Updates from Raucous Jewelry
August 28, 2025
Greetings from the traveling studio. Fun fact: I have 7 studio spots I routinely use when not in the loft- and am hunkered down at a favorite up in Grand Marais. I can say that Lake Superior is behaving today! A recent show near the big lake allowed her to show her power and the winds were formidable. My current studio view is outstanding - and the cool breeze coming off the lake is dreamy. I’m not sure I’m ever more relaxed than when I’m here (and it’s 60 degrees). I wanted to share with you the smallest earrings I’ve ever made. A customer‘s daughter is approaching double digits (when she gets to have her ears pierced). They visited me at a recent show and mom placed an order for these. Mom will wear them until Amelia is old enough, then they will be handed down. Funny that this is their first piece of heirloom jewelry. Sweet little littles. To say I am honored is an understatement. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay hopeful. ☮️
August 21, 2025
Greetings from the studio. It’s been over 32 years since I started moving around sterling silver wire with my dad- and am glad to continue to move it daily. I have played with it, been humbled by it, learned from it, and respect it! The gauges and hardness levels have become like trusted friends; steady and consistent. My ear wires have been getting some shout outs lately at shows (I hand form each pair) and by making my own, I can choose how long to make them as well as fine tune to the needs of customers. In case any of you are wondering, I use sterling silver 20 gauge half hard round wire to form the ear wires. I twist the wire around so that the earring pieces don’t fall off the ear wires (with Raucous wires, there is no open connection). That detail takes time but is part of the overall design. I hope your Raucous wares are working for you. As always, reach out if a change is needed. Enjoy the week. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay creative ☮️
August 14, 2025
Greetings to all. After 15+ years of rushing home to get to my little Addie, she passed away earlier this year and I continue to try to adjust to coming home to a quiet house. 2025 has been the first year in 28 years that I have been without a pup. Quiet time has offered more focus on reflecting, toughening, perspectives, values, and truths. I miss Lillia and Addie more than I can really say (and still ugly cry when asked about them), but remain so grateful for their gentle and sweet presence for all of those years. I hope you have life in your home- or are making the best of the quiet. Give your pups an extra treat and scratch behind their ears for me. And let me know if you need a respite. I may be able to help! Stay well. Stay strong. Love your animals. ☮️
August 7, 2025
Greetings! My busiest few weeks are behind me, and the pace is back to feeling more manageable. I love a good challenge and am thrilled to be on the other side of this one! I hope the summer has been filled with fun for you- and that life is filled with friends and love and adventure and joy and a good book or two. Maybe even some new inspiration for your creations and plans. I have been looking around Latchet and am excited to see the community growing. Here’s to us! Thank you for being part of team raucous. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay kind ☮️
July 31, 2025
Greetings from the traveling studio. We had big storms roll through where I live this week and power was lost for about 20 hours. It offered the opportunity to stop and review how much electricity I really use. The answer is not much. I routinely only use 3 pieces of equipment that plug in but I have a different (hand powered only) system for 2 of them. So only 1 piece needs to plug in (the kiln) and it traveled with me to my friends’ home who shared their utilities and helped me stay on track for another big show ahead. I am on my own in this little business, but I completely understand it takes a village. I remain grateful and overwhelmed with the kindness that surrounds me. Thanks for being part of this raucous village. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay connected. ☮️
July 24, 2025
Greetings from a very cool studio (air conditioning was installed and I am basking in its glory)! I live in a loft studio on my sister-in-law’s property and she surprised me with this massive gift! Linda sure has been good to me. Michelle lives on. And then the gifts just keep coming… Friends opened their home to me so I could crash a mile from the show at Minnehaha Falls last weekend. Another friend came and hung with me for 12 hours (yes, twelve) on Saturday and was a great help. Customers stopped by with ice and cold diet cokes, sweet comments, and many treats. The crowd was awesome; thank you if you were part of that! The photo I attach is another example of what friendship looks like. After the outstanding show at The Falls, my friend, Marj, came by to help me load out on Sunday. She had her own show earlier that day but biked over to offer help (and a beer or two)- unbelievable! And then she came over on Monday and worked for 7 hours. She prepared hundreds of the leather tags and hundreds of my little baggies with the business card and polishing cloth so I could concentrate on creating for the next shows. I hope you’re surrounded by great people who support you in all ways. I hope you feel love and joy and peace each day- and share it widely. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay kind. ☮️
July 17, 2025
Greetings to all. I am staying busy here in the studio and having fun. The show schedule is up-to-date on my website and the next few weeks will be wild! Some travel, some big shows, some time with friends, and some excitement for new pieces in the works. Add that to on-line orders and some custom orders that have made me smile and here I am, grateful for how I live and how I spend my time. I hope it’s the same for you. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay kind. ☮️
July 3, 2025
