Miranda Wachtel at Angie Star Jewelry

Guilded Me

2012-01-09T08:41:00.005-07:00

Baby, it's cold outside. And dark, why does it have to get so dark so early? Frankly, the combo of cold and dark has me feeling a little blue. I wish the sun would come around again and warm these bones up a bit. But nature rules so I'll just have to wait until Spring to feel that warm glow on my face again. Thank goodness for Gold and it's sunlike qualities. This time of year I just want to dive into a pile of Gold and bask in the warm feeling it gives me. It's like wearing a little piece of sunlight and that makes me happy. This little line of mine features 14k gold-fill, pyrite, andalusite, and vesuvianite and I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

mw902-pyrite and 14kgf, mw903-vesuvianite and 14kgf, mw898-vesuvianite and 14kgf
mw899-pyrite and 14kgf
mw901-rutiliated quartz, andalusite, 14kgf
mw912-andalusite and 14kgf
mw916-14kgf
mw910-pyrite, andalusite, 14kgf
mw915-hessonite garnet, citrine, 14kgf
mw911-hand forged 14kgf

mw914-vesuvianite and 14kgf

Starry Night

2011-12-02T07:36:00.007-07:00

The Holidays are fast approaching and the invitations are piling up. There's the annual work party, the neighborhood get-to-gether, girls nights out, the family gatherings (all 3 of them) and my personal favorite, New Year's Eve. So put on your party dress, those sexy shoes (never mind the 8 inches of snow outside) and top it all off with some sparkly jewels! Oh, you are lacking in the sparkly jewels department? Well let me introduce you to the New Year's Eve line. It's everything you always wanted for all these holiday parties- bold, festive, and of course sparkly! This collection blurs the line between metal and gemstone with fool's gold (pyrite), black garnet that could pass for oxidized silver, clear quartz (for sparkle), and moss amethyst that reminds me of confetti. So pile it on ladies and be the star of your next gathering!

mw869 quartz, pyrite, black garnet
mw863 pink amethyst, moss amethyst
mw859 spanish lace printed silver & moss amethyst
mw858 moss amethyst, black garnet
mw861 hand forged silver
mw860 quartz & pyrite
mw850 moss amethyst
mw854 quartz
mw857 printed silver
mw852 pink amethyst & pyrite
mw851 black garnet
mw855 spanish lace printed silver
mw853 moss amethyst, quartz, black garnet, pyrite
mw856 hand forged silver
mw863 pink amethyst & pyrite
mw864 tourmalated quartz & black garnet
mw865 moss amethyst & black garnet
mw866 pyrite and silver
mw867 quartz, pyrite & silver
mw872 smoky quartz, pyrite, tourmalated quartz
mw848 quartz and silver
mw849 black garnet, pyrite, smoky quartz, tourmalated quartz
mw870 pyrite & spanish lace printed silver
mw871 moss amethyst & silver
mw868 spanish lace printed silver

The Stash

2011-10-19T09:27:00.003-06:00

I have a confession to to make, I may be a bit of a hoarder. Not the kind of hoarder who has to wade through piles of dated newspapers and empty milk cartons to get to the sofa but the kind who has tiny collections of shiny objects tucked away in pretty tins. More like a pack rat, wait, that sounds worse. Well, whatever you want to call it, I have collections, many of them. There is a seashell collection hiding in a golden tin that my favorite elder once gave me. The tin was marked "Favorite things" and filled with chocolate chocolate chip cookies. It's the perfect spot for shells I've spent a lifetime collecting. Then there is the bakelite collection secretly tucked away in my closet. Sometimes I bring them out to play but mostly I like to look at them. When I was in collage, my roommate found a hippo collection in our basement, he insisted I needed this collection. So now folks give me hippos. Not that I really care for them. And the pez collection I started in high school, it's still hanging out in my studio. All those tiny heads once filled with candy just stare at me now as they collect dust.

