50% Off Rings At Black Mountain Jewelry Co. Until 12/15/11

We have extended our Overstock Jewelry Sale at Black Mountain Jewelry Co! Our Tree of Life Birthstone Rings are crafted out of Eco-Friendly metals and handmade in the USA. 5% of each sale is donated to Jewelers For Children. This offer is only for In Stock Rings - 50% off until 12/15/11. You can purchase on our Website Black Mountain Jewelry Co using coupon code HS14 or at our Etsy Store using coupon code HS127

Both stores have a list of sizes/birthstones in stock that is updated daily. Thanks for checking us out.

Happy Holidays!

Overstock Jewelry Sale 50% off 11/28-12/7

Overstock Jewelry Sale! Our Tree of Life Birthstone Rings are crafted out of Eco-Friendly metals and handmade in the USA! This offer is only for In Stock Rings. 50% off from 11/28-12/7. You can purchase on our Website Black Mountain Jewelry Co using coupon code HS14 or at our Etsy Store using coupon code HS127

Both stores will have a list of sizes/birthstones in stock that will be updated daily. Thanks for checking us out. Happy Holidays!

Studio Renovation

A year has passed since we moved to New Mexico. When we first got here we just had to throw our Studio together in the uninsulated garage and start working. We finally insulated this August and just finished a long awaited project of drywall, painting and reorganizing - an industrial carpet will be coming in the next couple weeks. CAN'T wait to get back to work tomorrow! This workshop went from one of the most uncomfortable work spaces to the nicest studio we've worked out of. Hoping for a very busy 2012! We feel very fortunate and blessed to be living in New Mexico.

After everything done - first pieces of furniture in.

This is how it started. Exhausted Mark looking over the garage we just emptied.

Our neighbor Jorge was a blessing. We contracted him to do the drywall work and he came over every afternoon until the tape, plaster, and texture was done. Everything was hung in one day but the beautification took longer.

LOTS of painting. The finished project. Glad we have lots of pictures of before so we can remember how far we've come.

Free Shipping Until 11/30/11

All of our Tree of Life jewelry is handmade to order by the two of us. If you'd like us to make you a custom gift for the holidays we're offering Free Shipping on orders placed by 11/30/11. You can place an order on our website and use code # FS417 or at our Etsy Store and use code FS418 to receive this offer.

We're getting ready for a major renovation on our workshop. Here it is at the end of summer after insulating. From 11/21-26 it's being drywalled, completely winterized and painted. We can't wait for it to be bright, warm and toasty for this upcoming busy winter. We spend most of our time there - it's going to be a nice cozy work environment very soon!

I'll post pictures after it's done. :)

October in New Mexico

It's hard to believe we've been in NM a year now. Woke up this Saturday to snow on the Sandia's - we were very happy to be at a lower elevation and not get any of that white stuff here - but it is beautiful on the mountains.
Didn't go to the Balloon Fiesta this year but got to enjoy perfect wind conditions this Sunday as they all traveled over our neighborhood.
Nice hot cup of coffee and lawn chairs in the front yard are more fun than braving the crowds.

When they go down they go down. Always wondering if they're going to land in our yard. :)

Current Jewelry Projects

Mark did two beautiful Pave' projects for a new manufacturing account in Santa Fe. They were for one of their Jewelry Designer customers. Over 100 stones in each 18k gold ring

Disc Ring. Over 6 cts of colored and white diamonds. Came out beautiful! Top view.

Disc Ring side view.


Ruby Ring Top View.

Ruby Ring Side View.

This is the type of work Mark loves to do. When he worked in Scottsdale, AZ this was almost a daily thing. Many years of learning and a LOT of skill in this kind of setting work. Can't wait for more of these projects!

What's New

Wow! I haven't blogged since May! These last three months have been a blur. Where to start...June was very busy for us with work. It has been so nice making money creating this jewelry for others instead of spending it to travel to craft shows. July was crazy busy and very encouraging especially in this economy. We felt like we were on a high and the universe said "Whoa" gotta throw you a curve ball so three weeks ago during big deadlines the plumbing line burst in the house we're renting. There was 3" of water through the whole house. Starting yesterday the whole house is being re-plumbed. Luckily a little reprieve from work but hard to kick back and relax when you're displaced. :(

We did manage to insulate our studio a couple weeks ago. Next drywall and it will be nice and toasty for the winter. Before this is was 105 degrees in there by 1pm and we were trying to work in it! The main line dug up from the re-plumb.

