suspense and surprise of the future is what feeds me.

Rough Chunky Amethyst Ring

2007-10-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is a good chunk on the finger. The weigh and size feels very nice on the hand. It's a combo technique of lost wax sculpting and wire wrapping. I love the silver and gold look. My Tag Heuer has the silver/gold look too which fits nicely with all jewelry.

Here are 2 different rings of the same style. I did a prong and clutch ring using the same amethyst geode chunk but it was sold before I had any pictures taken.

Simple and Modern Quartz Ring

2007-10-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

I don't remember what this quartz is called. It was a long name so it didn't register in my brain at the time. I was too busy to write it down of course. I love the nostalgic 'pond growth' embedded in the quartz. So picture perfect. The second ring is golden hair rutilated quartz. I have a weakness for modern and simple cuts of stones.

Found the name of the first quartz: Dendritic Quartz.

A Peek at the Back

2007-10-14T21:46:00.002-07:00

I am much more in love with the back view of these rings then the front. I love the organic, botanical and sea organism qualities of the sculpted sterling. The first ring is clutching ammonite and the second is raw ruby.

Raw Chunk of Citrine for Your Finger

2007-10-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

A good chunk of raw citrine encased in sculpted sterling. It's not really visible in the photo but there are holes in the sterling that shows the the bottom of the citrine. This is not a ring for the timid, no! I'm usually a muti-ringer but this ring and the Ruby Ball Ring are made to be the ONLY ring on the hand.

Sliced Stalactite Clutch Ring

2007-10-06T17:43:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite new pieces - a slice of stalactite clutched with sculpted sterling. Each one of these ring bases had to be made of wax to fit the particular stone it holds then cast in sterling. Most attempts are successful though not all.

Next Collection

2007-09-22T21:36:00.001-07:00

Yay! My next collection is pretty much done. Given the process of it all it will be at least a month for them to be online. Too bad. I want to see photos right now!

I have lots and lots of really special rings this time. It's been a wild ride doing them...almost scary. I don't know if other jewelry designers feel this way but I don't have complete control over how they end up. I pick up a stone or wax and have a vague idea what I will do with it and it just happens on auto mode from there until it's done. I've been working feverishly in the studio and 9 hours can go by in a blink. I just about have no time to spare for eating because my studio time is so precious. Before I know it I have to come back to the real world. I do have lots to show for my time spent in the studio. I am very pleased with the different new ideas in this collection...very satisfying and meaty for sure.

I want to post this Rutilated Quartz Long Ring because I miss it. It sold too soon. This is a piece of rare cut and look. It has a curve on one side and a cylindrical cut on the other side not to mention the taper at 2 ends. It is quartz embedded with golden 'straws'. It is a stone, but maybe because of it's strange and unique cut, felt like a piece of Lucite to me. It was surreal to hold because the knowledge of what it was didn't match the feel of it. I didn't know what I would do with it when I bought it and because it wasn't a bead I had to think of a different construction for it. This seemly simple treatment was not easy to achieve due to it's slipperiness. This was again one of those things that started with a vague idea and just went off on it's own till it was done. I miss it and wish I can see it again so here it is...for my sake.

New Work

2007-08-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am very glad the Metal Collection has been well received. I wasn't sure if it would be too different then my present customer base. I've had to make more of some of the styles in Limited Editions even though that was not my original intent. I was foolish enough to put some of those limited items in ads that won't be out till later just because I loved the pictures. Some items had been made many times over already just to keep them available for the ad releases. There is a limit though and I think I've reached it...I have made my last batch and will not do anymore. It's just not easy and no fun to 'copy'.

I don't much expect to find any exciting gems anymore but I was full of inspiration upon seeing these new stones recently. Of course I had to drop everything else to try out my new designs. I only have very few completed since I have to squeeze them in between regular work. Others are at different stages of wax or investment or still waiting to be started. My vision for these rough rocks and fossils are thinly rounded silver talons clutching them with the ring band being equally thin and rounded ropes or noodles. I realize this sounds silly as I am typing it but it is what I see in my head. I think Medusa and her surroundings when I shape the waxes for these.

Excuse me for posting this bad picture. I just didn't want to have to wait another month or more to put up good pictures. This is a slice of Amethyst Stalactite. It is rarer then diamonds in nature.

