Garnet Swan Earrings

Holiday Season Schedule

It's almost that time of year again!


Shorter days and brisk evenings remind us that the December holidays are right around the corner. When we're not busy little elves making beautiful jewelry, we get into the holiday spirit by shopping our local small businesses and supporting fellow artists. We hope you do as well!

Like to do your gift shopping by the comfort of your phone or computer? Find our favorite pieces and best sellers and take advantage of 20% off in our Etsy shop through December 14.

Forge and Fountain on Etsy
For those of you who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, shop with us and support your local economy by visiting our two East Bay stockists:

         

And of course, scroll down to see events where you can shop our beautiful jewelry in person in the Bay Area and beyond!

BEST OF THE NORTHWEST FALL ART & FINE CRAFT SHOW
November 9-11, 2018  |   Fri 12-7pm - Sat 10am-6pm - Sun 10am-5pm
Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park
6310 NE 74th St, Seattle, WA 98115

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GUALALA ARTS FESTIVAL OF THE TREES
November 23-24, 2018   |   Fri 10am-5pm - Sat 10am-4pm
Gualala Arts Center, 46501 Old State Highway
Gualala, CA 95445

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SANTA ROSA HANDMADE HOLIDAY CRAFTS FAIR
December 1-2, 2018  |   Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Finley Community Complex, 2060 West College Avenue 
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

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VIANSA HOLIDAY MARKET
December 9, 2018   |   10am-4pm
Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room, 25200 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476

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CRANEWAY CRAFT FAIR
December 22-23, 2018   |   10am-5pm
Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South
Richmond, CA 94804

The Beautiful Resistance

The dandelion is strong; its roots go deep.
The dandelion spreads vigorously, even in poor soil.
The dandelion is hard to kill.
The dandelion is impossible to eradicate.
The dandelion cannot be subjugated.
#RESIST

 

 

The story behind the Dandelion Resistance in Holly’s words.

The Election, the Resistance and Political Expression in the Jewelry Arts

How do you square politics and art? Especially an art of luxury, such as fine jewelry?

We seriously asked ourselves that question, in the wake of the 2016 Election.

As conscientious and civically engaged citizens, Josh and I were devastated by the tide that turned last November. As self-employed artists, our means are limited, and we wanted to do everything we could to support the cause, which is now collectively known as the Resistance. Did you see those amazing “We the People” posters going up on Inauguration Day? We are proud to have supported that project by The Amplifier Foundation.

Musing on the role of art in supporting the Resistance, we found an abundance of lore on jewelry in wartime and eras of political turmoil and transformation. From sweetheart mementos, to war medals made into pendants, to Victory brooches, jewelry designers have never shied away from making political statements with their art in times of trouble. Statements of Strength, Beauty, Endurance, Solidarity. We’ve followed suit.

           

The Dandelion

After meditating on imagery and symbolism that resonated for me on what could be a long, hard road of the Resistance ahead, I settled on the Dandelion. Regardless of one’s feelings toward the plant as an often unwelcome garden resident, you’ve got to agree that the dandelion is basically indomitable. Did you know that “dandelion” is derived from the French “dents de lyon,” or lion’s teeth? Also incredibly apropos for the Resistance.

I sketched out a dandelion motif in the art nouveau style which turned out to be a necklace. As I started carving the design out of wax and the sketch began to take physical form, we knew something special was manifesting.

Ethical Materials and Support for the ACLU

Josh and I have made sure that every step of production of this heirloom necklace has meaning, beyond the “RESIST” carved into the back of the flower head. We proudly partnered with a woman-owned and operated casting studio in San Francisco, JR Casting, for the necklace centerpieces. Our chosen gemstones are American Mined™, and responsibly sourced and cut by a company that is committed to best practices in traceability, labor rights, and fair trade. And finally, at least $100 per necklace sold will be donated to the ACLU Foundation. There are so many worthy causes to support during the Resistance, and we concluded that the highest good our money can support right now is the civil rights of all Americans. We hope this choice resonates with you as well.

Our finished Dandelion Resistance Necklace is fabricated in 100% Argentium, a lustrous, tarnish-resistant form of sterling silver, and set with American Mined™ gemstones. We’ve designed two versions of this unique necklace for you. We chose these natural gemstones* specifically because they are of traceable origin (mined in California and Oregon) which is rare in the business of precious and semi-precious gemstones.

Energetically, the Fire Opal enhances imagination and brings vitality and a creative energy to endeavors. It brings inspiration to projects, ambitions, and to relationships, helping you stay on your chosen path in the face of obstacles. This is such a blessing in times of transformation! The champagne colored Sunstone embodies the radiance of the sun. Its vibration opens the heart, fosters warmth and benevolence, strengthens resolve and heightens focus and action. Sunstone is said to be a stone of leadership, personal power, freedom, and expanded consciousness. Sunstone also helps alleviate fearfulness and stress, and protects against those who drain your energies or finances.

