Lillian II Earrings: Vintage Lucite & Lilac Stone Inspired by Thai Water Lilies

The Lillian collection has been my favorite by far.  I love the glamorous combination of purple and gold, which is inspired by Thai Water Lilies.  The Lillian II necklace and earrings will complete this collection for now as I plan to work on a few other designs.  I tried to capture the rich color of the amethyst and lilac stones in the photos while finding a setting that showed the detail and texture of the beautiful handmade Naga pendant in the necklace (see this post) and the vintage gold Lucite globes in the earrings .  These pieces really are beautiful and will bring many compliments! 

Description:
These are the second pair of earrings in my Lillian collection, inspired by purple and gold Thai water lilies.  These match my Lillian II necklace (see the last image and link below), but will certainly make a statement of their own!
 

These earrings feature vintage gold Lucite globes (that look wonderful in any light), lilac stone beads, TierraCast gold plated pewter Turkish beads, and faceted beads heavily plated with 22-karat gold.  Two  Delica® silver-lined chocolate glass seed beads grace the end of each earring.  These statement-making earrings hang from gold plated brass  kidney wires and are approximately 2 1/8" long and 1/2" at their widest point.  

These earrings are dramatic, but lightweight.  They are limited edition, as the golden Lucite balls are vintage.  Two pairs sold at my line launch and I've heard that they draw many compliments!
 

Buy the Lillian II Earrings on Etsy!

Read about the matching necklace here.  Buy the necklace here.

Frida y Estrellas (Frida & Stars) - TREASURY ITEM

I designed these earrings a good two weeks before I made the first pair.  I put them on temporary wires and fell in love right away.  But something kept me from finishing them.  I think my hesitation was due to the fact that I've had the wooden beads for a long time and I know that they are irreplaceable.  The yellow mango beads are also one-of-a-kind. 

I love Frida Kahlo.  I love turquoise.  I absolutely love these earrings.

I bought the wooden beads a few years ago and planned to use them in a necklace that never came to be.  I loved the beads too much to put them all in one piece!  These beads are handcrafted, which means that each one is slightly different, but they all have a starry night-like patten.  And, if I remember correctly, they were made in Indonesia.  I paired them with mango yellow glass beads from Java (on top) and Turquoise beads (on the bottom).  A tiny copper tube bead finishes each earring. 

Something about the turquoise beads (with beautiful black matrices) bring in a Frida Kahlo feeling, which is why I decided to name these "Frida y Estrellas" or "Frida and Stars."  The way the colors combine also make me think of Ms. Kahlo, which also makes them versatile and very wearable.  I sold a pair of these at my line launch, and I had to make a pair for myself, so these earrings are limited edition, as I only have a limited amount of the wooden and Javan beads available. 

Metaphysically speaking:
Turquoise is a powerful healing stone that can help wearers with meditation, balance, and communication.  It is also a protective stone that enhances love, friendship, and loyalty.  Find out more about Turquoise here: http://gemstone-dictionary.com/turquoise.php.

Copper lends energy when one is tired and aids in grounding when one is restless.  Copper also helps enhance non-verbal communication.  Find out more about Copper here: http://gemstone-dictionary.com/copper.php.

Buy them here on Etsy!


Update: 7/25/2011 - These have been featured in a Treasury! 

Pink Fire: Gale's Custom Order

   

I loved designing this custom necklace for Gale.  She wanted something that would match her summery pink strapless dress.  When she told what she wanted--something very pink, chunky, funky,  and one of a kind--I immediately thought of agate.  In the finished piece, four faceted, free-form pink agate stones compose the centerpiece of the necklace.  Agate comes in a variety of colors and its striations and inclusions make each piece truly unique.  (See detail on the left below.) 

Metaphysically, agate is powerful stone.  According to BestCrystals.com, agate "balances ying-yang energy, stabilizes the aura, facilitates discernment, imparts strength and courage, opens one to innate creative talents."  Gale also wanted the necklace to highlight the light pink and white of the dress, so I thought column shaped pink striped fire agate stones would add balance and further interest to the finished design.  Like the other agate stones, each piece has its own distinctive inclusions and matrix pattern.  

Detail of rose pink jade and pink fire agate

More detail of free-form pink agate and rose jade

To create a sense of dimension and difference, I chose round faceted rose pink jade, which ultimately enhances the necklace's metaphysical properties.  BestCrystals.com tells us that jade promotes,"Harmony, peace, fidelity, confidence [and is] a wonderful dream stone."

Silver accents finish the necklace and compliment its cool pink tone.  The silver toggle clasp is Tibetan style, and the two white pearl shell beads that terminate the necklace stimulate "intuition, sensitivity, imagination and adaptability" along with providing "insight into decision-making [and]cooperation between the self and others"(CharmsofLight.com).

Detail of white pearl shell and clasp

 

Many thanks to Gale for the opportunity to design this one-of-a-kind piece!

 

For reference, the necklace measures 18 3/4" long.

