Showing posts with label copper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label copper. Show all posts

Saturday, June 11, 2016

A Comprehensive Update



Hi everyone,

I arrived in North Carolina eight years ago today. Wow. So much has happened in those eight years. I completed my PhD in English this May, so now I have more time to devote to creating (before I begin teaching at an area university for at least one year).

I've completed a number of custom pieces and I've sold a few pieces since my last post. I'll share a few photos here below. In general, I've wanted this blog to serve as a digital portfolio for my jewelry work. Many of my designs are one-of-a-kind or have limited runs due to available materials. However, if you find something you love that I've sold, or you'd like me to create a custom piece for you, please do let me know. In some cases I can create something similar to what I've sold, and I've made pieces tailored to customer's desires. You can contact me by sending me a conversation on Etsy or by emailing me at bohemianearthetsy@gmail.com.

I also have one new listing I've posted today--a necklace I've named Coraline with its materials (pink coral) and a dear old friend, Cora Kammer, in mind. I think she would have loved this piece.
 

In love and beauty,
Jameela

Agate, Coral, Wood, Brass, Quartz, Czech & Indonesian Glass, Vulcanite, Copper


 
1974
"1974" - A custom birthday present for a customer's friend of over 41 years - Sold

Green Empress II
Green Empress II - Aventurine, Sesame Jasper, Amazonite, and Solid Copper - Sold
Detail of Green Empress II - Aventurine, Sesame Jasper, and Solid Copper
 

Viola Verde I
Turquoise, Amethyst, Baltic Amber, Jasper, Shell, Solid Copper - Sold



Azure
Custom Clip-on Hubei Turquoise Earrings - Sold

New earrings I'll be posting in the coming weeks...


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Last Week's Roundup

Here are two new necklaces available now...


World Traveler I - Sold


I've named this necklace World Traveler I because it reminds me of something someone might put together after a trip to India and Western or Northern Africa, perhaps. It represents a mix of cultures with its Banjara tribal coin pendant (dated 1974) and rust-colored carved horn beads (that bring West Africa to mind).

Rich red and warm gold wood beads balance the composition and earthy, turquoise and brown ceramic beads break up the red tones in the piece. This necklace would be lovely on someone with a warm or neutral complexion, and would be a striking piece on someone with pink or cool undertones.

To keep the necklace light, yet still make a dramatic statement, the top half is antiqued brass chain. I've added a brass clasp I hand formed and hammered and a tiny white-banded red agate to finish off the chain. The necklace is 18 1/2" (47cm) long including the clasp. The large bone beads are 3/4" (20mm) diameter and the coin pendant is just under an inch in diameter (24mm).

See the pictures for close-ups of both sides of the coin and the clasp.

  The Banjara are nomadic tribal peoples of India (sometimes called the gypsies of India). You can read more about them and their culture on Wikipedia or many other sources.


 Azure - $50.00 

 I love this necklace! Each one of dark blue druzy agate stones are a work of art. The labradorite tubes are framed between tiny mustard-hued delica seed beads; these along with the hammered solid copper chain and add a complimentary color note to the composition.

The copper chain is continuous (~14in/35.5cm) and the asymmetrical clasp adds interest. I hand formed and hammered the copper clasp especially for this design. Another touch of color is found in the aquamarine silkon cording the stones are strung on. This cord is strong and I've reinforced the knots with jeweler's glue.

The copper will take on a natural patina, or you can polish it with a gentle cloth. The chain has a slight patina already, so if you want the color to be more penny-like, you can polish it up (or ask me to do this before I ship it to you.)

The necklace is 19 3/8" (49cm) total. The blue druzy stones are 9/16" (14mm) in diameter. The labradorite dangles are 5/8" (16mm) long.


 






Monday, December 31, 2012

The Fortune Collection

What follows is a long overdue post about one of the most fun, challenging, and meaningful collections I've made sine the inception of Bohemian Earth...
 
 

The Fortune Collection


In mid-October this year, ten days after I became ABD, I completed the Fortune Collection. I created four pieces for four very special women: Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Joanne Gabbin, and Nikki Giovanni. The occasion, Sheer Good Fortune, was for Toni Morrison, but was a celebration for what these women and others like them have done, are doing, and will continue to do, that is, create more beauty in the world through creation, cultivation, and circulation of the creative written word. 

