I have recently designed a collection of jewelry for the Pendleton Wool Mills Co.

Not where you would expect to find Alix Blüh jewelry, say you?

Pendleton has expanded their offerings immensely from the classics that we all remember to include a collection of very stylish garments for men and women as well as beautiful home goods. I would say that the design themes are very similar to the South Western feel of the Sundance catalog, with a strong nod to Native American aesthetics, especially with the jewelry. I have done very well selling in the Sundance catalog, so this makes sense.

Pendleton is an old American label that always garners respect for the integrity and quality of their woolens. American made is becoming a rare thing, as over seas production and cheap goods are now the norm. I am very proud to be working with this highly esteemed company. In fact, I have been selling my jewelry at the Pendleton Home store in Portland Oregon for years so it is fitting that I would end up designing for the catalog. The pieces are all a slight twist on designs in my main collections. If you should decide you want any of these pieces they are available online at www.pendleton-usa.com

You will notice that the collection was a modification of some pieces from my regular line. To start with I traded my usual 14k hand wrought ear wire for gold-filled ear wires. The large stag necklace pairs a turquoise bead with the horn dangling from a large jump ring ‘fob’ all in sterling silver. The stag earrings differ from my originals in the finial being silver instead of 14k gold. The tiny bird earrings are seen on gold-filled wire and the feather and tiny bird necklace feature a solid 10k gold feather.

I am finding myself to be very inspired to do a collection based all in silver so that I can see my jewelry getting out to a population of average Americans who are still affected by our dismal economy. I would love to hear your feed back on this idea.

The use of 14k gold has been hijacked from the world of metal smiting as far as I am concerned and become a true mark of luxury relegated to the realm of finance and commodity.

I certainly can’t play with gold the way I did 16 years ago. Any metal worker will tell you how absolutely divine it is to work in gold, especially the higher karats. In fact, I used to have my tiny little branches and leaves cast in solid 24k to be used in my reliquary pieces. It makes me sad to think that I have to be so conservative with something that is fundamental to my art making.

I can say that as long as I make jewelry I will maintain, as Pendleton dose, a core of integrity and quality that will speak for itself for years to come.