To make this necklace as affordable as possible, we are offering the first 15 necklaces at just over our cost of production + the $100 contribution to the ACLU Foundation. Once the first 15 orders are fulfilled, the price of the necklaces will increase to their full retail value of $435 and $475 respectively, which will then include a $200 per necklace contribution to the ACLU Foundation. We want every sale of this piece to have a real impact in support of our freedom…in support of the Resistance.

Do you want to support the Resistance by gifting this Dandelion necklace to someone special? Each gifted necklace will come with a small certificate with the donation amount in your name, or a name that you specify. Please share this post with anyone you know who loves heirloom jewelry and has a passion for justice! Take heart; supporting the Arts is one of the most important tools we have as a society to cultivate empathy, human connection, and hope.

*If you’d like a different 4mm accent stone in place of the Fire Opal, we have garnet, amethyst, peridot, blue topaz, white topaz, smoky quartz, and citrine available. Send us a private message to request another gemstone. Please note that fulfillment of your order may take 3-4 weeks. California sales are subject to sales tax; shipping cost in the domestic U.S. will be an additional $9.

We’re also tossing around the idea a ring, bracelet, and earrings based on this design. Sign up for email updates and you’ll be the first to know when something new from this line becomes available. 

#RESIST #TAKEROOT #BEAUTIFULRESISTANCE
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Check out these links:

JR Casting, San Francisco

Art Campaign by the Amplifier Foundation 
“We The People” Art Campaign

 

 
My Collection of Resistance Art

Sustaining the Arts

“The artist’s vocation is to send light into the human heart.” ~ George Sand

And boy, do we need an infusion of light in a pretty dark world right about now.

It’s kind of amazing to realize this, but Josh and I are actually making jewelry full time at present. Despite the increasingly unpredictable horizon, but we’re hoping we can keep it up for the foreseeable future.

As an artist, you’re always second guessing yourself. Is my work worthwhile? Do people like it, want it, need it? And if yes to that…Are they willing to pay me a living wage for it? In times of great uncertainty and well, let’s not mince words here, GREAT FEAR, it’s difficult to rationalize wanting to make your living creating and selling beautiful but non-essential “luxury” items. So I have to remember and remind myself often how important it is to stay connected to the inspiration and meaning in your work. It’s not all just sparkle and bling. For us, making jewelry is about creating beauty for people to relate to, to express themselves with, and to show the world what they find beautiful and meaningful. People buy and wear jewelry to reflect what shines in their innermost self.

This is a sacred art.

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Not everyone thinks of jewelry in those terms, but the people that love our work generally do. And that’s what keeps us going.

It’s been a long, arduous summer and fall with 17 shows already under our belt, and gearing up again for the last 2 back to back weekend shows through early December. Between shows, I’ve been working diligently on marketing, scheduling, updating our Etsy shop, and keeping our online presence consistent and interesting, while Josh has done the lion’s share of studio work. We’re beginning to see the fruits of all this groundwork starting to come about, but it is often a difficult slog in an era when people are rightfully concerned about the future, weary of commercialism, and reluctant to spend their hard earned dollars on “frivolous” items. Like handmade jewelry. Like art, paintings, pottery, and whimsy. Like anything other than skyrocketing rents, meals, and the technology we rely on to hold our lives together.

img_4955But somehow, we’re still growing, albeit slowly and not without frequent obstacles. Despite the uncertainty of the economy, indie street art festivals, maker faires, and pop-up markets are gaining ground all over the bay area, and really all over the country. Why? Because an ever growing number of folks truly see the need for and the value of art—and specifically of hand crafted items—and the long term benefits of supporting one another in our local economies. And you know what, after the initial shock of the election results (and the aftershocks that just keep coming), I think we need to have this faith in ourselves, and we need to support each other, now more than ever.

“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance and I know of no substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.” ~Max Eastman

 

To this end, we’re spreading as much holiday cheer as we can with our jewelry, as well as the fantastic work of our fellow friends, artists, and local galleries. If you want to help spread the love with us, please add your voice to the comments, share your favorite artists and artisans, and share this post with everyone you know who could use a nudge toward supporting the arts and buying local.

And if you’re looking to do some fun holiday shopping this coming weekend, come see us along with hundreds of wonderful independent artists and artisans at the San Jose Harvest Festival!

“I don’t believe in art. I believe in artists.” ~ Marcel Duchamp

Autumn Harvest


Handmade shoppers! Autumn is here, and we’re really excited to make our beautiful jewelry debut at the famous Harvest Festivals!

blackened silver jewelryOur season begins with the Pleasanton Harvest Festival this weekend, Friday-Sunday, September 16-18. We will be located in Building A at booth #401. We have a limited number of VIP passes good for one adult admission ($9 value) and would love to give them to you! Please fill out the form below with your contact information and which show(s) you’re interested in attending. Have a look here for the rest of our event dates this season.