Down to Earth

Maybe it's the season, maybe the lack of rain leaving all the grasses tinder-box brown, maybe even my mood....but I found myself drawn to the lovely earth-shades of jewelry in the shops that belong to Etsy artist formerly-known-as-Berry Patch Designs, now becoming Silver Shadow (a change prompted by a name conflict with another e-seller on that OTHER e-site). She also maintains an "alternate reality" shop at Undercurrent. A member of Etsy's EarthPath Artisans Street Team, Berry Patch/Silver Shadow loves life but not drama, animals, people-watching, and keeping an individualistic approach. Here is how she describes her approach to design: "I love to combine the varying colors and textures of the natural world. There are so many feelings and places to love about our world!"


Her materials remind her of those places and feelings: turquoise, jasper and agate in their infinite varieties, other semiprecious gems, like amazonite's soft greens, garnet's rich wine colors, bronzite's gold-flecked chocolate depths. High quality man-made glass and metal beads join in the visual symphony; they have their own brightness and feelings to contribute to her designs.

What does she love most designing jewelry? Hearing and seeing that people enjoy wearing her jewelry. I bet she hears that a lot.


Her "mad ramblings" about jewelry design can be found at her Strains Asylum, and her designs at Berry Patch Designs, Silver Shadow, and Undercurrent.