It's Fall again. Leaves are turning. Branches will soon be bare. Perfect time to revisit the Out On a Limb Series.

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This broach was  cast in sterling using the lost wax method. I soldered 3, 4 and 5 mm tube settings to the "twig"  then set them with raspberry garnets and an amethyst. Then I fabricated and soldered the bezels before setting them with boulder opals.

Here I combined a Chinese writing rock set in sterling bezel with  gold chain and  lost wax cast sterling twig. The  20" necklace was made from  freshwater pearls.

A  lost wax cast  acorn cap set with a Tahitian pearl topped with a 14k loop to accommodate any size chain.

Lost wax cast pendant with Australian boulder opal, synthetic emerald set in gold, with 14k gold accents.

Lost wax cast branch with drusy leaves, wrapped in sterling wire. Chain of fancy pearls on hand forged chain.  Below: A matching bracelet extends the necklace.

Happy October!  Thanks to Sue Knopp's  magical enamels here's some eye candy to inspire your seasonal mood.

To make this bracelet: I used blueish pink boulder opals (from Tucson Gem show 2008) which perfectly (and magically)  matched the sky, and vivid green turquoise. Coiled gold-fill wire suggested branches. Then stones and the enamel were set in textured sterling silver. Adjustable link chain with rock crystal drop.

This was the first bracelet  in  a series of four.

​Pumpkin and Black Cat Cuff. Beneath a black cat's shadow, a pumpkin grins.
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Inspired by the tree branch motif (it reminded me of Briar Rose held captive behind the hedge of thorns ) I wrapped each bezel with  gold fill wire. Spoiler alert: the wire-wrap also allowed me to disguise some particularly ugly soldering––the result of too much metal and not enough heat. My wire wrap solution is what we artists call "a happy accident".

A caramel colored druzy (to compliment the pumpkin) and a faceted blue topaz balanced labradorite and green turquoise cabochons . The three sections were then hand crimped for texture and polished. A hand forged chain and hook makes this cuff adjustable.

Witch Star and Pumpkin Bracelet.​​

Blue drusy  and enamel are separated by faceted Iolite, green tourmaline, and spessartite  garnet accents. The Gold drusy, green turquoise, and blue mabe pearl were bezel set onto crimped and polished sterling silver. Sterling and gold fill chains were hand forged.
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Witch Sun and Pumpkin Cuff: 

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