But my most treasured collection, the first one I packed up when I was evacuated during last years fire, is my bead collection. This may rival the seashell collection in age, I've been collecting both as long as I can remember. In fact, I used to only collect seashells with holes in them so they could be used as beads. I have jars and tins and boxes and boxes filled with beads. Some are old african beads, some are blown glass, some I made from seeds but mostly they are gems stones. I'll save my favorite bead from a full strand for years and just admire it rather than make it into jewelry. I'll buy a whole stand just for that one bead! Yep, these beads are my very favorite things. My version of pirate booty.

So after a lifetime of collecting beads, I have decided to finally make some of my favorites into jewelry. My newest line features Labradorites with the brightest flash, green apatite like I've never seen before, and a few of the deepest blue gemmy kyanites. All of these treasures have been sitting in my bead box for ages just for my personal viewing pleasure. So if they speak to you as they have spoken to me, you'd better grab them fast. Otherwise I may decide to put them back into my prized collection.

MW845
mw841 mw842
mw831
mw829
mw832
m4844
mw838
mw840
mw837 mw843
mw833

Spanish Lace & The Hard-Core-Pretty-Princess

2011-08-25T09:17:00.006-06:00

On a recent trip to Spain, I began a love affair with lace. It all started when I found a small store that sold nothing but the delicate trimming. In the window of the tiny shop hung a rainbow of lace strips, some were thick and bold and others were so delicate. What can I say, I was a smitten kitten. Of course I had to go in to admire and run the strips though my fingers. After some time I emerged from the shop with a small bag of treasures.

Lace evokes so many feelings, it can be bold as it slices through the air on the skirt of a flamenco dancer. Lace can be so innocent and sweet as it trims the clothes of a new born baby girl and yet it can be so seductive against the bare skin of a woman. Lace can be so prim and proper on Granny's church clothes and so fun and care free as it trims a young girls bobby socks. The one thing lace never gets to be is tough. So, I accept this challenge, I want to make lace jewelry a biker chick could wear.

My friend, Caitlin, calls me a hard-core-pretty-princess because some days I am wielding a chainsaw and hauling wood and somedays I have painted nails and sip tea with my pinky up. You'd probably laugh if you saw me in my studio with a torch and pick in my hand still wearing my silk nighty. It's just how I roll. So this line is dedicated to all the hard-core-pretty-princesses out there. I made this line by roller printing lace from Spain onto sterling silver and then mixing it with -gasp- pink AND purple!! It's so very girly and still so tough. Go ahead and wear it, you hard-core-pretty-pricess-you!

mw796 Amethyst slice and silver
mw791 spanish lace on silver
mw792 spanish lace on silver with color changing garnet

mw794 lace and moss amethyst
mw806 printed silver cuff
mw795 pink garnets in recycled silver
mw805 printed silver and 24k gold
mw804 printed silver and 24k gold
mw787 moss amethyst, color change garnet and silver
mw803 spanish lace on silver with color change garnet
mw793 spanish lace on silver and pink tourmaline
mw801 silver, moss amethyst, color change garnet

Mid-Summer dreams

2011-06-16T13:35:00.000-06:00

MW759 Labradorite, Agate, Chrysophrase Necklace
MW761 Chrysocolla and Apatite necklace
MW764 Chrysocolla, Chrysophrase, Apatite necklace

MW765 Kyanite and Chysocolla necklace
MW757 Labradorite and Pyrite necklace
MW754 Chrysocolla and apatite lucky horse-shoe earrings
MW755 Chrysocolla and green Apatite Earrings

MW759 Chyrsophrase, Apatite, Prehinite Necklace
MW769 Labradortite ring

Funky Plaid

2011-03-17T14:08:00.001-06:00

The God's were smiling on me the day I met my husband, not only did I get a great husband and sister-in-law but I got a mother-in-law that Brides would die for. She is my inspiration for many reasons, she raised a great a great son and is like my own personal, accessible Martha Stewart. I can call her and ask her how to cook, decorate and clean anything. Recently she was telling me about a new throw pillow that she was so excited about, she referred to it as "funky plaid". I must admit that I giggled a bit to myself as I heard these two words together. Funky and Plaid. It's kind of like a "cool mullet", the two words just don't really go together. Then it sunk in, no matter what my previous perception of plaid was (dorky and stuffy), in reality, it's a classic. So in my home my husband and I often joke about funky plaid but to us it has come to mean an updated classic. I now can really appreciate the funky plaid.

