Lot 154-Art by Stevie Fresqez

In an earlier post, I received a comment from Esther.  She had come into the gallery and purchased a ring made by Stevie Fresquez (shown on the left) of Lot 154 [Full Disclosure:  She's also my daughter : ) ]. Well, Esther was so happy with her ring that she asked me to post about Stevie's jewelry.

I'm happy to do so!

Stevie's bio reads:

Stevie Fresquez came to designing jewelry in a circular fashion. She trained in theater with an emphasis in scenery and costume design. Stevie has a BFA from Arizona State University in Technical Theatre and an MFA from Southern Methodist University  in Production Design. After three years at her first "real job" in Connecticut, she began a trek to the opposite coast intending to pursue work in the movie industry.
Along the way, she received a call from her mother asking her to help start up a business venture.  After committing to only one year, Stevie stayed on for a long, happy 8 years managing the well-known paper arts store called Ink It! in downtown Gilbert, Arizona.

"Initially, I had to adjust from a 40-foot backdrop mentality to one of designing 4x5 inch greeting cards.  That used to give me anxiety, so it's ironic that my love now is sculpture on yet a smaller scale--jewelry."

Stevie now manages a 15,000 square foot art supply store in Tempe, Arizona.

Stevie works with Precious Metal Clay and has been certified by two guilds.  She used to teach classes in PMC but with a full time job as the manager of Jerry's Artarama, she's now happy when she's able to find time to design and make some jewelry.  Shown above are two of her textured bands; they are about 3/8" wide.  ( $40-$45)

Her latest passion is making her own link jewelry from sterling silver wire.  She's happiest when every element has been handcrafted by her.  Below are two of her necklaces ($128-$145).

Trendy Turquoise

Trendy Gift Ideas?

Are you trendy?  Associated Press recently reported that Pantone, a company that supplies color trend indicators for the fashion and home decor industry has selected turquoise as the color for 2010.  Supposedly a "transporting" color, turquoise will put everyone is a similar state of mind.  Think vacation!

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute says there was no runner-up color because after such a tough year, everyone is craving escapism. The shade is on the cusp of blue and green, which makes it both inviting and serene--characteristics associated with blues--and invigorating and luminous, which comes from green, she says.

So, if you want to be uber-trendy yet remain faithful to shopping locally, may we suggest the following items from the gallery.


The photo above shows a beautiful hand-dyed velvet and silk Bijou scarf by One Wing Studio, a sterling silver and resin slider bead by Sean Hill, glass earrings by Chelsea Stone of Eye Candy Jewelry and a lampwork bead bracelet by Stevie Fresquez of Lot 154.

A spectacular fused glass tray and spoon rest from Kathy Hudson of ME 2 U are sure to impress with their strong Southwestern touch.

Roie Jaque is the Native American artist who created this beautiful bracelet.  The turquoise if from the Emerald Valley mine in Nevada.  We also have matching pendants and earrings in the green stone, gaspeite.

Terry Horton of Fired Up Glass Studio made this set of coasters.  At their center sits small square of rainbow metallic leaf.  These are stunning (and turquoise, of course).

We still have a nice selection of the larger ornaments from Federici Designs.  This particular one might be trendier than the others.

These handsome earrings hang about 2 1/4".   Amethysts and garnets add to the beauty of the deep turquoise.

This muted turquoise stained glass piece actually has a three dimensional bottle incorporated into it.  The white bottle represents the candle in this Molly Phoenix piece.