Laughing berries from author's front yard in Metlakatla.

Laughing berries from author's front yard in Metlakatla.

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‘WELCOME TO THE LAUGHING BERRY DESIGNS PAGE’

         Laughing Berry Designs is a fine jewelry and gifts production company owned and operated by Lindarae Shearer.
 

                         LAUGHING BERRY DESIGNS JEWELRYJewelry Gems
      
Jewelry made by Shearer is considered world class. Her line features semi-precious stone/gem jewelry including the latest in stone beads from all over the world. Examples of stones available in necklaces, bracelets and earrings are: Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, B.C. Jade, Carnelian, Citrine, Fancy Jasper, Garnets (red and green), Labradorite, Moonstone, Smokey Quartz, Turquoise and many others. Some of the most popular stones as featured in mainstream clothing catalogs are used in her jewelry. Shearer's prices are very affordable for her higher-end jewelry, which is carried by numerous Southeast Alaskan fine galleries.
       Shearer also produces many varieties of “native” design gifts, such as leather medicine bags, abalone and bone necklaces, the traditional Pacific Coast black and red cloth bags, and last but not least, red and yellow cedar baskets. The rooms of Shearer’s home studio in Metlakatla are filled with dozens of varieties of stone beads, glass and bone beads, silver and pewter findings, pendants, exotic fabrics, paints and all the accoutrements of one who possesses a wide range of artistic abilities.

                                             ABOUT BASKETSBasketry
       Shearer weaves baskets out of the inner bark of the red and yellow cedar trees found on Annette Island and elsewhere in the Tongass National Forest. The techniques she uses are identical to ancient weaving techniques—twining and plaiting—used 5,000 years ago by the Tsimshian people of British Columbia, where the Metlakatlans originated. Her weaving is considered among the best of the contemporary Metlakatla, Alaska Tsimshian weavers. Prices for native basketry are medium to high, on average about $450. Shearer furnishes an article about basketry along with purchase of a fine basket. (Or send $5 to cover copying, shipping and handling costs to the address below [checks or money orders made payable to "Lindarae Shearer" only] and you will be mailed the article about Tsimshian basketry within 10 days after your check clears, or upon receipt of money order.)

       TO PLACE AN ORDER
       Laughing Berry Designs jewelry, pouches or baskets is available online now through this website. Simply make your selection from the photographs and descriptions below, make note of the name of the item (i.e., "Gemstone Necklace with Sterling Clasp), state the name of the stone(s) or the color you would like, and go to "Ordering Information". Furnish your card number and pertinent information and you are on your way to owning beautiful jewelry and other fine gifts from Laughing Berry Designs.
       STONES AVAILABLE FOR NECKLACES WITH CLASPS, WIRE NECKLACES WITHOUT CLASPS, SINGLE-WRAP BRACELETS AND THREE-WRAP BRACELETS: Abalone, Amazonite (and Russian Amazonite --more of a dark teal), Amethyst, Amber, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Agate (Black or Green), Black Onyx, Blue Lace Agate, Carnelian, Citrine, Coral (red), Fancy Jasper (multi). Garnets (red or green), Labradorite (iridescent) Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moss Agate, Mother of Pearl (black, pink or white), New Jade (aka "Serpentine), Peridot, Rhodocrosite, Smokey Quartz, Turquoise. NOTE: Not all stones are available all of the time.
 

Gemstone Necklaces with Sterling Clasp

       Gemstone necklaces with clasp, about 18" long,  strung on 19-strand stainless steel wire. Larger nugget-style gemstones (picture includes aquamarine, green garnet, and labradorite with moonstone) with silver spacer beads, some glass near clasps. Necklaces usually fit all sizes. All stones guaranteed semi-precious, mostly natural. These are wonderful with blazers, lower-cut t-shirts, blouses, sweaters.

Price: $80.00

Gemstone Necklaces

Gemstone Necklaces

Gemstone Necklaces

 

Gemstone Memory Wire Necklaces - No Clasps

       These necklaces are one size with gemstones strung on stainless steel memory wire. (Shown in picture, amethyst, malachite and red coral with sterling silver). This wire is very durable and will not rust. The necklaces have no clasp (hence, the "memory") and they are fully adjustable. They're lightweight, but will stay on without turning. Each necklace has a larger centerpiece stone, with smaller stones radiating out toward the back of the neck, silver spacer beads, and twisted "liquid silver".  Very beautiful, simple yet elegant, and great to wear anytime you feel like it!

Price: $50.00

Gemstone Wire Necklaces

 

Gemstone Memory Wire Bracelets - Single Wrap - No Clasps

       Stainless Steel Memory Wire Bracelets with either gemstones or Swarovski crystals and liquid silver finishes this elegant bracelet. Shown: top picture - multi-colored crystals and black and white crystals. Bottom picture - Sapphire blue, black, red and white, and Montana Blue crystals. Simple to put on and they stay on perfectly. To wear with casual or dress. One size fits most.

Price: $39.00

Gemstone Memory Wire Bracelets

Gemstone Memory Wire Bracelets

 

Gemstone Memory Wire Bracelets - Three-Wrap - No Clasps

       Stainless Steel Memory Wire Bracelets -- "triple wrap" -- simply start one end and wrap around wrist. With generous amount of gemstone beads and glass delica beads or similar glass beads to match or coordinate perfectly. Shown in the photograph, from left to right are: aquamarine, red coral, labradorite, and green garnet. Not too heavy --you won't even notice they're there! One size fits most.

