*SOLD* Taos Sunshine: Turquoise & Yellow Jade Necklace

"I think this necklace is glorious.  It's full of sunshine and color!"

This necklace is named for Taos, New Mexico because it evokes the colors of the region and takes me back to the time I lived in New Mexico.  I think this necklace is glorious.  It's full of sunshine and color!
 

"Taos Sunshine" is one-of-a-kind and features lovely Meyer Lemon-y yellow jade.  The yellow is positively gorgeous paired with the chunky blue turquoise stones.  Some turquoise nuggets have a heavy matrix, others have hints of green and brown veining.  Little silver beads separate each piece of turquoise, so each unique nugget stands out on its own.
  

The key focal point of the necklace is the white bone pendant bead carved into a beautiful rose.  Two faceted silver beads frame the flower pendant, which measures just under an inch across.

The necklace adjusts from 16 ½" to 18" and will bring lovely summery color to your decollete.













Buy it here on Etsy!

See more turquoise necklaces here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75890884/princess-of-the-skies-necklace-turquoise
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74739071/kathmandu-dreams-i-necklace-nepalese
http://www.etsy.com/listing/77580176/frida-y-estrellas-frida-stars-earrings

*SOLD* Silk Road Earrings I and II: Turquoise Jasper & Chinese Coins - Treasury Item!

Silk Road I in daylight

This design is one of my favorites, and because each Turquoise Jasper stone is unique, each pair is one-of-a-kind.  The great amount of detail on each stone proved challenging to photograph, so these really look amazing in person.

Backside of Silk Road I in daylight

These earrings share their name with the famous trade routes that connected the Eastern and Western worlds for nearly 3,000 years.  Some of these routes, both overland and maritime, are still used today.






These  earrings feature turquoise jasper coin-shaped beads that have a panoply of colors including rich browns, greens, bright teals, creamy yellows, and sandy tans.  Each piece of jasper is different and I've matched similar pieces in each of the two pairs I've made.  Silk Road I has brighter green and teal based hues while Silk Road II has more of a desert oasis feel with more brown and sand tones.

Silk Road I in low light with bright flash

Silk Road II in daylight

Double-sided antique bronze replica Chinese dynasty coins dangle below the jasper stones.  The dynasty coins, which are penny-sized, bring luck with a dragon on one side and Chinese characters on the other.
 

Backside of Silk Road II in daylight

Tiny African bone beads sit atop the jasper stones and add texture and an organic feeling to each pair of earrings.  I only have a limited number of these bone beads left, so I use them in designs sparingly.  I think they complete these earrings and tie together the different tones in the jasper stones and the tone of the gold-over-brass french hooks with the antique bronze coins.

Silk Road I in low light with bright flash

These earrings are moderate weight, 3" long, and 1" at their widest point.  You can buy Silk Road I and Silk Road II here on Etsy.


Update 8/7/11: The 1st version of these earrings are in an Etsy treasury!  The 2nd version of these earrings have SOLD!

*SOLD* Napoli Bracelet: Jasper & Cinnabar

In daylight.

I made this bracelet to match my Napoli necklace, which sold at my launch (you can see it here).  But I think it makes a statement on its own.

Named for the Italian city of Naples, this bracelet echoes the colors in Naples' flag.  The bracelet features oval red and green jasper beads that are a rich hunter greenish-black and steel gray with spots of green and small hints of red throughout.  This bracelet is perfect for gem and mineral lovers.  Each bead is unique and changes color in different lighting, which makes this bracelet truly unique.  A carved red cinnabar flower nestled between two golden beads and a golden flower clasp complete this elegant design. 

This OOAK bracelet is 8 ¼" long including the clasp.  It fits up to a 7 ¼" wrist or arm.  You can buy it here on Etsy!

With a bright flash in low light.

*SOLD* Iridescence - 13/20 Collection Bracelet #1: Green Shell & Hematite

"Iridescence" is the first piece of what I imagine will be a small collection of bracelets and lightweight necklaces suitable for dancing.  To learn more about the 13/20 Collection, see this post.

This bracelet was crafted with the concept of "Natural Time" or "Our Organic State," the second principle of Nia Dance's 52 Principles, in mind.  Thirteen pieces of hematite represent and support the body's 13 joints and 20 spiked pieces of iridescent green shell represent and support the body's 20 digits.  This bracelet is lightweight and perfect for dancing (it will look amazing as you and others catch glimpses of it in motion). 