So I'd like to present to you my jewelry version of a funky plaid pillow. There is nothing more classic than pearl jewelry, Queens have worn them, your Granny wears them, and the lady at your church definitely wears them. Imagine the old stuffy pearl with a modern twist and here we are again at funky plaid. Pearls dripping in oxidized silver chain with moody moonstones and elegant green amethyst and apatite seem more wearable than they have ever been. The darkened chains against the shiny pearls and gemstones just feel so fresh.

Another highlight to this line is the addition of keum-boo. I've recently learned the ancient art of fusing 24 karat gold to fine silver. Hope you enjoy a little preview of what's to come-boo

mw691-moonstone and green amethyst, mw690 green amethyst
mw680-silver discs, mw678-nested domes
mw683-green apatite and moss agate, mw684-green apatite & amethyst and moss agate
mw685-pearls & green amethyst, mw689-pearls with domes, mw679 pearls with domes
mw703 and 704-24k and fine silver keum-boo pieces
mw705-moss agate, green amethyst & apatite, pearls, moonstone
mw706- green apatite & amethyst, pearls
mw700-pearls & green amethyst

mw699- Imperial Jasper, green amethyst, moonstone
mw701-Pearls, green amethyst, moonstone
mw702- Green Amethyst, Pearls and silver

Light at the end of the tunnel

2011-01-04T13:28:00.001-07:00

MW635 Black Garnet and Moonstone $92
MW634 Black Garnet, Moss Amethyst $108
MW621 Jasper ring $188
MW630 Moonstone, pearls and silver $92
MW624 Moonstone & Moss Amethyst $148
MW636 Moonstone, Moss Amethyst, Black Garnet, Amethyst $154

MW628 Moss Amethyst & Moonstone $212
MW626 Moss Amethyst & Moonstone $362

The recent Winter solstice coincided with a lunar eclipse, this is the first time since the 1600's that this has happened. As I watched the celestial show, I thought of the cyclical nature of the moon. The light comes and goes every 28 days, sometimes it is full and bright and other times it is encased in shadow. It dawned on me that even on the darkest of nights, there is always the faintest glimmer of light. When the moon is new in the sky and fails to illuminate the Earth, the stars are always there giving us hope that light will come again. This line is a tribute to the magical recent eclipse. It is comprised of Moonstone, Moss Amethyst, Black Garnet and oxidized silver. If you hold the moonstone pieces just right, you can see a brilliant flash of color and then it fades into the shadow. These pieces are meant to bring the wearer a connection with the celestial events that we take for granted and hope that there is always light at the end of the darkest tunnel.

Gold Rush

2010-10-27T12:45:00.001-06:00

GOLD RUSH!!! Ladies, grab your pick and axe and dig out the gold pan, it's time to drape yourselves in the warm golden glow. Or if mining seems like too much work, stop into Angie Star for a quick fix of golden goodies. The warm hues of 14karat gold-fill mixed with amber, citrine and tourmaline is like a steaming cup of apple cider on a cool day. Or the way the sun hits the tall gold grass at sunset. Or the hues of those Aspen leaves clinging to the trees in Autumn breeze. Although Fall is short lived here in Colorado, you can grab one of these pieces as a more permanent reminder of the Golden season.

mk582, $112
mk564, $98
mk581, $88
mk562, $92. mk563, $94. mk561, $88
mk566, $118
mk568, $148
mk580, $84

