Silver Jewellery Creating …. Getting Started ~ Nova Jewellery Thailand

Well, over a year ago while we were living in Thailand for a while I studied Silver Jewellery making at Nova Jewellery Collection on Tapae Road in Chiang Mai Thailand.  Partly because I absolutely love silver jewellery, there is something very ancient and seems sacred and somehow tribal….. perhaps all the different cultures who have used silver over the recorded history of art and humans.  The other reason was that I was scared and fearful of failure, intimidated by the use of the torch and red hot heat and the precision of the art of it all.  So, all very good reasons to jump in and just do it!  With my husband Ralph giving me gentle nudges and encouragement off I went to the silver studio at Nova, with much trepidation and excitement a good recipe for creating.

As I enjoy design in so many forms, with my background in Interior Design, and exploration of multimedia art projects… I pulled into play my passion for beauty and my Buddhist meditation techniques on staying in the present moment.  Our approximate three months studying Vipassana Insight Meditation at Wat Ram Poeng and Wat Chom Tong turned out to be some of the most challenging times of my life and the most rewarding life satisfying gifts ever!  Being in Thailand with it’s heart centered people, tropical beauty and Buddhist beliefs was a very special place to challenge my self doubts….. and dive in I did!

I spent thirteen day classes with a silver master, Nugoon and his beautiful assistant Junko, and my knowledge, experience and joy increased by leaps and bounds as I finished each new project I ventured on.  The Nova Silver Studio has the ultimate in silver equipment and is set down one of the enchanting lanes off Tapae Road.  I had a lovely walk exploring lunch options and enjoyed delicious adventures daily, where I regaled Ralph with the current inspiration or ‘uh-oh’ topic.  I decided before I began that I would document this as best as I could so that when I get home to Canada I would be able to set up my own wee studio and begin exploring my newborn passion in silver.  So I took notes and photographed every step along each project, and I’m so happy I did as now I have good refresher information and visual reminders of what I did.

When in doubt as to what to design I resort to my favorite image ‘Grizzly Bear Claw’ which resides in my Ojibway blood.  Bear is also our family animal so bear is always a strong and sacred friend for me.  The Grizzly Bear Pendant I created as my first project turned out quite lovely and I wear it constantly with my pride and joy!  My next project design comes from my love of the Buddhist philosophy and the Lotus Flower, which rise up from the mud everywhere….. so the Lotus Flower feeds my passion for beauty and I played with the texturing techniques and learned so much!  You know you are living your passion when time drops away and only the experience in front of you is beating in your heart.  I was in heaven in paradise!

Let me show you some of the photos of the projects in various stages…. so often I said to myself, ‘well, this is ruined’… only to proceed to the next step and it would magically evolve ….. it really is alchemy!

Grizzly Bear Claw (2 in wide x 2-1/2 in ht) & Lotus Flower (2-1/2 in wide x 2 in ht) Pendants

Lotus Flower Pendant ~ Texturing Explorations

Lotus Flower Pendant ~ Creating Three Dimensional Textures

Lotus Flower Pendant completed

Lotus Flowers of Thailand

Nova Jewellery Silver Studio

Master Silver Instructor - Nugoon & Lovely Junko, Assistant

Ralph's Silver & Lapiz ~ Birthday Cuff

Ralph's Silver & Lapiz Cuff ~ work in progress

Ralph's Cuff ~ filing inside edges after cutting out opening

Ralph's Silver & Lapiz Cuff ~ work in progress

Ralph's Cuff ~ creating bezel for Lapiz feature piece

Ralph's Cuff ~ after Alum treatment .... looks ruined!

Ralph's Cuff ~ Lapiz in bezel mounted on Cuff finishing touches

Ralph's Silver Cuff ~ Finished... Shining & Sparkling ... like magic!

Ankle Bracelet ~ Two solid silver pieces soldered together

Ankle Bracelet ~ work in progress finishing bezel

Silver Lotus Flower Pendant, Lapiz Pendant, Ankle Bracelet & Ralph's Cuff (1-1/4 in width) & Earings

Tibetan Turquoise, Red Coral, Lapiz Lazule ~ My Semi-precious Treasures

Fire Dancer on Beach at Koh Lanta Yai ~ Spectacular Fire an Inspiration!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into my first experiences with Fire & Silver…. it was an incredible journey of passionate expression of inner visions! If you are in Chiang Mai Thailand,  Nova Silver Jewellery is an amazing studio to study with!

