If you’re looking for a reason to go to Bar Harbor (like you really need one), the Mount Desert Island Maine Crafts Guild Show is the only excuse you’ll need.

Often referred to as the most outstanding, most successful, and longest-running craft show in Maine, the MCG is celebrating the 42nd anniversary of this incredible show.

Held at the Atlantic Oceanside Event Center on Eden Street, a prime location just outside of downtown Bar Harbor, approximately 60 of Maine’s finest craftspeople will fill the recently renovated ballroom and tent.

Admission is $5 for adults; children under 18 free.
Hours are:
Friday, July 28: 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 29: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 30: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

I love adding stones to my pieces to add a splash of color. We’re lucky that in Maine, we have access to large stores of tourmaline. In fact, tourmaline is Maine’s official state gemstone. Mt. Mica in Paris is famous the world over for tourmaline, but there are several mines across the state, including Mount Apatite in Auburn. Emmons Quarry in Greenwood, Bennett Quarry in Buckfield and Whispering Pines Quarry in Paris.

Tourmaline can be found in green, pink, blue, watermelon and more. Citrine, aquamarine, amethyst, smoky quartz and rose quartz have also been mined locally, so I have a ton of colorful, local options for my lines and your custom projects. What’s your favorite color? Let me know, and I’ll create something just for you!

As most of you know, I am committed to being environmentally friendly and using ethically sourced materials. For all of my work, I use recycled precious metals and Fair Trade gemstones. Another way I stay environmentally friendly is by working with clients to repurpose stones and metals for their projects. Here’s how it works:

Many people find that over the years, their jewelry no longer suits their personality or their lifestyle. They have pieces with sentimental and monetary value but no connection to the style of the piece or pieces. They like the metals and stones they have; they just don’t like the way they come together.

Repurposing is a popular option because you can look at a new ring or necklace or bracelet and still feel the sentimentality, because you know where it came from and that your old pieces gave life to your new piece!

This piece was created using only the client’s gold and stones.

When we work together to repurpose your jewelry, I’m fulfilling my commitment to being environmentally friendly, and you are participating in that. It’s one of those “full circle” things that is extremely rewarding!

Want to talk through your options? Contact me or call me at 207-221-6552, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST or make an appointment with me for a FREE consultation!

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, The July birthstone, the ruby, was regarded by ancient Hindus as the “king of gems” and symbolizes love, passion, energy and success. Here are some more fun legends about rubies:

1. If you own a ruby, you will live in harmony with all people and be protected from danger (how awesome is that!?).
2. If you dream of a ruby, you will have good luck.
3. The ruby and the related sapphire are the second hardest natural gemstones; only diamonds are harder.
4. The gem was once thought to protect warriors if worn on their armor or embedded in their skin.

And in case you’re interested, The July birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily.

I wish you all a happy July!

Hope you can make it to COLLECT: MECA’s annual
summer art sale and fundraiser. I’m happy to have five pieces
in the show, and I’m thrilled to be featured in this month’s
MECA newsletter! I hope you’ll make time in your busy summer 

schedule to support aspiring artists at MECA.

The event, June 29 – July 1, is a three-day,
salon-style show and sale that benefits MECA’s scholarship fund.
It is a great opportunity to discover emerging artists, view
new work by established artists, and build or add to your art collection.

The sale features a diverse array of mediums, including
furniture, sculpture, jewelry, paintings, prints, photography,
textiles, drawings and more.

The event takes place at MECA’s Porteous Building in the Arts District of

Portland, Maine. Click on the link above for FMI.

For artists and artisans, summer means special events and festivals, and I’ll be hitting the road next week!  It’s a lot of work, but I love meeting existing and new clients and sharing my work. I’m always inspired when I get back.

Watch my Facebook page, blog and newsletter for more shows. My 2017 calendar is also listed on my events page. If you’re in the area, I hope you will stop by and say hello! Can’t make it to a show?  Feel free to email or call me for a private viewing at my studio and for more information.

Coming right up!

