Guest Jewelers

Filed under: Handmade Jewelry, Holiday Jewelry

I would like to tell you about a section of the site that has been in progress for a while now. It is the “Guest Jewelers” section, and it is where I feature the works of other talented artists that I have met in this industry. I am starting December off with a bang, and I am going to introduce you to three new artists. The first artist that I am proud to present to you is Janice Kuhm of Darkmere Designs.

Janice says: “I formed Darkmere Designs in 2000 selling my designs in the Medieval Recreation and Renaissance markets. In 2004 I received an award for my work in wire knitting and chains. Art has always been in my life from music to jewelry. I have been involved in some form of art since I was a child. After receiving a diploma from Brooks College in Fashion Merchandising, I worked in administration at several different companies before going back to college to earn my Bachelors Degree in Business. At that time I was becoming active in medieval recreation and took a class in wire jewelry. I enjoyed the class so much I started taking more classes through a local craft shop, including soldering, fabricating, weaving and chains.

My designs currently focus on wire work, including chain making, knitting and weaving. I work mostly in Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold-filled, although I would eventually like to work in other metals as well.”

Here are some examples of Janice’s work.

These items will be available for sale for a limited time so if you see something that catches your eye, please don’t hesitate to make your purchase. There has been a lot of interest on the part of various artists to participate in this venture, so hopefully I will be featuring new artists every month.

Our second featured artist for the month is Rachael Swiss. Rachael writes, “I have been making jewelry since I was a child. I have been working in the jewelry business as a designer and merchandiser for private companies since 2003 and my work with them (mostly gold, silver, diamonds, and other stones) can be found all over in major department stores throughout the united states. I believe that jewelry is a form of expression and should be worn to bring out the beauty in one’s self.”

And, last but not least is Sophia Waddell. Sophia Clark Waddell has immersed herself in both the performing and fine arts since birth - her latest creation is Art Intervention. Having made jewelry and taken photographs for as long as she can remember, Sophia is excited about helping customers bring handcrafted, personalized, and functional pieces of art into their every day lives.

Sophia is happy to work with you and your imagination to create the perfect piece of jewelry, or capture that special moment in time and space.

I love having the opportunity to showcase the various styles of each of these artists. All of these items, and much more will be available in my store for you to purchase starting on December 1st in the Guest Jewelers section, so don’t forget to check them out!

The most recent additions to my store have been of the Sterling silver and CZ rings and anklets, along with Millefiori and Millecreli earrings and rings. You can purchase these items separately or as a set, and purchasing them as a set will afford you a discounted price.

Onyx and Sterling pendant

We’ve added a few new pendants and gemstone rings as well to both the Men and Women’s Collections.

Onyx and Sterling ring

Stay tuned in the next few days for more items from our featured artists. Make sure you look in our new Guest Jewelers section for their items starting December 1st. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I wish you a joyous remainder of the 2008-year!

Ciao!

Tags: genuine gemstone, guest jeweler, Handmade Beaded Jewelry, Handmade Jewelry, onyx, sterling silver

Swarovski® Crystal Pendant Necklaces

Filed under: Glass Beads, Handmade Jewelry, Holiday Jewelry

Before I introduce the new crystal pieces I want to preface this blog with one more glass bead necklace. For those of you who have been reading you know that lately I have been focusing on Lisa Atchison’s glass beads. As I’ve stated before they are remarkable, one-of-a-kind beads unlike anything that I have ever seen. In most cases the pictures do not do the beads justice. Please review previous blogs for my most recent creations. I will introduce one new piece to you where I used the combination of a copper mesh necklace along with one of Lisa’s electroformed leaf beads.

This necklace is comprised of fine, Italian brass mesh. There is a 3mm leatherette cord inserted into copper-colored brass mesh for durability. The necklace measures 18″ in length and is terminated with a lobster claw clasp. I used copper findings, and pure copper wire to make the handmade bail from which the beautiful, ocean-colored bead is suspended. As you view both photos of the bead itself, notice that the bead is only electroformed with a leaf on one side, which adds to its versatility.

Back of Bead

Front of Bead

OK, now for the crystal. First I’ll begin very quickly with the introduction of the “more classy” version of the Christmas tree earrings. I featured the classic-colored tree earrings in a previous blog, which was a green crystal tree accented in red and silver. This new pair is made using clear Swarovski® crystals along with an aurum 2x crystal topper and Colorado topaz base. They dangle from fancy gold-plated ear wires. These adorable creations can be worn all season long so get yours now!

