Sometimes it’s that simple. A rosy-fingered dawn, a slight up-tick in temperatures, light lingering a bit longer at the end of the day, and the stalled, best intentions about a blog-posting in a new year become reality. The necessary process of literally “taking inventory” has offered me more than daunting lists of items and numbers this month. Assessing what remains in the wake of December 2008, I’ve handled and marveled at works with a pleasure that the busy-ness of the holiday season often disallows.

Sterling silver, copper, 14k gold / 1″ in diameter

One delight of this process has been handling the work of Minnesota metalsmith and jewelry designer, Greg Souther. Aspects of Greg’s work that I find most compelling are his streamlined forms and closely considered combinations of materials. The lines of his earrings and pendants are, simply, elegant. Such design, paired with impeccable craftsmanship, make Souther’s work a lovely addition to our jewelry cases. Would that the arrival of a new day always yielded such a quiet appreciation of an object of art.

Sterling silver, copper and flower stone.