A Few Earrings to Add to the Collection

A few pairs of earrings that I designed and made this year that really stood out for me. I was spoilt for choice with the different cuts and types of gems that were coming in from India.

A pair of sterling silver "Art Deco" inspired drop earrings with trillion cut peridot and facet smokey quartz. Commissioned by Marius Nel Jewellers.

A pair of sterling silver drop earrings with convex cut, soft square amethysts and facet, pear shaped hematites.

A pair of sterling silver drop earrings with tourmilated quartz cabs, surrounded by hexagonal, hematite beads.

A pair of sterling silver, large, domed flower drops with bullet cut iolites.

A pair of sterling silver, folded heart drop earrings with briolette carnelian.

Rough and Tumble Exhibition May 2017

I have been a bit lax about posting new work on my blog and I apologise for this. All I can say is that things have been a bit of a whirlwind this year and I have loved every minute of the ride. However, now it is time to show some of the pieces that I have produced these last few months, starting with the exhibition I was involved in at the beginning of the year.
The brief was to design pieces that depict the Rough and Tumble aspect of everyday life and how gone are the days of order and routine. I found these amazing tumbled smokey quartz cabs that I paired with aqua calcy drops. These earrings made it onto the invitation.

A pair of 9ct yellow gold and sterling silver drop earrings with irregular cut smokey quartz cabs and aqua calcy.

A sterling silver necklace with irregular cut smokey quartz cab and a rutilated quartz drop, strung on facet quartz beads.

A sterling silver lapel pin with a rutilated quartz cab surrounded by an inlay of black corian.

A pair of sterling silver, double teardrop earrings. 

A pair of sterling silver and 18ct yellow gold plate, double teardrop earrings.

Sizzling Summer

For Veronica Anderson's Sizzling Summer 2016 exhibition, I decided to go geometric. Florals are always popular but shapes are making their come back in a big way. Pair that with bold colours and you can't go wrong, making these pieces easy to wear with jeans and pumps or a business suit and heels.

The Sizzling Summer 2016 Exhibition invitation

Sterling silver geometric, asymmetrical necklace with cushion cut, chequer-board Chinese coral and rectangular cab lapis lazuli.
Sterling silver geometric, asymmetrical square ring with round, facet lapis lazuli.
Sterling silver 3-way, geometric studs with briolette Chinese coral drops. These earrings can be worn 3 different ways. 

Keeping the Balance: May 2016 Exhibition

As I mentioned previously, I've been madly working on pieces for the next exhibition that Veronica Anderson will be hosting. It seems the hard work has paid off and one of my necklaces made it into the invitation that was sent out to her clients. Nothing like seeing your jewellery piece in amongst such great work from well-known South African contemporary jewellers.

A sterling silver pendant strung on facet tourmaline beads. Triangle, cab fluorite with round, cab amethyst and oval, cab milky aquamarine.

A pair of sterling silver drops with polki rubies, briolette lapis lazuli and hand stitched blue beads.

A sterling silver neck piece with irregular cut, shards of aquamarine and smooth pyrite beads. A large, facet oval pyrite makes up the magnetic clasp.

A pair of sterling silver, long drop earrings with large, flat discs.

A pair of sterling silver, long  drop earrings with pierced, flat design.

Earrings

A pair of small sterling silver domed flower studs.

A pair of medium, sterling silver domed flowers on hooks.

A pair of medium, sterling silver feather studs.

 

 

A pair of medium, sterling silver feathers on hooks.

Spring has Sprung

 There is nothing like the smell of spring in the air and blossoms in bloom. I'm quite biased towards this time of the year as September also happens to be my birthday month. For me there isn't a better way to celebrate then some new jewellery to add colour to my wardrobe.

A pair of sterling silver drops with hand stitched peach Japanese miuki beads.

A pair of sterling silver drops with two rows of hand stitched green Japanese miyuki beads.

A pair of sterling silver drops with two rows of hand stitched purple Japanese miyuki beads.

A pair of sterling silver drops with two rows of hand stitched dark blue Japanese miyuki beads

.

 

A sterling silver pendant on chain with three rows of hand stitched purple, green and peach Japanese miyuki beads.

A pair of sterling silver. pierced flower drops.

Riveted by Jewellery

Jewellery is an ever changing medium that allows for expression in all types of form and design. However, this can become confusing for follows and fans of certain jewellers, causing these jewellers to stick to what they know and what they know will sell. Even though jewellery is an art form and is used to express the whim of the artist, it is also one of the oldest forms of business and is there to be sold.
So how do you tap into different markets and increase your following without losing the style of your brand and the essence of your design? Do what many people in the art, publishing and design field do. Have different brands that target different markets and cater to different tastes.

Maryse Castel Creations is my original business and one that will hopefully expand in design and techniques. It is under this name that I express my classic, fine jewellery tastes. The technically more advanced pieces that appeal to many South Africans who want a piece of jewellery that they will never tire of and that will continue to carry its worth in metal and stones used.

Riveted was the brand name that I came up with while studying at University. It has always been at the back of my mind to use this name for my business but as my plans changed and evolved, I found that it didn't suit my needs until recently. It is now perfect for my secondary range of jewellery that I produce under the Riveted name.
This is where I can 'play' and enjoy the whimsy and fun you can have with jewellery. Using other materials and simple shapes that are effective and eye catching without breaking the bank. My 'not so serious" jewellery range. Here I use simpler jewellery techniques that make these pieces uncomplicated and contemporary.

Pair of sterling silver, pierced feather studs.

A pair of sterling silver, pierced feather drops

Sneak Peak Through the Frame

A sneak peak of what is going to be on show at the Framed Exhibition opening at the end of this week at Veronica Anderson in The Firs, Rosebank.

A double length, hand-made sterling silver chain with flat-cut, facet smokey quartz, amethyst, garnet, green amethyst and grey moonstone.

A pair of sterling silver drop earrings with rose cut pyrite, flat-cut green amethyst and briolette smokey quartz.

Doing the Polka with the Polki

My gem dealer came to visit me a little while ago with the most amazing stones that she found on her buying trip in India. The cuts that are coming out are so beautiful and the possibilities are endless. The only problem is stopping myself from buying up all her stock.

I am finding that the South African market, though very trendy and forward thinking, still loves the classic in colours and designs. That is why these new stone cuts that are making their way to our shores are very exciting. The gem cutters are finding new whys to liven up the favorites and in turn giving the designers something inspirational to work with.

A pair of sterling silver drops with irregular, polki cut pink and aqua calcy cabs and round, rose cut turquoise.