Just a Peek!!!

Kabamba Ocean Jasper

Dendrite Mookaite and blue Chalcedony

Prehnite

Chrysoprase and vintage angelskin coral branch

(short note: I've resolved not to buy anymore new coral, so it was to my great thrill and amazement that an antique store in Petaluma had a strand from the 60s! I nabbed it, and this is one piece - incredible.)

All four necklaces are on their way into the Metal Shop with great joy and trembling hands: where will they go? To what incredible woman will each belong?

xoxoxox,

Allison

Shop Update: Earrings and a Turquoise Ring to Live For

The second part of the shop update happening tomorrow features plant rolled earrings and a turquoise ring that makes me melt, right in the heart area.

People say that things are "to die for", but this ring is so vibrant, so earthy that I think it's to live for, indeed!

A vein of turquoise, right there in smooth, polished matrix: this is my kind of stone.

Until I am strong enough to do more lapidary, it warms my cockles to use rocks that I would have thought to cab, had I the rough to use.

To make a stone like this, a person has to have ingenuity, trust in the rough material, and a fantastic eye.

It is exquisitely tall, and on the band and backside of the ring itself, I have subtly roll-printed a leaf.

Right around a size 7, this beauty is!

RESERVED

Next up, a pair of wheat grass earrings, rolled from a stalk I found while Anthony and I roamed a small meadow on our way home from Monterey a few weeks ago.

Rosy, vibrant and bursting with vitality!

RESERVED

Turquoise and fern frond earrings.

I don't even know where to begin to express my love for the plant rolled into these beauties, or for the woman who blessed me with the plant.

These are born of friendship, made with love and prayer. They measure 2.5 inches long, dramatic and strong.

The back of the earrings are roll-printed sterling: a leaf placed upon the roller cracked open at the sides, and the effect was so deliriously powerful and magical, like a thunderstorm. I had to put it in something, but it was too small for a necklace - voila, earring backs!

The turquoise is from Crow Springs mine, almost more aqua than turquoise, beautiful speckles of matrix throughout.

This is for the rockingest cowgirl, urban or otherwise!

RESERVED

Rose Quartz.

Fern Fronds.

Be still my heart.

Luminous, luxe and light on their toes, these beautiful earrings measure 2.5 inches long as well, a matched pair of ferns, a lovely satin glow.

As with the rings before them, these pieces can be reserved.

Please send a convo to inquire about their availability.

I will mark them as reserved here on the blog as they go.

Tomorrow as I update the shop, I will be adding three new necklaces that will be surprises: they are beautiful, rare and special, and cannot be reserved.

I cannot wait to show them to you!!!

Love,

Allisunny

On My Mind

THIS movie

THIS perfume

THESE boots -

the cowboy boots that started it all for me some five years ago, I was lucky enough to snag a pair recently for far far less (I sold mine when Jessica Simpson wore them and their price skyrocketed - I had bought the original pair for 12 smackers!) thus, a feeling of homecoming!

THIS blog -

her recipes are foolproof, her observations delightful.

Your sweet hearts.

Here is the song I've had on repeat for a week -

indeed, let's unite.

xoxoxo,

Allison

Love

Today I was looking through my photos, trying to organize by folders in a new hard drive, and I came upon some shots taken when I was in Los Angeles a few short weeks ago....

my heart filled to bursting:

how did I get so blessed to have a life filled with strong women, stalwart men, astounding family and friends?

It gets me teary.

I've been working really hard on emotions lately, trying to just 'let it hurt': instead of responding to a perceived slight or challenging words with an aggressive, guarded heart, I've been letting the pain of disappointment pierce me to the marrow.

Letting the more vulnerable feeling wash over me, content in its warmth, knowing that I will not drown.

The wonder that it creates; that my spirit is stronger than sadness, that I have even more space to love without all of that armor... that I no longer have to blame someone for failing me in any way....

it's positively freeing. And really, really requires diligent, disciplined awareness.

