Dog tags

 Introducing these new handmade fine silver dog tag necklaces.  I create each dog tag pendent by hand in my studio, one at a time. 

They hang from an 18" long sterling silver 1.5 mm ball chain.














          The pendant is available in three different motifs.  All the dog tags have an English word or phrase on one side and the Hebrew translation on the other.

"I believe"
"Peace"
"I am my beloved and my beloved is mine"

The dog tag necklace is available at my
Etsy store.  For wholesale inquiry please contact me.

Leather Bracelets

I sell to a lot of small gift shops in temples and they are always asking me to make something more affordable.  Ok, cheaper-but with the same style and quality all my pieces. So last month I was tinkering around in the studio, trying to come up with another great Bat Mitzvah gift.  I remembered that my daughters always come home from camp with an arm load of friendship bracelets, that they made or traded.  The bracelets stay on until they inevitably fall apart, and off.  They are really cool and a bit bohemian.  I really like them, so I see do many high end jewelry designer, so why not make a Jewish version.
I found a great American made company that makes leather cording in great colors.  I designed a bunch of silver charms, a chai, star, heart, hamsa and a shalom charm.  After a lot of experimentation I decided on a double strap design with a silver button closure. 

I'm still experimenting on the colors I should offer.  I've showed them to a couple shops and they have really liked them.  So Im making more and will have them on had for the URJ show in San Diego in December.

They are about $32-$34 retail. 

the story of the needle case

original needle keeper

my new version

shown open

About 25 years ago, I was a sweater designer visiting the Orient a few times a year to work with factories. Most of the time, I was in Hong Kong, and most often I was in some bland office working, but every so often, we would get a chance to get out and explore the city.  I don't actually remember where I acquired the case, it may have been on an out of the way street market, or it could have been in a fancy antique store in the vast shopping malls.  But I do remember that I had never seen anything like it.  It was not expensive, it may not even be silver.  But, it is beautiful.
I wear the needle keeper from time to time.  It is always noticed, always a conversation starter.  It has been the inspiration for many of my own creations, like the tiny secret keeper necklaces.  I finally decided to make a more literal version of the necklace.  My own design is constructed just like the original, though slightly smaller.  It also has a skinny leather cord.  I used my own floral textures for the design and added applique silver flowers.  It is of course fine silver.
The first time I wore it it was noticed.  It's been purchased and is gone.....until I make another incarnation.

busy in the studio....

Ive been very busy working in my basement studio making all sorts of pieces for my upcoming shows, especially the URJ show in December in Maryland.  It has been incredibly fulfilling to be creating all day.  I just hope everyone likes the pieces as much as I do.
I haven't added anything to my etsy shop yet because I have too many local shows coming up, but I thought I'd just post a few pictures to show you what I have been up to.  I also have been experimenting on some new ways to photograph the mezuzot, I like to show them hanging instead of lying flat.

mezuzah with amythest

This ancient building necklace opens up

If you are in the St. Louis area I will be at the Bnai Amoona Chanukah Bazaar, this Sunday October 30th, 9-1.  Come by and see me!

my mezuzuah is part of a museum collection

I am honored to have my brownstone mezuzah selected by the Mizel Museum in Denver to be a part of their permanent collection.  The mezuzah is fine silver and is inspired by brownstone homes that I used to walk by in Boston and New York. It features a bay window and a street lamp.  I am honored to be a part of this wonderful Jewish Museum.  The mezuzah will be displayed as it was meant to, on a doorway. 

To read more about please check out the museum's newsletter, The Mizel Tov, and click on the link for the museum newsletter (It is the Spring 2011 edition).

new mezuzah

My latest mezuzah case takes the form of a house.  The original texture of the walls of the home I created myself.  It is a wallpaper like pattern of flowers reminiscent of the arts an craft movement in the late 1800's.  I also included a raised scroll design.  There are three arched windows, one of which is open so one can see the scroll that would be put inside the mezuzah.  A dormer juts from the left wall of the structure and a chimney is on the roof.  But the most spectacular part of the mezuzah case is the door, which I made tiny silver hinges when opened reveals in Hebrew, the word,"Shema". 