3 Ring Set

2007-07-17T21:20:00.001-07:00

These 3 rings really belong together. They are not what you'd imagine on the finger. They don't stack together but rather stay apart leaving the negative spaces of your finger between each ring which really looks neat with the melted thick and thin bumps. Of course you can also wear the the rings on separate fingers for a different look.

Love the organic softness of this Metal collection. You'll have to excuse me, I'm still in the honeymoon stage of this collection.

Aquamarine Swirl Bracelet

2007-06-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

This bracelet with wrapped aquamarine is a one and only. There's a lot of that in lost wax casting unless I make a mold which I'm too impatient to do most of the time. The fun for me is in seeing the finished piece and once I do I lose the interest in working further on that piece. I had expected this for this first stage of my venture into lost wax. I also know I will get over this stage and mature into something else so I treasure this fleeting period.
I love how this bracelet reminds me of those chained tags that come on I can't remember what...brandy bottles or something? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Maybe I imagined it. I find that I sometimes have imagined memories. Scary!

Strange but Well Fitting Rings

2007-06-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

It turns out there are lots of one-of-a kind pieces in this new collection. I didn't mean to produce a collection that I can't reproduce but due to different reasons it ended up this way. There are always pieces I don't want to see sold so I'm debating which pieces to list and which pieces not to list. This really doesn't make sense because I don't have the need to wear them. I only want to have them around so I can look and play with them. I keep seeing this image of myself sitting on a pile, yes, I mean a mountain, of my jewelry and refusing to sell them. My pet peeve is things not fitting well. This was the case when I designed clothes too. Although many new rings look 'strange' they are really comfortable to wear. Many are made to be worn a certain way for looks and fit. Below are some examples of these rings.

New and First

2007-06-16T23:43:00.001-07:00

Not done with the photo shoot yet but I will post one pair of earrings. This is my new work with casting. I am very much attracted to the organic, modern, sculptural and imprecise look of the collection. Maybe it's not a good idea leaving my finger prints all over my pieces...it might just come back to haunt me later.

New Designs Almost Here

2007-05-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy spending time with my new love. It is like being in love...meeting a new passion...it occupies my thoughts and free time. You will soon see the fruit of that love. I guess I can call it my baby?

Many styles of the current collection are sold out by now and I will not be making more of them. I will need the room for new designs. That said, I still love my translucent Jade and Sterling Bracelet. It reminds me of cubes of jello or wax. There's also lots of gorgeous matte sterling on this bracelet.

Hot Ice?

2007-03-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

This is the set in this collection I really, really like. Rock crystal and sterling is cool and icy but rock crystal and vermeil(22k gold over sterling) is HOT. Hot and glamorous. This set has an airy elegance to it and wears and feels wonderful on.

Appreciation

2007-03-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

Of all the people who helped me get to where I am now I have to say a special thanks to Sharon. She is the one who keeps everything in line and online for me. I've only mentioned her once before and that's almost 2 years ago. Couldn't do anything without you Sharon!

This is a very special apatite. Special in clarity and color. I wish I had more of this apatite in different shapes and sizes.

5 Things You Don't Know

2007-02-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since I was tagged by Rickina to list 5 things about myself that is not know by most. I also found out by accident that I was tagged for the same by One Blue Chocolate. Finally got to it...

Had a coffee house so I could drink cappuccino and stay up all night hanging with friends and listen to live music.

Hate alarm clocks and broke many flinging them.

Don't like dairy...chess, ice cream...or wheat products, bread, pasta.

Summer is my winter, winter is my summer. I hide inside all summer and plan outings in the fall, winter and spring.

You can't get me to show up at a function without food.

Here is an image to accompany this post. Frosty step cut prehnite earrings.

New Collection 2007

2007-02-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

Whew, seemed like it wasn't gonna happen there for a while but I finally started the next collection and finished it with a photo shoot yesterday. I kept the collection small since I tend to overwhelm people with choices. It was a bit of teeth pulling at first working on new designs but I was surprised to find myself right back in the 'love' of it before long. This should last for the next few months while I pursue the skills I need to work on what I think I want to do.

