New Jewelry -Keeping Busy in France

I debated quite a while to decide whether or not to bring my jewelry making supplies with me to France. In then end we moved without them, and then I had them shipped over.

While I've been super busy with classes, travel, visitors, etc. I have had a LOT of alone time at the house. So.. I'm really glad I had my supplies with me.

My business has been closed since we moved, but I've been working hard on making new designs to have a LOT of new inventory when we go home. As of today I have just under 150 new pieces to bring home with me in December!

I decided to share just a few....

Colored Brass items are hand painted by me.

Click the photo to enlarge in new window to see detail.

Little Animal Friends

Little Bit of Romance

Hand Painted Southwest Design

Burnt Red with Vintage Glass Cab wrapped in Brass Filigree

Cobalt Blue with copper and crystal accents

Rose Pink with square crystals

Jewelry Makeover - Episode 4 - Silver Tubes & Black Onyx

This is the fourth in my series of taking old jewelry 'mistakes' and remaking them. These items include jewelry I made when I was first starting to bead, 9 years ago, or things that have simply been in many, many shows, or items that scream "What were you thinking?"  (scroll to the bottom of this page for links to more makeover posts)

This makeover is for a 2-strand necklace I made using sterling silver tube beads and black onyx round beads. The design was very simple, and at the time I made it, in style. However this piece never sold, even on the 'major sale' table. Now, the silver in the necklace has increased in price, making the components quite a bit more expensive. So - time to cut it apart and try again..
Here is the before photo:

Simple - and silver/black combos are always a great choice - but it wasn't going anywhere. So after cutting it apart and going through my stash of pendants I REALLY need to use up - I came up with these THREE necklaces - and I still have enough silver tube beads left to make 3-4 more!  Talk about extending the value of my components.

In addition to using pendants, I used some colored wire that I have had on hand for years. It is great wire, but I stopped stringing some time ago and have been wondering what I was going to do with it.

Each of these necklaces has exposed wire at the top, followed by a single strand of colored beads and sterling silver tubes - with a coordinating pendant. Fun, colorful, stylish and inexpensive.

This one is probably my favorite. It is made with a handpainted copper pendant. I had bought a number of these many years ago and just 'refound' this one. I would love to wear this with a white shirt and black pair of jeans.

As of August 16th, 2011 these necklaces are listed for sale in my Etsy store. Also a great place to see more photos of them:

Black and Silver Necklace   Blue hand-blown Glass pendant  Pink Acrylic Pendant

I hope you enjoyed this article. Please feel free to leave a comment - even if you don't like the new pieces.

Jewelry Makeover Episode 1
Jewelry Makeover Episode 2
Jewelry Makeover Episode 3

Jewelry Makeover - Episode 3 - Malchite and Silver

This is the third in my series of taking old jewelry 'mistakes' and remaking them. These items include jewelry I made when I was first starting to bead, 9 years ago, or things that have simply been in many, many shows, or items that scream "What were you thinking?"To see the first in the series click here.

The article is for a necklace I made using beautiful components - Malachite gemstones and a large Hill Tribe Silver pendant. While the individual pieces were stunning - the end result just didn't do them justice.

Here is the before photo:

The beautiful dark green Malachite was set off with lighter green aventurine. There was a small bit of silver breaking it up. The necklace is shorter - meant to be worn above a shirt neckline - but it left it a bit bulky and heavy looking.

I cut the necklace apart and made the following necklace. I accidentally grabbed a square/diamond Hill Tribe silver pendant that was lying on the table instead of using the original round one - but the look is basically the same.

The top part of the necklace is a double strand of 2-toned Myuki seed beads (glass) in a green/tan combo. It lightens up the green of the Malachite and makes the entire necklace lighter around the face, keeping the focus lower on the gemstones and beads. It also makes it lighter 'feeling' to wear.

Here's another view of the necklace.

Hopefully you'll agree with me that the new design is better - but I would appreciate your comments either way.

If you enjoy these before and after articles please consider sharing my blog on twitter, facebook etc. I look forward to your comments.

Cosmic Ring Earrings - Magazine Feature

I just received my copy of my second magazine feature. Check out page 74 of June 2009 Bead Trends magazine and you'll see my Cosmic Ring Earrings featured in the the Quick and Easy section.
The cosmic ring Swarovski Crystals are beautiful and SO fun to work with.

The picture shows the earrings in Burmuda Blue. Other colors are available include Clear Crystal, Cyrstal Copper, Sahara, Jet Black, and Vitrail Light. I'm waiting on pictures for some colors but you can view/purchase the following at my Etsy Store.

Sahara Cosmic Ring Earrings

Crystal Copper Cosmic Ring Earrings

Bead Trends can be found in magazine sections at Barnes & Noble and similar stores. It is FULL of wonderful designs and each designer must provide step-by-step instructions along with a materials list.

The top picture shows my feature page and below is a picture of the June 2009 cover.

First Magazine Feature

I'm so excited to share my first magazine feature! Check out page 117 of May 2009 Bead Trends magazine and you'll see my Simple Elegance necklace in green.

I submitted this necklace for the Vintage Section and was thrilled when it was accepted.

You can view/purchase my Simple Elegance Necklaces on my Etsy Store:

Green Simple Elegance
Blue Simple Elegance
Jonquil Simple Elegance
Topaz Simple Elegance
Red Simple Elegance

My Classic Drop Brass earrings (located in my Etsy earring section) are a perfect match for this necklace.

Bead Trends can be found in magazine sections at Barnes & Noble and similar stores. It is FULL of wonderful designs and each designer must provide step-by-step instructions along with a materials list.

The top picture shows my feature page and below is a picture of the May 2009 cover.

Whispered Romance Contest

I've been trying to enter the monthly contest at Vintaj.com for jewelry designers. February's theme is Whispered Romance.

The design is supposed to match the theme and incorporate Vintaj Natural Brass components.

You can vote for your favorite design and check out who's in the lead here: Click Here to Vote

Images shown are the entry I made this month (#9) Hope you like it. Please vote for your favorite at the link above!

Click here if you are interested in purchasing this design

It's a Winner!

Thanks to everyone who visited the contest page at Vintaj and voted for their favorite design.

I am thrilled to announce that I was the winner for the September designer challenge!

The theme was Amber Skies. My entry was the Amber Butterfly Earrings shown in the picture.

Click here to view the writeup about the contest winner.

Click here to see all of the great designs that were entered.