Alena May Jewelry

This girl steals my heart ❤️
And these mini mushroom pieces are perfect for girls of all ages!

What do I mean when I say my jewelry is hand-fabricated?
I mean that my hands do every step of the process. With all of my pieces, I start with silver sheet and wire and create from there. I transfer my design onto the silver sheet, cut it out with my jewelers saw, file and polish the piece and then start the next step of soldering on veins and other embellishments. There is always a lot of clean up involved in any piece of jewelry and only after it has been fully cleaned and polished can I then set the stones. I do every step of this process. And it doesn’t end there.
I also do all of the photography, marketing, posting on social media, updating my website, etc… I don’t say this to brag or up talk everything I do. I say this to show you how much work goes into each and every piece of jewelry that I make. I love what I do, and I love sharing this process with you all!

I first discovered the Gingko tree when I was in college. We had one right outside the door of our apartment building, and I found it so fascinating. The leaves are so unique, and the history of the Gingko is amazing. There is a Gingko tree in China that is purported to be over 1400 years old! Can you imagine all that tree has seen and heard?
When you find the Gingko piece you love (like this Gingko and Apache chrysocolla cuprite pendant or three tier Gingko earrings), shoot me a message and we’ll get it heading your way!

This year began my love affair with bolo ties (sorry Jeremy 🤣). It started with a custom request, so I had to start practicing and learning the ins and outs. I am fortunate that Sheridan is well known for the ‘Sheridan style’ of leather work, and therefore hosts a leather trade show every year. Thus, I was able to take a bolo braiding class, learn about leather, and start doing the leather work for my bolos as well.
Some people wonder why bolos tend to be expensive… well, you don’t just have the main decorative part of the bolo (think a large pendant with extra hardware) with a gorgeous high quality stone and lots of silver, you also have the hand braided kangaroo leather (yep, strongest leather ounce per ounce out there), and then you have the silver end caps as well, which I have started making as well, as I just don’t like the look of the store bought ones.
This turquoise feather beauty is still available. Shoot me a message for more information.

I miss the maple leaves turning colors in autumn. The brilliant reds and oranges and occasional purples. The fall leaves just aren’t the same in the Western mountains. They are still beautiful but nothing like the Midwest or East coast.
So I get my fix with maple leaf accessories… all of these maple pieces are currently available - maple leaf necklace, maple leaf brooch or hat pin, and single and double maple samaras (i.e. helicopters or whirligigs) earrings.
Get your orders in before the holiday rush!

I was going through my photos, and wanted to share this gorgeous custom (for a gorgeous woman!)
I loved making this piece and coming up with the perfect design as a gift for her from her (equally gorgeous) sister!

I have so many pieces that I haven’t ever shared with y’all and I can’t wait to start sharing more! What kind of pieces do you want to see?

I’m at a show in Colorado right now and all I can think about is the fire back home. I am devastated that we are losing so much of our forest, and just got news that there have been a few homes lost. I am trying to be present and not stressed out, but I’m not doing a very good job of it.
If you’re in Denver, come visit me at Olde Town Square in Arvada and help me take my mind off the fire. It looks to be a fun show with lots of fun vendors.

And while you’re at it, come check out my new Aspen leaf pieces! This has been a fun project this past week!

My last show in Colorado this season is coming up this weekend! Come join me in Arvada at the
I’ll be right in Olde Town Square! Can’t wait to see you there!

I’ll never have model hands, but at least I’ve got pretty rings! All of these styles are now available in multiple sizes. Shoot me a message if you’re interested!

I think it’s time to bring these elegant beauties back! I haven’t made my willow leaf earrings in at least a year, but plan to have a couple pairs ready for in Arvada in less than two weeks! If you’d like to pre-order a pair, shoot me a message!