I wish to express my gratitude for all the support and encouragement I've received. With my choice of conducting my business via the internet I have the freedom of working the hours I prefer and the peace of not 'dealing' with too many people. With that also comes the 'all alone in my own world' which I love and need but it sure helps to know I'm not just out here floating on my own! Thanks!

I'm still editing images but want to post these first. These are moonstone rings in simple cut nuggets, one of my favorite shapes.

Samples From the Past

2007-01-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

While I haven't been really 'working' I've been organizing and found some old designs from collections past. I 'lose' or 'forget' stuff all the time. Being a visual person, what is outta sight is really outta mind. Some go back awhile...even to glass beads where I first started. I will post a sample sale of these items on 1/24 to newsletter subscribers first, then open it to the public on 1/26. I am still fond of some of these designs. Having been a major jewelry hoarder in my previous life, I am constantly surprised by my lack of need to keep any jewelry for myself at all. Thank the Lord the spell has been broken!

The 2 Flower Necklace is made of very interesting glass beads and seed beads. I have the earrings somewhere but don't feel like looking.

The 2 Flower Necklace is made of very interesting glass beads and seed beads. I have the earrings somewhere but don't feel like looking.

This is one of my all time favorite designs. A mother of pearl disk with woven metallic seed beads. I have so many samples that this one is not posted on sale. Maybe I will post it.

Where From Here?

2007-01-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

Aside from the inherent busyness of the holiday season that kept me from posting, there is another reason that kept me from posting after most of the orders have been shipped.

For the first time, I don't know where to go from here. I usually have only too much to pull from as far as designs and inspiration. I don't have designer's block but rather a directional block.

Due to my impatience and over flowing of ideas, I've gone through a lot of design and material growth in the last 2 years with much waste. I pretty much don't have any desire to revisit what was done. I even got over my constant searching and (over)buying of new gemstones...now nothing much is new to me. Passion and excitement has always been what feeds my drive and I'm scared to follow my next drive. I don't have what it takes to go there...goldsmithing in the ancient style. I don't have the time to take the classes that I don't know where they're offered. Nor do I have the space to set up that kind of shop. Of course the other obstacle is that it is such a different market then what I have carved out that I will likely alienate my following now.

I am hoping something will click in my thinking that will present a path I can travel down. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see what I come up with for the next collection as I have NO visions for the first time. Hmm, that might be an interesting brand new approach to doing a new collection...we will see. I can always jump to my other passion before I was consumed by my accidental run-in with beads...plants!

Shape of the Future

2006-12-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

I have a thing about earring hooks. Seems I can barely tolerated the manufactured ear wires of any kind anymore. I don't think that one has to make everything or that bought parts are evil or anything. I just need to have the ear wire be very much a part of the whole look of the earrings. Many of my earrings are designed to accommodate the ear wire, either that or I come up with the shape best for the stone. Now and then there is a design that needs the traditional ear wire but I think it's inevitable that in the future I go down the path of metal fabrication even though I don't have the time for classes or the space to house the equipment. To me the shape of the wire make or breaks the style of the earrings.

Here are some favorite handcrafted ear wire shapes at the moment.

Cocktail Rings with a Vintage Angle

2006-11-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

I find myself attached(briefly)to certain styles. I'm usually only entertained by most things for a short time. Right now I just love the Matte Jade Ring and Lemon Quartz Nugget Ring. They both are a bit surreal and remind me of vintage Lucite or celluloid. Even the shapes of these stones are vintage. And where else but in vintage pieces is one going to find stones used standing up like these? I must say that the Matte Green Jade Ring is not for the timid. It is of a very good size stone and a bona fide cocktail ring that won't go un-noticed. It's muted matte green serves perfectly to understate it's size and shape. The scallop gold tip adds to it's vintage feeling. Just love them both!

Group Photos

2006-11-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

Just want to show you some group photos of the cross and metals and 18k and black diamonds. They look great layered with each other and with other necklaces in the collection. I like group shots. They look festive.

An Interview

2006-11-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

I always feel a bit naked with interviews but this one wasn't bad...it was actually fun!

Liana, who designs jewelry, has a fun and funky baby site coming soon, also has a lovely blog of interesting finds and interviews with indies designers. I think she should be interviewed for being so multi-talented!

