A beautiful morning for my beach walk….

It’s a beautiful morning today – the sun is shining so I took the camera and Moses for a good long walk to clear the head and enjoy the sun – we haven’t seen much of it recently : – )

Anyway I found this worm on the beach – I feel it’s an odd place to see a worm but maybe they live in sand as well as soil…or maybe a bird dropped it – seems unlikely but anyway here is a “Beach Worm”

Moses was sitting waiting for me to throw his ball for the millionth time and I noticed the way our shadows had fallen on the sand – managed to get the shot before Moses moved! “Shadows” by Deanna Gracie

Featured Jewellery Design #16

I’ve just finished these three funky new rings  : – ) I’ts great to try out some of the new ideas I’ve had in the back of my mind for some time.

“Aotearoa/Aroha Rings” by Deanna Gracie – sterling silver, 9ct red gold

“I find joy in the most simple of things; the perfect shape of a ginkgo leaf, the ebb and flow of the tide, patterns left on sand by wind and rain, the gentle call of a gull as it soars in the air. These experiences fill my soul to overflowing and I race to my studio to start the next piece.”

Photography – Getting Inspired August 2008

Taking the camera out and capturing moments in time is a real joy. Sometimes I end up getting an image that is quite inspirational for me for future jewellery designs. Here is one I took today down at the estuary mouth. It was coming up to dusk and I loved the different sand textures I could see and the way the light danced on the water : – )

“Patterns left by Water” By Deanna Gracie

Featured Jewellery Design #15

These rings combine both my loves of colour and texture and do it in a very spontaneous way. Hand made rings feel solid, special and are very unique. These landscape inspired rings have been made by my hand and my heart and because of the way I make them – no two rings can ever be exactly alike.

: – )

Image as pictured – Landscape ring stack by Deanna Gracie – sterling silver, gold and gemstones

Thanks for visiting  : – )

Rapture Exhibition – New Jewellery September 2008

September and the arrival of spring brings a brand new exhibition of contemporary jewellery to ConneXion Gallery in Christchurch. Rapture also includes the latest designs by Southshore jewellery artist Deanna Gracie. The recipe for Deanna’s Aotearoa/Aroha series was conceived by placing the warmer tones of copper and red gold against the cooler tones of softly textured silver. Deanna combines these coloured metals onto the natural shapes she designs and then finishes each piece by hand, polishing glistening highlights or adding gemstones for contrast.

ConneXion Gallery, Upstairs Shop 27, The Arts Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand – September 1 – 30

Image as pictured Aotearoa/Aroha Pendant #7 by Deanna Gracie – is made from married metals of sterling silver and copper and is set with a garnet. This pendant hangs on a 45cm stg silver snake chain (not pictured) and measures 18mmx17mm and is available for sale for NZ$275+P&P

Thanks for visiting and I hope you visit again soon!

Frost on the Sand and Moses….

I take a walk around the estuary and beach every day – rain hail or snow! It’s been very cold some mornings and I was interested to see on Wednesday the sand was actually quite icy and very hard underfoot. The frost and ice made beautiful patterns on the sand but unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me. The next morning it was nearly as cold and I was more prepared although lacking in time but I managed to take some images of the frost patterns on the sand.

“Sand/Frost #1

And this is one of the reasons I walk on the beach every morning rain, hail or snow – his name is Moses and he’s the lonely dog from next door! He’s a beautiful boy isn’t he? : – )

Featured Jewellery Design #14

Here is a sneak preview of one of my new jewellery designs for the Joy’ance exhibition in Wellington on the 29th August – you will have to wait for the rest to be revealed at 5.30pm! All the details for this exhibition are below : – )

This organically shaped piece entitled “Rebirth” by Deanna Gracie is made from sterling silver, 18ct gold, titanium and the gemstones are garnet and tourmaline.

re·birth n 1.the regeneration of something that has died or has been destroyed

2.the revival of important ideas or forces, usually as part of broad and significant change

3.the act or process of reincarnation

Thanks for visiting : – )

Featured Jewellery Design #13

SOLD

These layered earrings are part of a series of designs inspired by the way the rivers and waterways meet up at the estuary and eventually flow into the ocean. In my mind I picture the journey of the water, from snow and ice melting on the mountains, trickling down into the braided rivers of the Canterbury plains and ending up in the mighty Pacific Ocean – an awesome thought. “From the River to the Sea” earrings are inspired by this water flow and are made from sterling silver, titanium and 18ct gold and are available for sale for NZ$295 + P&P.

Thanks for visiting – Deanna

: – )

Photography and what a face!

I went for an early morning walk this morning – I didn’t really go by choice as it was bitterly cold, hailing and raining hard but the lonely dog next door waits for me to take him and I couldn’t let him down : – (

Anyway we got to the beach side of our walk and I found a weird piece of wood. I took it home and had to take a photograph of it! It’s shaped like a cone- but flat on top -  but what struck me as unusual when I picked it up was the odd looking face on one side! What do you think of it?

“Wooden face” by Deanna Gracie

Featured Jewellery Design #12

I decided to feature some rings this week. These hand made sterling silver koru ring designs are inspired by the traditional Maori symbols of growth and life. They depict a young fern as it opens and represent peace, harmony and new beginnings. These are very popular rings and are priced from NZ$145 + freight. The width at the widest point is 12mm and the diameter is sized to fit.

“Made from heart and hand no two rings are ever exactly the same.” Deanna Gracie

Thanks for visiting : – )