Necklace with freshwater pearls, amazonite, sterling silver& garnet with garnet & copper coated pyrite drop

I give special thanks to L. Lamar Wilson, author of the forthcoming poetry collection, Sacrilegion. Without Lamar, this jewelry series would not have existed. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to help shape his vision into material form.

With gratitude, I share my vision in the statement that follows...

* * *
The Collection in Morning Light
My Statement:


I have designed these four pieces especially for Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Joanne Gabbin, and Nikki Giovanni by the loving request of Lamar Wilson. Lamar envisioned four pieces that would unite four women who share a passion for written and spoken word, be it poetry, fiction, or nonfiction and then left me to my creative whim. I’ve named each piece Fortune followed by the initials of the woman for whom it is designed in recognition of the Sheer Good Fortune event in honor of Toni Morrison and to capture the spirit of such an auspicious gathering of so many people who love and appreciate the art of carefully crafted language.


Detail of necklace in warm light
 Amazonite, freshwater pearls, garnet, and copper coated pyrite are present in each piece of jewelry. Sterling silver, copper, and rainbow-torched copper unite the colors of the gemstones and reveals my love for mixing materials. Early on, Lamar and I decided sterling silver would be a good metal to tie the pieces together. The copper came later; its presence reflects my love for the warmth and richness of the metal, and for the way it patinas with age but can easily be made like new again. In the beginning, I knew that garnet would be a chief stone in each piece because of its many beneficial properties. Garnet aids a number of physical ailments, protects bones and joints, imparts a sense of clam while providing adrenal support, inspirits courage and creativity, and aids passion and intuition. After a few preliminary sketches for these pieces, I had a vivid dream in which amazonite and pyrite were prominently featured, so I knew that these two stones would be included in the design. Amazonite calms, encourages happiness and good health, and, perhaps, most important, it is a stone associated with writing and communication. Pyrite is an all-around protective stone that helps with dream work and dream recall; it is also known for inspiring creativity and imparting good fortune. Associated with spirituality, feminine energy, the heart, and protection during travels, the four freshwater pearls in each piece also represent the unity of and the love shared between the four women. Each pearl is differently hued and shaped, lovely and iridescent. Copper is another material that aids communication and circulation, soothes joints, enables channeling, and imparts a bit of luck; silver adds more protection and increases the properties of the gemstones. 

Bracelet with freshwater pearls, amazonite, sterling silver, & garnet
Finally, I created each piece with positive intention, love, and joy. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to share my vision with you all, just as the body of crafted language you all have birthed, nurtured, and empowered has helped shaped the vision and purpose of my own life.

With love,
Jameela F. Dallis 




Detail of bracelet clasp: hand formed & hammered rainbow copper; garnet & copper coated pyrite drop



Aquamarine drop on necklace for Maya Angelou (Aries Birthstone)
Turquoise drop on necklace for Toni Morrison (Aquarius Birthstone)



























I look forward to creating more commissioned pieces and collections in the future!

Friday, August 10, 2012

New for August.

A few new pieces for the steamy month of August...

Midnight at the Beach
 
Vintage Lucite, Shell, Wood, Agate & Brass

Vintage Lucite, Shell, & Brass

Another angle...
















More information on Etsy; click the links above.


 

* * * * * 


P R O V E N C E .

Regal, elegant, yet modern and understated...  

Yellow Mustard Jade, Faceted Lapis Lazuli, Blue Goldstone

Heavenly drape.

Antiqued Copper accents add a touch of rustic flair.

Available on Etsy.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Coming this week...

Here's a small preview of what I've been working on...

"Enter from the East" Earrings featuring cloisonne beads, lapis, orange jade, and 22kg plated accents

"East/West" Necklace featuring turquoise, carnelian, agate, copper & jade

Two new necklaces!  One features 24kg coated Mykonos beads, African trade beads, frosted pink glass, & pink quartz, and the second necklace. hanging lower, features rhodonite & moonstone

"Southwestern Sunrise" Bracelet featuring carnelian, agate, Baltic amber, and tie-dyed turquoise






 These five new pieces will be available on Etsy 
by the end of this week!


~~~~~~


I also take custom orders.  
Here are two two special order earrings I made for a friend...



Thursday, June 16, 2011

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.