Vivacious Green

2010-08-02T18:55:00.000-06:00

mk513 $108, mk506 $208
mk 525 $88, mk524 $88
mk526 $86
mk509 $162
mk508 $178
mk521 $168, mk522 $148, mk523 $88, mk529 $78
mk507 $182
Prehinite ring mk517 $188
mk518 $52, mk519 180, mk520 $242
This vivid green line features the August birthstone, peridot, as well as tourmaline, chrome dioptase, moss agate, prehinite and tsavorite garnets. Inspired by Tom Robbins description of the Amazon jungle as having an "emerald breath" and being "way too vivid". This green line is a wink to you Mr. Robbins and all of those lucky enough to have birthdays in the lushest month of the year.

Sea Foam Green

2010-05-20T08:31:00.000-06:00

This bold line is made of Green Amethyst, Apatite, Chrysocolla, Aquamarine, Turquoise & Chalcedony.

Sorry folk, had to keep this little beauty.

mk485 $108- green amethyst, apatite, turquoise mk482 $74 apatite, aquamarine
mk487 $128- apatite, chalcedony, green amethyst, chrysocolla mk483 $78 chrysocolla
mk484 $92 chrysocolla, turquoise, green amethyst, aquamarine
mk474 $108, mk477 $184, mk476 $198
mk478 $208, mk475 $188.

Bella Blue

2010-04-21T22:59:00.000-06:00

Beautiful blue and all it's varying shades can make a girl feel so many things. Aquamarine is soft and soothing while Apatite shocks and invigorates like a bolt of lightening. Chalcedony's murky blue is a little bit mysterious like the ocean. The marbled shades of Chrysocolla seem royal and intricate. And who could not have fun wearing bold Turquoise? Miranda's new line for Angie Star features all these shades of blue mixed with sterling silver and 14k gold-fill. Surely, there will be a piece for what ever suits your mood.

mk444 Apatite & Aquamarine earrings $52

mk448 Apatite earrings $68

mk443 Chrysocolla, Apatite, Aquamarine earrings $62
mk452 Aquamarine 14kgf handmade chain $138

mk454 Aquamarine 14kgf and silver tassel $112

mk458 Aquamarine hoop necklace $96
mk457 Turquoise, Chrysocolla, Aquamarine necklace $76

mk449 Apatite, Chalcedony 14kgf & silver necklace $82

mk450 Chrysocolla, silver & 14kgf necklace $92
mk456 Apatite, Chalcedony 14kgf necklace $68

mk455 Chrysocolla, Apatite 14kgf & silver necklace $156
mk442 Chrysocolla earrings $48

mk447 Silver disc, Apatite, Aquamarine earring $72

mk446 Chalcedony & Aquamarines on hoop earrings $62

mk460 Apatite & Chalcedony earrings $64

mk445 Aquamarines on Silver hoops with 14kgf tassel $62
mk453 Chrysocolla, Turquoise, Apatite, Aquamarine 14kgf necklace $192

mk451 Apatite, Chrysocolla 14kgf & silver necklace $92

The little black jewel

2010-03-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

Ask any woman about the most important dress in her closet and she will surely tell you about her L.B.D.. The Little Black Dress. This simple staple carries a woman from a job interview to a New Year's Eve shinding and countless other places inbetween. So here it is folks! The jewelry line to compliment every gal's L.B.D. Now available at Angie Star Jewelry.

mk430 pyrite & hematite $56, mk426 black garnet & silver $84, mk428 black garnet $62
mk429 smokey quartz $36

mk436 smokey quartz, pyrite, black garnet $86

mk439 Tourmalated quartz & pyrite $128, mk440 tourmalated quartz & hematite $92

mk437 Tourmalated quartz & black garnet $92, mk435 black garnet & silver $152

mk427 smokey quartz & pyrite $58, mk424 black garnet $86, mk425 black garnet & pyrite $42

mk438 smokey quartz and silver $214

mk433 smokey quartz & silver $88

mk434 pyrite, black garnet, smokey quartz $102

Starlight dreams

2010-01-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Quartz crystal is said to bring the energy of the stars into the soul. What girl couldn't use a little more starlight in her life? Aside from it's magical powers, quartz is clearly beautiful! Lightly textured silver provides a platform for light to reflect off the quartz. Enjoy!

