Finished with Stone setting Project 1: bezel set ring! What do you think?!!! #makecicadatime @baltimorejewelrycenter
My Gerber daisy is almost finished! Just some polishing touch ups and setting the bezel! #makecicadatime #gerberdaisies #daisy #flower #jewelry #handmade #silverring #silverjewellery #ring #flower #mothers #jasper @molly_rose_jewelry @baltimorejewelrycenter
I am pushing the limits of my bezel making skills. Project 1: bezel set ring…swipe for some progress shots. I still need to trim down the bezel wall before attaching my flower petals. #makecicadatime #handmade #silverring #botanicaljewelry #botanical #blossom @molly_rose_jewelry
I was at the Belvedere in Bloom market today, and while I had a good time, the wind was not friendly with my earring displays. I can’t tell you how many times they got pushed over by a gust of wind only to fall all over the parking lot. Not fun. So I devised a way to bolt all three of my boxes to my display shelf that can be done and undone in a snap of a finger. These babies are going nowhere! #craft #craftmarket #makecicadatime #jewelryshow #handmade #mothersday @bsqbaltimore
Come see me this Saturday at Belvedere in Bloom @bsqbaltimore !! It’ll be a wonderful tented craft market plus tons of food and other necessities for Mothers Day!! #makecicadatime #craftmarket #handmade
I am loving my new banner! This really snaps up my table booth! Now it feels like a real booth! Come see me next weekend or Belvedere in Bloom and get ahead start on Mother’s Day! #market #makecicadatime #jewelry #handmade
I used a mathematical formula to create this thick bezel around this tiny jasper and I am dumbfounded. This could quite possibly be the most mathematically perfect bezel I have ever fitted. Seriously. Math works. Numbers never lie! Only humans do!!! 🧐 #bezelsetting #math #mathworks #makecicadatime @molly_rose_jewelry
My booth banner is finished!!! Just an hour on the sewing machine and my new pole system! The whole project cost about $29. It’s that time of year where I need to take updated booth pictures. What do you think? #makecicadatime #boothdesign #jewelryshow #craftmarket #craftshow
It was only a matter of time that I would get a cicada wax seal… I can’t control myself #makecicadatime #cicada #waxseal #stamp #jewelry #embossing
My booth is getting an upgrade with all the shows I have coming up! As such, i bought an over-the-bench pole to hang signage, lights or decoration depending on the occasion/style of market. I’m also creating a banner for my tent as well. Can’t wait to show this classy look!!!
Delicious new Color Circus baubles just got added to that collection! Lots of new colors ready for summer! #makecicadatime #color #jewelry #handpainted #handmade
Blossoms and twig ring setting for this glass cabochon are complete! This weekend I created this and a matching cicada and now I think I have the start of a new collection. Moths and other blossom designs are coming next!
#makecicadatime #handmade #jewelry #handmadejewelry #insectjewelry #ring #blownglass
Cocktail ring in progress! This glass cabochon is something that I bought when I was in Europe probably about 15 years ago and it’s been sitting in my box forever and ever waiting for just the right idea and now I’m ready to make this into something that will match my newest cicada. #makecicadatime #glass #europeanvacation #viennaglamour #silverring #jewelry
Here comes my newest cicada origami pendant design and the unofficial launch of a new collection called Japanese Summer! More designs coming soon!!
#makecicadatime #handmade #jewelry #handmadejewelry #insectjewelry #pendant #japan
Here is the first cicada in a newest collection I am calling Japanese Summer. I can’t believe it took me this long to execute this idea, but here they come! More pictures will come soon. Working on a matching cocktail ring. 😍💙💙💙#makecicadatime #japan #cicada #japanesepottery #jewelry #pendant #insectlovers #insectjewelry
Just some simple flower drops for today! #makecicadatime #flowers #blossoms
I don’t know why I didn’t think of this idea before but it’s better late than never! Can you guess what I’m going to do with these? 🙃 #makecicadatime #cabochons #glass #stonesetting #jewelry #handmade
More beauty shots of this bat mitzvah name pendant. I’m just super pleased with how my first experiment with silver nitrate went after so many years of having not tried it in a while. The stone on this piece is pink tourmaline and the entire piece is solid sterling silver. Hoping that the new owner of this pendant enjoys it for a lifetime! #makecicadatime
Ta dahhhh! This Bat Mitzvah custom name pendant is complete! If you don’t read Hebrew, don’t worry. It’s the bat mitzvah girls name which is “Sarah” which is embellished with two little birds and 1 rose cut pink tourmaline. I love the rustic texture and the etch came out so sharp. Off to the post office this afternoon to send it home.
