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. 

Wedding Bells in the Air

I was asked a few months ago to design a ring for a colleague of my sister-in-law. He told me that his soon-to-be fiance loved floral without being flowery, organic without being fussy and something that she wouldn't be able to find on Pinterest. Not an easy thing to do as all designs (especially in Jewellery) have been done before and a lot have been posted on social media.

So we started the process of coming up with something that reflected her personality and style but also something that was different from what is available in the shops.
I looked for inspiration in many of the artistic fields: Textile design; wrought iron works; art periods, namely Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts, and even interior and furniture design.
With a mood board to give me some direction and bearing in mind the parametres I was given, I came up with a number of designs which we kept narrowing down and refining until we got The One.

Rough sketches of different designs.

The One.

This drawing was then 3D rendered for final approval before I started with the manufacturing process. This showed my client exactly what the ring was going to look like as well as showing him the scale of the ring.

3D CAD rendering of the final design.

Once he was happy with these renderings, the manufacturing and setting started. A couple weeks later this is what he received and a couple months after that, he proposed! 

An 18ct white gold engagement ring with a claw set centre diamond. 12 smaller diamonds surrounding it in a floral halo.

She loves the ring!!

His and Hers wedding bands. A pair of sterling silver, half round sleeve rings with a band of 9ct yellow gold in the middle.

A sterling silver chain necklace with flat cut smokey quartz, green amethyst, garnet and amethyst.

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.

Exhibitions

Last year ended in a flurry of markets, Christmas gifts and commissioned pieces. This year has continued the frenetic pace. This, being one of the reasons why it has taken me so long to update my blog. 2016 has started with a bang and many more exciting events and collaborations are on the horizon.

 At this moment, I am working on pieces for the new and fabulous exhibition that Veronica Anderson will be hosting in May.

Below are some of the previous exhibitions that I have been a part of with her.

Framed: May 2015. My first exhibition with Veronica Anderson.
Bottom right hand corner: A pair of sterling silver earrings with polki pink and aqua calcy and cab turquoise.

Statement Necklaces: Featured in Fairlady's Shine Magazine 2016
Left hand corner: A sterling silver pendant with oval opal, orange moonstones and facet pyrite. Strung on sapphire beads.

Snazzy Snaps and Classy Clasps: October 2015.
Middle of page on the left: A sterling silver cluster flower clasp with large rose quartz and aquamarine. Strung on facet multi coloured beryl beads.

Leap into Action this Leap Year

Leap into Action this Leap Year and Win.

How to get a chance to own a pair of these sterling silver earrings:

1: Like and Share my Facebook group Maryse Castel Creations to qualify to enter

2: Tell me which is your favorite pair by commenting A, B C, D below on the post on Facebook.

T's and C's:

Competition is for SA only

Competition closes 28 February 2016 and 4 winners will be announced on Facebook.

Winners will need to email me with their details and their closest Postnet branch.

Prizes will be posted via Postnet and a tracking number will be emailed to each winner.

A: A pair of sterling silver 3 hoop earrings with hand stitched miyuki beads. 

B: A pair of medium, hand pierced, domed flower drops.

C: A pair of sterling silver, half moon studs. 

D: A pair of sterling silver long earrings with white freeform fresh water pearls: