While studying art at Orange Cost College in the mid seventies my interest in stone work started to blossom. I clearly remember seeing a pin with a rose carved of Red Coral set in sterling silver and thinking to my self how cool this was and amazed at the job someone did.
During this same time period I met two different people that were doing inlay/overlay Southwest style stone mosaic on spiny oyster shells. One was Billy Jones of whom I lost track of almost instantly. The other was Lee Louden of Crescent Valley, NV. Lee became a good friend a major influence and cohort for the next twenty or so years.
Anyway we can all blame Lee and Billy for starting what you see below..
Early Mosaic Shells 1978-1981
WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY DEFINES MOSAIC:
1. The process of making pictures or designs by inlaying small bits of colored stone, glass, tile. etc. in mortar.
2. Inlaid work made by this process.
3. A picture or design so made.
All of my early work was an stone overlay but I still considered them Mosaic Work
Stone Mosaic Over Very Small Clam Shell
This is the first shell in a series that I started in 1978. One thing to note, I started using curved stone cuts very early.
All shells when done were signed and dated. The early shells were signed on the back inside the actual shell. The later shells
were also signed on the stonework up around the top of the shell.
Click image to enlarge
Signed and dated #1 1978
Indian Mountian Turquoise, Orange Spiny Oyster, Gold Lip MOP and Jet
Set in Sterling Silver with gallery wire bezel.
SUZI'S SHELL
Signed and dated #2 1978
If you enlarge the image you will notice gaps between some of the stones.
As my talents improved I would offer a potential buyer a
10 power eye loupe so they could see there were few if any gaps in my work.
Click image to enlarge
THREE EARLY SHELLS
1978-1979
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
All shells when done were signed and dated. The early shells were signed on the back inside the actual shell. The later shells
were also signed on the stonework up around the top of the shell.
Click image to enlarge
Signed and dated #1 1978
Indian Mountian Turquoise, Orange Spiny Oyster, Gold Lip MOP and Jet
Set in Sterling Silver with gallery wire bezel.
SUZI'S SHELL
Signed and dated #2 1978
If you enlarge the image you will notice gaps between some of the stones.
As my talents improved I would offer a potential buyer a
10 power eye loupe so they could see there were few if any gaps in my work.
Click image to enlarge
THREE EARLY SHELLS
1978-1979
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
The later shells were also signed on the stonework up around the top of the shell.
Click image to enlarge
Signed and dated #1 1978
Indian Mountian Turquoise, Orange Spiny Oyster, Gold Lip MOP and Jet
Set in Sterling Silver with gallery wire bezel.
SUZI'S SHELL
Signed and dated #2 1978
If you enlarge the image you will notice gaps between some of the stones.
As my talents improved I would offer a potential buyer a
10 power eye loupe so they could see there were few if any gaps in my work.
Click image to enlarge
THREE EARLY SHELLS
1978-1979
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Set in Sterling Silver with gallery wire bezel.
SUZI'S SHELL
Signed and dated #2 1978
If you enlarge the image you will notice gaps between some of the stones.
As my talents improved I would offer a potential buyer a
10 power eye loupe so they could see there were few if any gaps in my work.
Click image to enlarge
THREE EARLY SHELLS
1978-1979
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
As my talents improved I would offer a potential buyer a
10 power eye loupe so they could see there were few if any gaps in my work.
Click image to enlarge
THREE EARLY SHELLS
1978-1979
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Left Azurite, Red Coral and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center "First Mimbres Inspired Lizard" repeated many times over the years. Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl
Right B.C. Jade, Aventurine and Red Coral set in Sterling Silver..
Click image to enlarge
MOMS SHELL
1979
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Mom's Shell
First Butterfly and one of the largest shells I ever overlaid. 70mm X 70mm 2 3/4 X 2 3/4 inch
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal
Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Nevada Turquoise, Arizona Turquoise, Sodalite, Opal Signed and dated #9 79
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
By this time the gaps in my work had all but disappeared.
Left Chrysoprase, Chrysocolla, Lapis, Red Coral, Jet and Australian Opal set in Sterling Silver.
