Delicate two-strand peridot, aquamarine and sterling silver necklace

About me: My name is Sam and I'm glad to share my projects with you! Though not technically a native, I've lived in Portland Oregon for almost 20 years and can't imagine any other place I'd rather be. The natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest is absolutely magical from the coast to the mountains to the desert. Every place from the smallest towns to the big cities are quirky and interesting. All of these things inspire the designs and colors I use in my creations. It may seem an unusual combination, needlepoint and jewelry, but it's what I love to make!

Needlepoint: My mother and grandmother taught me needlepoint as a little girl. It's so satisfying, to watch a design come together. It's almost like paint by numbers but more tactile. I have a variety of design projects for various tastes. Some complete kits for small, quick portable projects that end with a useable item to use- bookmarks and fridge magnets (they also work great as presents after you've made them!). I also have a few larger canvases for a longer, more traditional needlepoint project.

Jewelry: I learned to make wire-wrapped jewelry from a friend in nursing school many years ago as a fund raising project for a medical mission. I've collected beads over the years from many places, and I love playing with color, texture and pattern combinations. There are two basic groups of jewelry I make, seed bead-based and semi-precious gemstone and sterling silver. The stones are my favorite with all subtle variation in individual beads of the same mineral, the formation and composition, and the meanings and history attributed to each.