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



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!

Monday March 24, 2014


Just a little peak into my world, as it stands, today.

My home studio I lovingly call The Sanctuary. 12 square feet of creativity abounds in this little nook in our home.



Work-in-process photo. Each little piece of the wings are pierced, which means I drill a hole into each area that needs to be cut out, thread my tiny saw blade into that hole, and then hand-cut each little part out using a jeweler's saw. Beyond that, each little place has to be filed and sanded down. Meticulous but oh so rewarding when finished.

Where the butterfly necklace started. As you can see, I got a bit better at drawing by the last one, although the second to last is quite charming and I might pursue that design today.

Party Re-Cap and Updates

Me and guests at the Open Studio + 1st Friday

Friday, September 7th was my first night participating in Pacific Grove's First Friday event. The weekend was a fun and busy one for our small, sweet little town: in addition to First Friday, it was also the Art and Wine Walk, and the weekend of the Pacific Grove Triathlon. I had a great turn out, and cannot thank everyone enough for coming out to support me and my fellow artists here in town. What a treat it was to have yummy cookies fresh from the oven from Carolyn's Cookie Company, as well as the delicious party-hit sweet potato and date tea biscuits (yum!) from my dear neighbor, Lydia.

There have been lots of lovely people wandering around town and poking their heads in to the studio the past few weeks. The weather has been warmer (for our 'summer' standards) and I have seen tale-tale signs of the sun for longer and longer hours of the day. As the days advance, I keep looking forward to the great indian summers we have here on the coast.

Things in the studio and in my life outside of jewelry-making have been very busy lately. I have been easily caught in the 'daily grind' as it were, so I've had to remind myself that there is so much beauty and peace all around me--if I'd just hold still a moment, I could see it! I don't know about you, but if I find myself doing nothing, I begin to feel guilty or lazy, so I rarely give myself a break. Perhaps it is the peril of owning and running your own business. There is so much to do, and so many things that could be better than they currently are. Not to mention so many new ideas and things to try out for the first time, which are always exciting and tend to take precedence over the rest, pushing the other stuff onto a longer and longer list of to-do's.

To 'take a moment' I forced myself to a few trips to the shore, wiggling my toes in the freezing cold water, taking in the breeze and the sweet ocean smell, and admiring the tide pools. I'd like to share that with you if only in the hopes that you might find some beauty and marvel, too.

Sea Anemone Rings with sea glass and shells
© Erica Freestone

From these various adventures to the ocean, I couldn't help but be inspired by the fantastic creatures and textures found on the shore. I knew the 'moments' wouldn't last forever so of course I had to make some sea anemones for finger-wearin'. This collection was a joy to create because it helped me see the wonder of the world as it is, and appreciate each difference and idiosyncrasy as perfect as its imperfection is...



I hope this update finds you all well, loved, healthy, and creative.

Sincerely,

Erica

Open Studio 9/7/12 5:00-9:00 Join Me!

Join me for Pacific Grove's double-header 1st Friday and Art Walk 

on Friday, September 7th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM.

Complimentary treats and drinks will be provided for your snacking pleasure. Make your way through P.G.'s fine art establishments and support your local community of creative folk as we pursue our artistic dreams!

Come down and see my newest collection of

completely handcrafted and one of a kind

pretties for those digits,

adornments for that stellar neck of yours,

flashy finery for your sweet little 'lobes,

and perfect treasures for your amazing wrists.

See ya there!

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Open Studio

Please join me this Friday night for a little nibbles, drinks, good music, and to see my newest collection as well as my new space if you haven't stopped in already.

Mother's Day is May 13--buy Mom a gift that's as one of a kind as she is! 

I have marked down many of my pieces to make room for new ones.

OPEN STUDIO

Friday, April 13, 2012

5:00-9:00 PM

157 Grand Ave. Suite 109

Pacific Grove, CA 93950

It is also the PG Art Walk on Friday, 

so many other art studios in town will have their doors open and lots of goodies! 

Come support your local artists!

Buy Local. Buy Handmade. Support the Arts.

Much love,

Erica

Video Time!

Many of you have asked for a video of me working in my studio...

so, without further ado--here it is! I hope you enjoy it! :)

Much love on this cold yet beautiful February day,

Erica