‘Neng’ Master Stone Carver (Chakapan Ponyong) ~ Thailand ~ Jewellery of the Earth

Neng at his Studio in ChaingMai Thailand

Neng (Chakapan Pongyong) is a Master Stone Carver & Artist who lives in ChaingMai Thailand.  He was born in Kampaeng Phet Thailand in 1968 and studied at ChaingMai University from 1987 – 1994, B.A. (Sculpture) Faculty of Fine Arts.    Neng has had exhibitions all over Thailand since 1990 including ChaingMai University.  He was awarded the Silver Medal at the Silpa Bhirasri Exhibition in Bangkok in 1994.  He has given workshops for UNDP & Tibet Women’s Federation in Lhasa Tibet, China in 2003 and for Qomolangma Nature Presure in Shegar Tibet, China in 2001.  He has worked as an Art Teacher at Wittayakran and  for Orphanned Children by Aids;  World Weave Company Designer Drawings for Construction for Weaving Materials Using Indigeneous Materials & Knowledge for Tribal Communities;  NGO Health Project for Tribal People;  Exhibition Co-Ordinator for 700 years anniversary of ChaingMai Celebrates Art at the Former British Consulate ChaingMai and Museum Study and Comparative Art in Belgium & Netherlands.   Such an impressive background with too much more to expand on in this small blog, an incredibly complex and gifted man.

I was blown away by a display of his stone art carving jewellery pieces which are for sale at a gorgeous silver boutique in ChaingMai. NOVA JEWELLERY COLLECTION  on Tapae Road is one of the most beautiful silver jewellery stores I have ever entered and in one area they offer NENG’s STONE ART CARVINGS as jewellery pieces.  I ended up taking Silver Jewellery Making with Nova while I was there and am now addicted to it, a good addiction to have I think.  However back to NENG’s display….. I inquired if he taught classes in stone carving and was informed he did not.  I persisted and was given his private phone number which I promptly used to persuade Neng to give me a couple of lessons privately.  Such an honor to have been able to study with him, a short two days, but I learned a tremendous amount and was inspired over the moon!   He has the patience of a saint, gentleness and is as grounded as the stones he works with ~ yet a beautiful stillness shines through his eyes and smile.  Truly one of the most gifted artist and very special human being whom I have had the privilege to meet  in my life.  He knows exactly where each river stone came from, even some from Mount Everest base camp.  The Stone People are alive with Neng.  Deep Gratitude for Neng and the gifts which he shared so openly with me!

Anyone wanting to Contact Neng can do so through his email:  tangthai_@hotmail.com    Also through Nova Jewellery Collection at 201 Tapae Road in ChaingMai ~ web site:  www.nova-collection.com.  NENG’s  Stone Art Carvings are truly treasures to wear.  Ralph and I feel the blessings of Neng and Thailand when we wear our jewellery pieces.      Below I offer some of the photos taken at Neng’s Studio and his stone creations.

Neng 'Chakapan Ponyong' Master Stone Carver & Artist with our Treasures!

Our Treasures!

Neng at his Workbench on Deck of his Studio in ChaingMai, Thailand

My first attempts at stone carving

My finished Grizzly Bear Claw (width 2-3/4" x height 3")

Present Collection on display at Nova Jewellery - ChaingMai

The Rahoo Giant - close up

 

Neng's Studio Carvings

 

The past year in Canada has had some challenging health issues so I haven’t been doing my stone carving yet, but I have been gathering all the tools I need for my studio….. soon I begin again.  I can’t wait to get back to Thailand, which we feel is our second home, to emerse myself in the Thai People, Culture and Beauty!    In the meantime, may Beauty surround you!

Red Coral & Lapiz Lazule – Jewellery for a Gem!

A remarkable young woman, Robin, celebrated her birthday and this piece dropped into my head and out my finger tips.  The Red Coral focal piece represents her personal power, which is very strong…. and the lapiz lazule accent pieces add a tribal effect and represent roots and grounding, with a dash of protection.  I feel Robin radiates her radiant beauty and power with such grace and balance!

Our  world is graced with a new generation to lead the way toward a harmonious & healthy unity!   Gratitude for Being You,  Robin!    Happy Birthday!

Robin's Power Necklace of Red Coral & Lapiz Lazule

Red Coral Feature Piece with Lapize Lazule Accents - Hand Tied Knots

Red Coral has been used for jewellery and has beliefs around it of sacred properties of protection, standing strong in personal power  & medicinal qualities.  More background on Red Coral link: Coral_(precious)

Lapiz Lazule Jewellery Dancing on Blooming Beach Goddess!

