Some New Pieces

18K white gold moonstone diamond Rugged engagement ring

14K organic free form wedding bands

Rose cut golden rutilated quartz 14k gold and sterling silver post earrings

14K rose gold wedding bands

Rose cut milky aquamarine sterling silver chevron wedding band engagement ring set

Rugged sterling silver 14k gold rose cut rutilated quartz engagement ring

Custom 14K white gold modern wedding bands with engraved names and blue flush set sapphires

Raw Beauty

 

Sometimes a stone comes along and there is absolutely no need to design anything around it in metal. The stone itself is so stunningly beautiful on its own that anything more would take that away.

This raw, lightly tumbled chrysocolla is one of those stones.

What you may not know is that before I began my path as a metalsmith, I was on an explorative path in the science of geology. Rocks just get to me. The fact that the earth makes something like this over thousands, millions, of years is mind boggling and just...incredible.

This is one of those pieces where that comes out in full force. Where the coincidence (or destiny? Fate?) of my last name, Freestone, is kind of brought to the surface, put on display, to examine and wonder about, much like this beautiful rock.

So, this necklace. :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/211683050/held-raw-chrysocolla-rock-gemstone-prong?ref=shop_home_feat_4



Obsessed. With. Rings.

May, June 2014

Forever obsessed with rings. Newest additions to the collection.

(and as always, each lovingly handmade entirely from scratch)

Available at www.ericafreestone.com or http://ericafreestone.etsy.com

 

New Little Darlings

New to my online store at ericafreestone.etsy.com are two darling rose cut sapphire rings. One in a stunning bright pink, the other in a lemony pineapple yellow. Both can be offered as unique engagement rings, a gift to Mom (Mother's Day is May 11th), or as a gift to yourself. Happy May, dear friends!

// R U G G E D \\

I'm so excited to announce the release of my new // Rugged \\ collection of wedding bands and stacking rings.

 

// Rugged \\ Set of two. Sterling Silver and 14kt Yellow Gold Stacking Band Set
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187742849/rugged-set-organic-textured-14-kt-yellow?ref=shop_home_feat_1

As I set out to plan a new series, the image of a woman on a mountain top kept surfacing for me. She stands, overlooking a valley, above a hazy grey stream, her long dark hair licking the wind while she stands in profile among the tall golden grasses. As this dream kept coming back to me I imagined the kind of ring that might represent her, this rugged yet graceful woman on the mountain. The kind of ring she might like to wear. For me the answer was something simple yet not meticulous, unique and individual, a touch spontaneous yet thoughtful and selective.

// Rugged \\

Inspired by nature's imperfect perfection, each ring is individually carved in wax--no two are alike as I use no mold--giving each its own unique character and individuality. I then cast in house in limited quantities in my home gallery at Sun Studios.

I just listed the sterling silver, 14 kt yellow gold, and the set of both up on my etsy site and am working hard at listing the dark blue sapphire crescent moon later this afternoon.

The collection is slowly growing and evolving, and I will be adding diamonds and more flush set faceted stones as options for these unique and easy-to-fall-in-love-with rings. I am currently in the process of creating a men's band to match in a wider width, and will be setting a delicious row of 1pt diamonds in the 14kt yellow band.

I would love any ideas on how to grow the collection--what do YOU want to see as part of it? Please share, inquire, daydream, and imagine.

As always, I'm hoping this update finds you all well, healthy, loved and loving, creative, and full of wonder for this beautiful world that surrounds us.

Sincerely,
Erica

Erica Freestone on Etsy
www.ericafreestone.com

 

// Rugged \\ Stacking Wedding Band Set of Sterling Silver and 14kt Yellow Gold Band Rings
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187742849/rugged-set-organic-textured-14-kt-yellow?ref=shop_home_feat_1

// Rugged \\ 14 K Yellow Gold Organic Texture Band Wedding Band Stacking Ring
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187742439/rugged-organic-textured-14-kt-gold?ref=listing-shop-header-2

// Rugged \\ 14 kt Gold Organic Rustic Textured Wedding Band Stacking Ring
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187742439/rugged-organic-textured-14-kt-gold?ref=listing-shop-header-2

 

// Rugged \\ Woman's Wedding Ring Stacking Band Sterling Silver Handmade Artisan Jewelry
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187741763/rugged-organic-textured-sterling-silver?ref=listing-shop-header-1

// Rugged \\ Crescent Moon Sapphire Engagement Ring Stacking Ring 14kt yellow gold sterling silver
www.ericafreestone.com

 

The Stories

I love doing custom work.