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
Center Two colors Nevada Turquoise, Jet, Red Coral, Lapis, White and Gold Lip Mother of Pearl set in Sterling Silver.
Right Turquoise and Jet set in Sterling Silver.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Design Based On The Old Time Tobacco Canteen
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
Two Separate Mosaic Shells glued together then drilled for top stopper in silver work.
I had two shells I could not market, so I glued them together for this very small canteen.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet.
Materials used Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, two types Turquoise, Jet and Chrysophrase.
Click image to enlarge
1979-1980
Unfortunatley I only have a clear image of this Adventurine side, the oposite side was kind of drab B. C. Jade.
The silverwork is made with gallery wire and sheet. I made a channel on the outer edge that was then
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
inlaid with Red Coral the stopper was also capped with Red Coral
Click image to enlarge
1980
Of only four canteens I was to make this is the largest and most interesting late 1980.
Silver work produced from half round wire and sheet. Stopper set with Sodalite cabochon.
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Materials used Sodalite, Orange and Red Spiny Oyster Shell, three types Turquoise, Gold Lip MOP, Tortoise Shell and Lepidolite
Click image to enlarge
1980 or 1981
Early on a very strong and long lasting influence in my art work was the simple
yet elegant designs of the ancient Mimbres Indians of Southwestern New Mexico.
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
In my early work and thru most of the nineties, I would just have to do another Mimbres inspired piece.
Below is an example of an early complicated design.
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
With the use of only five colors, this fish almost comes alive.
Click image to enlarge
CHARLOTTE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
I had known Scotty and Charlotte Bennett of Castle Gap Jewelry Co. Dallas for about four years when
I received a call from Scotty asking me to make Charlotte a "RED CORAL" shell for her birthday.
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Charlotte being a good friend and knowing that she truly loved red coral.
I knew that I better do the best statement I could in Red Coral, below you will see the results.
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Red coral, fox turquoise, lapis, chalcosiderite
Click image to enlarge
BEST FISH OF ALL
A striking design using few colors.
Nevada "Fox" Turquoise, Red Coral, White Coral and Lapis with an Opal eye set in 14K Gold.
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
If you take the time to count the separate pieces of stone in the fish there are more than 100.
This shell was produced in late 1984 and one goal in it's production was making truly round beads 100% freehand on the grinder.
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
I managed to do this and then had people think that I had purchased and not handmade the beads because they were so perfect.
Click image to enlarge
KEITH'S SHELL
After Charlotte's shell I had the desire to make another Coral shell.
I made some minor design changes working toward what would end up being the last shell in the sreies I made a few months later in the year.
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Red Coral, Chalcosiderite, Domallie Varasite, Lapis and 14K Gold beads.
This shell was finished off in this way at the request of my customer. It is the only shell I did that I then drilled for stringing.
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
1984
My second of only two Butterflies
Nice use of muted colors.
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
Black Jade, Kingman Turquoise, Sugilite, Orange and Red Coral set in Silver. Hand cut Orange Coral beads.
This shell was produced in mid 1984. The stone count in just the butterfly excceded 110.
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
I was very happy with the mosaic shell but I always thought the beads I made to string it on were a little small.
Click image to enlarge
LAST SHELL 1984
The lizard is composed of two colors of Damele Turquoise from Nevada, brown for the tail and a light to dark green for the body.
The lines in the tail and neck are best Lapis and extremely hard high blue Turquoise from Morenci AZ.
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
For the arrow shapes I surrounded gel Sugilite with the Morenci Turquoise. I finished the eyes in Gem Opal inserted into 14K gold tubing.
To finish the shell into a necklace I made a silver setting that had a separator between the top and bottom pieces of plate silver sheet,
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.
Click image to enlarge
this gave me a channel that I then inlaid orange coral, the small strip of coral in the image is not part of the actual shell, it is the channel.
I hand made 3/8" in diameter silver beads and also made similar three piece beads with a channel so I could inlay the beads with the various colors of stone I'd used.