#makecicadatime #hebrewname #sarah #pendant #silveretching #namependant #handmade
Having fun playing with colors. Carved wood, brass and acrylic. #makecicadatime #jewelry #handmade #handmadejewelry #woodbeads
Go go go! Getting projects done…
Here is my etched design! Ready for soldering etc!
Weird science! Yes it’s true that sometimes working in the studio is literally like working in a chem lab! I’m etching a sweet little name/bird design into sterling silver. Tomorrow it’s solder and polish along with setting a beautiful rose cut pink tourmaline. Stay tuned!
#makecicadatime #jewelrymakingtechniques #jewelry #tutorial #jewelrytutorial #etching #silveretching
Me and a bunch of BMore crafters are down in Highlandtown / Brewers Hill at @mobtownbrewing for a @popupgallery.eastcoast market! Come see us 12noon to 4pm! Get a brew and get some baubles too!!
We still have leftover reception cards from our 2005 wedding. The paper is way too luxurious to toss, so I’m using them for sketches…Hoping to incorporate a little more of my illustration in my jewelry designs. #makecicadatime #koi #koifish #doodles #illustration #jewelry #handmadejewelry #handmade
Today is the market day! Come, check me out at the Valentines market at R.house, greater goods market. I am here selling all handmade jewelry and Adornments, including my newest hair accessories. Looking for something for Valentine’s Day? I’ve also got plenty of hearts! Hope to see you, I’ll be there from 12 noon to 5 PM. @greatergoodsmarket_
Here come some in progress shots of my anatomical scrap hearts for trinket boxes, pendants and pins. Hope to have as many of these done as I can in time for this weekend’s @greatergoodsmarket_ Valentine’s Market! These are each one of a kind, handmade from vintage and up cycled materials! 1 of the box designs is in the @vesaliustrust valentines auction!
#makecicadatime #valentines #hearts #anatomy #anatomicalart #vintage #tin #upcycled
More fun with sand castings! Lego heart brooch with topaz tube setting in sterling silver, bronze heart! @baltimorejewelrycenter #lego #legos #heart #hearts #valentines #brooch #broochhandmade #makecicadatime #narrativejewelry
Another treasure from the @baltimorejewelrycenter and @_eearl ‘s sand casting class! I powder coated one side loosely to see if colored chunky tulip was worth it. I think I’m going to leave the other side bronze for now. I already have earrings to match. #sandcasting #tulips #tulipjewelry #makecicadatime #color #powdercoating
Introducing a little child’s play:
Lego my ❤️
My ❤️ is melting
A hole in my ❤️
My ❤️ is full
Legos, sterling, sand casting
#sandcasting @baltimorejewelrycenter @_eearl #makecicadatime #hearts #valentines #legos
Progress and results from our second day of sand casting class! More than anything, I am proud of the lessons I learned from this iterative experiment! I definitely have some new pieces to polish and use for very unique designs. And I can’t believe I used the big torch and crucible without injuring myself or anyone else!!! 😂 #makecicadatime #sandcasting #handmadejewelry @baltimorejewelrycenter @_eearl @katjatoporski @patbakerjewelry @candacestriblingjewelry
I am having a blast learning #sandcasting at the @baltimorejewelrycenter with @_eearl! Learning a ton about a technique I have long been wanting to pick up! More progress coming up tomorrow! #makecicadatime
Newest Nocturnal Spring moth, 2025 edition! Sterling silver, stainless steel and rose it 4mm labradorite center stone! #makecicadatime #moth #mothjewelry #entomology #naturelover #naturejewelry
New moth wing designs in the works! These are my mess ups, so they are earrings. Better cuts will be pendants. Stay tuned!