I chose the materials for this first 13/20 bracelet carefully.  I wanted materials that supported the 13 joints and digits and found that Hematite and shell would work well together both energetically and aesthetically.  Hematite is known for its grounding and protective properties and it is also believed to impart "courage, strength, endurance and vitality," all of which are important for dancing and healthy joint function.  Hematite also supports balance between the body, spirit, and mind while focusing energy and providing balance between "the ethereal nervous system and the physical nervous system."  Furthermore, Hematite is believed to help regenerate bodily tissue, the absorption of iron, and treats leg cramps, and aids spinal alignment and fractures (source here).

For the 20 stones that represent the body's digits, I wanted to use a natural material that was stimulating in order to encourage a kinesthetic, material connection with one's environment.  I think shell is perfect for this task as it stimulates "intuition, sensitivity, imagination and adaptability" along with providing "insight into decision-making [and] cooperation between the self and others, as well as within the self"(source here).

This bracelet is 6 ¾" long, fits a wrist or arm up to 6 ¾", and closes with a Tibetan silver toggle clasp.

Buy it here on Etsy! 

A Gathering of *SOLD* Pieces

All of the pieces featured in this post sold at my line launch back in May, but I thought I'd share pictures and a few details about each one to showcase the kind of designs I love to make.  These are all one-of-a-kind pieces, but similar sister designs may make their way to my Etsy site in the future.  Enjoy!

The EarthLandSea Necklace

 This necklace features  turquoise jasper coin beads, blue mosaic turquoise rondelles, a one-of-a-kind clay bead, African bone beads, gold-plated spacers, and a gold tone toggle clasp.  The colors are a meeting of earth, land, and sea.  I seriously love this necklace!    I'm glad it has a beautiful friend to wear it!

Moroccan Lantern Earrings

 I intended these earrings to be limited edition, but supplier problems rendered them one-of-a-kind.  These earrings feature purple acrylic beads with a contemporary (yet reminiscent of Moroccan) design.  Antiqued copper floral beads and tiny purple seed beads complete the design.  You may see a similar design soon, but these are the only ones for now!

Napoli Necklace

 

Named for the Italian city of Naples, this choker echoes the colors in Naples' flag.  The necklace features oval red and green jasper beads that are a rich hunter greenish-black and steel gray with spots of green and red throughout.  Each bead is different, making this necklace truly unique.  Carved red cinnabar flowers and a golden flower clasp complete this elegant design. 

This necklace has a matching bracelet that I will post for sale on Etsy soon!

Teagan Bracelet

 

I take the time to name all of my pieces and choose names that reflect a piece's spirit.  I named this bracelet featuring blue-green mosaic turquoise and an antiqued copper focal bead "Teagan" because of its flecks of rich teal.  So, I hoped to capture the color I loved in this bracelet within its name.  I may make copies of this bracelet, but because each hank differs in coloration, each bracelet will ultimately be one-of-a-kind.

The Lucky Find

 

 

I love this bracelet!  It gets its name from the antique curio shop in Cristina García's novel Monkey Hunting.  This bracelet features a carved black lucky cinnabar fish of Asian design, frosted yellow fire agate rondelles (that change color in water), lava rounds, silver-plated spacers, and an awesome Tibetan silver lucky fish clasp.  As with Teagan, I may make copies of this bracelet (because I seriously love it).  But, as I said above, each hank of stone differs in coloration, so each bracelet will ultimately be one-of-a-kind. 

Twilight Bracelet

 

 

I love lapis lazuli and I love the dynamic energy of this bracelet.  This bracelet features lapis lazuli stick beads of varying sizes accented with silver-plated spacers and completed by a Tibetan silver toggle clasp.  As with Teagan and The Lucky Find, I may make other bracelets in this style, but, to risk sounding like a broken record, each hank of stone differs in shape and coloration, so each bracelet will ultimately be one-of-a-kind. 

Look for more lapis lazuli items on Etsy soon!

Blue Empress Necklace

 

Read the story behind the Blue Empress necklace here.

Check out items for sale at my Etsy shop!

*SOLD* Fire Priestess Bracelet: Red Cinnabar & Antiqued Copper

 

I love the rich colors in this bracelet.  I've paired antiqued copper beads, with intricate floral detail, and rich, red cinnabar beads to create a fiery design.  (A fire priestess, or fire sign, wouldn't leave home without it!)

I bought the smaller cinnabar beads about five years ago and never incorporated them into a design.  These oval beads feature a deeply carved floral pattern, are 5/8" wide and 1/2" tall.  I placed them temporarily in a few arrangements, but never felt I had the right combination of elements.  Everything changed when I paired the beads with the large circular focal piece and this one-of-a-kind piece was born. 



The focal red cinnabar bead has a floral wreath pattern and a carved center with an Asian design.  This piece measures 1 1/8" in diameter.  The antiqued copper beads create balance and  daisy spacers add drama and interest. 

