'Garden Flowers' hand painted enamel Pendant
'Garden Flowers' is a a hand painted enamel featuring some of my favorite things- flowers. I love to have bouquets in my home all year long. They cheer my soul and bring the outside indoors. I cannot look at them without having a smile and stopping to breathe in their scent. The chain on this piece has Unakite and hand twisted pieces making this so unique and one of a kind.
Unakite was first discovered in the United States, in the Unakas mountains of western North Carolina/eastern Tennessee (hence its name). However, it can also be found on the beaches of Lake Superior, where it was originally dragged by glaciers, as well as washed down from the mountains into rivers in Virginia.
Unakite is said to be a stone of vision, opening the third eye. It is also believed to be a stone of balance, grounding the self while bringing emotions and spirituality together.
Among crystal healing practitioners, unakite is used to support convalescence from illness. It is also believed to affect the reproductive system, healthy pregnancy and the growth of skin and hair.
The chain: Every link to this chain I have formed and cut out of aluminum (links) and silver for the Unakite stones. I used aluminum for two reasons, 1 it is so lightweight so the pendant will not weigh you down and 2 because is it a non tarnishing, non- reactive metal and will always keep its shine. The chain is 22" and is adjustable by where you hook the hook into the chain.
I love working with enamels! Some people say it is a flashback to the sixties. I was too young then to experience that and fell in love with them just recently. All my enamels are kiln fired. This is a process of melting glass onto the metal and it takes a minimum of three to four firings up tp 20 firings of each piece to achieve the color layers. Before you even start with that, there is the cutting of the shapes, the sanding of the metal and then the cleaning of the metal, all before you start with to add the color. It is a time intensive process.
Created in my Appalachian Studio in the heart of WV. Each piece is handcrafted to the perfection of the artist's eye, made by International Jewelry Designer Christine Keller of Chrizart Creations. It is made with all the love and good energy I can possibly put into a piece.