Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Seven

This week, I'm bringing back an old favorite of mine, John Rasmussen, of Rasmussen Gems.  If you've been following along, you've met this Rensslaer graduate geologist here several times before, together with his wife, Deborah, the beader in the family.  They've been busy with new pieces, and they're just as breathtaking as ever.

This rock crystal pendant is certainly on my wishlist.  Just look at it!

On the other hand, in my world you can't go wrong with rubies, my birthstone.  These pretty little ones are the perfect frame for this morganite ring.

I still have a thing for more natural-cut stones, though, like this amazing fire opal.

Gorgeous, am I right?  On the other hand... this citrine is calling to me too.

I'm obviously like a kid in a candy shop here.  Know where I could really go crazy, though?  With Deborah's beaded pieces.  The woman is running a liquidation sale!  Seriously unreal prices for beautiful handmade jewelry.  Seriously.

Like this necklace in my favorite color, blue, and white.

You're not as much of a fan of blue as I am?  OK, then.  I give you earth tones in agate.

Or for a different look, this pretty pendant necklace.

No?  Then how about my other favorite, this turquoise and howlite necklace?

The shop is just full of wonderful things, and I'll leave you on a colorful note with this all seasons necklace.

Just don't forget to stop by the blog to see what's new... like their two new grandchildren or the craft shows they're headed for!

Artist Spotlight: Part Ninety-Two

You've met this South Carolina geologist-lapidary-jeweler here before, John Rasmussen, who together with his wife Deboarah Lee creates the wonderful pieces you'll find at Rasmussen Gems & Jewelry, so I'll get straight to the good stuff...

And to learn more about John and Deborah, check out the blog, of course.

Artist Spotlight: Part Eighty-Four

You've met John here before, as well as here and here.  The quality of his work, though, is so breathtaking that he's worth another look.  So... look.

I do get suck a kick out of the "fight like a girl" pendant, but I really want to own this last tourmaline one.  Take note, people, since my birthday is next month!

For more of this beauty, check out his shop!

Artist Spotlight: Part Seventy-Seven

This artist is new to this blog, the force behind Nancy's Wild Wire Art.  Hailing from southern Illinois, she's passionate about copper, sterling silver, and gemstones... and it shows.  This chick's got an enviable style that's all her own, and I'm not surprised that the pieces are conceived in her dreams. What does surprise me is that she makes them in a tiny basement studio with a minimum of equipment.  The heart she throws into every piece is wholly evident.

Oh, and by the way?  She does custom work too!

Artist Spotlight: Part Seventy

An even 70!  Well, for the 70th artist I'm featuring, I've got someone you've met before here, John Rasmussen of Rasmussen Gems & Jewelry.  The quality of gems in this shop is breathtaking.  Just take a look at this incredible topaz.

Or this beautiful sapphire.  My favorite color is blue, so I'm kind of obsessed with these.

He cuts and polishes the stones, too, and turns them into beautiful pendants, like this wonderful obsidian.

Or this terrific tourmalated quartz.

The colors in that quartz are terrific too.  Grey and yellow is such an "in" color combo right now.

The settings he does for his more intricate jewelry are incredible and unique.  Much of it is set in sterling and fine silver, like this labradorite.

And this amethyst.

Or this quartz & citrine piece, or the amazing Padaradscha sapphire in the other one.

His silver work is even beautiful without stones, like this Jewish star forged from a single sheet of sterling.

Then again, he doesn't need silver to make beautiful jewelry either.  I'm in love with his copper pieces, like this amethyst and copper bracelet.

Or these forged copper pieces sans stones.

And let's not forget his wife, Debora Lee, who adds her beading talent to the wares of the shop.

For more information, be sure to follow the blog.