Harvest Gold Gallery is honored to display Jean Swan Gordon paintings. She was born in 1922 and lived her early years in Old Lyme, CT where at only 14 years old she was studying under a local artist due to her talent. At first she only drew pen and pencil line drawings, many of them are figures of people. It wasn't until her later years that she started painting flowers, however they became an incredible success- both for Jean and anyone to behold them. Sadly Jean passed away in 2013, yet her spirit lives on in every brush stroke of every flower in her paintings.

This piece is one that is new to us, come and see how beautiful it is in person!

"As with people, no two are the same. They can move around like people, and there’s something challenging about that. That’s why I try to convey in my work the vigor, energy, and variety of flowers at various stages of growth and development.”
~ Jean Swan Gordon

Recently at the gallery, we've taken pictures of many different pieces of jewelry to share with all of you! 

These chunky hoops are the perfect addition to anyones earring collection, and look great on everyone! These earrings shine so bright in any light. 

Finally, the loop-de-loop earrings are a fantastic way to accentuate any look. The anticlastic design is such a unique way to spice up your accessories! Please click on the photo for more information on these earrings. 

Come see these earrings and more at Harvest Gold Gallery!

We've been carrying Four Winds Farm's felted soap at Harvest Gold for over two years now! What is felted soap? It's soap in its own washcloth! Fiber artist Jan Winsor of Four Winds Farm in Gorham, ME has partnered with soap makers to sell this fun product.

Jan became interested in the fiber arts over 20 years ago and has progressed to becoming a full time fiber artist with a farm. She has a small flock of sheep from which she gets the wool to create artworks as well as felted soap.

She uses either hand crafted soap from Medicine Wheel Herbals, or goat's milk soap from Knotty Goat Soapery or Spiritwind Farm and then "felts" them with wool from her own sheep. The soap is wrapped in a thin layer of felt, so it lathers up without needing a washcloth. When the soap is gone, the felt can be used as a scrubbie.

In addition to smelling fabulous, these soaps are made from all natural ingredients and are eco-friendly! Ditch bottled soaps filled with chemicals and try out this product. Not only are you helping the planet, but you're supporting multiple small businesses. Give it a try today and pick up a bar at the Harvest Gold Gallery.

Lacey Pots have arrived just in time for summer! These beautiful ceramic vases have the obvious purpose of holding flowers or twigs, but alone they also make a statement. The style we have comes in three different sizes- "itty bitty", "mini" and a larger make. Not only do they come in many different colors, but there are several different patterns: polka-dots, floral, swirly and striped. 

Itty bitty size in blue with polka-dots!

Click the images to view on our website.

Due to the small size of the mini pots, they're the perfect decor for a small work space or coffee table. You could even keep it on a bed stand with some flowers to make your area more lively!

Mini size in pink with floral pattern!

The mini size is the middle ground between the itty bitty vases and the large vases, it's big enough to be able to draw attention to itself while still being small enough to add to a smaller space.

Largest size in dark green with swirls! 

This style would make a great centerpiece for a table or on a shelf, these pieces are attentions grabbers. The large size allows enough room for an overflowing bouquet of flowers to be placed inside. 

Check them out on our website here!

One of our most iconic pieces is easily our cut-out jewelry collection. The look is simple, yet eye catching and intricate. Lynda skillfully hand-cuts each individual design to create the beautiful cut-out. "The Tree of Life" is historically the most popular, however Lynda makes a wide array of designs for the gallery and custom cut-outs such as states, names, and animals! All of the Harvest Gold Jewelry cut-outs can be made in either 14k yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or sterling silver as a pendant for any kind of jewelry your heart desires. 

Shown above is a gorgeous pair of sterling silver earrings with a Lady Slipper cut-out! This style of jewelry is perfect because it can be worn daily and causally, however it can also be dressed up for a more formal look. If you would like to get yourself or a loved one a piece of cut-out jewelry, check out our website to see our selection or stop by the gallery to design a custom piece! 

With the end of summer creeping right up, we would like to showcase some oil paintings that encapsulate the feelings of the warmest season. 

"Severance Lodge Flowers", by Kristen Dill, captures the warmth of a summer day on the waterfront. Her choice of colors and setting instills the hot air of summertime in anyone who sees it. Click on the photo for more information on this piece!

The morning dew of a cool summer morning is perfectly captured in artist Varvara Harmon's piece, "Lupines in Sun Rays". This oil paintings brilliant use of lighting on such a delicate terrain perfectly captures the feeling of a quiet, summer moment.

Finally, "Lilies and Blue Sky", by Carol Novotne, exhibits a cooling sight to warm eyes. The hues of green and blue in contrast to the pink flowers creates a beautiful, calming image to behold- the perfect painting to view on a hot, summers day.

Come see this work and more at Harvest Gold Gallery!

Ernest Porcelli has been working with glass for over 30 years which is clear from the intricacy of his pieces and the skill it takes to work with glass. Ernest makes a range of things with his glass knowledge, everything from doors to windows to plates and platters! His range of knowledge is impressive.
Much of his works consists of fusing glass, like the plate seen below. Fusing glass is done by taking small square rods or thin strips of glass and arranging them into
the eye-catching patterns and colors of his choosing.

The piece is then put in the kiln where it is fused during a process called ramping, in which the artist rapidly raises the temperature in the kiln. Then he "soaks" the piece, which is when the artist allows the glass to stay at a consistent temperature within the kiln. To finish it is allowed to slowly cool, a process called annealing. This last process reduces the chance of the piece breaking.

Stop by Harvest Gold Gallery to see Ernest's work in person, or visit our online store and check it out!

Harvest Gold takes pride in our homemade gold, silver, and gemstone jewelry. We recognize it as one of the earliest art forms in the world. Jewelry has different meanings and significance to everyone.  So, enjoy this post about the early days of jewelry- from ancient times to today.

The earliest traces of jewelry found were in what is now called Iran around 3,000 to 400 BC. These pieces consisted of simple items, like stone amulets. Then came the Egyptian tombs, which is where they found mummies from 3000 BC with necklaces, rings, headdresses, earrings, crowns, and pins. The Egyptian jewelry featured many types of gemstones such as amethyst and turquoise.

The Greeks and Romans came next with their jewelry. In the Greek society, jewelry items with gemstones showed wealth and societal importance- sometimes they would wear up to 75 pieces at a time. However, the Romans enjoyed their jewelry for myth and magic purposes of the gemstones.

The crusades are what brings ancient jewelry to modern times. Jewelry in the Middle ages were meant for only royalty to enjoy. Each piece had a different meaning or purpose. As stated on GemSociety:

1. “Ecclesiastical rings, worn by clergy and laymen as sacred emblems.
2. Curative rings, meant to cure ailments and diseases.
3. Rings of romance, the wedding ring on the left second finger because of its closeness to the heart.
4. Gadget rings, including brass knuckles, compass rings, pipe stuffers.”

After this time period (Ending in the 17th Century), colorful gemstones started to lose their importance in fashion and diamonds began to rise in popularity.