As usual, piece is one of a kind, fine silver.

tamara's yad

My daughter's bat mitzvah is coming up in September and she has been studying and preparing for it.  I decide to create a very special personalized yad for her and give it to her now so that she could use it during her practice sessions.  She was so excited with the gift.  The yad has her name wrapped around it and also the date of her upcoming Bat Mitzvah.  I designed this yad with her personality in mind, with a whimsical top and a butterfly, which is a theme throughout her invitations and decorations for the lunch after the service. 

Personalized yads are always available in my etsy shop.  You can discuss exactly what you would want to include on this very special gift.

mezuzuah project-2010

My completed year of Mezuzot for 2010......

2011 promises to be even better.

custom work

I just completed these two custom mezuzot for a customer.  It seems that my building mezuzahs do not last long in my collection or my Etsy shop, so it's best to order one made especially for you.  It takes me about 2-3 weeks to complete the mezuzah, but you can select the style roof and wall finish that you want as well as any other personal touches you might like.  I think these can out really nice.

Please come and see me!

I am so excited about all the wonderful things I have been making these past few months. I am ready for the fall shows and holiday gift giving season.  I have a few great shows coming out starting with a trunk show at Essential Elements October 13, 14, and 15.  I am about to send out a postcard with all the show dates for this fall, if you want to be included on my mailing list, please email me.

mezuzah project-september

Here is the completed September mezuzah.  The Moorish tile Jewish star texture looks very different after the piece is fired and the patina is added.  It's interesting to me that the hexagons around the dark stars takes on it's own presents and a star shape too.  I didn't anticipate this, but I'm delighted with the result.

I nixed the funky shin idea for a more geometric modern star.  I think it related better to the texture and modernizes the design.  I'm very pleased with the way this month's mezuzah turned out.  Right now it is not in the shop, but you can inquired about it by email to me if you are interested.

mezuzah project-august

Ok, I'm late again.  This time I'm just late about posting because I finished this mezuzah in August. 

This design is like one I made last year, but better now, beacuse one year means more skill.  I love the modern texture and the non traditional approach to a mezuzah.

This month I have been very busy preparing for fall shows.  I'm having a trunk show at Essential Elements in October and the Best of Missouri Show is in November.  There are some small venues in between, I'll keep you all posted.

what inspires me.....

I have been  working every possible moment I have in my studio these days preparing for the fall shows.  I have a trunk show in October and The Best of Missouri Hands show in November (more details to follow).  So I need a lot of beautiful things to sell, especially jewelry (as opposed to Judaica). 

What inspires me?  Well, my approach to designing jewelry in very different than Judaica.  For jewelry, I have to go back to my roots.

First, I research.  I look at everything!  I see what the metal clay artists are up to.  Most of this research is on the web.  I look at artists I admire and also those I don't.  I want to see what everyone is excited about creating.  I get ideas about trends in style as well as technique.  Maybe a new way to add a bail to a pendent.  Of course, I never copy, but use my own style to interpret the technique.  I always take a look at my old metal clay technique books too.  Sometimes something old looks new again.  That's also why I go through my old sketch books.  I interpreted my old wire wrapped designs into metal clay!

Now it's time to research the fashion trends.  I was a knitwear and sportswear designer for years so I am very interested in fashion.  I'd like to think my jewelry is timeless design, but I can't help to make designs that relate to whats in.  It's just fun for me.  So I look at sportswear, couture as well as accessory and jewelry trends.  My favorite places for high end jewelry designs, Barneys New York!  For real trendy, young jewelry you have to check out Urban Outfitters, (of course it may fall apart by the time you get home). Ideas can come for high and low end, so I look everywhere.

