Friday, July 16, 2010

I am thrilled to announce that three of my tree designs will be featured on the cover of the Uncommon Goods fall catalog! Please visit www.uncommongoods.com to order a copy of this catalog, or to see these trees online.

The trees are:

"Renewal"

"Abundance"


"Seasons"

Have a beautiful day,
Ellen


Sunday, June 06, 2010

I've been searching for two years for rainbow moonstone beads like this, and I finally found some - YAY! This is exactly the tree that I have been dreaming about for two years. It feels magical to behold.


This is why moonstone is called moonstone!

The beautiful patina that you see in the tree above is from oxidizing with black salt and hand polishing. This is the first tree pedant that I have oxidized, and I'm loving it! Here is what this tree looked like before being oxidized:


Normally I craft my moon trees with mother of pearl, which is generally not safe to oxidize, but now that I have this wonderful moonstone I do believe I will be using a lot more black salt in the future.

How to Oxidize Silver Using Black Salt:

1. fill an old coffee mug 3/4 with water,
2. microwave until boiling,
3. dump about a tablespoon of black salt into the hot water and stir,
4. dip your clean silver piece/s into the hot solution,
5. keep dipping and soaking until the desired color is achieved,
6. clean and polish your piece.

* Use in a well ventilated and use gloves.

Sweet Dreams,
Ethora

Monday, May 31, 2010


All you need is...



What other words would look nice stuck in a tree?

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I love the combination of peridot and labradorite. I see morning light peering trough fresh spring leaves:

Thursday, April 29, 2010

I do believe that this is my favorite moon tree so far:

Recycled silver and mother of pearl - crafted during this week's full moon.

I wish that I could keep it for myself, but it is already spoken for. I do, however, get to keep the picture. :)

Sometimes I get so attached to a piece that I feel sad about saying goodbye to it, and I realize that this is silly. How much jewelry can one woman keep for herself? Anyway, here are a few more pieces that I found difficult to let go:

My favorite tree spirit - petrified wood and recycled silver.

My favorite autumn tree - amber and recycled silver.

My favorite four seasons tree.

But alas, I'll survive and strive to create more trees that meet my standards.

Thanks for looking, and have a beautiful day!

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Recent Prototypes:

I crafted this Tree of Life pendant from recycled sterling silver wire, a faceted garnet bead, creativity, and love. Can you see the word "Love" in its branches? The next tree that I make like this will have an E with its own set of branches (rather than joined with the V).


I purchased this awesome seahorse tutorial because I had to try making a sun out of its spikes! Next time I will add a stone to the middle, and I want to create a more graceful bail.


I've had a sketch for a wire owl up in my studio for over three years, but I'm only now getting around to working on it. He needs embellishments, don't you think?


I was wondering how my trees would look as a bracelet with an Egyptian coil, and I am pleased with the results.

Thanks for stopping by!
Love,
Ellen


Saturday, January 02, 2010

I try to make a full moon tree pendant during each full moon, and this month I got to make TWO of them! YAY! Happy New Year!

Crafted during the first full moon of December 2009
Recycled sterling silver & Mother of Pearl


Crafted during the second full moon of December 2009
"A Blue Moon"
Recycled sterling silver & Amazonite