Princess of the Skies Necklace: Turquoise, Magnesite, and TierraCast

 
I wanted this necklace to reflect the endless blue skies of the southwest USA while maintaining a bohemian feel.  I restrung this necklace more than once in order to get the length and aesthetic unity just right. I hope the wearer of this necklace feels like a princess who is connected with the natural minerals of the earth and the expansive and varied blues of the skies.

Description:
While designing this necklace, I wanted to imbue the finished piece with a classic, yet bohemian, one-of-a-kind quality, and I believe that the "Princess of the Skies'" mixture of materials, shapes, and textures have fulfilled my intention.

The centerpiece of this necklace is a 1 ¼" wide by ¾" long sky blue turquoise pendant with a beautiful matrix on each side, which makes this necklace reversible.  TierraCast silver plated pewter Turkish and  smooth rondelles are interspersed between blue turquoise beads, handcrafted reconstituted blue turquoise beads, and sky blue faceted magnesite nuggets with distinctive matrices.

This one-of-a-kind necklace is light to moderate weight and 16 ¾" long.

Check out this entry on Turquoise: http://www.shimmerlings.com/gemstones/turquoise.htm.  Turquoise is truly a powerful stone!


Buy "Princess of the Skies" here on Etsy!

Rustic Golden Leaves Earrings

Like the Golden Orbs earrings, these earrings also proved challenging to photograph. They are small and appear delicate, but have a distinctive character, which is conveyed through the pairing of metal and organic material.

Description:
These contemporary lightweight earrings are fun and bohemian.  They are the second and final pair of earrings in my golden leaves collection and reflect a more rustic, earthy vibe.  Detailed antiqued bronze tone leaf charms are nestled between two bone beads on gold-plated brass teardrop hoops.  I've had these bone beads for many years, and only have a limited amount left.  Each bead is unique and I've taken care to match each pair, but their subtle differences give these earrings character.   You may clasp these earrings below the second bone bead or wear them open.  These earrings measure 1 1/2" long.

Buy them here on Etsy!

Golden Leaves & Orbs Earrings

I had fun making these earrings, but they proved quite difficult to photograph.  Capturing the tone and detail of the balls and leaf charms took many settings and arrangements to produce something I was happy with.  I'm still not sure if the pictures do these earrings justice.  They may be a simple design, but the movement of the leaves and versatility of the clasp make them unique and very wearable.

Description:
These contemporary lightweight earrings are fun and sophisticated.  Antiqued bronze wire ball beads are secured on gold-plated brass teardrop hoops and detailed antiqued bronze tone leaf charms dangle below. 

These earrings can be worn open with the included ear nuts, so you will never worry about losing them during a night of dancing.  And, these earrings can also be worn closed, with the back of wire secured in the ring that attaches the leaf charm to the teardrop hoop, as the last image shows. 

These limited edition earrings measure 1 3/4" long.


Buy them here on Etsy.

13/20 Collection: Inspiration for the Collection

Even though I have quite a few finished pieces to post here and on Etsy, I'm already planning a new collection.  A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the concept of "Natural Time" or "Our [Body's] Organic State" and its relationship to the code 13/20 (aka 13:20) in my morning Nia dance class.  (Read more about Nia here: http://www.nianow.com/practice.)  "Natural Time" or "Our Organic State" is the second principle of Nia's 52 Principles and according to Terre Pruitt, a Nia instructor (via http://terrepruitt.com/2009/12/29/nia-natural-time/),

"There is the Natural Time of the Mayans with the 13 moons to a year and there is the Natural Time of one’s body and one’s own movements.  In a Nia workout class even as the teacher is leading the participants through a routine, the participants are encouraged to follow their own natural time....So even though [teacher and participants] are moving all together [they] are doing it in [their] own time....Moving in natural time helps us connect deeply with our own bodies."

Thus, a sense of individuality and self-knowledge is achieved in the midst of a deep connectedness with others.  And, no one is forced to move in ways unnatural to her body, yet she is encouraged to explore the expansiveness of movement and may be inspired by the movements of her fellow classmates and teacher.   This is something I have loved about Nia since I began dancing about two years ago.  Furthermore, Pruitt explains,

"Nia also considers 13/20 to be the code of Natural Time.  There are 13 major joints and 20 digits of the body.  Body movements moving all 13 joints and 20 digits is a way to receive information from the body."

As my Nia instructor, Caroline Dyar, explained this concept, I began thinking about how I could fashion a jewelry collection around  13/20.  Perhaps I could have 13 stones known for their healing properties (as many people experience joint pain no matter how active they are) paired with 20 stones known for their stimulating properties (to encourage a kinesthetic, material connection with one's environment).  I am now thinking of  and researching materials and sketching designs that will enable me to craft a collection devoted to the concept of Natural Time.  I'm looking forward to posting more about his endeavor soon!

See this interesting article for more information on the Mayans and Natural Time: http://www.mayanmajix.com/art190i.html

Bohemian Earth Line Launch

Earlier: It's a little after 5pm and everything is set!  

 

Next: Complete descriptions and post jewelry on Etsy.

*Items will be online at Etsy (bohemianearth.etsy.com) by the beginning of next week! *