Hightail Studios Jewelry Gallery
We have a passion for creating new and different limited edition jewelry designs. Once we come up with a successful idea, we typically only produce 10-12 pieces before moving on to a new design. Lately we have particularly enjoyed collaborative efforts, where Brian creates the chain and Nina creates the focal piece. Below are examples of our jewelry; some of these pieces are still available at galleries that represent our work. Contact us if you are interested in any of these pieces or have a design idea of your own.
| Collaborations: For these items, the chain was fabricated by Brian and the focal piece or clasp was designed and constructed by Nina. | |
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This copper, titanium and fine silver necklace highlights an interesting heat patina that can be achieved with copper. The titanium chain is made of two different size rings, light but strong and elegant. (9-0127) |
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These copper, titanium and fine silver earrings highlight a deep red heat patina that can be achieved with copper. (9-0128) |
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This sterling silver necklace was forged and fabricated with a cubic zirconia center. The chain uses two different sizes of rings to achieve an organic look. We made a similar piece in white gold with an emerald center. (9-0129) |
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This sterling silver pendant is accented with 14 karat yellow gold balls and rings. The fine silver chain has an open weave for an elegant look. Matching earrings and rings are also available. (9-0132) |
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This rosette pendant is made of sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold. The fine silver chain has an open weave for an elegant look. (9-0140) |
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This sterling silver bracelet is accented with cubic zirconias. The female end of the clasp is hammered sterling silver with a CZ accent, and CZs are mounted in the ends of the toggle bar. The chain is a modified European 4-in-1 pattern. |
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This titanium and fine silver bracelet is accentuated with a black patina. The chain is titanium in a modified European 4-in-1 pattern and the clasp is fine silver. (8-0079) |
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This copper, fine and sterling silver necklace is accentuated with a peridot. The copper is recycled from 1/2" plumbing pipe, and has a light patina to highlight the bark-like texture. The chain is made of fused fine silver loops, woven and shaped into and open but sturdy chain. (9-0113) |
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This fine silver necklace has gold highlights behind the freshwater pearl. The chain is made of fused fine silver links, individually shaped and woven. (8-0034) |
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| Chain: Here are some examples of Brian's chain repertoire. Any of these chains could serve as a bracelet or necklace, and some might even work as earrings! | |
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This necklace is made of small loops of fine silver wire fused together then shaped and woven into an open chain. It is reltively light and flexible. (8-0003) |
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This is the same pattern as above, with heavier guage wire made as a bracelet. (8-0049) |
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This necklace is also made of many links of fine silver wire loops, woven into a more dense pattern, giving it a tighter weave and a bit more weight. The terminations and clasp are handmade. (8-0005) |
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This bracelet is made of fine silver wire loops shaped into links called a sailor's chain. It can be made in weights ranging from a delicate necklace to a heavy bracelet. (8-0053) |
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Many loops of fused fine silver go into making this chain which consists of loops woven in two directions, making a heavier, tightly woven, rope-like chain - very slinky and sensuous. (8-0055) |
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This chain is another variant of the one above, with the links woven in three different directions - very tight and hefty. The fused wrapped wire terminations and S-hook clasp are handmade. (8-0054) |
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The pattern of this titanium chain is known by various names, including byzantine and "idiot's delight." This is a larger-gauge bracelet, with a handmade sterling silver S-hook clasp. (8-0018) |
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This byzantine bracelet is also made of titanium, but of a smaller gauge, makng it even lighter and suitable as a bracelet, necklace or anklet. (8-0077) |
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This bracelet is a box chain pattern, closely related to byzantine but with a completely different appearance. This chain consists of a mix of sterling silver and titanium links, making it both beautiful and strong. (8-0023) |
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This titanium bracelet is made of a beautiful and striking Persian pattern. This bracelet can be made in several sizes. (8-0025) |
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Chain patterns are not only for necklaces and bracelets. Here a traditional European 4-in-1 pattern makes a set of beautiful sterling silver earrings. These earrings can also be made in titanium of various colors, and colorful beads may be added as highlights. (8-0048) |
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| Florals: These pieces were created using silver Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and several floral-design handmade molds. The resulting piece is a durable fine silver (0.999% silver) product. | |
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This is called a flower and brick pendant because the foreground is a flower image that is bent over the brick background. A freshwater pearl is embedded in the middle of the opening. An antique patina was applied to the fine silver pendant and sterling silver chain. (8-0028) |
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These earrings use floral and grass designs. They are accented with freshwater pearls and an antique patina. (8-0029) |
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This half-dome design uses a floral image with space for a freshwater pearl. The fine silver has an antique patina. The necklace is strung on rice- and potato- shaped white freshwater pearls. (8-0035) |
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This half-dome design is similar to the above necklace. They are accented with brown freshwater pearls and an antique patina. Necklaces using colored freshwater pearls (brown, red and gold) are available in the same design. (8-0067) |
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This familiar half-dome design is accented with pink freshwater pearls. The fine silver has no patina. (8-0065) |
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This half-dome plain fine silver design was intended to accompany the pink pearl necklace above. (8-0068) |
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| Trees: As with the florals, the tree jewelry was made from PMC using handmade molds of our own design. | |