Go to Mixed Plate Blog to read the interview and browse around to get good gift ideas too. There, you're not wasting your time...you're also working on your holiday shopping list.

The Quiet and Stylish

2006-10-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if people notice my 'quiet' pieces among the attention getters.

I think this because when I do shows people are always overwhelmed by the sheer number of designs I have. How I wish I can have one of those sparse displays where every pair of earring and necklace has it's own stand. Instead, I have custom designed and made displays and furniture that gets the most amount of product per inch of my space. My site is a lot more edited then my shows, but I still feel certain designs I love might not get equal air time, so I will just have to give them special mentions here.

These delicate but stunning 18k gold and black diamond necklaces and earrings are one of my very favorites. These petite diamonds sparkle amazingly. Everything is on a small and delicate scale, but you sure can't miss them despite their size. I imagine someone quality and classy whose style you can't miss wearing them. Red and high karat gold is a classic combination for me...natural as rain.

What I've Been Hiding

2006-10-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

The upcoming Holiday Collection will consists of some styles I've been designing but never put online. I realize I can't put everything up or the collection gets too large and confusing to navigate and hard for the customer to decide. Here I will post some of the styles that are not 'new' in this Holiday Collection.

This beloved Aquamarine Ring is one of my Stand Up rings.

Carnelian stand up ring.

Ametrine Rondell Ring is one of my One Row rings.

This aquamarine is one of the many Wire Swing Earrings.

There. That's the stash I've been hiding. Can't accuse of me of not sharing now.

First Glimpse of Holiday Collection

2006-10-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've been dying to put up pictures of what I've been designing, but had to wait for the shoot. Here is one of the first processed images. This is a Garnet Drusy with 24k gold on the back. It is teamed with mandarin garnet and vermeil beads. Talk about fall and holiday!

Back By Popular Demand

2006-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

First I have to apologize for the cheesy phrase. Then I have to say, "It's true!" The aquamarine wrapped pendent necklace was very popular before it sold out. I have more of the aquamarine nuggets now, but see it a bit differently then before, thus the new styling. I especially love the wrap of the bracelet looking like a net or cage on the stone. These earrings are also my favorite way of treating a nugget.

I am building up a very exciting mini collection and will be updating the site as soon as I can book a shoot and process the images. As always, many present styles will be retired. There will also be a sale before the new collection so sign up for the newsletter to get first dibs and notification of collection release.

Just so you know, this is best I can get my photos to look. Glad I don't have to make a living in photography.

24K Gold Dipped Earrings

2006-09-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

If I only had the time I'd love to do update the website with another collection. I may have to do that sometime. Things are fast selling out. I know it'd be easier if I just keep selling the same styles but I don't enjoy making too many of the same items, not to mention my favorite part of the business is the design part. If I win the lottery the first thing I'd do is have all things handled by very qualified people so I can sit in my studio ALL DAY designing. OF course I'd kissed the kids good night myself.

These make me happy every time I see them so I want to share them.

24k Dipped pine cones and turquoise.

Prehnite and apatite with 24k dipped oak leaves.

Ruby and 24k dipped kale leaves.

Hand faceted Aquamarine with olive leaves.

Caveman Jewelry?

2006-09-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Most of the time the pieces of my collection I personally love do not look like much on the website. Some other designs are always more photogenic or more showy. What I like are the more artistic and interesting concepts, the unique applications or the not often seen cuts of stones.

The style that fits the above mentioned in this new mini collection is this bronze rutilated quartz necklace and earring set. For some reason transparent gems with embedded stuff is just fascinating to me. It's like looking at marbles with different swirls of colors in them. That's just the stone part. The technique of this wrapping is difficult to say the least. A thin wire is looped through the same hole twice to achieve the look I wanted. It took forever due to the size of the hole and the wire not fitting through the 2nd time. I didn't want to go thinner on the wire due to durability issues. The stone 'wheel' is able to turn or spin, at least most of them. This technique seems like how a caveman would make jewelry if you think about it. I love the delicate, caveman and old fashioned(the filigree balls) look. This was actually made a while ago but I didn't feel the need to make them public.

Waterfall Necklaces

2006-09-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

Aside from the Golden Nature collection, there are 2 dramatic necklaces that are great for that V or plunging neckline dress that are worth mentioning. They both are bold but delicate and flow elegantly from the neck.

