Ripe for the Harvest

Scenic Jasper and Turquoise Necklace - $70.00
18" (45.72 cm) long, the strand itself consists of 31 round mixed tan-green agate beads (4mm),
Turquoise with a greenish tint, miscellaneous jaspers, 13 Unakite round 4mm beads, with a pair of silver wire guardians, sterling jump rings and a beautiful sterling silver toggle clasp. The clasp has an extra long bar for security and 3 extra jump rings, for play while closing (that puts less stress on the wire). Deep olive green seed beads between the stones on the main part (the jasper and turquoise), and two lovely Bali sterling silver beads

Steph Strain of BerrypatchDesigns based in Orlando Florida uses lots of Jaspers and other earthtone natural gemstone beads in her designs. Her style is very Southwestern, but with her own twist. The word that comes to mind for me is “Harvest”. Her pieces have a deep but warm glow about them, like the ripening of Indian corn, squash, and mulberries. I remember about this time of year in Baltimore as I was growing up, the mulberries would turn a rich, velvety shade of purple or plum. These colors while somewhat low-key always gave me a smoldering sense of excitement along with the briskness of the November air.

The necklace at the top exemplifies the richness of Steph's work at its best, flowing with transitioning shapes, colors, and textures that give the necklace a graceful but at the same time, commanding presence. This jewelry is for real women, not shrinking violets. There is a definite maturinty to it that you don't see in all jewelry, a substantialness that only a strong woman can carry off.

This bracelet is deep and powerful in its design but at the same time also conveys a sort of wry humor. Notice how well the colors in the goldstone and glass bicones go together, both the yellower hues and the darker browns.

Mouse Hunt Bronzite Bracelet - $17.00
Big, chinky bronzite beads; the largest oval is 20x12mm, the smallest pair is 14x10mm. Alternating with the oval bronzites are adorable mouse-shaped silver spacers, along with two brown-and-cream bicone glass accent beads. The silver toggle is tiger-striped with a cat face charm, for a touch of irony.

This next necklace with a variety of gemstones included is an eclectic piece in terms of the materials used, but it is consistant with her autumn motif color palette, reminding me alot of candycorn.

Yellow Aspen (N010018) - $35.00
Silver leaf agate leaves as drop pendants, on a yellow-gold Czech glass and semiprecious gemstone necklace. The stones include 10mm faceted carnelian, 3mm faceted crystals, banded agate round beads, 3x8mm tiger eye heishe and sterling silver Bali spacers.

Might I also mention that her work is very reasonably priced for the amount of stone you get in one of these one-of-a-kind pieces!

Fall is the right time for you to pick one of them; maybe more.

To keep an eye on new designs as they become available or to place a custom order, go to her several stores on Etsy:
http://BerryPatchDesigns.etsy.com
http://UnderCurrent.etsy.com
http://SilverShadow.etsy.com

To learn more about the artist and what she’s up to, read her blog:
http://strainsasylum.blogspot.com