Category Archives: Design projects

Sea of Cortez and Desert Vistas Inspirations

Posted on January 26, 2023 by marty

For the past 13 years, Art and I have traveled to our off the grid Baja Mexico house where Art is inspired to paint the vast vistas of the Sea of Cortez and the desert. Paintings by Art Bobroskie. Photos … Continue reading →

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Fossil Follies and Trilobites

Posted on September 7, 2020 by marty

Trilobites are an extinct marine arthropod and a distant relative to horseshoe crabs, spiders and lobsters. Over 20,000 trilobite species existed over 300 million years ago and are found on every continent on earth.  The thousands of trilobite species are geographically … Continue reading →

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Captive Design Time

Posted on April 21, 2020 by marty

Alisha and I are each designing in our separate home studios. It’s hard to tell if we have more or less creative time during the sheltering at home orders. Alisha wears the extra responsibility of home schooling both her kids … Continue reading →

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What is an Ammonite?

Posted on February 21, 2020 by marty

Each February Alisha and I fly to Tucson to attend the Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show.  The show covers much of Tucson and two sets of eyes are an asset. We have our synced shopping lists and we start each … Continue reading →

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Zacatitos Baja Paintings by Art Bobroskie

Posted on December 4, 2019 by marty

Zacatitos Baja, where the desert meets the Sea of Cortez is the inspiration for Art Bobroskie’s paintings. In 2018, Art resumed painting in his off grid Zacatitos Baja studio. With time and inspiration from every vista and without the distractions … Continue reading →

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The Wax Creation Process of Dragon’s Tear Opal Pendant

Posted on November 2, 2018 by marty

A special customer commissioned me to design a dragon pendant around a stunning Australian Koroite Boulder Opal. Blue and green bands of opalescence arch across this remarkable 42 carat stone. I usually create one of a kind designs on speculation so … Continue reading →

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The Stressful Process in Creating a One of a Kind Design

Posted on July 3, 2017 by marty

Considerable time goes into creating every new design  but designing a one of a kind piece is especially time consuming and stressful. There are reasons that my one of a kind designs are priced the way they are. There are … Continue reading →

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Cloisonné Adventure

Posted on March 6, 2017 by marty

In October, John and I took Merry-Lee Rae’s week long cloisonné workshop. Merry-Lee  is one of my dearest friends and it was a privilege to experience and immerse myself in her creative environment. In addition, it was a joy to sit elbow … Continue reading →

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Cataclysmania Inspiration

Posted on September 7, 2016 by marty

                  Having just sculpted a new Cosmos Ring, I am reflecting on where my inspiration for this design came from. Van Gough’s Starry Night, thick with swirls of cosmic paint, and one … Continue reading →

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Archipelago Moon Dragon Pendant

Posted on June 1, 2016 by marty

This  one of a kind, Archipelago Moon Dragon Pendant has been gestating for five years. I am proud to announce that just last week, John graduated with honors from S.F.S.U. with his Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and … Continue reading →

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