Ruby and delicate 14k gold filled chains.

Aqua quartz wrapped in sterling wire with a cascade of sterling chains.

New Mini Fall Collection

2006-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

A mini collection is coming soon. This collection is called Golden Nature and you'll see why when it debuts. Here is one shot from it. Ok, 2 shots. No, one. It's such a mini collection that 2 shots is a lot. Be notified by our Newsletter and get exclusive discounts.

A Nice Review

2006-08-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

I get reviewed but this is a really nice review. It's on a new blog called Mixed Plate Blog. Take a look and see the wonderful picks and musings by Liana of On A Friday. The blog is as smart and stylish as Liana's jewelry and accessories.

Here is her review:

That’s right, I said it. Another Sale. This is not just any sale, though. This sale is happening over at the Anne Maa Designs site.

Anne designs some of the most beautiful pieces of custom jewelry I have ever seen. The colors, stones and all the materials that she uses are chosen with care. Each piece is elegant, modern and fashion forward. She creates rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. There is even a limited editions area that you surely must see as well.

About that sale…Anne shared with me that her sale begins this evening. So how can you pass up a sale at Anne Maa Designs? Well, you just can’t. You shouldn’t. It will be great! Visit Anne now and you are certain to find that perfect jewelry accessory that you’ve been looking for and read her Cool Stones Blog to see what she’s up to!
Here are just SOME of my favorites (trust me - there are so many more!)…

Vacation in Italy

2006-08-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Let the pictures speak for me.

One of the 8 apartments in the villa that was entirely booked by us. The walls of some of the buildings are 4 feet thick.

A sculpture on the side of a building in Lucca, Tuscany.

Mary in mosaic on the side of a church wall.

A beautiful little church in Rome.

Sculpture

2006-07-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

I love these sculptural pieces of turquoise and chrysacola with vermeil.

Vacation

2006-07-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

On my way to Italy via Boston. We will be staying in a villa in Tuscany. Also planned is a trip to the Vatican which I look forward to. I've always had a thing for all the ceremonial pageantry of Catholicism, even before I knew there were different kinds of Christians. I've long had a fascination with crucifixes, frankincense, religious artifacts, triptychs, illuminated books/bibles, ornate carvings, rosaries, old ladies with black lace over their heads praying, catacombs... I can certainly use some Holy water sprinkled on me to cast out the demons. No more chaotic ideas coming out of my ears and hair standing on my head. I'll be back a new person with organized ideas.

I've also had to give in and design a sub collection last week. I've been trying to not design all the time and only when the market calls for it, but this one just erupted. It hurts somewhere to not let it out so I had to do it. I love it and can't wait to shoot it and post it; but it will have to wait till much later.

Let's see, I've posted all of the crosses and metals so I will show you shots of them layered.

Chill with Ice

2006-07-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is my winter. I don't go out for the baking sun, the crippling heat and the shadeless paths between the parking lot and the store. I don't do anything that requires me to be outside even a few minutes. I let the garden be neglected and fried and die as it will. After all, gardens die in the winter, don't they? I wish I can hibernate till the chill of fall arrives. A tall glass of iced something is always glued to my hand, even as I type, the drips are seeping down the keyboard. The only things I can even bear to set eyes on are ice in glass. That and of course, these:

You Can Knock Off But You Can't Catch Me

2006-06-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

People have always knocked me off, it's just how it is. When I designed clothes I saw almost my entire line knocked off once when I walked into a department store, among many other minor knock offs. I've been running into knock offs in my jewelry designs too.

People tend to end up with the same designs using similar materials and shapes and are influenced by the same trends, and it's perfectly natural. That is called collective conclusion, but that is not what I mean here. A while ago I happened on a site I had come across at the beginning of my jewelry designing career and thought to myself, if I could only end up like her with a professional looking site and nice looking jewelry I would have made it. In the mean time, I had gotten my name and style out there, and now I see a specific design of mine on her site. When a particular design and idea doesn't follow a line of thought that matches the rest of a cohesive collection I know it's a copy of another's design. That, and that it happens to look exactly like a set of mine. We are both in the same ads and on other sites, so I can see where the thread is. I was surprised at first, but I can't deny there was satisfaction too, in someone I thought was a respected designer being inspired by me enough to knock me off is a definitely a form of making it for me.