Line to the house dug up.

What was and will again be our living room.

Our Bedroom

Guest Room

So thank you Universe. Some challenges and discomfort but by the end of this week all will be back to normal and we can just focus on all the new work coming up.

Tree of Life Father's Day Gifts - Free Shipping!

Tree of Life Cufflinks, Rings and Pendants - Father's Day Jewelry Gifts at Black Mountain Jewelry Company. All items are handmade to order - if you place your order by 6/5/11 we'd like to offer you Free Shipping. Just enter code FS416 on your order at www.blackmountainjewelry.com

Our cufflinks are a new item. De-Ox Sterling Silver & 14k gold recycled Harmony Metals with Dad's birthstone. Please see our web page for more details Tree of Life Cufflinks.

De-Ox Sterling Silver, recycled Harmony Metals. Our rings range in 1/2 sizes from 5-10.5 but we can make men's rings up to size 14. Please see our web page for more details Tree of Life Rings

De-Ox Sterling Silver, recycled Harmony Metals. Can be customized with custom wording on back of pendant. Please see our web page for more details Tree of Life Pendants

Our Tree of Life collection was designed to honor the caretakers in our lives who provide a solid foundation so that we can reach our highest potential. Our Tree of Life design features a sturdy, multi-branched tree that symbolizes strength and longevity. A tiny human heart,the "Heart of Humanity", tucked in the tree’s upper boughs, commemorates love and loyalty.

We hope that you enjoy this personal amulet that you can touch and be reminded of what touches you.

Tree of Life Father's Day Gifts

Tree of Life Rings and Cufflinks - Father's Day Jewelry Gifts at Black Mountain Jewelry Company.

Our Tree of Life collection was designed to honor the caretakers in our lives who provide a solid foundation so that we can reach our highest potential. Our Tree of Life design features a sturdy, multi-branched tree that symbolizes strength and longevity. A tiny human heart,the "Heart of Humanity", tucked in the tree’s upper boughs, commemorates love and loyalty. We hope that you enjoy this personal amulet that you can touch and be reminded of what touches you.

De-Ox Sterling Silver, recycled Harmony Metals. Our rings range in 1/2 sizes from 5-10.5 but we can make men's rings up to size 14. Please see our web page for more details Tree of Life Rings

Our cufflinks are a new item. De-Ox Sterling Silver & 14k gold recycled Harmony Metals with your birthstone. Please see our web page for more details Tree of Life Cufflinks.

State of Arizona Pendant

We've finished our custom Arizona Pendant! Hand Engraved Sterling Silver, 18k gold and Bisbee Turquoise. One of a kind. We hope our customer loves it!!

Original sketch for pendant. We reduced the state size but kept the star the same size.

If you can envision it we can make it.

Custom Arizona Pendant

We've been commissioned to create a custom Arizona Pendant. Here's the drawing (picture of rough metal work below.) The body of the piece is De-Ox Sterling and the star /stone setting are 18k gold Recycled Harmony Metal from the USA. The center will be a piece of High Grade Bisbee Turquoise. The metal is all hand milled and Mark is inlaying the stone.

In the design process with our customer we reduced the overall size by 15% but left the star at its original size. Mark is going to hand engrave all the lines of the stylized Arizona Flag and engrave wording on the back. I'll post when it's finished with all the stages. If it can be drawn we can make it!

The Beginnings of Our New Jewelry Line

This is the beginning of our new jewelry line. Mark has been making the Master designs in brass, then they'll be Hand Engraved by him and cast in De-Ox Sterling Silver, Recycled Harmony Metal. There are so many little components that we can't wait to start playing around with them to design finished pieces of jewelry! Endless combinations.

I know it's hard to imagine right now but these are going to be really nice. We'll be using American Gemstones and metals. When they're in production I will be doing the finishing work and Mark will be doing the soldering and stone-setting. I'll keep you posted as this big project comes together.

