The Flights of Imagination of a Jewelry Designer

By Olga of O V Gillies Designs

Every jewelry designer goes through stages, collections, periods where creative streaks overtake often in a direction previously not imagined. Thankfully, my latest flight of imagination is something that has been in my mind and in development in my studio for a while.

First, is the mini-make-over of the focal semi-precious pendant stone design that I have been selling in my O V Gillies Designs on Etsy shop for a while now. I have updated this design with a long pullover, infinity, chain and a hand-stamped brass leaf with my maker's name and the name of the stone. The look and style is something of a bohemian, city chic. The necklace sits just below your breast and will go well with a more relaxed look, while subtle natural colors and classic design make it perfect to add something unique to a work suit.

I choose every stone for each design very carefully. The selection is often influenced by various inspirations, often I take a photograph of the inspiration and include it in the listing. Not surprisingly, living on an island, the colors and nature around play a major role in my inspirations. I wire wrap each pendant individually and hand-stamp each tag myself. This results in characteristic handmade 'imperfections' and quirky little things the total of which is an absolutely unique piece of jewelry.

Second, is the coming together of my two passions: art and Mineralogy. The result, is the line of Art Canvas Necklaces that feature unusual, interesting semi-precious stones as mini works of art. I love finding stones that represent intricate, complex designs and creations of nature. In Art Canvas pieces I present them on a classic linen canvas. Each stone is natural, untreated and is absolutely unique. Each mini canvas is handmade by me with natural materials - pure linen, wood, raw brass. I metalsmith each bail and hand stamp my maker's name and the name of the stone, or a combination of stones, featured in each necklace. There are characteristic handmade quirks in each necklace, and I have used a long oxidised black sterling silver chain to complement each handmade mini Mineralogy art pendant.

New Jewelry at O V Gillies

Ocean Jasper pendant stone black silver chain necklace. Smooth oval cabochon, linen canvas. Seaside geometry, Mineralogy jewellery OVGillies £129.00	Navy blue untreated Pietersite pendant stone necklace. Midnight storm blue leaf focal Pietersite black silver chain. Night sky jewellery OVGillies £117.00
Petrified Wood Opal Cheetah Agate pendant stone necklace. Fossilised w/ druzy black silver chain. Mineralogy jewellery OVGillies £117.00	Untreated denim blue Apatite pendant necklace. Smooth trapezoid stone, linen canvas, long black silver chain. Geometric, geometry jewellery OVGillies £129.00

Favourite pieces of art-jewelry from other JET team artisans by O V Gillies

Black Eclectic Jasper G... cooljewelrydes... $159.00	Luna Moth Fairy Pendant... seemomster $150.00	Goddess Necklace- Sterl... LimeintheSky $220.00
Green Quartz Gemstone R... ResaArtDesign $569.00	Geometric Wire Earrings... TraceDesigns $25.00	Carved Amazonite & Pyri... TheSilverBear $88.00
Prasiolite Ring Sterlin... EmeraldPixie $78.00	Starflower Fine Silver ... littlebrownbir... $59.00	Sterling Silver Queen C... dashery $115.00
Mens Silver Compass Wax... YourDailyJewel... $84.00	Anatomical Heart Neckla... gennahuffman $22.00	Green Amethyst (Prasiol... WearableByDesi... $435.00
Hand Painted Glass Lock... ArtMadeByTammy $40.00	Marquise Loop Earwires,... OzmayDesigns $7.99	Wood and Stone Pendant ... RamshackleStud... $300.00