Greetings to all. Another very specific custom request recently came in... Her daughter is going off into the woods for a few weeks to hike the Superior Hiking Trail (about 300 miles). Here is what she wrote: “So you know my daughter. You know she spins and her anxiety is tough. Her dad and I have figured out ways to help her but now she’s going on a solo backpacking trip and will be alone in the woods for weeks. Could you make her a pair of earrings to wear so that she feels us with her? They have to be sterling and wood. There can be some spin- but minimal! And there has to be representation of both her dad and me. Good luck!” It’s fun to be able to create something that fits the request (they were given a thumbs up) and more fun to be included in such a big adventure! Hope this finds each of you inspired and feeling strong. ☮️
June 19, 2025
The struggle is real with searching for the balance between the reality of the times/sadness re: the recent shooting/murders in MN (and all of the rest of the mess) and the hope, perseverance, strength, and courage it takes to take it on. I will continue to stand up, speak my truth, listen, and believe that peace and understanding are possible. Stay well. Stay strong. ☮️
June 5, 2025
Greetings to all. One day out of the studio with friends and this is what happened… 3 excursions on the lake 19 fish, 7 species caught (by me) 16 acres with fresh trails for 4wheeling 0 accidents or injuries 1 pickleball barn being built Bear tracks at the window 3 friends laughing at dinner 5 new songs on her guitar What a day. I continue to struggle some days to find my way through this life without Michelle; but the way I live, this sweet little business, and solid friends sure help me find my way. Thank you for your part in that. Stay well, stay strong, 🎣☮️
May 29, 2025
Greetings to all. I heard from the son of a loyal customer recently that he’s graduating from high school and that his mom has been a great mom to him and his many friends... He says they’re all going to miss her and they want to give her something to remember them by so he asked me to make earrings “that are big and full of love and respect from the guys”. He just wants her to know how much she means to him and all of his friends. They gather at his home and she feeds them. She drives them. She supports and encourages them. She knows them. What a great tribute from a son. This order gave me hope for the world. What a sweet group of friends. And what a mom (she definitely understands the power of community). I hope that you, too, are surrounded by love and respect. Stay well. Stay strong. ☮️
May 22, 2025
Greetings to all. Two busy and fun weekends of art fairs are behind me in May- with two more to go. But today my focus is online customers. I just can’t thank the people who come out in person or send an online note enough. These interactions sustain me as I create in my quiet solitude. Love the connections! They inspire me. Thank you. So, online Raucous folk; have you typed in lyric.store lately? You will see a new improved marketplace homepage made just for you! Your layout is based on who you are subscribed to in Lyric (hope you subscribe to many). My view is fantastic. The whole shopping experience on Lyric is changing and you can now also search for what you’re looking for. I typed in earrings and I sure saw a lot and it is just wonderful to see. Hope you take time to check out this new and improved offering from this site. If you are looking for more artists and makers to follow, please check out my community on my website as it may offer you some artists to follow and thus great online shopping! Thanks to all- and enjoy your week. Stay well. Stay strong. ☮️
May 15, 2025
Greetings from the studio! At my show this past weekend, I had some good conversations with customers about how we are using music to uplift us on the most challenging days. They offered me some smiles and a good reminder of the power of music. Thought I would share a few with you (average customer age sharing was about 45yo so I was happy some of the older music lives on). - Heaven Help Us All (Stevie Wonder) - Brick House (The Commodores) (customer offered every time he plays it, his wife dances for him and that is all he needs… and yes, she was there and danced for us both) - All That You Have Is Your Soul (Tracy Chapman) (customer offered it keeps her honest) - Who’ll Stop the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival) - I’ll Be Your Water (Keb’ Mo’) (customer offered she plays it for friends who are down) - A Change Is Gonna Come (Seal) - A Little Bit of Riddim (Michael Franti & Spearhead) (customer said, “I mean, come on…”) - Coal War ((Joshua James) Hope you are finding your way through the challenges and enjoying some of your favorite tunes and people. Stay well. Stay strong. ☮️
May 8, 2025
And just like that, the big show season is underway! I’ve got 17 of the next 18 weekends booked and a few midweek shows thrown in. I’m hoping that the winds are low and the rainy days happen on Mondays. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for… I hope each of you have fun with adventures planned for your summer. Mine will take me mostly around Minnesota while I plan for more road trips out of state. Stay well. Stay strong. Have fun! ☮️
May 1, 2025
The fishbone… a shout out to resilience and the cycle of life and death; even after something or someone has passed, their essence remains. Somehow, we endure the loss. I lost a close friend this week and feel it. She was the best boss I ever had. She challenged me and softened me. She watched me both fall in love with and lose Michelle. She was the only other person Michelle wanted at her side the day of her brain bleed. She watched us travel the country and return; travel, move and return again. She was full of grace. Although it is an immense loss, I know how to endure a loss. So here is to the fishbones that will remind me to honor Mary and keep her essence alive. Hug your people. Stay well and stay strong. ☮️
April 24, 2025
Greetings to all. I’m back in the studio from a fantastic road trip to Savannah and ready for the season ahead! One more short vacation and off I go. May and June are locked in with 10 upcoming shows (3 are new). The website events page is up-to-date. Just a reminder that shopping at a show while sporting your Raucous Jewelry, gets you an automatic discount. I am packing up new pieces and am excited for what’s ahead. Stay well and stay strong.