The stories behind the inspiration of the piece are often adventures in which I can live vicariously, or tales of love and romance where I'm hands-down on board, or personal mementos of strength and virtue.

Elaine, who found me in a breath of graceful openness, beautiful and charismatic and easy to be-friend, found herself in need of a piece that connected her to her inner strength and power of visualization. She had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and commissioned me to create a ring to remind her of her own healing capabilities.

Elaine and I spent several weeks looking for the perfect stone that would inspire the course of healing she intends for herself. She was looking for a pale pink stone, suitably sized for her finger, that would represent the mixing of bright red and angry blood cells that are being softened and diluted with happy and healthy white cells. After some searching, we found a beautiful rhodochrosite that fit the bill perfectly.

Once we found the stone, I got to work on the design options. Knowing also that Elaine was looking for a band or shank that has some visual interest, I knew that I also had to give the band some great thought, and so after several days I came up with three different design options from which to choose.



Both Elaine and her husband loved option 3 (which I also loved!) which, to me, represented the DNA and also the ladder upon which she will climb as she learns to deal with and stay strong against her disease. The ring was ready to be made in sterling silver.

The Process

The first stages of the ring (and others, too!).

Bezel is ready to be soldered to a back plate, band is complete and ready for forming.

 

Bezel complete, band formed and ready to be put together.

Ring is oxidized and ready for finishing.

The Ring

It is always and honor and a joy to help someone manifest their ideas into physical form. This ring was so much fun, from beginning to end, and I'm so grateful to have opportunities like this. Elaine, I wish you much healing and pleasure from this ring--that it finds you in your moments of needing strength. Your story is now part of mine, and I am in your journey with you.

Wow, It's Been a While...

This blog has been bare for many,  many moons. So much has happened. Life. Life happens. And isn't it lovely?

News.

Admittedly, for the past couple of years, my etsy and online presence have been pretty dismal. This year, I've decided to change that. I'm not big on making New Year's Resolutions, but focusing more on etsy with my one of a kind pieces is my big goal for 2014--it resembles a resolution, but is also a goal that I know I can keep up with. I think I usually try to 'do it all' (etsy, personal website, blog, gallery, shows, farmer's markets, etc.) and that's where it goes a bit awry. There is a lot to keep up with, and it's a bit overwhelming sometimes. Life is busy, and beautiful, and I can easily get swept up in all of that and forget to enjoy myself every once in a while.

Life has re-focused in many different areas in the past year or so. I'm in love (>still!< Which really throws you for a loop sometimes!), I have a new job (still in jewelry--will share later), I have a new home... and while I have been able to maintain an ever-changing collection of my one of a kind pieces in Sun Studios in Pacific Grove, I am also feeling able to branch out a bit, and so etsy seems to be the natural next step.

And with that, this commitment in writing on a blog with which I hardly share, I look forward to sharing with you my efforts to my goal. In short, wish me luck! :)

New Pieces.



Hand-Pierced Sterling and Sapphire Butterfly Necklace



Natural Royston Turquoise and Imperial Jasper Opera-Length Sterling Silver Necklaces



Handmade Sterling Silver and Turquoise Ring

 

 



My bench in my home studio, also lovingly called 'The Sanctuary'.




 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends, family, clients, and supporters. You make it possible for me to follow my dream, and I couldn't be doing this without your love and support. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with those you love, with lots of yummy food, and tons of love and happiness.

To thank you, I'm having a BLACK FRIDAY sale in my workshop in Pacific Grove. Everything in stock will be marked down!

Please join me!

Erica Freestone
handmade artisan jewelry
157 Grand Ave. #109
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Hours: 10:00 - 6:00

Model Manzanita Reed modeling my jewelry on Carmel Beach, CA.