Free Shipping On Mother's Day Jewelry Orders

Mother's Day is less than a month away. Our Semi Custom Tree of Life/Family Tree Pendants and Necklaces make Great Mother's Day Gifts! Place your order by 4/30/11 and receive Free First Class Insured Shipping - just use coupon code # FS412 on your web order. http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/JewelryCollections_Tree.html

Tree of Life Father's Day Gift

Father's Day Gift! You can order these Custom Tree of Life Cufflinks on our new Etsy store. http://www.etsy.com/listing/71677002/tree-of-life-cufflinks

Thanks for taking a look!

Southwestern Hand Engraving

This is Mark's first attempt at Hand Engraving for one of our accounts. The bracelet started out plain flat sterling with 14k accents. He doesn't have the tools needed or the training to do engraving and accomplished this with his stone setting tools. It came out really pretty. I wish I knew what was going to be inlaid into the diamond shapes- I imagine turquoise. We are going to put together a small jewelry line based on the pattern he created here. Will keep you posted on it's creation!

Back side of bracelet.

How it sits on the wrist.

Hand Engraving is a skill he's always been interested in and would really round out all his other jewelry knowledge of lapidary, casting, metal smithing, and stone-setting. I have never seen him so excited and inspired. We hope to send him to the GRS Training center this year but if not right at the beginning of next year. There are always DVD's, books and templates - and plenty of basic tools to get before the class. Here's a link to GRS and the class he'll be taking. He's set on learning from Sam Alfano a Master Engraver.

http://www.grstrainingcenter.com/courses/basic-metal-engraving.html

Check out Sam's students amazing work too!

http://www.igraver.com/studentgallery/index.shtml

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

50% Off All In-Stock Gold Jewelry

Our Hand-made Gold Jewelry is 50% off until 2/15/11. Just enter coupon code VL03 on your web order to receive the discount.

Link to jewelry categories on our website
http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/JewelryCollections_Art.html

Thanks for taking a look! Please contact us if you have any questions about a piece. info@blackmountainjewelry.com

Charm Jewelry 50% Off

Our Discontinued Sonora Star Jewelry is 50% off until 2/15/11. Just enter coupon code VL03 on your web order to receive the discount.

Drop Necklaces - http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/Casual_SonoraDropNecklace.html

Assorted Designs - 12 pieces left - Normally $75 - now $37.50

Pearl Chokers - http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/Casual_SonoraPearlChokers.html

Assorted Designs - 9 pieces left - Normally $65 - Now $32.50

Charm Bracelets - http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/Product_Catalog_02.htm

2 Pieces Left - Normally $225 - Now $112.50

Charm Choker - http://www.blackmountainjewelry.com/Product_Catalog_01.htm

2 Pieces Left - Normally $325 - Now $162.50

All pieces were handmade by the two of us - sterling silver, Freshwater Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones. We're discontinuing so we can focus on new designs. Please contact us if you have any questions. info@blackmountainjewelry.com

In Memory of Dad

We lost Mark's Dad last night. Lt. Col. Chester R. Mead, Ret. passed of natural causes at home. He was born December 28th, 1921. He served our country in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was a pilot and loved to fly, even after retiring from the military. He is survived by his wife Dorothy and children, Rob, Mark, Kristan and Bruce.

Picture of Dad & Mom (Chet & Sissie) on their wedding day.

I am at a loss for words after losing Kathryn, Mark's Sister just two weeks ago. Dad, thank you for welcoming me into your family in 1993. I'll always love you and hope that Kath, Freddie, Mimi and everyone else you loved helped welcome you to a better place. I hope to see you again one day.

In Memory of Kathryn

Kathryn, I miss you. You were the glue that held our family together. You were the kindest, most generous, thoughtful and loving person I've ever known. You were an amazing Mom and Grandma. You were a voice of reason and a protector. You always put everyone else first and tried to help anyone that needed it however you could. I've always loved you but feel so fortunate that I finally got to know you when we stayed with you for a while this past January and summer. If I had known this would happen I would have tried to spend more time with you and call more often. You are our guardian angel now. It hurts so bad that you are gone but I know you are still going to be looking out for all of us. You'll always be there.

It's been a very sad holiday for our family. Kathryn was diagnosed with cancer around Thanksgiving and passed away this Wednesday in Hospice. This happened so fast and even though it doesn't feel like it right now it was a blessing that God took her so quickly so she wouldn't suffer anymore. We'll never forget her and we'll always miss her.

Love you always Kath.