Recently a designer of another line told me the person she hired to make her jewelry for her copied her signature designs and started her own line with it. The woman is now in the same shows and market places competing with her. I had forgotten all this until I happened to see the knock off artist's blog and saw my almost exact words in a blog entry on her blog. I also came across a bracelet of hers while flipping through a magazine at the checkout line that is an exact copy of my bracelet from a previous collection. Wow. The un-inspired is really un-inspired!

My Rings, as mentioned before, have inspired countless people to do the same. It's understandable. They are irresistible even to me. As always, the knock offs continue to happen with regularity. My thought is, you can copy, but you can't keep up. I only have unlimited designs to draw from. I don't have the time to develop even my good designs completely before moving into the next design because I'm bored by then. I always respect a designer who has their own ideas, and you can see it clearly in their line. It's devoid of repeats of what's in everyone else's line. So go ahead and knock off, copy and wait for my next collection to make your next collection. With the jewelry market so saturated it really takes an inspired designer to stand out and make it in the long run.

Translucent Glow

2006-06-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here is another of my favorites right now, a translucent sea foam green chalcedony set.

Crosses and Metals IV

2006-06-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Just gotta do one more on Crosses and Metals. I love this latest set of golden gold and light blue together. Instead of posting individual images I thought I'd post one of my new banners so you can see them together.

New Rings

2006-05-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

Everyone must know by now that I LOVE RINGS. I like many per hand or just one good one. Many people are inspired by my rings and quite a few copy my designs but no one can do them like I do. Look around then look at my rings, my rings are neatly and tightly wrapped. Everything is done for the exact look I want to have, from the number of wraps for the band to the gauge of the wire used to the way the wire wraps around a stone to give it a bezel look or a pedestal look. The gold filled or sterling wire for each stone is chosen to best enhance the stone, not according to the popularity of the metal, in answering the question of why I don't design more rings with sterling.

New Designs Coming Soon

2006-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

Lots of new designs are coming.

I found the most amazing intense blue lapis. I love lapis only when they look this good. I also have a light blue turquoise with light tan matrix that is perfect for summer, or anytime. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of the collection release and exclusive discount.

Small peek of 2 designs below.

Stylehive

2006-04-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

There are many bookmarking websites out there but I think Stylehive is the best for us fashion/design people. I'm only interested if a site looks good and being a bookmarking site, the ease of marking and sorting is essential. I've done many such sites and I think this is the one I can live with long term.

Check it out:

http://www.stylehive.com

Check out my picks. I've got many very unique sites and images marked. I especially love some of the surreal jewelry.

http://www.stylehive.com/Anne

Here is a peek.

Metals and Crosses III

2006-04-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the last of the Metals and Crosses series for now. The first is Swiss Blue Topaz on old fashioned 14k gold filled chain with a vermeil metal of Mary. This looks great layered with other necklaces. The second is a Crackled Citrine 14k gold filled necklace with vermeil (sterling plated with 22k gold) beads measuring 47" with a 7" drop. Wear it doubled as shown or single with the right outfit for a dramatic look. This is also great layered with other necklaces in the collection. The third is a bronze freshwater pearl necklace with a vermeil 4 way cross used as a metal. This is stunning worn with the other two necklaces in the same suite. Next is a four strand necklace with sterling chains and pink shell pearls (cut out of shell instead of glass like other faux pearls. The larger the shell pearl the thicker the shell is required to make it. It is the best man made pearl base available due to the natural material's ability to hold a lustrous coating.) and sterling mother of pearl clasp with a sterling marcasite pendent. Very Edwardian and Rock at the same time. The last piece is a Hindu metal made of 18k gold on the front and backed with sterling. It's crocheted with red silk with 18k gold beads and clasp. It is called the Seven Sisters. I don't know the story of this Seven Sisters but many cultures have stories of Seven Sisters including the Chinese and Greek mythologies.

Petite 18K Earrings

2006-04-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

I like my jewelry bold or delicate, nothing in between. These are some of the new 18K gold earrings. The first is a pair of faceted Black Diamond earrings. They are delicate and sparkly. The next pair is Swiss Blue Topaz, followed by Pink Topaz. Though petite and delicate, they have movement and are definitely noticeable. 18K gold is perfect with these precious jewels.