Three Rivers Arts Festival
Friday – Tuesday, June 2-6, 12-8 p.m.
Booth 13 in Gateway Plaza, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Yarmouth Clam Festival
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, July, July 21-23.
Downtown Yarmouth, Maine
New Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Mount Desert Island Maine Crafts Guild Show
July 28-30, Atlantic Oceanside Inn, Bar Harbor, Maine
Friday, July 28: 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 29: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 30: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

I’ll be showcasing not only my existing lines but also some new work that I’m hopeful you will find as exciting as I do. Here’s a sneak peek!

These pieces are part of a new series I am calling Julie’s Garden in honor of a close friend who recently passed away after a year long battle with cancer. They are inspired by an intricate garden-themed hairpiece I recently designed for a client. The collection is comprised of sterling, 14K and 18K gold with gemstones.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support! Hope to see you on the road!

Did you know that you can avoid tarnish by wearing your jewelry often? The oils in your skin “clean” the silver and keep it looking shiny. Of course, I’m a big fan of this option, but if your silver needs a little touch up, start with a non-abrasive silver cloth to polish your items (paper towels or facial tissues can scratch the silver). If you need more, I like these two eco-friendly options over commercial silver polishes:

Soap and water: Warm water and a mild, ammonia- and phosphate-free dish washing soap should be your first line of defense if the polishing cloth doesn’t work.

Baking soda and water: Make a paste of baking soda and water and use a clean cloth to apply a pea-sized amount to the silver and polish. For etched, stamped or detailed items, thin the paste with more water and use a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush to get the cracks and crevices.

After using any cleaner, be sure to thoroughly rinse your silver with running water or a clean, damp cloth. dry the pieces with a microfiber cloth to prevent white water spots.

My advice? Get that jewelry out of the box and show it off!

As far back as 6,000 years ago when they were used for religious amulets in India, diamonds have been treasured as precious stones. As a result, approximately 4.5 billion carats of diamonds have been extracted from the ground since large scale mining efforts began in South Africa in the 1870s. This means many millions of diamonds are part of the world’s existing, already mined supply of diamonds.

I refuse to participate in environmentally damaging mining practices, so I only work with suppliers of previously mined diamonds and other gemstones that are cut and polished from existing “rough” stones or those that were previously set in jewelry then removed and re-introduced into the supply chain for resale.

It’s only part of my commitment to creating sustainably beautiful jewelry….Look for a future post about recycled metals!

Mother’s Day gifts shouldn’t be “one size fits all” (should anything really?). Every mom is different, and our recognition of the mothers in our lives should be as special as she is.

If you’re still looking for just the right thing, I think I can help.

If your mom loves being on the water, a Sailboat or Anchor necklace or earrings from my Maine Nautical collection is sure to put a smile on her face. Several options are two-sided so she
gets both designs. Is your mom your anchor? Check out the Anchor My Anchor reversible earrings to make sure she knows.

Does your mom love flowers? Why not give her some that will last way beyond Mother’s Day? Check out my Cherry Blossom series. There are lots of options: round or square, pendant or earrings. Customize with a gemstone to make it perfectly unique to your mom.

A piece from the Lotus Flower collection is a really thoughtful gift if your mom has a strong spiritual side. There are several one-sided and reversible options in the Lotus, Om and Stacking Stones designs.

Most of these designs are available in shiny or matte finish and in 14K gold or sterling silver. Plus, there are several options for chain designs and lengths. If you don’t see what you want at Chaya Studio Jewelry, give me a call! Together, we can find just the right gift for Mother’s Day.

Ever heard of palladium? It is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal that is a member of a group of metals called “Noble Metals.” It earned that distinction, because it can withstand corrosion and oxidation. It is also hypoallergenic, will not tarnish, and is extremely durable. Most important, it is crazy shiny and makes a piece of jewelry really stand out!

Platinum is the rarest and heaviest of the precious metals. According to some sources, all of the platinum ever mined would fit in the average size living room. Like all the metals in my work, any platinum I use has been previously mined. Fun fact: The world’s famous diamonds, including the Hope, Jonker I and Koh-I-Noor, are secured by platinum.

Want your favorite stone set in one of these beautiful white metals? Come see me!

This is platinum in its raw form…

…and these are palladium crystals

I made these wedding bands out of palladium for the shine factor…..simple but so shiny!