Editorial in Metropol Magazine November 2009

An editorial in the latest issue of Metropol – thanks Metropol : – )

It’s a great magazine and you can now read it online http://www.metropol.co.nz

Thanks for visiting! – Deanna Gracie

Featured jewellery design #45

A year ago a traveller called in to my exhibition at the Arts Centre and had a fantastic selection of beads to show me. Although beautiful I couldn’t really see anything I wanted, as I don’t really feature beads in any of my jewellery designs so I said thanks but no thanks. Then he showed me his selection of ancient glass beads from Afghanistan. I loved the subtle colour range, the imperfections, the matt finish and the ‘ancient’ feel of them. He said they had originally been used as anklets. I couldn’t resist them so bought some strands and since then I have held these beads in my hands, run my fingers over them and admired the colours many times over the last year but couldn’t think of a way to use them. I wanted the beauty of the beads to shine through and not be overpowered by anything else. I finally came up with a solution and here is the finished result. I have used sterling silver in between the beads and kept the silver matt and I’ve also oxidised (blackened) some pieces for contrast. I have created five strands all together and have called them “Earth and Sky”.

“Earth and Sky” by Deanna Gracie - hand made necklaces created with sterling silver and ancient beads ©

A while ago I promised to take an image of the sexy new perspex display props I  found – so here are a couple of images of the necklaces on the bust stands. The stands are two different sizes : – )

Thanks for visiting : – )

Jewellery Display…

I took an image of the latest jewellery display I have in ConneXion Gallery at present. I  compared this image with the one I took last year and realized I have much less on display!  Because of my collecting tendencies I find it hard  not to overcrowd – but judging by this photograph I think I have finally  overcome the urge. I’m much happier now with this less is more image : – )

… and here is a small part of the display on the second shelf down from the top : – )

Thanks for visiting : – )

Deanna Gracie

Featured jewellery design #43 – Butterfly Pendant…

Golden korus …butterfly wings…pounamu stone … passion and love…worn with pride… a treasured taonga…..Deanna Gracie

My artist friend requested me to make a butterfly pendant for her as a commission. She paints beautiful butterflies and loves the symbolism behind them. So we got together, discussed some ideas and then she left it up to me to make something for her and this is the finished result. “Flying Free” pendant for Donna is inspired by nature and made by hand in sterling silver, 18ct gold and is embellished with a New Zealand pounamu greenstone. Donna loves the idea of butterflies symbolising freedom of flight.

“In life it is your choice to be whoever you want to be and you can if you take a chance to fly and live your life with passion!” Deanna Gracie

There are many other symbolisms associated with butterflies. For example in China, butterflies are deemed as symbols for beauty in old age when linked with plum blossoms. The Japanese regards butterflies as symbols of one’s soul, whereas two butterflies flying together are symbolic of a happy marriage. Ancient Aztecs believed butterflies to be the souls of warriors slain in battles, and that their fluttering wings were symbolic of energy and it is also no secret that from ancient days the butterfly has symbolized immortality.

You can check out Donna’s beautiful butterfly paintings here

http://donnasteel.co.nz/category/art-for-sale-birds-butterflies/

Thanks for visiting!

Deanna Gracie

Bay Harbour News Article….September 2009

Samantha Carstens a reporter from Bay Harbour News came to my studio last week for an interview : – ) Samantha has written a lovely article about my work and also captured a nice image of me (I’m not photogenic) down by the estuary on a very windy day! Like most artists I’m used to making beautiful things – but I’m not so used to talking about them : – )

Thanks for visiting!

Deanna Gracie

New display cabinet in my studio…

A couple of months ago I had a big clean out of my studio, repainted the walls and have now installed the gorgeous new display cabinet. I love the way shiny perspex and glass sparkle and of course we can’t forget the sparkle from the jewellery inside : – ) I’ve also managed to source some beautiful perspex display props for a special pendant or two – so when the sun is shining I’ll take  an image of those to show you. In the meantime here is the image of the sparkly jewellery!

Thanks for visiting!

Wedding Bands for a Lovely Couple….

Kirsty and Jason kindly sent me this photograph of the wedding bands I made for them recently. It’s wonderful to have this image of them wearing their rings on their special day! Thanks Kirsty and Jason : – )

Two New Ring Designs…

I have just completed two ring commissions – which are commitment bands for a very special couple. This is the first one made in stg silver, 18ct gold and garnet – quite an organic shape.

This is the second commitment band made in stg silver, 9ct red gold and blue topaz – it was fantastic to make rings that were so unique to them and the rings suit this couple to a tee!

Two Small koru Pendants…

SOLD

These two small koru pendants are hung on stg silver snake chains. I have imprinted one of my koru designs onto the stg silver and then oxidised it to create contrast. These are small but solid! If you would like to view any of my other jewellery designs then visit

http://www.Deanna.co.nz

Koru Earring Design

This is a pair of koru earrings with an overlay of copper. I use safe locking clasps on all the earrings I make. These earrings are a very popular design – I have made them in different sizes but because they are hand made no two pairs are ever identical : – )If you would like to view more of my jewellery designs the visit http://www.Deanna.co.nz