Crosses and Metals II

2006-03-26T20:44:00.000-08:00

These are handmade fine silver(.999 silver content) crosses and metals. A special stamp was carved out of stone to stamp the top cross with INRI. All three crosses are in shapes I love but weren't able to find so I had to make them. If I can get myself to make molds of them I will be able to make more of these. If not, not. Love the white silver with ruby but can't wait to see them tarnished. I will not use chemicals to oxidize the sterling because I am not hip to the black silver look. It's patina I want here, not matte black metal. More crosses and metals to come.

Crosses and Metals

2006-03-21T07:55:00.000-08:00

I've always loved religious paraphernalias of all kinds. I have been wanting to do a line of rosary-esq jewelry for a while but was not able to find the kind of crosses and metals I wanted until now. Now I have old fashioned orthodox crosses, cheesy but serious looking blue enameled metals, marcasite sterling enameled metals, and beautiful 4 way crosses. Only a few from the collection are available online now.

New Spring Collection is Here

2006-03-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce some changes at Anne Maa Designs starting with this Spring Collection. It’s long been desired that there be a bit more design freedom with each collection as we grow and mature. With this new collection you will find design elements more exclusive and unique then before. Materials are used in abundance according to the need of the designs, more handmade parts and higher karat gold is used. All in all, lots of fun was had designing this collection, as we are one step closer to where we want to be.

This Watermelon Tourmaline 18k gold necklace, for example, is what we crave. The dry, matte look of the 18k gold chain is not on the reddish 18k side but a bit one the green side. It alone is worth possessing. The large slice of tourmaline is wrapped in delicately thin 18k gold wire. The look of the necklace is understated sophistication and quality. People who know, know.

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Watermelon 18K Earrings

2006-03-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

I've been knee deep in the Spring Collection. Takes so long because I just have to "do one more" before stopping. Within the main collection there are four sub-collections. These watermelon tourmaline chunky chip earrings belong in the 18k group. These are my favorite earrings for now. Very Organic.

Goodbye, Cloudy Sky

2006-02-23T21:03:00.000-08:00

This is not a newly acquired stone but a favorite one. I only have one strand of this Cloudy Sky Chalcedony and treasure it. I just need to know it's in my possession. Well, no longer for this half of the strand. This bracelet just got shipped to Shecky's Shop along with lots of brand new designs. Most of this shipment is from the Spring Collection which will debut soon.

Rings of Spring

2006-02-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hot off the shoot! Here are some of designs from the Spring Collection awaiting release.

Rough Aquamarine on 14k gold filled wire.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise wire wrapped ring that is part of a set.

More Spring Collection coming real soon.

Spotted by Trainspotting

2006-02-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

Trainspotter, a hip blog featuring cool items from independent artists and designers from around the world has posted these rings of mine. I feel honored as they truly have some unique picks.

Shecky's Retail Store NY

2006-01-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

I've just finished designing a special collection just for Shecky's new retail store in Soho, NYC, featuring 35 up and coming designers selling everything from clothes to handbags to home accessories . This collection, as with the Spring Collection, is a little different then what I've been doing. Expecting fashionistas and stylish chicks, I've designed 30+ pieces of a collection that is closer to what I'd like to end up designing. It's been great fun and very satisfying to have more freedom in design and materials. It will be better still when I take the next steps toward freedom in each of the up coming collections until I get to where I'd like to stay.

If you are in the area, do drop by Shecky's Shop at 489 Broome Street come Feb 15. Be sure to let me know how everything looks since I will not be there to see it.

Major Hoarding Here I come

2006-01-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

I have been so itching to start the Spring Collection since mid December. I do have new materials already but I am waiting until after the Tucson Major Buying Trip to officially start. I love and fear that annual trip for many reasons. It is such a big show (actually it's 30-40 major shows) with vendors and manufactures directly from around the world. The tents are so big that you don't realize you're in a tent at all. The shows spread throughout Tucson so that you really can't get a hotel room at a decent price if you can get a room at all. Overseas manufacturers ship massive quantities of goods over in large containers and use the containers as storage for what they can't fit in their booth space (many larger then most houses). What a sight it is to see huge piles of jewels and pearls like in Aladdin's caves.