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We love making boxes! The tree box shown in this image includes a raven-colored freshwater pearl. We also used pink and white pearls. They are simply strung on very fine sterling silver trace chains. (8-0061) |
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These earrings were intended to accompany the above tree box necklaces. The plain fine silver is connected with a sterling silver jump ring and attaches to the ear with a sterling silver post. (8-0070) |
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Another tree box design, this time using a black patina in the crevices to bring out the tree shape. The pearls are white freshwater pearls, and it is strung on a sterling trace chain. (8-0063) |
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These earrings were intended to accompany the tree box necklace, as well as the "window outside" necklace (not pictured). The black patina enhances the tree shape. (8-0069) |
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Another fabulous collaboration! This clasp is the tree design in fine silver with black patina accents, on a 4-in-1 bunched 3 style bracelet in sterling silver. (8-0078) |
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This collaboration is similar to the above bracelet, however the chain is made from titanium. Using titanium brings down the weight of the piece (as well as the price). (8-0079) |
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| Enamels: PMC and enamels go great together! Here are some examples of transparent lead-free enamels applied over our own floral designs. | |
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These earrings were designed to accompany box pendants with matching enamel. Unfortunately we have no good photos of the necklaces. Freshwater pearls accent the beautiful colors of the transparent enamels. (8-0031) |
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This is a pennywort enamel. See below for more information on pennyworts. The pendant was designed to look like a picture frame. On the back is an imprint of a shell found at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. (8-0041) |
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These enamels show some of the interesting colors available in transparents. The background image is branches. They are strung with faceted moonstones to highlight the ethereal nature of the enamel. (8-0042) |
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We love these next two pieces. This bluish enamel is strung with aquamarine faceted beads for a stunning and elegant necklace. (8-0059) |
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This greenish enamel piece is strung with faceted peridot beads for another stunning necklace. We made similar necklaces with garnet and red enamel that are amazing. (8-0062) |
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This (poor) photo shows the red available in transparent enamels. It's not a bright red, but has lovely gold undertones. We've made necklaces with this enamel and the cherry red freshwater pearls. Very lovely. We also made similar pieces using gold pearls and enamel, and brown pearls and enamel. (8-0074) |
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| Pennywort: The pennywort design was an inspiration from a visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The plant is prevalent along the beaches. This design is exclusively sold at the Pea Island Gallery in Salvo, NC. | |
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What can I say, we love to make half-domes. This one uses interesting PMC techniques to showcase the pennywort on a textured background. It is strung with small round moonstones. Very popular. (8-0044) |
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And here is another enamel, this time with the pennywort image. The back of this piece has an imprint of a shell found on the Outer Banks. Strung on a sterling silver snake chain. Fun to wear. (8-0041) |
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| Rosettes: The rosette design is a simple yet elagent use of copper and sterling silver, with fine silver balls or gemstone accents. | |
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We began making rosettes in 2009, and have only started to unleash their potential. This image shows rosettes made with 2 copper discs on 1 sterling silver disc. The ball is made from fine silver and the chain is sterling silver snake chain. (9-0102) |
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These earrings are made of two copper discs, a fine silver ball, and sterling silver ear wires. Very fun to wear. (9-0104) |
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Another collaboration, this time with a unique rosette clasp. The other end is a ring that just fits over the rosette shape. The chain is a Japanese 6-in-1 pattern made from titanium, and the rosette is copper and sterling silver with a fine silver ball. (9-0106) |
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This rosette ring is very simple, with copper petals, a fine silver ball, all on a sterling silver band. (9-0109) |
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This is a 3 petal rosette made from copper with a fine silver ball. It is strung with a cotton cord, for a casual yet unique look. (9-0119) |
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This is a 4 petal rosette pendant made from sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold. Strung on a handmade fine silver chain. (9-0140) |
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These 3 petal rosette earrings are made from sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold. Earwire and attachments are made of sterling silver. (9-0141) |
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This 3 petal rosette ring is made from sterling silver and 14 karat yellow gold, on a 14 karat yellow gold band. (9-0142) |
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This 3 petal rosette pendant has sterling silver petals and a peridot at the center. It is strung on peridot, aquamarine and moonstone strands. We have made earrings to match the rosette (silver with peridot). (9-0118) |
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| Recycled: We were thrilled to obtain some old used copper piping from a former colleague. The corrosion inside the pipe bears an uncanny resemblance to tree bark (what was in Larry's water?). And the natural patina in some pieces is just beautful. | |
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We had so much fun with this piece. Both of us have maritime backgrounds (Navy and Coast Guard), and love the idea of seeing a mermaid through a porthole. The mermaid is made from PMC, and the foreground is recycled copper pipe. It is strung on cotton cord. (9-0111) |
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Taking advantage of the corroded recycled pipe, we turned it inside out to show the bark appearance, and added a fine silver flower with a peridot center. It is strung on a fine sterling silver chain. (9-0113) |
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These earrings were designed to accompany the log-flower necklace shown above. They too have the peridot in the center, and have sterling silver ear wires. (9-0114) |
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This piece combines the log and rosette concepts in a woodsy casual design. The pendant is strung on a cotton cord. (9-0121) |
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