Area jewelry designers have been offered an opportunity to show their work at Art in the Alley, an art show and sale at Ruby Collection Thursday, Oct. 18 during Tacoma’s Third Thursday Art Walk. Handcrafted jewelry by Kristy Vanderlinde, called Coco Creations, are beautiful, unique jewelry with organic, earthy feel. Kristy uses precious metals, fibers, semi-precious and natural stones, horn, bone, wood, and more acquired locally and from around the world in her tropical designs.



Vanderlinde’s techniques vary — fusing, soldering, wire work, knotting, stringing, and macramé. 

Susan Connole will be showing both bead, painted leather jewelry and hats made from recycled fabrics gathered at local thrift shops and estate sales. Connole loves the idea of recycling vintage beads and carrying forward their history as she transforms old pieces into new ones. Connole’s whimsical leather gingko leaf necklaces have evolved as she’s played around with metallic paints on leather. Connole states, “(My) ideas come from nature — reflections, colors, patterns, leaves. There is a boundless stream of inspiration if you take the time to look.”



Zena McCoy of Semilla Designs crafts her jewelry from seeds, pods, bamboo and other renewable resources utilizing more than 50 natural colored seed varieties from South America (primarily Colombia). Her inspirations are as varied as the seeds, coming from people on the street, fashion magazines, and even patterns in nature. Also check out Leslie Sirag designs. Her pins look like fun little people made of polyclay and ceramic beads from area shops and gem and bead shows.



Ruby Collection, Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-8 p.m., 711 Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.383.6384, www.rubysroom.com]