We just returned from an annual retreat off the West Coast of British Columbia, Tofino.  The Island Bridges Retreat takes places on Meares Island, a short boat ride from Tofino, past a wee island with a large Bald Eagle nest with two baby Eagles peering out!  Just the boat ride to the retreat is beautiful, and once there we proceed to unload…. small luggage and big outside world pressures.  For 22 years our group has been privileged to be invited to spend time each year at Kakawis, lands of the Nuu-chal-nuth Nation.  Lonecone Mountain, a small lake and spectacular sandy beach with vistas of nearby islands, sunsets and Eagles … Nature’s beauty which heals the soul!  Many cultures and religious beliefs come together gently, we share the gift of being on the sacred lands of the Nuu-chal-nuth people…. sweat lodges, pipe ceremony, meditation and qigong, dancing on the beach, yoga, reiki and massages, sacred circles and nuturing foods…. laughter, tears and celebration.

I offered dance inspiration….  Exploring Earth, Wind, Fire and Water and a Glorious Gang of Goddesses joined me on the beach.  The rain stopped, the sun came out and an Eagle circled over our dancing circle….. What magic!  One of the beauties who came…. danced…. and Bloomed into Her Goddess.  As she danced with a Lapiz & Turquoise Necklace of my design, sunlight reflected the blue of her eyes & the Lapiz on her neck.  We celebrated being alive, danced like nymphs and wild women & our Spirits took flight together!   We were all One.

As we share the Truth of who we Truly are, our Oneness heals and life is full of the inspiration we reflect to each other.  Let your Goddess-God Shine today!  Create the Beauty we enjoy from the Beauty that surrounds us all the time….we just need to open our eyes and see!  Dance You!

Reta “The Blooming Goddess” of Island Bridges beach dance!

Tofino is a magnificient part of British Columbia Canada, we are so fortunate to be in B.C.  Visit these web sites for more info and visuals: http://www.gotofino.com

The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation http://www.nuuchahnulth.org/index.html

Island Bridges Retreat on Meares Island, B.C. http://www.islandbridges.ca Some other interesting sites are: http://Meares_Island http://nationspaddling.wordpress.com http://www.coastalarts.net/site/culture http://Tla-o-qui-aht_First_Nations http://www.coastalpeoples.com

New York Jewellery Images Continued

Going through my photos I came across the following images taken while visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art     in New York, NY and offer them as jewellery inspirations through history.

Some jewellery styles maintain common uses while others are specific to certain cultures and times in history. The Nose Ornament is fascinating and makes me curious how it felt to wear such cumbersome pieces of jewellery, obviously covering the lower area of the face.

Gold Nose Ornament – Columbia, Yotoco (Calima)

Peru – Nose Ornaments

Nose Ornaments – Peru

Description – Gold Nose Ornament Columbia, Yotoco

Close of Up of Gold Jewellery – Indonesia, Java

Earrings - reign of Thutmose III - Egyptian

Earrings - reign of Thutmose III Description - Egyptian Jewellery

Egyptian Beads

Egyptian - stone chips & beads

Fetish & Beads - Egyptian

Gold Jewellery Pieces - Indonesia - Java

Greek Jewellery - Gold

Greek Gold Jewellery

Menat Necklace - Egyptian

Menat Necklace Description - Egyptian

Greenwich Village Bead Shop Window - New York, N.Y.

Greenwich Village - Bead Shop Tribal Masks - New York, N.Y.

Cayley’s 18th Birthday! Lapiz & Tibetan Turquoise Necklace for Good Luck!

Happy 18th Birthday Cayley!   What a fabulous party to celebrate standing on the threshold of unlimited possibilites! So happy you are excited about your Good Luck necklace.  When I sat quietly waiting for design inspiration to come I held you in my heart and your deep caring and beautiful open heart shone through.  The words that came with the design were lightness, fun, strength, grounded, beauty, sparkle, curiosity, tenderness and joy…. all reflected back in your eyes…. May your Path be Blessed with Joyful Fulfilment of your Dreams Cayley!   Hugs, Lucy

Cayley's 18th Birthday Good Luck Lapiz & Tibetan Turquoise Necklace!

Cayley's Lapiz & Tibetan Turquoise Necklace

Turquoise Jewellery – Necklace set – for Janet – a Gem of a Friend!

It is such a Joy to sit with my precious stones and let them talk to me!  Opening to Creativity & Possibilities…. I have an especially deep passion for Turqoise, and Tibetan Turquoise is special.

When I had a creative rush before our New York trip, quite a selection resulted.  When visiting a friend in Campbell River, B.C., Janet Christenson, I casually mentioned my jewellery.  Her curiosity was fun and exciting as she gave my favorite Tibetan Turquoise Necklace & Earrings Set a beautiful home….. adorning her beauty!  I am thrilled and know that the gifts that Turqoise bring to us will give her special blessings.     Janet, Enjoy & Keep Shining Bright!