mk403 $48 mk402 $58 mk404 $58

mk400 $46 mk401 $48 mk405 $72

mk406 $76 mk407 $96

Silver Bangles mk420 $118 for trio or $42 each

mk409 $84 mk408 $72

mk418 $108 mk419 $128

mk413 $146 mk414 $148

mk417 $92 mk412 $86

mk416 $128

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice

2009-11-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

mk371 $156 mk372 $88 mk373 $68 mk374 $78

mk369 $82-citrine & pearls mk370 $162- Rutilated quartz

mk368 $86- Citrine mk367 $76-Topaz and Idocrise

mk365 $98-Citrine and pearls mk366 $68 Silver domes and pearls

mk364 $118- Topaz & Pearls mk363 $68- Silver hoops and pearls

mk375 $96 Silver hoops with pearls, topaz and andulsite

mk376 $64-Andulsite & silver mk377 $44- Topaz & Pearls mk378 $70- Topaz, Pearls

mk379 $28-Idocrise mk381 $42- Idocrise & Topaz mk380 $32 Citrine

mk382 $46-Idocrise, Andulsite, pearls mk383 $32-Andulsite, Topaz mk384 $46- Andulsite

mk385 $76-Citrine, Pearls and domes

As the Holidays approach we begin to deck the halls, walls, and trees. Why not deck yourself in some beautiful new jewels? The sparkle of Topaz, Idocrise, and Andulsite with the subtle glow of pearls are sure to spruce up any holiday ensemble. And after the season is nothing but a sweet memory these little beauties will be constant reminders of all the holiday joy.

Sugar and spice and everything nice

2009-11-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Fools Gold and Lapis

2009-10-13T18:23:00.000-06:00

Pyrite and Lapis are often found growing together. If you look very closely at the rich blue hues of lapis, you will most likely see the tiny flecks of gold. This glimmer of gold is pyrite, or fools gold. When pyrite grows on it's own, it forms the most curious shapes. Look for the cubes of natural pyrite in this line.

mk343 pyrite, lapis and sterling necklace $68
mk342 pyrite, pearl, lapis and hand made chain $84

mk340 silvermoons and pyrite $68

mk341 pyrite and silver necklace $72

mk344 pyrite, lapis, and sterling silver long necklace $158
mk345 pyrite, lapis and sterling silver necklace $165

mk332 pyrite and lapis earrings $70

mk333 lapis, pearl, pyrite earrings $54

mk336 pyrite and lapis with silver domes $64

mk337 pyrite and lapis earrings $60

2009-09-16T08:51:00.000-06:00

Silver Baubles

2009-08-26T15:08:00.000-06:00

MK 330 silver bud earrings $60

Mk326 silver bubble earrings $60

mk331 wrapped hoops $130

mk318 silver bubbles $120

mk321 silver bubbles $120

This line celebrates the unique way that light bounces off silver. The lightly hammered pieces tend to grab light and reflect it somewhere else, the result is an eye catching flash. The soldered rings show how light dances around the shiny silver pieces. These simple pieces can be worn everyday, just slip them on and enjoy!

Dreaming of Spring

2009-02-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

As the winter comes to an end, ice and snow give way to fresh new life. This line celebrates this special time of year when blue and green replace icy white and grey. Moonstone, prehinite, chalcedony, pearls, apatite and aquamarine capture the feeling of late winter dreams. For the lucky spring babies who celebrate a March birthday, Aquamarine dots this dreamy line.

2008-10-13T12:56:00.001-06:00

2008-10-13T12:56:00.000-06:00