Price: $60.00


Gemstone Memory Wire Bracelets

 

Gemstone Earrings
Wrapped Sterling Loops, Sterling Ear Wires
Each pair, $25.00        3 prs., $60.00

       Other stones available: abalone, black onyx, blue lace agate, peridot, rhodonite, white mother-of-pearl.

       Stones (from left to right) are: Amber, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Carnelian.

Gemstone Earrings

       Stones (from left to right) are: Citrine, Coral (red), Fancy Jasper, Garnet (red), Garnet (green)

Gemstone Earrings

       Stones (from left to right) are: Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Mother of Pearl (pink), New Jade (Serpentine)

Gemstone Earrings

       Stones (from left to right) are: Rhodochrosite, Russian Amazonite, Smokey Quartz, Turquoise

Gemstone Earrings

 

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces - No Clasps

       Long horn beads with bone bead spacers provide the beautiful red and black neck hanger for a tiny basket woven entirely out of red cedar in the ancient Tsimshian tradition (see "About Baskets" by Lindarae Shearer). Other materials, may include carved wooden beads, mother-of-pearl beads. Strung on sturdy waxed linen. Simply pull over head and you're ready to go. One size, approximately 32 inches.

Price: $90.00

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces

 

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces - No Clasps

       Twined red and yellow cedar basket with red and black trim, woven in ancient Tsimshian tradition, with neck hanger of black and red horn beads, interspersed with white bone beads. Simply pull over head and you're set to go. Basket dimensions approximately 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" x 1/2" with 36" hanger. Allow three weeks for delivery.

Price: $250.00

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces

 

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces - No Clasps

       3" discs of natural abalone shell suspended from neck hangers with ivory and/or brown tone bone beads, some horn beads. Red neck hanger has mostly red and black horn beads with white bone beads for spacers. Beautiful iridescent abalone shimmers when you move. Total length approximately 32" No clasp.

Price: $60.00

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces

 

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces - No Clasps

       Bone whale tail with neck hangers made of white or brown tone carved or smooth bone beads; red horn and white bone beads, or carved black bone and black horn with white bone beads. Approximately 32" total length.

Price: $50.00

Bone/Horn Beads Pull-On Necklaces

 

Medicine Bags and Pouches 1

       A seal fur and leather pouch. Neck hanger is approximately 32" in length, total, and features carved and smooth bone beads. Alaska Natives are allowed to hunt seal for food and clothing. Some people like to put crystals, shells, rings or other small objects that are sacred or cherished into the bags when they wear them. Ancient peoples used these bags to store medicines found in the forests, or talismans to bring power in battle or human relationships.

Price: $100.00

Medicine Bags and Pouches

 

Medicine Bags and Pouches 2

       Gold elk leather medicine bag with abalone button. Neck hanger is approximately 32" in length, total, and features carved and smooth bone beads. Some people like to put crystals, shells, rings or other small objects that are sacred or cherished into the bags when they wear them. Ancient peoples used these bags or pouches to actually carry medicines found in the forests, or talismans to bring them power in battle or human relationships. [Other colors available soon: black leather with flap, white with flap, brown leather with flap.]

Price: $60.00

Medicine Bags and Pouches

 

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

       Red cedar plaited basket. Yellow cedar twining, dyed red cedar strips make up the design. Original design by Tsimshian weaver, Lindarae Shearer. Dimensions 8 1/2"L x 7 1/4"W x 3 1/2"D.

Price: $550.00

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

 

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

       Red cedar plaited basket. Yellow cedar twining, dyed red cedar strips make up the design. Original design by Tsimshian weaver, Lindarae Shearer. Dimensions 8 1/4"L x 3 1/2"W x 3 1/2"D.

Price: $300.00

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

 

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

       Larger basket -- Traditional Tsimshian twining of yellow cedar over red cedar warps.  Basket has lid with bone bead and Austrian crystal bead. Lid has red trim and a fine braided finish. These baskets typically cost more than the plaited because they take so much more time to weave and preparation of the bark is very labor intensive. Dimensions, 3" tall and 2 1/2" in diameter.

Price $350.00

       Smaller basket -- As above, except lid has no colored trim. Dimensions:  1 1/2" tall x 1 1/4" in diameter

Price: $120.00

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

 

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets Discontinued

       Traditional Tsimshian plaited baskets. Square taller basket dimensions: 7 1/2" L x 6" W. Plaited with red cedar strips, and using yellow cedar twining, with dyed red strips for design. Baskets close to this size will be available in the future, but will have square bottom rather than slightly rounded as this one does.

Sale price: $400.00

Red and Yellow Cedar Baskets

(Sorry, smaller basket no longer available.)

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LaughingBerry.Com
Owner: Lindarae Shearer    Email: lshearer@laughingberry.com
PO Box 305   Metlakatla, Alaska   99926
Phone: 907.886.4133
Text, layout and photos by Lindarae Shearer.
 

Creations & Technical Data Input by Cove Connect,
Last Updated 02/03/04 07:17 PM