April 17, 2025
Connections. It’s what it’s all about. Grateful for my solid and steady friendships- as I am sure you are too! I spent a day this week working only on Raucous connections. The people we choose. The people that choose us. What a deal. Hope this finds you surrounded with kindness, support, and solid connections.
April 10, 2025
It’s been a full and fun winter with a mix of shows and travel - and I hope you have enjoyed yours as well. The busy season of art fairs and markets is right around the corner and it looks to be a good one with a great mix of shows. My show schedule is up-to-date and I am excited. Hope to see you out there!
March 27, 2025
Over the years, I have worked with sterling silver, pure silver, 14k gf, copper, brass, steel, leather, rubber, semi-precious stones, lake stones, old artifacts, found objects, ashes, handwriting, fingerprints, miscellaneous leaves/stems/grasses, sand, and a few other items, but this is my first work with fabric in this way! My friends, Carmen and Jacques (of Atelier Mamako) make fantastic fabric/textile art patches and journals. Please check them out! Wanting to create together, here are the first earrings; more will follow. They are one-of-a-kind, colorful, and super light. They are hope; a collaboration and a friendship shared. #teamlyric
March 20, 2025
It was a beautiful and sunny day when I rode Queen Bee for the first time (Mary is next to me on Bronze Betty). Although I am both cautious and raucous by nature (trust me, I know it is an odd mix), the raucous won that day. We went off road, got muddy, got stuck, and barreled over a downed tree or two. Dreamy and fun - and I love Queen Bee (and my kind & generous friends). Hope you are surrounded by wonderful people and finding peace- while finding a bit of fun in being raucous too. ☮️
March 13, 2025
I’ve been working on a custom order- and it has to be a favorite. Here is the request: “…I have a friend who’s got some new health challenges (as we age it is bound to happen I guess). There are 8 of us in a core group of friends and she’s one of ‘em. I need 8 pairs of earrings for us. All of them have to be different (we are so different from each other but it makes it fun). They have to be tough (we are one tough group of women). We shine on our own so don’t need too shiny of earrings. They have to be close to triangles as we are all lesbian (yes, there have been shenanigans over the years). They have to be of different sizes (yes, you guessed it, we come in all shapes and sizes). One of them is a quilter and always puts a humble patch in her work; so one of the medium size pairs needs to have an obvious defect (but they still need to look good). Actually, all should be a little wonky (I doubt I need to say why). Two of the pairs need to be mismatched within the pair (a couple of these women never match their earrings). There needs to be a connection in each pair (we all are connected to her). If you can pull all of that off, the work is yours.” What a challenge! I said I would do it if I got to meet them. Hope you are having some fun and holding on to some peace.
March 6, 2025
With focus on peace and calm, strength and intention, community and kindness, belief and friends, joy and clarity; I send you my best from the studio. Hope you are finding peace during these troubled times. In my attempt to put a bit of peace into the world, I will add a handmade fine silver peace pendant (of my choice) to each order through March 12. Stay well. Stay strong. ☮️
February 20, 2025
The Pacific Northwest has been calling for me and I answered! I am out for time with friends and a bit of family too. The Puget Sound has always held some mystery for me; the formation of all of the islands and inlets. I feel like she is saying ‘there is more to me than what you see’. I am thinking we can all say that. I hope we can all say that! So… new designs are coming. Inspired by friends, family, the beauty of the PNW, and the Sound. Stay well and stay strong.