Finally, I always take some time to design for me.  It may sound silly, but some of my best sellers have come from this approach.  I just bought a new dress for the Jewish holidays.  It's a solid purple Susan Monaco,  from my favorite boutique in town Essential Elements.  The dress is understated, so its perfect for jewelry. I designed these link chandeliers to wear with it.  I think that a necklace with the earrings would be way too much, but lots of chunky silver link bracelets will look great! Stay tuned for these to show up in my fall collection.

I never make jewelry that I myself wouldn't wear.  I've tried to honor a customers request when I didn't like the idea and I am always disappointed with the result.  So trend or not, if I don't like it, it's not going to happen for rachels things.

Well, I better get back to the studio, I have a lot of work to do.

so many houses for sale......

Yes, it's a buyers market, there are so many houses for sale in my neighborhood.  But these are different kinds of houses.  They are my handmade, one of a kind, tiny fine silver pendent necklaces, which depict some pretty special fantasy buildings.  Check out the new varieties in my ETSY store.

flower chain necklace

I've been crazy busy in the studio this week making all sorts of things to get really for the fall and holiday shows.  Here is a new necklace that I just added to my Etsy shop.  It's a delicate looking chain of fine silver flowers, perfect for a strapless dress or a wedding gown.

triple flower earrings

I've added additional flowers to my periwinkle earring to make this chandelier style.  It makes a real statement! Check them out on Etsy!

special gifts

I was honored to make some personalized yads last month. I've made yads (pointers used to read from the torah) before, for Bar and Bat Mitzvah gifts. This is a unique way to honor the event and if given before the service the Bar Mitzvah can use it while he reads from the Torah. Adding the name of the child and the date of his or her Bar Mitzvah make it a very special keepsake.
This month I was ask to create a yad for the "teacher" of the Bar Mitzvah. What a beautiful gift to give a teacher. The customer chose to personalize the yad with the name of the teacher with gratitude and love from his student. I am told that the teacher was extremely touched by this very special gift. It was for him one of the most favorite gifts he had received from a student. I am so happy to be a part of this wonderful journey.

a charmed life

I am so happy and honored to be participating in the emc team, Etsy Metal Clay, charm swap.  If you don't already know, the emc team is a group of extremely talented etsy artists who specialize in working in metal clay.  I was juried into the group last year.  The artists lend support to one another by promoting our shops and also exchanging ideas, techniques and resources.
For the charm swap we were required to make 24 identical charms, 22 to exchange with the other artists, and 2 additional charms that will be made into bracelets that the group auctions off for charity.  Honestly, the last bracelet that was made (a year ago) was incredible and really priceless.  The charms  had to be in metal clay, silver or you could use bronze, copper or a combination.

So here is what I came up with.  They are not identical, but pretty close.  They are silver.  I decided to make a 3 dimensional charm since I love to construct my pieces.  I just send the box of charms off,  and I should get a box back next month with 22 different charms from all over the world.  I can't wait to see all the different techniques and points of view.  I might make a bracelet out of it, or maybe a charm necklace.  Oh, by the way, this one will not be for sale!

the mezuzah project

I've decided to start a new design challenge this year.  I am calling it the mezuzuah project.  I am going to design and make a new fine silver mezuzah case each month and feature it on my blog and in my Etsy store. 

This month I am creating the castle tower mezuzuah.  It's in the kiln right now, stay tuned....

marketplace boutique

I will be at the Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center Marketplace Boutique this Thursday November 19th at United Hebrew.  The boutique takes place in the evening from 5:30-9:00pm.  I will have my Jewish star necklaces, some towers as well as some inexpensive whimsical earrings. I only have 2 mezuzahs left, I've made another but I'm not sure I will have time to finish it before the show.  As always, all my jewelry and artwork is solid fine silver and make by hand by me! There should be a lot of great vendors at the show so you might want to stop by and see if you can find a unique gift for a friend, or yourself.