You guys bought me out of most of my best selling leaf and feather rings, so I’m busy making more! Two more shows left in the next few weeks to get your beauties, then I will finally be doing a big website update for all of you who aren’t able to make it to my shows.
Come see me in Arvada, CO October 5-6, or in Billings, MT for Harvest Fest on October 12!
Can’t wait to see you all there

Come join us out at today! So many great vendors, and such a fun atmosphere!!!
And you can come hang with the praying mantis who has made my booth home for the weekend!

I don’t know about you, but I love a big ol’ chunky ring!! These 3 beauties are just a few of the new rings I have ready for you starting tomorrow
Come on out and check out all the fun to be had!

Ive been so busy with creating for shows, going to shows, recovering from shows (and most recently a few days of being super sick), that I’ve barely taken any photos of new pieces, and there are so many good ones!
These simple turquoise hoops are brand new for this weekend. Golden hills, white Buffalo, and of course I can’t remember which mine the third pair comes from 🙄
I can’t wait to see you all at Born in a Barn this Friday and Saturday!

Did you know that if you head on over to my website and sign up for my VIP list/newsletter, that you’ll be entered to win a pair of earrings that I currently have in stock. Each month I pick a new pair of earrings to giveaway to a new member of my newsletter. These are just a few pairs that have been chosen for the giveaway so far this year. So head on over and put your name down to get in on this months giveaway.

https://www.alenamay.com/viplist

When you get to adorn the bride…
Who also is your new sister in law…
And such an amazing soul!

I’m only about 11 months late in posting this, but it was such an honor to make some beautiful Pearl jewelry for my brother’s wedding last fall. I even made a matching lapel pin for him.

It’s been a busy chaotic week, with time in 5 states. I’m excited to head out to Larryfest for 3 days of bluegrass, family, friends and no cell service! I’ll see you on the flip side!
While you’re here, don’t forget to enjoy these gorgeous pink fossilized coral earrings!

Who says you can only wear bolo ties with western style shirts? I love how bolo ties look on women. What do you think?
Come check out the bolo ties and all the rest of the pretties here in downtown Minneapolis. We’re here until 6pm today.

Come on down to downtown Minneapolis and join us at the and Street Art Fair.

Come see me this month! I’ll be showing this weekend in my hometown of Sheridan, WY, next weekend in Minneapolis, MN and at the end of the month in Breckenridge, CO! It’s a busy month of travel, as I’ll also be spending some time in SD, WI and IA! I hope to get to see you all at one of these shows!

I wrote recently about my gratitude for teachers who challenge me to try new things, and about and her new book ‘the new silversmith’. One of the projects she had in her book was a clam shell with barnacles. Looking over it, I finally committed to making the abalone shell I’ve been dreaming of for years. It was a challenge, and I kept making changes and tweaking it until I really felt it was what I wanted. I love the little flash that the Ethiopian opal adds to it! I love when I make the time to challenge myself and my creativity.

p.s. this is completely hand-fabricated from scratch starting with sheet and wire and scrap metal, it is not cast.

I am so grateful for all the teachers out there, and especially those teachers who have inspired me and continue to get me to challenge myself. I have had the pleasure of taking two classes from and I have learned so much during each one. I was thrilled when she announced that she was writing a book, and I highly recommend getting it if you like thinking outside the box. (P.s. it’s called the new silversmith) This is my latest project from her book, and it has me thinking of all kinds of new projects. Thanks, Nicole, for challenging us to think in different ways!

My eyes may feel cross eyed, but it feels good to have all of these sawed out. Sawing out pieces can be a pain in the butt, or it can be meditative. I don’t often saw out so many pieces at once, but sometimes it’s nice just to sit and saw. This is about 4-5 hours of sawing (in a 100 degree studio…). Next step is filing to clean up all the edges. Most of these pieces will be rings, with a handful of earrings in there too.

Sometimes I find circles boring to work with. Sometimes they inspire me. Can you guess which I found these?
I am so excited to be bringing these to Festival in the Park in Spearfish, SD starting tomorrow (Friday!). Come see us there this weekend!