GS: What's Going on at Green Spot

So, maybe you are wondering what's going on here at Green Spot Studio. I know, I haven't been around much so far this summer. So I guess it's time I share what's happening over here.

After taking some time to think things over (and discuss with Sal), I decided to cut back on my company... make it a little less than part time. This wasn't an easy decision to come to.

Basically, I had burnt out. Over the past couple of years, I took everybody's advice and took any and every job that came my way... no matter how much money I made. I did this to keep getting my name out there. Unfortunately, all this did was promote me as being really inexpensive. I put Green Spot Studio on sale. And if you know my work, you know the amount of time that I put into every piece. And after meeting with my accountant this past spring, we figured out that I doubled the amount of jobs that I completed, but made around 1/2 the money. No business could survive that way.

Although money is a major issue, there were certain situations and conversations that lead me to my decision. And it would be rather tacky of me to share those stories, so I will leave it up to your imagination. But there was one final thing... one final ring that broke the jewelers' back (so to speak) and I just left the shop. I didn't return for quite some time. I blamed the heat. I blamed caring for Jupiter. I blamed the house being a mess. But really, I was the only one to blame because I just couldn't face sitting at that bench of another minute.

Now... it hasn't been all bad. Most of it has been rather delightful. Honestly, I have worked with some amazing people. And it is those wonderful clients (you know who you are!) that are keeping me in this business! Because, overall, I do love what I do... and I think I do a decent job at it too!

So, where does this leave Green Spot Studio?

I will continuing producing custom pieces. BUT I will be much more selective about the jobs I take on and the clients I decide to work with. I want interesting/challenging jobs! So if you have those, bring them my way! I will be charging accordingly, though. If you ask for the family discount, I may just tack on an extra 10 or 15%... you don't know how much I actually like my family that day, do you?

Along with this, I am looking for a part time job. Preferably not in the jewelry field. I'm not sure what that will be... but I'll keep you posted when I figure it out.

So do not fear... there will be a great deal of pretty pictures coming your way! I have a few engagement rings I'm working on... along with new limited edition stock pieces in the Green Spot Studio line. And maybe, just maybe, with a little encouragement I can get back to my Oscar Challenge. Maybe.

So... thank you if you hung in there to read my whole diatribe. Like I said, pretty pictures to come. Stay tuned!

GS: Deco Sunburst Engagement Ring

A few months ago I did an Earth Day Fair at Harvard and met so many lovely people. Apparently I made a good impression on one of them, because she and her 'soon to be fiance' called me to make their engagement ring! They had family diamonds (one large from her family and 4 small from his family) and wanted to use them.

As for the design, all they knew was they wanted simple and 3 stone. So I decided to go with a clean deco style. And since they were about nature and sustainable, I thought an Art Deco Sunburst would be perfect! If you don't know what I mean by Sunburst, here is a great example in an antique hair comb...




Now, we designed the ring first then I got the family diamonds (which is somewhat backwards from how I normally work, but it took some time to get the stones.) I realized that the small diamonds wouldn't work in a 3 stone ring because the proportion to the center diamond was all wrong. We decided to save the diamonds for the wedding band and go with sapphires.

The center diamond is a .78 ct mine cut and flanked it with faceted Ceylon sapphires, prong set in platinum. And this is what we ended up with...








The sunburst can be seen from the side view, originating from the small diamond.