02.24.20 Blue Wave

Postcards: January 2017

If you are a regular reader of this blog, or follow my social media, it will come as no surprise that I have not been happy about the state of political affairs in our country for several years...

I started writing postcards to members of Congress just days after this administration took office, then Resistbot came along, and I began sending regular electronic missives to Washington...and those fell on deaf ears.

I am now back to writing postcards, but this time it is not to elected officials, but to voters (who will hopefully send new people to statehouses and Washington in November).

Through a grassroots organization called Postcards to Voters, I've been writing cards to voters all across the country encouraging them to sign up to vote by mail, and participate in special elections for Democrats running in key races.  It feels much more productive than writing to Washington - where at best I get nothing in response, and at worst I get horrible form letters with canned language that isn't really related to my original message at all.

Stone Maven Designs on Etsy

At first I was printing the cards myself, from templates on the PTV website, but as I started following the organization and other writers on social media, I discovered makers who were creating cards especially for the effort!  I thought what could be better than supporting fellow artists - so I bought postcards from sellers on Etsy!

The first set I bought came from Stone Maven Designs, featuring great drawings of blue waves...and suddenly I was inspired to create some blue waves myself - in jewelry (of course).

I had already ordered a beautiful larimar cabochon and it seemed like the perfect choice for a wave on the back!

Just FYI - I'm keeping this one.

Then, I started thinking about how I could create a relatively affordable "Blue Wave" piece, so that I could donate a portion of the proceeds to progressive candidates and organizations.


I had some success with this concept during the 2018 election cycle when I created and sold several "Blue for Beto" pendants.

I ordered some pieces of vintage blue glass (which is a lot less expensive than larimar, lapis, kyanite or any other blue stone I can think of) and made a prototype.

These pendants are available, starting at $125 with a glass cabochon - more for a stone -  and with each sale, I will make a $25 donation to the (state or local) Democratic candidate or cause of the buyers choice.

The pendants can be customized in a few ways...

I can put a wave or a state cut out on the back;

the buyer can choose their bezel wire (straight, serrated or scalloped);

Shop on Etsy

I can make the pendant with our without an outer twisted wire ring or patina;

and of course, I can make them with a stone cabochon (price to be determined at the time the pendant is commissioned).

So...if you'd like to support the Blue Wave, click the "Shop on Etsy" link below the photo, hit me up with a comment here or DM me on Instagram.

Creative Dem on Etsy

If you want write postcards and support other makers, follow the links above to Postcards to Voters, and get your cards from Stone Maven Designs, Creative Dem or Mary Likes Postcards - all on Etsy.

Mary Likes Postcards on Etsy

Democracy doesn't just happen - it takes engagement from every one of us.  

Make sure you are registered to vote. 

Become informed about the candidates running for office at every level of government, and then go participate.

As Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address (at a previous time when we were a very divided country), we are a nation "of the people, by the people, and for the people" - but only if the people participate.

Until next time.

02.10.20 Color of the Year

Photo credit: Pantone

I've always noticed - and even been amused - when Pantone announces their "Color of the Year", but this is the first time the selection provided any real inspiration for my jewelry.

I looked at the Classic Blue and thought...I love that color, and I actually have a lot of it in my jewelry wardrobe and my cache of cabochons...

...starting with lapis...





While trolling on eBay for (more) vintage earrings, I happened upon a pair of lapis drops just like the big turquoise ones I bought and converted to earwires...and thought - it's the color of the year - I've gotta have those!

Photo credit: Pantone

Then, I spent a little time on the Pantone site, including looking at their "complementary color guides" and dug into the stones in my collection for ideas.

In my stash was this gorgeous blue green azurite cabochon. I started there...setting it in a scalloped bezel and putting a heart on the back.  I think it looks like the earth from space, so I've named it "Love Your Mother".

Shop this pendant on Etsy

Maybe it was my subconscious, when I was creating a pendant inspired by our fragile planet, but next I decided to make a piece that provided some comfort, and maybe even a sense of protection for the wearer.

Shop this pendant on Etsy

I chose a piece of faceted lapis (from a lot of four that I purchased) and put a hamsa on the back.  I'm really pleased with this one, the color is beautiful and soothing.

Soldering 18K to argentium silver

Finally, for this blue series, I had an inspirational spark while watching television - and seeing Ted Muehling (a designer I love) earrings on the leads in both Blue Bloods and SVU...which got me to thinking about this lovely kyanite.  I decided to continue playing around with gold prongs on another pendant.







I definitely have a case of the blues for 2020 - in both a good and bad sense.  The state of the world is pretty overwhelming, but one of the best ways for me to manage it is in the jewelry studio, at the bench.





I imagine I will spend a lot of this year seeking to replace emotional blues with "classic" ones, set in silver and gold.


Until next time.