You can be on your feet for the entire day, everyday, for days and only have seen a small part of what's there. Imagine a rock concert's crowd, bathroom lines, food prices, and shoving! All that plus price per carat/gram per type of stone memorization and negotiating. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Tucson takes in $5 million in sales tax alone. That's amazing considering most show transactions are tax free as they are wholesale deals. I do love all the energy of the shows and the prospect of discovering new gems and new shapes and cuts. I love seeing where the whole gemstone trend is going and what's hot in the coming year and discovering new vendors. I've become good friends with quite a few whom I can trust to tell me about certain processes of treating the stones and details on the cutting and manufacturing end of the stones I love. There is so much to see, buy and learn that it keeps me going beyond my normal physical limits.

At the end of the trip when I am completely spent (yes, monetary too) I am charged with the excitement of all the new materials and ideas for the Spring line that I've held back so long to design. No rest for the wicked, or obsessed, in this case.

Here are some of what I'll be looking out for in Tucson: Huge Apatite Nuggets and Champagne Citrine.

Peek of Spring

2005-12-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

I've been so into GOLD that I've neglected silver. No More. For the Spring Collection will include the Ice Collection. It will include many styles of faceted and smooth, clear and frosted, chunks and slices of Ice. Of course all with matte and shiny sculptural claps.

Hot Sellers

2005-11-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

Here is what's been hot: The Citrine Gold Wrapped Ring sells and sells. Other rings with jewel like stones similar to the citrine ring have been selling very well too. Those are frosty prehnite, amethyst, lemon topaz, and ruby. They look amazing on just about anyone. Most of those rings never make it to the website though I will try and get the lemon topaz ring back online as it is so breathtaking in its clarity and quality that anyone who likes that looks and tries it on can rarely walk away without it.

Of course the Crackled Citrine is almost all out. I am very glad yellow stones are selling for me. I love them, but they just never sold much till now. Another stone I keep getting and don't sell much is labradorite. A good quality labradorite is irresistible with the blue and green flashes, sometimes magenta and gold too. But, like the yellow stones, they are beginning to sell good too. I'm thrilled to have people like what I love!

Crackled Citrine

2005-11-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

This crackled shaded citrine has been flying out the door. The hoops give the earrings the right look. The necklace hangs down to the belly button as most of my new necklaces do since the debut of the Opulent Collection.

The Ring

2005-10-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Most of my designs have been toned down a bit. After all, they need to be wearable to most places by most people, just like what you see on the runway is not the same as what's in the stores. Now and then a bit of statement breaks through. This is just one of those items. Unless the right person sees it, I don't expect to sell it. Which is ok with me because I'm that right person! Now, if I can get a decent picture of my aquamarine stone age cutting tool ring I will post it. It doubles as a weapon.

Vintage Chic

2005-10-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a set just off the bench. The look here is what might be found in grandma's jewelry box. The rings were made with newly acquired stones but then more is needed to go with them hence the quick set. I sure hope my taking and posting bad pictures doesn't become a regular thing here but it's so convenient to post up to date designs.

Holiday Collection

2005-10-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

I have enough new designs for a whole new collection! I'm still on the Opulent kick but this time it's even more opulent. Lots of rubies of all shapes and sizes. Lots of quartz with golden and bronze needles. Lots of lush vermeil. Lots of long necklaces and necklaces good for doubling up with shorter ones. Gorgeous green garnet nuggets with gold. It's a bit more primal then refined this time, nevertheless lush and opulent, if not more. Too bad I won't get this new batch of designs online. It just takes tool much work and time to do so in this busy season. If you are around here then you might catch me at a show. My special love is rings so you will see lots of rings. One for every finger at least.

The ruby set below is only part of the new ruby items. It's more refined and delicate than the the rest of the new designs but ruby calls for it. It took awhile for me to finally decide to put this unprofessional photo up. I have a pet peeve about ugly photos. We'll see how long I can stand to look at this photo before taking it down.

Moonstone Like You Never Knew

2005-09-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Love these moonstones that come in soft warm gray, translucent cream, muted peach and reddish brown. These multi colored moonstones are all different shades yet look perfect together.