A Rare Bird

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I usually cast my birds as thick-walled hollow form pieces, where the two halves are cast separately and soldered together. But when I had a special order from a customer for a bird that was solid silver all the way through, I decided to cast a second one for my shop.

This rare bird weighs over 13 grams. That’s 13 grams of solid sterling silver! If you’re a purist, and you like your pieces solid, this is the bird for you.

Longing to own this weighty little bird? No need to look all over the web. You can find it right here in my shop.

Modernist Giraffe

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I’m sure I couldn’t say why, but I’ve wanted a giraffe for ages. Not a real one - I don’t think my loft is big enough for that! Just a little one to keep me company.


A few months back I finally sat down and carved a giraffe, and now I have the first few cast and ready to go out to new homes. I get the feeling this design is going to be popular. The first one sold about ten minutes after I listed it in my shop. Good thing I have several made up!


Here’s my original carving in wax. I love how his neck curves differently in every photo I take. Every time I turn this little guy to a new angle, there’s a new curve to please the eye. I love that in a sculpture.

This little guy is 1 1/2” tall x 1” wide x 1/2” deep, cast in solid sterling silver, and dangles from an 18” (40cm) sterling silver chain with a secure lobster claw clasp. Other chain lengths are available upon request.

Haven’t You Always Wanted a Monkey?

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Every time I look at this little guy, that Barenaked Ladies song goes through my head.

If I had a million dollars
I’d buy you a monkey
(Haven’t you always wanted a monkey?)

Why yes, I do believe I have. :)



This crazy little guy is solid 925 sterling silver with a brushed finish and polished accents on his ears and the soles of his feet. He’s 1 3/8” tall x 3/4” wide x 3/8” deep, happy as a clam, and ready to head out on new adventures. He’s also available in polished sterling silver, so if shiny is your thing, there’s a monkey for you, too!



This is the original sketch for my monkey necklace. I usually do a page or two of sketches to refine a design before I start carving it in wax.

I still make changes during carving though - you’ll notice that I changed the design of the bottom hand, because it was too bulky once I got it into wax. I never really know how a design is going to work out until I start carving it, so I’m always open to making changes. I love wax carving - I never get bored!

My Favorite Etsy Shops

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After my last post, where I mentioned how Tobie of LuLu’s Woobies had listed me as one of her three favorite Etsy shops, my friend Wendyness challenged me to list my favorite Etsy shops.

I’m sure given a little time, I could come up with at least twenty. But since I’m still running around insanely filling Christmas orders, I’ve settled for the first five that spring to mind. I think they make a lovely sampling of the fantastic handmade treasures available on Etsy.



Irene Suchocki because she makes me dream.




Kerry Beary for her insanely cool mid-century style.



3 Dots who makes furniture by day and incredible wooden jewelry by night.




Eva Funderburgh’s woodfired beasts, because how could you not love them? I want to take them home and feed them cookies.




And last but not least Kreativlink’s incredible handmade books. I want them all. No, really. All of them. If Santa’s very nice to me this year, I might even find one of these under the tree.

LuLu’s Woobies

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Tobie of LuLu’s Woobies, who creates the cutest knitted hats for kids, just named me as one of her three favorite Etsy shops! Here’s what she says about my shop:

“The best service I’ve EVER received along with beautiful product was from idreamicanfly.etsy.com.”

Thanks Tobie! You can see the full interview on AnAlliteration’s blog of Unofficial Etsy Featured Sellers.

Out of Africa

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A first casting of my giraffe and monkey, still on the casting tree. The giraffe has five - count ‘em, five! - sprues*, including one right in the middle of its face. This one’s going to be a lot of work to finish.

I’m still enjoying building my menagerie of animals. The quandary, as always, is what should I make next?

*Sprues are the “branches” on the casting tree. These are the path the molten silver takes through the mold to reach the giraffe and the monkey. The larger and thicker a piece is, the more sprues you have to attach to make sure enough silver gets through to cast the whole piece. My poor giraffe has one on the bottom of each foot and one right in the middle of his face, all of which I’ll have to remove by hand…

Mod Pod

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My modernist pod has finally made it to my shop! And just in time for Christmas, too. How’s that for timing?



I admit it looked a bit like a green bean in wax form, but luckily in sterling silver it resembles the cool modernist pod I saw in my mind. I’d love to see a tree covered in these, wouldn’t you?

The 18K Gold Is Here!

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The 18K gold is here! By popular demand, I’m now offering my gold designs in solid 18K yellow gold. It will take me a while to get them all photographed and up in my shop, so if you’re interested in something that’s not listed yet, just contact me for pricing.