Way Out West

"Turquoise and Stones Double Wrap"

Available on Etsy

For a very long time, I've wanted to do a line of jewelry inspired by the West.  Wife Whisperer is a displaced cowboy, originally from Wyoming....specifically, Cody...where I spent some years, as well.  Cody is a beautiful little town, set at the base of the mountains right outside Yellowstone. I'll never forget the day I pulled into town;  I immediately felt I was home.  And, while I love my native Oregon, my heart also belongs to Wyoming.

I've had a deep attraction to turquoise jewelry for years.  I have a few favorite haunts, in Cody, where I usually find lovely pieces and, over many years, have developed a small collection.

These pieces are made with turquoise from the American mines in the Southwest...Sleeping Beauty, Turquoise Mountain and Dry Creek.  Among these are a few favorites like this...

 

...and one gorgeous bracelet I picked up at a garage sale for 5 bucks.

Most of them are hallmarked with the maker's name like this:

Another favorite piece is this vintage ring given to me by my mom:

I remember when she bought it, years ago, and I thought it was the most beautiful ring...and still do.  It's made in a style that was popular in the 70's.

Of these bangles, three of them are Indian-made that I picked up in Oregon.  Yep, Oregon has a long history of cowboys and Indians...think Pendleton Roundup, Nez Perce, and Tillamook.

"Royston" (sold)

turquoise from the Royston mine in Nevada

Available on Etsy

As we prepare for a summer trip to Wyo, I'm looking forward to discovering a piece or two to add to my little collection and to coming away with plenty of Western inspiration.

 

Comments

[Tracey]

I have followed your blog for sometime, because I love your work, and just seeing it inspires me. I am SO suprised you like western jewelry ! Just wanted to comment as the "west" is where my heart is, and is the syle I work in.

[Shuku]

Oh those pieces are absolutely gorgeous. I'm not particularly a fan of turquoise but I'm rapidly getting converted - how funny, my friend Tammy just got a shipment of turquoise in and now you have turquoise jewellery featured!

I finally fished out some of my vintage faux pearls and used them in a necklace! I threw the pictures up on my blog - the vintage pearls are the larger ones on the chain. They were just screaming to be used; I'm going to likely dig out the vintage chaton montees next. I have some that are glass, but there are a few that I'm pretty sure are German cut crystal as the lustre is still there, unlike glass which can dull. Will have to find something really worth using them in!

--Shuku

[Jen Crossley]

Cant wait to see what you come up with

[pilar]

I really love your use of turquoise and the western influence in these pieces. I am so down with the jewelry of the 70s, silver with huge pieces of turquoise ala Led Zeppelin. I am looking forward the evolution of this line. : D

[Paula]

I lived in Wyoming for three of the most difficult years of my life. Cody is simply wonderful. I especially like the Sunlight Basin area up in the Beartooths....

Lovely jewelry......I see so much of this style here in New Mexico and own a sizable collection. Over Labor Day weekend we attend the Indian Market at the Santo Domingo Pueblo just south of Santa Fe where the items are lovely and prices just right. I imagine turquoise would look lovely with with your hair and skin color.

[Maija Lepore]

No wonder you and Deb have such a strong bond!!! I have those fab earrings you made for me that look almost exactly like the Royston ones above!

[Christine Damm]

I have always wanted a squash blossom necklace-- a really big one! I had a friend who had one that she wore every day to work-- all her outfits revolved around it--very cool! I really like the clear stones and pearls with the turquoise-- unusual and unexpected and it SO works! And then paired with the funky bail and the medal--divine!

[Marie-Aimée]

the vintage ring is absolutely beautiful !!!

[Pattie]

It will be fun to see how you interpret and integrate Western notes into your individual style :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

[Beth Bricker]

All of the turquoise is beautiful. I have a vintage bracelet of Nevada spider turquoise it is Pawn Indian made and my fav. I just love turquoise, the earrings are spectacular!

[diane cook]

Great elements in your double wrap!

[Lelainia]

I really love the silver bangles, especially the one with swirls. I think somewhere I have a stone ring from the 70's.

I wore my b-day necklace today. I was feeling bad and it lifted my spirits. xo

[annie]

I remember decades ago having Southwestern jewelry and needed to get some fast funds to pay the rent. The loss of some things leaves a lot of regret.

As usual, your religious symbols create very uplifting pieces.