Saturday, March 14, 2009

Oregon Pictograph Ceramic Pendant

Ancient cultures and their symbols is a favorite subject of mine to study. Oregon is rich in archeological art and this earthenware pendant shows an example of a pictograph found in Harney County.

I have glazed this pendant to have the appearance of an old weathered rock, with the pictograph created with a glaze close to the color that may have been used to create the original image. More photos of this unique pendant can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry shop on 1000markets.com.

*What is the difference between a pictograph and a petroglyph?*

A pictograph, which is usually found on the surface of a light colored rock, is an image that was created by painting with a variety of pigments made up of soot and/or local minerals that had been made into a powdered form. Red could have been made from hematite or iron oxide, and orange could have been made by adding limonite. Malachite provided the green, azurite the blue, and turquoise probably came from ground up turquoise. Other sources of pigment included white clay, silica, gypsum, chalk, calcium carbonate, and charcoal. Pastels were created from clay mixed with other minerals. Thanks to the arid climate found in central and eastern Oregon, many examples can be found today of this early artwork.

A petroglyph is an image that has been chipped, chiseled or pecked into the surface of a rock. These are typically found on exposed rock surfaces. They depict hunting scenes, religious or magical symbols, ancient astrological symbols and other surreal symbols whose meaning is only known to the ancient cultures that created them.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Chic and Green Blog Feature!


Karley, of the wonderful indie shopping blog "Chic & Green", has picked my Good Dirt Jewelry shop at 1000markets as her first featured artist in her "Day at the Market" series! I am so honored and excited to have been chosen for this feature! Please visit her blog to see other amazing artists that have been featured, and you may want to add her blog to your reader as she is planning on featuring many more artists from 1000markets.com in the future.


You can find the blog here, or at one of the links highlighted above.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Fossil Ivory and Fine Silver Pendant

Fossil Ivory and Fine Silver Pendant


Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

A handmade cabochon of fossil walrus ivory created for me by my husband, 1000markets artist "Grizzly Mountain Arts", has been set into a fine silver pendant to create this one of a kind piece. I used Precious Metal Clay (PMC), which is .999 fine silver, to create the pendant. I have given the silver pendant a rich patina to give it the appearance of an ancient relic. The 1" diameter pendant hangs from a Hill Tribe silver jump ring and a leather cord. A gift box is included with your purchase. More photos of this unique piece can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop.

**What is fossil ivory?**

Fossil ivory is ancient ivory whose composition has changed from ivory to mineral. Care should be taken to distinguish fossil ivory from recent ivory which has yellowed or discolored. Fossil ivory (including walrus, mammoth and mastodon) and other archaeological and paleontological materials are regulated by an array of Federal and State laws. These items may not be collected on any Federal or State lands. Fossil ivory may be collected on private lands with the permission of the land owner, and is not regulated under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Fossil ivory does not have to be tagged or registered. Anyone may sell fossil ivory without first handcrafting it.

**Where do we get our fossil ivory?**

Ancient walrus and mammoth tusks are dug out of the permafrost or bone mounds by Alaskan and Siberian natives annually during the summer thaw and sold to subsidize their family or village income. We buy our ancient walrus ivory shards from ivory buyers that travel to the St. Lawrence Island area to buy from the ivory co-ops.

"Fresh" ivory and elephant ivory will never be used in any of the artwork created by Good Dirt Jewelry or Grizzly Mountain Arts.

"Long Time Round" Ceramic Pendant

Long Time Round Ceramic Pendant

I created this 1 1/4" diameter pendant from earthenware clay. This piece has been glazed with an earthy moss green. A carved horn bead and an upcycled watch stem were used in the design. This pendant hangs from an 18" ball chain which you can easily remove if you have a favorite chain you prefer to use.

If you would like to view more photos of this pendant, please visit the listing in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Sacred Celtic Salmon Ceramic Pendant


Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!  

I created the "Sacred Salmon" from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a dark brown colored glaze. This pendant hangs from an 18" ball and chain necklace which you can easily remove if you have a favorite chain you prefer to use.  A gift box is included with this piece which is now available in my 1000markets.com shop.  

**The Sacred Salmon**  

To the Celts, the fish symbolized knowledge, wisdom, the gift of prophecy and inspiration.  

The Salmon of Wisdom were keepers of all knowledge. Mythology tells us that this knowledge was attained by eating the nuts of the sacred hazel tree.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Handcrafted Walnut Tatting Shuttle with Inlayed Ceramic Cameo


Dave, Grizzly Mountain Arts, handcrafted this 2 ¾ inch shuttle out of Walnut. I made this kiln fired ceramic cameo of the Three Muses (or Three Graces) with a pink glaze for him to inset into the shuttle. The burn etched motif is one of Dave's favorites because it looks so classical and also makes the shuttle look like a little musical instrument. This shuttle has a hand rubbed bees wax satin finish. This shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave.  An additional photo may be viewed at the Ebay auction for this piece.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Pale Blue Ceramic Fleur-de-lis Adjustable Ring

Ceramic Fleur-de-lis Adjustable Ring

An antique button with the fleur-de-lis was used to make the mold that created this delicate looking ceramic ring. The ceramic portion has been glazed a pale blue color and was mounted on an adjustable ring base.  

The fleur-de-lis, translated from French as "lily flower", is a stylized design of either an iris or a lily that is now used purely decoratively as well as symbolically, or it may be at one and the same time political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic and symbolic, especially in heraldry. 

More photos of this ring may be seen in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets.com shop.