Copper, chrome and gold coffee mugs are coming to the shop this weekend! Working on white ones now…
How bout a nice hot cup of joe? Tea for two? Ok before you get excited, I did not make the teapot… it’s dollhouse furniture. But yes I did make the mugs. Making a handful in different finishes. #teatime #makecicadatime #moscowmule #coffee #mugshot #coffeemug #teapotcollector #coffeejewelry #teafortwo
Finally finished this cocktail ring
Here is my little mugshot. I made this little “Life is Good” miniature mug as a reminder of a special life lost. Gary used to walk around our department with his coffee, sipping out of his turquoise cup, a gift from @daciabalch, with a smile and a twinkling eye. Oftentimes he’d leave it somewhere (the studio, by the copier, in one of our offices) and we’d hand deliver back to him as he would respond with his signature Cheshire Cat grin and a chuckle. He was without a doubt a huge influence on my life and career. He was my teacher, and later recruited me back to Hopkins and became my mentor as well. I shared two words at his funeral in how I would describe him in Yiddish: he was beshert (meant to be in my life) and a mensch (a sweet human being). I deeply miss him and will continue to think of him often. I hope his legacy lives on and the memories of his unwavering belief in me, his smile, warmth, wisdom and humor give everyone who knew him continued comfort. Miss you Gary P. Lees.
#makecicadatime #medicalillustration #coffee #coffeemug #smile #mentorship #mugshot #mugshotmonday
Progress on my wee blue coffee mug. Going to paint the final details on it tomorrow #makecicadatime #coffee #coffeemug #miniatures
#lifeisshort #makecicadatime #bangle
Working on another small personal commemorative project. Right now it looks like a miniature of Moscow mule, but eventually it’s going to be a tiny turquoise coffee cup pendant. Stay tuned! #makecicadatime #coffee #coffeecup #coffeejewelry #pendant #smile #lifeisgood
The end of 2024 saw a lot of loss for a lot of people, near and far for both friends and family. One thing I have not forgotten ever since I lost my mom is that life is too short. One of my mantras that has become part of my brand is the phrase, “make cicada time“. It comes from one of my professors who passed away the same year as my mom and it’s a reminder that we need to take time to regularly bring joy into our lives. As many know, the cicada is part of my identity and there’s so many reasons why. Aside from the fact that I’ve always loved insects, the cicada in particular has become a very special and meaningful symbol of beauty for me. If you look at the periodical cicadas, like the 17 year cicada, it lives a very unusual life. Unlike other insects that only live for days or weeks, the 17 year cicada, as it is named, can live longer than a house cat! But it lives most of its life tucked away in the Earth looking forward to that one final summer of its life to come out and have as much fun as possible, only to fall to the Earth and die. But it’s young live on and the cycle repeats. Making cicada time means not only making that time to have as much fun as possible like a summer cicada would, but it’s also a reminder to not wait. Don’t wait for retirement. Don’t wait until the end of your life to then spend just one short summer having fun. Try to find little bits of time in between the waiting periods to find some kind of joy, to make something new, or share something meaningful. I saw these letter beads and I just had to buy a bunch of strands so that I could make a few of these bracelets. Here’s my first one. This personal item is something that I’m going to wear as a reminder to myself and to others to make time to do the things that you love, to spend time with the people that you love and bring joy while you still have the time. #makecicadatime
Happy New Year! Trying something new with old items I’ve had forever. I don’t know why I didn’t think to use my entomology texts in my photos before, but better late than never. Feel free to give critique… trying to figure out how I might spice things up for 2025!
#makecicadatime #insects #entomology #insectjewelry #entomologist #entomologyart #mosquito #insectearrings
I sold out of my last pair of big mama mosquitoes 🦟 so guess what I did? I made new ones! And these minis have smaller legs. A redux on the original design and I definitely like them even more!
#mosquito #malaria #insectjewelry #makecicadatime
This was interesting, and not AI. Weird animatronic display at a store that sells glasses. Certainly got my attention.
If a cyanotype is a blue sun print, then what do you call a green sun print? A veridiotype? Verdotype? #greencyanotype #cyanotype #makecicadatime
Fun to see what people stopped to look at this past year. I am forever grateful for the people and community I have connected with and I look forward to continuing our conversations in 2025. Happy New Year everyone! #makecicadatime
Happy Chrismukkah! We had our traditional Chinese dinner, first night of Hanukkah and I got this fortune. I hope it comes true. For you and me 💕 happy Holidays and let’s hope for a very happy healthy new year.