Sunday, November 27, 2011

New Earrings

Ok, all of the furor over Thanksgiving has died down. I took Friday and Saturday off to relax and gain back some of the sleep I had been missing and enjoyed playing with my new kitties. Today, I have been back to work photographing new pieces and listing them, then promoting on Twitter, Facebook, and last but not least, here. As usual, I took many more photos than I could possibly edit in one sitting, so I will have more to work on for future posts and listings.

First up is a brand new light teal crackle glass and sterling silver wire wrapped chandelier earrings.
I had a lot of fun designing and creating these earrings. I started with the curved sterling earring frame and went through my bead stash. These glass tube beads really cried out to be put in the spotlight! I went with only three as they are too wide to fit five on this small frame. The two leftover holes have round beads that are used throughout the rest of the earring wired to cover them. The darker Czech crystal sets off the lighter teal tubes. If I had used a light green crystal for the top, it would have gotten lost. The darker crystal provides a focus, draws the eye immediately to it, then down to the longer beads at the bottom. These are very light a playful, and would pop with a white shirt!

I am especially proud of this design. I wanted to make hoops for a long time and looked at different interpretations of the classic hoop earring. I was admiring the look of chain incorporated in some other artists pieces, which gave me the idea for these. I wrapped the chain on first then added one-cut glass charlotte 15/0 seed beads for the outer scallop. The charlottes add a bit of sparkle when the earrings move with their single faceted side. Each scallop was molded over a mandrel to make sure that they were all even. I hung them on handformed gold filled earwires. All said, the pair took me three hours to construct. I am planning on cobalt and silver next, then maybe red and gold for Valentines Day. I love the permutations of all the color combinations that can be made!
These are my most daring earrings to date! The super long glass drops were originally created for use in chandeliers and lamp making. I saw them and thought about what great earring these would make! I love the feminine look of the lilac keshi pearls with micro faceted amethysts and sterling silver. They look like an exotic flower hanging from the ear. They are a tiny bit heavy, but not uncomfortably so. The earwires are handformed of 20 gauge sterling wire and rubber earnuts are included.


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Clouds

I find great pleasure in looking at the clouds. They are beautiful and mysterious. Brilliant red, orange and yellow sunsets are the grail of cloud watching. I have been living in the woods with a limited view of the sky for the last 10 years, so I take great pleasure in seeing a vivid sunset or soft fluffy clouds lazily floating by in the sky.
This was an interesting sunset. Rippled radiating arms fanned out from a central point.
 These clouds have incredible depth and I was fascinated with all of the layers. I don't think that the photo comes even close to reality. This was after a strong rain storm with a tiny bit of blue sky peeking out at the bottom.
The clouds are forever changing and never the same twice. Whenever I look up, I see something new, and intriguing. These were floating along dreamily.
I will leave you with this beautiful shot that I took on 8.29.11 looking west over the Catskill Mountains.

The Sky is the Limit Dichroic Glass Wire Wrapped Pendant and Beadwoven Necklace

The Sky is the Limit Dichroic Glass Wire Wrapped Pendant and Beadwoven Necklace
Gorgeous teardrop blue dichroic glass cabochon wire wrapped pendant in sterling silver wire hangs from a bead woven rope necklace made from Czech glass seed beads and bugle beads. The clasp is a sterling silver lobster clasp and wire loop. Necklace measures 18 1/4 inches long and the pendant hangs 1 5/8 inches long. The pendant is removable from the necklace if you would like to change your look.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Pearls from the Sea Ocean Jasper Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant


Gorgeous Ocean Jasper cabochon. I fell in love with the soft colors that float above and around each other. The soft melon orbs against the spring green and white orbs evoke a soft feminine feel. There is a small druzy pocket with tiny clear sparkling crystals at the top of the cabochon.


Pearls from the Sea Ocean Jasper Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant
A museum grade ocean jasper designer cut cab with a druzy pocket wire wrapped pendant in 14k gold-filled wire and accented with green and clear AB Swarovski crystal beads. A gold plated twisted rope chain is included in your choice of length. Each chain is hand assembled with a gold filled clasp, links and coordinating beads or crystals in each link. Pendant measures 3 ½ inches long by 1 1/8 inches wide. One of a kind.
SOLD!

New giftbox cards

Here is the new artwork for the background cards for my gift boxes.
My signature blue with a lighter center to highlight whichever jewelry is attached to the card.
Pretty little floral corners are a pretty addition over no ornament on the previous cards.
I also changed the script to a more flowing font which I think better represents my personality.
 This is the old one which I have used for the last five years. It has served it's usefulness, but is ready to be retired.