Showing posts with label mykonos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mykonos. Show all posts

Saturday, July 19, 2014

News and New for Summer 2014!


Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've had a creative couple of weeks (in the midst of teaching a summer composition class five days a week!).

This spurt of creativity has been brewing for a while. Even though I haven't been actively creating and listing items in my Etsy shop, I'm always picking up materials and making notes for designs. The key is finding the time, and because I wear many hats, I have to make time. And I'm learning that making time for what I love (feeding my creative heart) is very important.

Intention I
Okay, back to the story. This spurt of creativity has been brewing and exploded into four new pieces (and one is nearly complete) due to a customer query.  A customer from Spain messaged me about a few of my pieces (Intention I, O'Keeffe I, and Desert Fire) and wanted to know about shipping terms and my general suggestions about what would suit her best based on her preferences and coloration.

O'Keeffe I


Desert Fire
Well, we messaged back and forth for days. The time change and my daily teaching schedule (coupled with her own busy schedule) made the process take longer than average. Yet, I wanted to make her happy. I wanted her to have the perfect piece.

 So, last Friday, I'd been thinking about her favorite colors, her preferred length, and what she'd told me about her complexion and coloring. Then, I got to work and Florencia en Verano (named for my lovely customer) was born.
 
In morning light
These colors are so lovely!
The next morning, she sent me pictures of herself and told me she'd settled on Intention I if I could change of clasp color to silver. Of course I would, I answered, but then I told her about my mad night-into-morning of design and creation, sent her pictures of the necklace I'd just completed with her in mind, and hoped that she would love it.


She did.

Florencia en Verano
Detail of rare yellow Czech disc African trade beads

Detail of the carnelian stones framed by coral


Detail of coral, Mykonos silver-finished ceramic beads, and Amazonite































And then she asked me to make a pair of earrings to compliment her overall style. So, I promised to make her two pairs and let her decide to take one or both. Thus, the Cherimoya and Watermelon earrings entered the world. She chose the Cherimoya pair, as I had a feeling she would, and now I'm waiting to hear of the necklace and earrings' arrival in Spain. I hope she loves it all even more in person.















 So, both the Cherimoya and Watermelon earrings are limited edition and are available. Florencia en Verano is one-of-a-kind, but I can always make similar pieces based on my available materials. I'm also open to creating commissioned pieces with materials of your choice (just tell me what you'd like, and if I don't have it, I'll buy it and we can negotiate a budget).

Now I'd like to share Farmers' Market I and a preview of another necklace on its way...
Farmers' Market I: Yellow Agate, White Magnesite, Frosted Fire Agate, Teal and Gold Wood
On the way: A necklace featuring a 1974 Indian Coin from the Kuchi Tribespeople
And, here's a custom piece I made for a customer last April featuring pink and green agate and jade and radraksha seeds.
Featuring some of my favorite faceted pink agate.

The radraksha seeds are often used in Buddhist prayer beads.

Thank you all for reading and following my journey in jewelry making!

-Jameela

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...



Sunday, April 8, 2012

Alexandros: Custom Piece for Gene

When Gene asked me to create a masculine bracelet with a rainbow colored beads, I knew the design process would be challenging and rewarding.  I've never made a man's bracelet before and I had to think of a rainbow-based design that wasn't evocative of Skittles--I needed to create an understated and handsome, pride bracelet.  So, I'm happy to present, Alexandros.



I had a lot of fun designing and making this bracelet.  The highlights of the bracelet are the leather cording and  handmade ceramic beads--both are made by Mykonos in Mykonos, Greece.  The company has long been known for the quality of its ceramic beads and leather products. 



The bracelet has earth-toned and bright toned beads in every color of the rainbow framed by five gunmetal black beads on each side.  The two beads near the clasp are special additions to the bracelet: one lovely brown reminds me of my client, Gene, (his hair and warm personality) and the other bead is deep brown, almost black, the color of rich soil that symbolizes the loyalty, respect, and nurturing we all need to get along in the world.  I know that may seem like a lot for one bead to symbolize, but I think it compliments the pride the rainbow beads convey.



The clasp is a bead I've had since my Albuquerque days.  It's a brass colored bead with some patina on it already.  I believe it is a metalized ceramic bead, and the design is reminiscent of Celtic, Turkish, or North African designs.  I only bought four of these beads, so it's a very special addition to this custom bracelet.



Thank you again for the challenge, Gene!


"Alexandros" is Greek in origin and means "defending men" or "defender of men."