Swarovski® crystal is the finest crystal in the world. I absolutely LOVE what Swarovski® has done this season with their new pendants. Of course these are perfect for any occasion, but hey, the winter season is upon us and in celebration of it I offer you a Swarovski® snowflake pendant necklace!

This sparkling creation has a flat table and faceted edges. The light reflects brilliantly from this classic pendant. I have attached a sterling silver teardrop bail to the snowflake, which dangles from a 20″ sterling silver textured loop chain. I terminated the chain with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

Also new this season is the 18mm flat-faced heart pendant. With the amazing sparkle only Swarovski® can create, the feminine heart drop has faceted, beveled edges and a smooth center. Stunning glacier blue color, the crystal ignites flashes of blue, green and yellow. I used a sterling silver ice pick heart bail, and attached it to a sterling silver Italian chain for instant elegance. Makes a fabulous gift for any occasion!

I have started working with a new medium. I am not sure if I like it yet as it is very new and extremely delicate, but I feel that the potential for creativeness using this product is just itching to burst through! This woven mesh originates as an extremely fine brass wire, loosely woven and anodized into a glorious color palette. It can be used to create a myriad of styles. Because this mesh is very fragile, it is recommended that it be used like a ribbon with beads strung on the outside only. However, I am a bit of a rebel and I decided to string beads, twist the mesh, and even fill the tube with pearls! (I feel like I just ripped off one of those “DO NOT REMOVE” mattress tags)

Close up of pearls in mesh

This is a David Christensen cane glass bead necklace with sterling silver accents and Swarovski® pearls strung on, and in the mesh tube. The black and white glass beads are from David’s “Sophisticate Collection”. These are the finest manufactured cane glass beads in the world. I featured his “Harvest Collection” beads on another necklace, which was featured in another blog a short while ago. This necklace is approximately 18″ in length and is terminated with a tube-like lobster claw clasp.

Clasp

That’s all for now. I am expecting the birth of our son on December 10th so I am trying to get as much completed and listed on my site, before he arrives! Happy Holidays to all

Ciao!

Tags: Cane glass, Glass Beads, handcrafted jewelry, Handmade Beaded Jewelry, handmade glass beads, Handmade Jewelry, Mesh, mesh necklace, silver pendant, sterling silver, Swarovski Crystals, Swarovski pendants

Beaded Jewelry Design

Filed under: Handmade Jewelry

I am often asked how I get my inspiration. Beaded jewelry design is like any other art form–inspiration can come from almost anywhere.

One source of inspiration is the work of other designers, such as David Yurman. From his Bijoux collection, I like his use of asymmetry, in which the two sides of a necklace do not quite match. I also like the way he combines textured and smooth links in his chains. And I especially like the way he showcases special beads in his jewelry design.

Bijoux Necklace

My finished design is quite different from Yurman’s. But, you can see the combination of textured and smooth in the sterling and Hill Tribes silver, the asymmetry in the use of jade on one side of my central bead and pearl on the other, and the way I made the Grade A yellow/blue tiger-eye bead the focal point, setting it off with Swarovski® crystal rondelles.

Yellow/Blue Tiger Eye with Jade, crystal pearl and Hill Tribes silver

My beaded jewelry design often is inspired by nature. For example, I’ve interpreted the color of the sea, the sky and the coral reefs around Caribbean islands in this ring. The turquoise ranges from blue in the nuggets to blue-green in the smooth beads.

The coral is actually from Swarovski® — crystal coral-colored beads. I choose not to use real coral in my beaded jewelry design, because reefs are usually endangered habitats.

handmade components on Sterling ring

Another source of inspiration for beaded jewelry design comes from the beads themselves. When I look at a wonderful lampworked bead or a millefiori bead from Italy, I can draw inspiration from its colors and texture. I ask myself whether it calls for gold or silver findings and accents. What colors will bring out this or that color within the bead? Should I use a similar or a contrasting shade in my design?

Life itself inspires my beaded jewelry design, as in the Mommy bracelet I am designing to celebrate the coming birth of my second child. In fact, my jewelry design business began with my first child, Isabella Rose. She continues to be the wellspring of my creative spirit.

One of the things I love best about beaded jewelry design is using a variety of carefully chosen materials to create wearable art. If my designs never see the inside of a museum that’s OK, as long as my creations are eye catching and wearable!

If you have questions about beaded jewelry design, please ask. I’ll be happy to answer in this blog.

Ciao
Mariealena

Tags: coral, Handmade Beaded Jewelry, Hill Tribes Silver, jade, pearls, sterling silver, Swarovski, Swarovski Crystals, turquoise