Showing posts with label Santa Fe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santa Fe. Show all posts

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Zia Sun Necklace, Red Coral Turquoise New Mexico Handmade Jewelry Gift


zia sun necklace gift for her



The enchanting SACRED ZIA handmade necklace is filled with a soul satisfying sense of the mysteries of the Desert Southwest. The one of a kind necklace features a glowing, artisan made sterling Zia sun pendant. Red coral tubes and turquoise colored Czech glass beads complement the pendant perfectly. The handmade pendant was created from tarnish resistant sterling silver Zia sun pendant, a symbol that has long been sacred to the Zia Indians and is featured on the New Mexico state flag. The pendant was cast with a raised sun and recessed sun rays in the middle of the round pendant and then lightly oxidized to bring out the fine details of the symbol. The Zia pendant was then polished to a mirror like finish (which made it hard to photograph as it reflected my silhouette, the sky and clouds and other nearby things) on both the front and back. Please be assured, the pendant is shiny sterling silver. The back has the .925 stamp of sterling silver and the initials of the artist. A sterling silver closed ring securely connects the Zia sun pendant to the main body of the necklace.


zia sun red coral and turquoise jewelry gift for women



Red and turquoise are colors associated with Santa Fe and the Desert Southwest, so they were used to continue with the spirit of the Zia sun. Rustic red coral tubes make up the major part of the necklace. The rich red coral is termed “rustic” because the tubes are not exactly the same size, both in length and diameter. The larger tubes can be found in he front, with the smaller to the back. Between the first eight tubes are turquoise colored tri-cut Czech glass beads. Each turquoise bead has three facets in it (tri-cut) to add subtle sparkle. At the back of the necklace, the turquoise beads can be found between each coral grouping of three. Small sterling silver beads separate each piece of coral and each turquoise bead from its neighbor. A beautiful sterling silver toggle clasp with a “ray” design flawlessly finishes the necklace. Carefully designed and handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, the SACRED ZIA handmade necklace is a perfect gift for the woman who adores meaningful jewelry designed in the Southwest.



southwest zia sun necklace with red and turquoise




*** The Zia Indians regard the Sun as a sacred symbol. Their symbol, a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions, has been painted on ceremonial vases, drawn on the ground around campfires and used to introduce newborns to the Sun for centuries. Four is a sacred number, reflecting the basic harmony of all things in the universe. The Zia symbol represents the Circle of Life: the four directions, the four seasons, the four times of day and the four stages of life. The Zia also believe that man has four sacred obligations: to develop a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit and a devotion to the well being of the people. The Zia sun symbol is on the New Mexico state flag.

Here is the important information for the SACRED ZIA necklace:
  • Tarnish resistant sterling silver Zia sun pendant: app. 15 mm x 1.5 mm; artisan made by Bev in Albuquerque, NM
  • Red coral tubes: from app. 15 mm x 5 mm to 10 mm x 4 mm
  • Turquoise tri-cut Czech glass beads: app. 4 mm x 3 mm
  • Metal: sterling silver
  • Clasp: sterling silver toggle clasp set
  • Length: app. 19” / 48.3 cm
  • Pendant drop: app. 0.75” / 1.9 cm including the sterling silver jump ring bail



Mr. Moose Dog and I thank you for the shares of the Zia sun necklace - a symbol close to my heart (:


SHADOW DOG DESIGNS

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Boho Sun Earrings, Orange Red Green Handmade Enamel Jewelry Gift


boho sun earrings for women



Filled to the brim with vivid boho vibes, the colorful SANTA FE SUNS handmade earrings will positively cheer you up every time you put the beauties on! The lightweight, one of a kind earrings feature enameled half sun charms, Swarovski crystals, copper and sterling silver. The colorful sun charms were individually handmade, starting out as copper blanks in a five-rayed half sun design. Enamel glass powders in orange, red and green were permanently fused to the copper blanks using a high temperature butane torch. The back side of the charms was fused with black glass powders. As you can see in the photos, the colors are Santa Fe vibrant and the finish is extremely glossy. Perfect jewelry for those long summer days!


orange red and green enamel sun earrings gift for her



To give the colorful sun earrings great movement and sparkle at each turn of the head, five links of copper chain was used, connected to the charms with copper jump rings. Wire wrapped to the middle link of each chain is a mega-glitter faceted Swarovski crystal bicone. The color is called “fire opal,” a bright orange that shades to red, like the colors you might see in a fire. It’s a perfect complement to the orange and red found in the enamel sun charms. A pair of sterling silver French hook earwires with copper bicone accents finishes the unique earrings. Carefully designed and handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, the one of a kind SANTA FE SUNS earrings were created for the woman who adores colorful artisan boho jewelry!

boho santa fe sun earrings jewelry




Here is the important information for the SANTA FE SUNS earrings: 

  • Enamel half sun charms:  app. 35 mm (at widest) x 25 mm; artisan made by Pearly Karpel
  • Swarovski crystals:  faceted 6 mm “fire opal” bicones
  • Metals:  copper and sterling silver
  • Earwires:  sterling silver French hooks with copper bead accents
  • Length:  app. 2.5” / 6.4 cm measured from the top curve of the earwires   




Mr. Seamus Moose Dog and I thank you for the shares.  He sends treats to all his 2-footed and 4-footed buddies (:


SHADOW DOG DESIGNS