Welcome, and Thank You for visiting On The Rocks

The full lines of  On The Rocks Gemstone Jewelry™, BIKER CHIC™ Jewelry, Vintage Jewels, and Princess Pearls for Little Girls™ may be purchased on-line here:

http://www.ontherocksgems.artfire.com

If you have any questions, I welcome you to contact me at maryanne@ontherocksgems.com







Welcome to On The Rocks Non-profit Organization Partnership Site
 
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you mention the CORRECT ORGANIZATION when placing your order so that your organization receives your donation.

 I'm sorry that donations cannot be applied to sale items.

Thank you for supporting all these worthy causes - Maryanne

ABOUT ON THE  ROCKS 

On The Rocks Gemstone, Fashion & Children's Jewelry & Biker Chic Jewelry is designed and handmade in Atlanta Georgia by Maryanne Murphy.

My jewelry has sold through word of mouth, off my neck, at home parties, by appointment, at events, on ArtFire & Etsy and Facebook

Volunteering ones time and resources to non-profit organizations has always been a cornerstone of my life.  I am fortunate in the ability to design and create jewelry and having the opportunity to use it as a resource in my community.

I am passionate about helping people and creating jewelry!

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THE SECRET LIFE OF ROCKS           Since childhood rocks and the secret beauty they conceal has mesmerized me. My true passion for gemstones guides me to the designs they themselves inspire.  Beautiful gemstone strands can sit on my worktable for months taunting me while waiting for just the right accompaniment to be fashioned into the piece it wants to be.  Each gemstone has its own personality and character and is nature’s perfect work of art.  I am awed and humbled by the beauty I am able to work with every day.  

IT STARTED WHEN I WAS YOUNG          My grandmother created the most beautiful and intricate pieces of embroidery.  When each child married she would present them with a gorgeous embroidered tablecloth.  When I was 10 years old my grandmother taught me how to embroider.  I enjoyed learning all the different stitches and in 6th grade won first prize for my embroidery of stylized ducks.  I still have that piece and whenever I look at it I am amazed at the sense of style the design displays.

I went on and learned needlepoint and at 12 years old started to make my own cloths and continued into adulthood making cloths for my children, drapes, bedspreads and whatever home decor I needed that was made out of fabric.These activities introduced me to style and design at an early age.  The color, rhythm, texture, design and type of fabrics gave me a great foundation without knowing it. This knowledge was applied in the learning of and teaching seminars in ceramics and crafts, designing homes additions and interiors, collecting antique furniture and maritime art.  In doing these activities for over 30 years I developed what's known in the arts market as "an eye."  "An eye" is a developed sensitivity to the manner in which an object is constructed, reflecting the same things I started to learn at 10 years old and practiced my entire life.

I've always been "handy" and if I could make it I would and that of course extended to jewelry.  I was already making my own cloths so creating accessories was a natural progression.  I never thought about the skills I had acquired being anything but ordinary.  Everyone in my family sewed, did needlework, gardened, baked, knitted, crochet and was grounded in handmade thing and ways.  Can't everyone see a piece of furniture at an auction and know within a couple of inches if it would fit.  Or mentally rearrange furniture in ones mind in order to make room for that piece.  I learned later that this is called "sight measuring."

PASSION FOR THE STONE      Gemstones are a passion of mine. There are no words that I could find to try and explain the connection I have with my stones.  Metaphysical?  Maybe. Now after raising a family I have the time to revisit this passion and do so for many hours on a daily basis.  After a refresher course in  basic skills I was on my way to a full blown addiction in expressing myself through the design and creation of jewelry.

THE CREATIVE  PROCESS          In designing my jewelry the gemstone dictates what I will do with it.  I never have a preconceived notion of what the design will look like.  Sometimes I can look at a stone and see exactly what to do with it.  Other times they can sit for months without a clear direction of what to do with them.  This is called “my creative process.”  I’ve now realized that this is a gift so ingrained in myself that it’s always been a part of who I am.  I’ve always had an outlet of creative expression.

While designing with gemstones is my first consideration, by clients requests I have expanded into Fashion and Children's jewelry.  Fashion Jewelry being items without gemstones, and the Princess Pearls(c) for Little Girls line of freshwater cultured pearls jewelry.

ONE AND ONLY           Most of the jewelry I designs are one of a kind,  I love the thrill of creating new designs, or working with the same gemstones but in different ways.  My greatest happiness is creating jewelry that is a long lasting joy to own and a reflection of their owners style and taste. Creating one very special necklace or 100 for a group, I spend the same time in styling and creating each piece with patience and attention for detail.  I thoroughly enjoy the creation process and spending time and creating each perfect piece. 

JEWELRY MAKING TECHNIQUES          As Descartes so aptly put:  “I think therefore I am”   What I am not is a bench jeweler, and do not work in metals.  My talent lies in the artful combining of gemstone beads and briolette’ with high quality accents forming an esthetically appealing piece of jewelry.

There are three methods I use in accomplishing those goals.  The first is the method of stringing.  Sometimes a gemstone just wants to shine all by itself, like a fine string of pearls. A perfect example of this is the luxurious unadorned necklace of Aquamarines that is offered in my shop. Sometimes the strength of a single stone is required.  At times several stones want to be grouped together.  Aquamarine also combine beautifully with pearls, blue opals and even turquoise.  Discerning the correct balance, tension, color, shape, size and texture are the elements that bring a piece together.

The second technique I use is hand wiring.  Hand wiring uses different gauge's (thickness) of wire to securely attach gemstone beads or briolette’ to chain, each other or findings. The method created the two gemstone cluster necklaces that are offered.  This is a highly practiced skill requiring unlimited patience, time and dexterity but creates the riot of depth, color and texture that a cluster necklace requires. Hand wiring is also used to create very simple briolette' necklaces, where the focus is on only one, or a small cluster of gemstones.

The third technique I use is creating jewelry with different gauges of wire forming individual shapes that are connected.  I am always in the process of acquiring the limitless amount of information on new tools, techniques and products that are used to make jewelry with.

MADE FOR YOU          Just as different body types look better in certain styles of clothing then others, the style of a necklace can have a great impact in creating a favorable silhouette.  For example, a necklace for a petite woman must be in proportion to her frame so as not to overpower or look droopy on her. Store bought necklaces come in standard lengths that may or may not have extenders on them. A “V” style necklace can be a very flattering design that may be overlooked as a choice, or just not carried in the stores.  So many times we see something pretty and it’s just not “the right style.”  That problem is no longer yours when your jewelry is made for you. 

Your colors, your style, your design, your size....and 15% going to an organization you support.

-Maryanne

maryanne@ontherocksgems.com