By the way, in Chinese and other East Asian cultures, red has long been associated with luck and happiness, so wearing this bracelet can only be good for you!

Clasped, this bracelet measures 7 ½".  From both ends of the toggle clasp, it measures 9".  This lightweight bracelet will work best for medium to large wrists.  For reference, though, it looks great on my 6" wrist.

Buy "Fire Priestess" on Etsy!

*SOLD* Desert Pearls I & II Necklaces: Turquoise Jasper, Pyrite, & Freshwater Pearls

 I originally intended to sell these necklaces separately, but I think they look great together and hate to see them parted from one another.  These necklaces were challenging to photograph because I wanted to capture the detail of each stone and the iridescence of each pearl.  I plan to make more minimalist style necklaces in gold and silver tones.

Description:

These necklaces are of minimalist design, yet they are visually stunning.  They can be worn layered together or on their own.  While designing these necklaces, I had Albuquerque, where I lived for four years, in mind.  In the high desert there are so many colors, many of which are captured in these necklaces.

Desert Pearls I has two turquoise jasper stones along with an inset of three freshwater pearls in beautiful desert tones of brown and green.  Each stone is unique and has its own inclusions that make it one-of-a-kind. The pearls echo the colors in the jasper and add interest to the necklace.  This necklace is 22 ¾" long.

Desert Pearls II has an inset with one turquoise jasper stone with a small chunk of pyrite and another inset with two light green pearls and three chunky pieces of pyrite.  I love the look of the pyrite with the other stones.  They have just the right amount of luminosity and accentuate the luster of the pearls.  This necklace is 20 ½" long.

Metaphysically speaking:

This necklace has a lot to offer for the gemstone and metaphysical enthusiast.  According to Angel'sLove.net, all types of jasper have been called nurturing stones because they are calming, soothing, and help balance male/female/yin/yang energies.

Pyrite "attracts and balances" male energies, is associated with intelligence and increases psychic abilities.  Also known as Fool's Gold or Healer's Gold, Pyrite is believed to promote "good investments."  





On the other hand, peals enable a goddess connection and help "attune the wearer to the ebb and flow of life."  Pearls also help with centering and vibrate "truth, purity, charity, integrity, and loyalty."  Read more at Angel'sLove.net. 

Both necklaces are lightweight and close with a spring clasp.  The chain is nickel and lead safe gold-plated iron.

 

Buy these OOAK necklaces here on Etsy!

*SOLD* Lillian II Necklace: Amethyst & Naga Pendant Necklace 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 and the vintage gold Lucite globes in the earrings (see this post).  These pieces really are beautiful and will bring many compliments! 

Description:

Lillian II is dramatic, unique, and the second necklace in my Lillian collection.  The centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind necklace is a solid brass handcrafted pendant made by the Naga craftspeople from Northeastern India.  The pendant measures 2 ½" wide by 2 ¾" long and its intricate circular design reveals the high level craftsmanship of the Naga people.  The pendant alone is sure to bring many compliments.  

 

Eight faceted beads heavily plated with 22 karat gold add even more glamour to the necklace while bringing attention to the free-form one-of-a-kind tumbled amethyst and vintage Lucite golden globes.  The  vintage globes have a highly textured surface that looks wonderful in any light. 

In low light with high flash.

Paired with the Naga pendant, the amethyst looks amazing noting that amethyst has long been associated with royalty and known as "the most highly prized form of quartz."  The tumbled free-form amethyst stones in this necklace range from deep royal purple to light violet and they all have unique striations making this necklace truly unique.

Additionally, two lilac stone beads add interest to the Naga pendant's bail.  Lilac stone is a variety of quartz that is new to the mineral market.  Also called lavender stone, these beads are a graceful blend of grey and light and dark lavender hues.  Lilac stone beads beads at the ends of the necklace near the clasp.  The necklace closes with a golden toggle clasp, is moderately heavy, and is approximately 18 ¼" long.

Two lilac stones anchor the pendant to the design.

Metaphysically Speaking:

Amethyst is a powerful stone replete with protective and psychic enhancing properties.  And, according to BestCrystals.com, it helps with meditation, as it "cuts through illusion," and imparts a sense of peace and strength.  Traditionally, amethyst is February's birthstone and it is associated with Aquarius and Pisces.  Because of its other properties, it is also associated with Virgo and Capricorn.  Learn more about amethyst here: http://www.bestcrystals.com/amethyst.html.

 Buy the Lillian II Necklace on Etsy!

Learn about the matching earrings here.  Buy them here.