Janet Christenson & Tibetan Turquoise Necklace & Earrings Set

'Piano' Janet & Tibetan Turquoise .... Making Beautiful Music!

The offerings of our Earth such as Turqoise bring us Beauty & Joy…. some Native Aboriginal people believe that Turquoise is worn for Protection & Safety.  It’s use in Jewellery and decorative accessories dates back thousands of years.    Turquoise

Mosaic Jewellery Texture & Tesserae – Contemporary Mosaic Art – Mosaic Artist – Angela Zimek – Klagenfurt, Austria

Extraordinary Jewellery…..creative and amazing use of mosaic tiles – inspirational, colorful using ancient Italian methods of art! Unlimited use of materials at our fingertips, we just have to think, dream out of the box. Imagine! Create!

couronne – crown mosaic – michele31600

Sceptique – Michele Artigue – Self Portrait – michele316Mosaic Artist – Michèle Artigue – Toulouse, France

HUIPIL EXPOSE SUR BOIS mosaic – michele31600

ceptique – Michele Artigue – Self Portrait – michele31600

Plastron mosaic – michele31600

Mosaic Art Source – http://mosaicartsource.wordpress.com   and   www.mosaicartsource.com

Tribal Stones Jewellery – Artist – Donna Young – Vancouver, BC

Prayer Rug – Mosaic, originally uploaded by mosaic art source.

Prayer Rug
“30 x 18″
Orsoni smalti & mosaic gold
Donna Young
2004

Mosaic Artist & Friend Donna Young uses inspiring colors & patterns.  24 k Gold adds sparkle & life to all!

MOSAIC

Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other material. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral. Small tiles or fragments of pottery (known as tesserae, diminutive tessellae), or of colored glass or clear glass backed with metal foils are used to create a pattern or picture.

Mosaic – Wikipedia

New York New York, Gem Experiences & Jewellery Inspiration

…..it’s been a while….. New York, San Francisco…twice…. snow and winter chills…but here we are once again.

Off to New York…Vancouver to Seattle, into Chicago O’Hare Airport & sleeping on benches overnight, snow storms, missed flights, standby to LaGuardia at 5:00 am…. finally…New York was worth all of it!

Lucy & New York’s Finest -Times Square – New York – tribalstonesjewellery

Time has come and gone quickly since New Year’s Eve in New York! What an amazing city! My expectations were high for my first visit to my husband’s home town…..but my experiences were sky high and beyond. I’m in love with NY… as well as my wonderful hubby! Living in the eye of a tornado, people…passion…culture…beauty…life as art! A whirlwind of morning till night, keep going even when ready to drop, remarkable experiences… from Grenwich Village to Broadway, Times Square to Subways, Bakeries to Bistros, Soho to Moma and the Met… drinking in every possible minute, the sights and delights of the Big Apple with my special hometown tour guide! What a tantilizing treat!

Around every corner inspirational images for jewellery and living life fully jumped and cavorted before my thirsty eyes. Some of the visuals I will offer to you, while I carry the totally transformative experience in my heart! Enjoy.

Monet & Water Lillies

“He sought to create …. The refuge of a peaceful meditation in the center of a flowering aquarium.”

Monet Lillies - captured liquid colors

Each small area of Monet’s painting is a source of inspiration, beauty so fluid as each color flows and merges with the next, drawing the viewer deeply & quietly into the Water and Lilies. MoMa – Museum of Modern Art, New York

Eli Klein Fine Art - Soho New York

Wandering through New York’s SoHo galleries was fabulous!

Eli Klein’s web:

www.EKfineart.com

A lovely jewellery boutique was SoHo Gems and web:

www.sohogem.com

Unique and creative Jeans at web:

www.worldjeanshop.com

Bakery delights we stumbled upon, happily at Pasticceria Bruno web:

www.pasticceriabruno.com

The Icon Gallery in Soho at 458 West Broadway was great, but no web.

Goddess-like jewellery web:

www.satelliteparis.com

Just a trickle of possibilities encountered in Soho…next time… onto the subway and another adventure!

New York Subway Mosaics

“Your imagination is your preview to life’s coming attractions. ” Albert Einstein

More New York Subway Mosaic Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art & a bundled Lucy

The breathtaking & awe inspiring treasures at the met are endless & timeless…

Ancient Jewellery - The Metropolitan Museum of Art , NY

Egyptian Necklace - The Met, NY

Ancient Jewellery - The Met, NY

Ancient Beads - The Met, NY

Egyptian Jewellery - The Met, NY