February 13, 2025
Greetings from the studio. The focus of the week has been on necklaces. Pendants include fine silver (.999), sterling silver (.925) and/or 14k gf hanging on sterling silver chain with sterling clasps and crimps too… with lengths made to order. The kilns have been hot and fun has been had. Hope the same for you.
February 6, 2025
It’s been 20 years since Michelle and I sold our first home and hit the road in our new home, the silver bullet. Our Airstream adventures are favorite memories and offer me comfort when I need a bit of it. The mini-poodles in the scooter baskets (in the RV parks), the off-grid sights we witnessed together, and the joy that the 200 square feet inside the Airstream provided have been front and center in my mind recently. Hope each of you are surrounded with comfort and joy. Sending peace to you.
January 23, 2025
I had lots of time in the studio this last week with heavier thoughts than is my usual… Then remembering that Longfellow wrote that we have to choose to be the hammer or the anvil….meaning that we can help to shape the world or be molded by it. I know which I choose.
January 16, 2025
Greetings from the studio. I am back at it after some great travels (I had a 90° shift in temperature within a few days between the Florida coast and northern Minnesota). This lovely sauna helped with staying warm given the sub-zero joy. Hope this finds each of you safe and secure; warm and with some comforts around you. Reminder: The post-holiday bash continues! Sale #2 : January 16 - January 22. Shop and purchase from another Lyric artist in my community and receive a Raucous Jewelry gift! Better and stronger together at Lyric.
January 8, 2025
Happy New Year! I sure hope this finds you well and relaxed- and ready for all that is ahead in 2025. I have had a fun few weeks of travel and am back in the studio with many new designs and creations on a “to make” list. But first - a “post holiday bash” sale. If you order off my website/through Lyric before January 16, I will throw in a surprise free Raucous Jewelry gift! I do love a giveaway…
December 11, 2024
The tides are turning here in the studio as I only have two shows left in 2024! What a great year; I have been refreshed, energized, and inspired by many. I’ve also been planning for my 2025 schedule and am excited for what’s ahead. A few vacations are planned and the creating will continue - influenced by the people and places for sure. I’ll hit both coasts to see friends and get in some mid-west fun. Marco Island is first- then to the snowy north woods of Minnesota (can’t you hear these trees calling me!?). Peace to each of you.
December 4, 2024
It doesn’t seem right to start with anything but thank you. I am covered in silver dust as I work through the orders that came in this weekend. I have never had more orders in such a short time frame and I sure appreciate each one. Lyric for the win! I am also working on new pieces for 2025. Here is one creation that will hit the circuit with me and I love them! Truly one of a kind pair. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay true.
November 20, 2024
So many of you make great models for Raucous Jewelry and I thank you for stopping by at shows to let me view it on you. It really is fun for me. I saw a creation this last weekend from about 20 years ago; a style I had lost track of. Here is Jax (Sons of Anarchy) wearing my personal collection. Should I ever meet Charlie Hunnam in person, I will be sure to get a photo or two…
November 13, 2024
I made this necklace for the first time a few years ago. I wrote the word “peace” on the inside and hid it as I wound up the fine silver. I think it’s time to make more of these... Let’s all work together to get more peace out there in the world.
October 30, 2024
Although I’ve been making fine silver (starts as a clay product and ends up as .999 silver/pure silver/fine silver) for about 20 years, I needed it to be more flexible for new pieces this week. The flexible product I used in the past is no longer available… It took a few attempts to get the recipe correct, but olive oil was the key! It burns off in the kiln but gave me the time I needed to roll up & fold over the pieces. Hope each of you have had the joy of a success or two this week. And finally, I am sending strength to all for the week ahead.
October 23, 2024
Hope this finds each of you well. Thank you for your continued support, notes, encouragement, and kind words. I will spend the week with my two brothers and their wives. I grew up with my sister-in-laws and have know them since childhood. The 5 of us have been connected for over 50 years and that comfort of longevity and familiarity is speaking to me today. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay connected. We are better together.
October 9, 2024
I have been raucous in the studio this week and have been busy at the soldering station. Newly soldered pieces will be coming out soon. I hope to show them in the next newsletter. Hope this finds you all well and enjoying October.
October 1, 2024
Making pure silver/fine silver/.999 is a process! Once it is formed, dried, filed, through the kiln, and polished up this is what a pile looks like! Then I add patina, more texture, and finish it up.