Mhoti Studio

Last month I was lucky enough to be selected to receive a hand made RUNE as part of the Art Elements Monthly Challenge.  Niky Sayers is the talented artist who made this array of Viking Runes in copper clay. The Rune I received is titled SOWELU, meaning Wholeness, Life Force, or The Sun's Energy. This is the Rune Niky sent to me. It didn't have any holes in it, as she left it up to me if and where I wanted to put any holes. Based on it's size -5/8 inch x 3/4 inch (14 x 21 mm)- I decided to use it in a bracelet. I decided on 4 holes for best visual and physical balance. I wanted to create something in keeping with it's rustic nature as well as it's symbolic ties to the past and to nature. I also wanted to incorporate stones that would symbolize The Sun. In my stash I have an assortment of yellow semi-precious gemstones. I chose to use Citrine, and some very rough stones that I think were once labelled Herkimer diamonds (they had previously lost their tag.) T...

While working  at The Artisan Loft and General Store this week I sold one of my necklaces to a customer, visiting his parents, from the USA. He was looking for a gift to take home to his wife. what a lovely compliment to me that he couldn't decide which one of two pieces to purchase so I let him send photos to his wife via his iPhone and let her choose. while waiting to hear back from her he decided which one to buy, a few minutes later she replied   that she liked both but preferred one better and  choose the same one he did. so it's now on it's way home to San Diego CA. I am delighted that he bought one of my pieces as his wife is also a jewellery maker, and could make anything she wants. I'll miss this one. I was thinking of keeping it for myself. but i know it will be appreciated and enjoyed. Fold-formed copper pendant , with african turquoise and glass bumpy beads.   hand forged copper clasp, suede neck-strap , bone/horn barrel bead.

Today is the reveal for the third annual Octoberfest Blog Hop hosted by our fearless leader Rita of Toltec Jewels.  Our mission, should we choose to accept it - and I did - is to create something that reflects this time of year , AUTUMN, in all it's glorious splendour. Here in eastern Ontario  in Canada  our leaves turn the most beautiful colours, sadly this year most of our leaves have already fallen. But the memory of their hues remains. I have been playing around with reclaimed/recycled copper sheet (think roofing materials).  As a scrapbooker I have a ton of embossing folders and thin copper sheet gets the most wonderful designs or textures when it is run through my machine with these folders.  I have been prepping for an art tour next week and so have a few thing to show off. One of my fave techniques is wire work, this time in copper as it's less expensive than silver and really relates to the colours of Autumn.  I hope you enjoy my picture sho...