I am letting it hurt.

It makes my world open when I think of these loved ones so far away...

I think of our move up north and how we felt so choiceless in our choice, if that makes sense...

when I see Terra and Elliott, Seamus and Liane and my Redlands crew I just have to let myself miss them, let it be.

Let it be.

Let it hurt.

xoxoxo,

Allison

YES!!!

Indeed

Indeed....

all is lovely and light this Saturday morning.

xoxoxo,

Allison

Thpring has Thprung!

Through the kitchen window all I see is a cotton candy cloud of pink jasmine. I've been waiting for this all winter long, such a joyful smell, a balloon for your heart...

Seedling and succulents from Tomales Bay

And beautiful copper and sterling things blooming in my studio!

EDIT:

I am taking reserves on the pieces for next week:

The Holding Bowl Ring has been claimed!

A Holding Bowl Ring with a lovely little piece of Kingman Mine Turquoise - this bowl is for your sadness.

For the tracks of your tears, for the tears of a clown:

full of unexpected details

and prayer.

RESERVED

The ring is somewhere around a size 10, need to get a better exact measurement, but my hands are weary - soon enough :)

RESERVED AS WELL!!!

For the wee of finger, I have crafted a chrysoprase copper blossom with sterling water droplets:

it looks so Irish!!

I think it came about from all of the Irish Breakfast Tea I'm drinking in the morning and the fact that I miss Liane, Seamus and Jimmy so much:

everyone needs a little brogue in their life!

This ring is right around a size 5.75.

Both have a heavy patina and gorgeous satin shine - There is so much heart in them, mine and the earth's.

I am procuring beautiful pieces for a shop refill scheduled for next Wednesday:

there are fern leaf earrings, two pair

wheat grass earrings

ocean jasper and mookaite necklaces

and a heaping helping of

LOVE.

Have an amazing weekend, dear friends!

xoxoxo,

Allison

Foxes in Love

At a time when I am not taking custom orders I was a bit hesitant to post pictures of this bag bound for a woman I love so much, but it feels forgivable

because it was part of what brought me my rolling mill:

a partial trade

with the understanding that due to my injuries it would take longer than it usually would.

She was patient, gracious and maternal, as she always is.

I am bursting with excitement about this one, because it was so inspired by caring about someone, making something for a friend...

When the riveting hours are long and the hands are tired, nothing nudges you gently toward completion quite like the mental vision of the piece in question tucked under the arm

of someone so beautiful and loving.

I told her a few nights ago that I wouldn't be able to contain my excitement, that I'd have to send pictures, and so I did....

I felt I'd regret it if I didn't also share them with you all, my dear ladies and gentlemen.

xoxoxo to you today,

Allisunny

Red Tailed Hawk and Cardinal

In the Leather Shop today!

What a Day Away Can Do....

Somewhere between the ocean,

the journaling (which I so infrequently do)

the warm glances of the man I married

and the comfort of a King sized featherbed

I shed some angst.

Maybe it got carried away in the mouth of an attentive gull

or perhaps it slipped out through the open window as I read articles on couture and

design....

ferried away with the surf two stories down from our warm fire-lit room...

but I know in whichever direction it went, it will serve its purpose and I bid it adieu

fondly and with respect.

I am lighter, well-held and ready for the wonderful guests I will welcome tomorrow evening at our city manse.

Creatively, the time spent doing little or nothing (save being) made me feel like there is so much room for movement now.

I can feel the tendrils of some new ideas beginning to wrap gently around the heart and hands, and I know that they involve leather.

Have you ever felt on the cusp of self-acceptance, on the very edge of living with little judgment? I can see the road from here, and it's fine.

I hope your weekend was incredible and refilled everything empty, and I hope you tell me all about it.

Love,

Allison

Bits

I am really looking forward to Monday (not to rush this lovely weekend!) and the warm light in my studio.

There are beautiful things afoot.

Sending lots of love for the weekend,

Allison