Engagement Ring w/Wedding Band

Judie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:24:48 +0000

This 14k white gold set with Diamond, Amethyst & Peridot was designed for a couple in New Orleans. The stones were originally part of an old family set to which we added the peridot. It is always fun to work with people, designing something which they will wear for many years. There are surprises hidden in both rings.

New 2010 Poppy Pendant

Judie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:33:15 +0000

I have been thinking about designing a Poppy series for my line for a number of years and as it turns out… it happened this year. Poppies are a very hardy perennial here in Alaska and their bright spots of color are most welcome in early summer. I love the way they nod and bob on their long slender stalks. I have designed the pendant as shown and also two different pairs of earrings… a hoop (post) and a small dangle w/pearl (hook). Please go to my website to see pictures, click on New Designs 2010.

Poppy Pendant w/Cobalt Pearl

Family Ties Commission

Judie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:19:57 +0000

This was a design I was recently commissioned to do. It represents family ties and honors their love of music.

Sterling Silver Pendant

Lady Slipper Orchids in Ester!

Judie — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:23:50 +0000

These Lady Slipper Orchids are perennials in my flower beds in Ester Alaska. They have been coming back for several years but they always surprise me as we have such harsh winters. Their delicacy and beauty always amaze me. I don’t have any intention of trying to capture their likeness in a piece of jewelry I thought you would enjoy looking at them!

New Designs for 2010

Judie — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:34:41 +0000

2010 has already been a busy year for Judie Gumm Designs. We came back from out trip outside and immediately jumped into re-organizing our website judiegumm.com and prepping for our spring open house May 7 – 9th. This is my 40th year of designing jewelry and while I’m slowing down a bit, I think I have some lovely new designs.

If you would like to view them please go to my website and click on New Designs 2010 and while you are there, you might want to check out our Sale Items… there are some great deals at discounts up to 45% off.

Your thoughts and comments are important to me so please let me know what you think of my new designs!

Judie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:14:09 +0000

Hello Everyone, thanks to all who wrote these past two months. I’ve been on the road since the beginning of February. We attended our 20th and final showing of our designs at the NWFlower and Garden Show in Seattle and then went to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show to purchase some gems and beads for the coming year. The show is held in many different venues from tent to hotel rooms. There is everything from rough cut (do it yourself) material to gems which are one of a kind. The vendors are from all over the world and their products reflect the counties of origin…. clothing, carvings, glass, woven items, silk, enamel etc. There are lots of tool vendors as well. I loved every minute of it.. it felt like a treasure hunt! But now I am back home and ready to go to work again. I have a number of new designs for 2010 so please go to my website and check them out.

Holiday Travels Outside!

Judie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:55:16 +0000

Greetings… We are now traveling to escape the ice and snow of Alaska and won’t be home again until mid January. My husband and I are now ensconced in our RV and heading toward Organ Pipe National Park in Arizona for a few days of hiking, birding and relaxing.

Before arriving in the hopefully snow-less southwest, we spent Thanksgiving with our extended family at a lodge near Mt. Hood, Oregon and enjoyed snowball fights and sledding in the 30+ degree weather at about 6,000 ft. It was beautiful. We were snowed in for an evening but in the morning the sun came out and melted the snow from the trees which formed a tumbling cascade of diamonds in the light.

I love traveling for many reasons but one especially… it inspires me to create from a different perspective than when I am at home. You can see one of the pieces designed from my travels by going to my website and clicking on Gallery. The Beach Morning Glories (brooch and earrings) was designed after a visit to the Gulf Coast of Texas. I know I’ll be inspired by something I see on this trip and I’ll let you know when I am. Thanks for visiting my site and Happy Holidays!

Happy Birthday, December!

Judie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:30:53 +0000

This is a special month for my daughter Panika and I because it is our birth month. The traditional birthstone for December’s child is Turquoise and those who wear it are promised prosperity, success, happiness and good fortune. (What’s not to like about that!) It also enhances creativity and serenity… so…. maybe we should all wear this beautiful stone from time to time!

The December Birthstone. From a1-birthstone-jewelry.com

The name was derived from Greek “Turkois” meaning “Turkish” because it was first brought from that country. It has been mined since at least 6,000 BC and found in many ancient Egyptian artifacts. In more recent times, both North American Indians and Tibetans have used this stone extensively in their artwork and it is considered sacred by them.

Antique Turquoise earrings from Lhasa. Courtesy of nomad.hananyanny.com

Turquoise from Arizona, a favorite of Zuni Pueblo silversmiths. From jeweljumble.com

Turquoise is considered the most valuable of non-transparent minerals used in jewelry today. It is the only gemstone belonging to the Phosphates family and contains a small amount of copper which provides the range of colors from which we can choose, from deep green to light sky blue. Some of the most valuable turquoise is mined in Iran but it is found all over the world. I have a lovely piece that comes from a mine in the Bisbee, Arizona area that I plan to make into a piece next year. It is also mined in New Mexico, Australia, Afganistan and China. I’ve even found pieces at an old copper mining site in Alaska called Kennicott.

The December child is curious, makes a wonderful teacher and student and loves both knowledge and people.

If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue,
Success will bless whate’er you do.
- Anonymous

Please visit my website to see how I have used the beautiful Turquoise stone in one of my designs.

Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Judie — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:46:19 +0000

It’s that time of year again! Christmas is right around the corner and thankfully, we still have plenty of time to think about gifts. If you’ve thought about purchasing jewelry for a special someone this year, consider some of my designs. I have holiday-themed jewelry and pieces suitable for any occasion. I started a new Gallery on my website this year, which showcases some of my absolute favorite unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

If you’re looking for a range of my designs, my website has every piece available. (I also have items for sale!)

To get into the holly-day spirit, I designed a new Holly necklace that matches a pair of earrings I’ve had in my line for awhile.

Holly Pendant, Red Jade Berries

Whether you’re looking for leaves, blueberries, or bears (oh my!), you’ll find a variety of pieces that will match your holiday wish list.

See you in Anchorage!

Judie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:33:02 +0000

I’ll be at the Craft Emporium this weekend, from November 21-22. It is located at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage. I will be displaying my jewelry line, plus some new designs just in time for the holidays!

This is a helpful link giving you more information about the show.

http://www.anchoragemarkets.com/Resources/Vendor%20Forms/ACE/ACE.html

Hope to see you there!