Saturday, June 20, 2015

Stone Cabochon Series :: #4

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Years ago, before we had our kids, my husband and I took a road trip through the Southwestern US. What a gorgeous corner of the world, and something that continues to influence me when I sit down to create jewelry. 

The red rocks and painted desert of the area are breathtaking and remain carved into my memory along with our hike down into the grand canyon as we watched a thunder storm erupt along the opposite rim. Mother Nature's light show was spectacular.

I will absolutely never tire of the bold, but simple colors and geometric shapes from local artisans. I am inspired by the Southwestern Native American tribes of the region with Navajo, Zuni and Hopi being personal favorites. If you have time to browse, check out my Pinterest board for some of the regions beautiful inspiration.

This set of red stone cabochons gifted to me from Melinda Orr were two of the first I paired together for this series. While they are not of the same stone, they seem to depict the shifts and changes of the rock layers throughout the region. It is one of the memorable things about visiting the Southwest. I love how you can see the the layers of sediment exposed to the elements over the millennium; a rich history you can study as you hike these magnificent natural wonders. You can see more inspiration on my South by Southwest Pinterest board.

Each one of these paired cabochons has taken on its own personality, and this one seemed to need a brass chain to draw out the flecks in the sandstone. As I think about it, the first time I ever saw sandstone was in the small market as you enter Monument Valley. The cluster of vendor stalls were full of local craftsmen selling items in the traditional native Southwestern styles, including pottery, blankets, clothing, bags or jewelry. I've been in love with the stone ever since and it continues to reminds me of our trek through this region each time I pull it out to create.

20 comments:

  1. I hope to get there someday! Beautiful jewelry!

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  2. Beautiful Cynthia!
    I will be traveling through that area next month.
    Therese

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  3. Nothing like a red desert sunset ... awe inspiring spectacle you never forget (nor the red dirt that seems to find its way into everything!!) Beautifully done!

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  4. Simply Gorgeous. Love this series. What an inspiration.

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  5. I've always wanted to visit the southwest! Someday. The red rock looks amazing! I would love shopping from the local craftsmen. Your creation is a beauty. It is perfect with the brass.

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  6. Oh, I am so with you about the Southwest as an influence on my jewelry. That blue blue sky against the red rocks = stunning. So is your necklace.

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  7. Wow great place!!! lovely inspiration!!! nice work!!!
    Have a good week, dear friend!! my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  8. That is inspiring, and lovely.

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  9. That photo of the Navajo Tribal Park is stunning and so is your necklace! Beautiful rich colour!

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  10. That photo of the Navajo Tribal Park is stunning and so is your necklace! Beautiful rich colour!

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  11. I used to visit Arizona as a kid and loved the beautiful red mountains! These stones represent them well.

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  12. I am so with you Cynthia! Some of my best childhood memories are of family road trips into 'red rock' country, especially Bryce and Zion Nation Parks. Soon after my marriage, my husband and I took a road trip with my folks, visiting Monument Valley where we took a guided jeep tour. Incredible!

    Your design powerfully evokes the beauty of the region and makes me want to go back.

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  13. What a gorgeous necklace! It does remind me of Arizone but also reminds me of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It's a stunning piece!

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  14. The cabs are perfect complements to each other, and the copper seed beads are a beautiful touch. Even if you hadn't included the picture, I would have seen something very similar in my mind, inspired by this wonderful necklace!

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  15. Beautiful! I'm now following you on Pinterest. I'd never really seen the Southwest until my recent trip to Phoenix. I'd love to go back some winter and explore some other artsy towns and rock formations there.

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  16. Who wouldn't love a sunset in the Southwest?? Your pinterest board is gorgeous so is your necklace!

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  17. i wasn't going to backtrack and look at blogs i missed while away but i am glad i did with you...the colors, the memories, the sentiment, the necklace...well worth looking back and seeing this...soothes my SW soul :-) You made absolutely gorgeous necklaces with all these cabs!

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  18. My late grandparents lived in Sedona, AZ and we used to visit that are in my youth annually. Your cab perfectly pays tribute to the red rocks of the southwest!!

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