Fireworks Earrings: Statement Making Vintage Lucite Earrings

These earrings photographed beautifully with little effort on my part.  I had Independence Day fireworks in my mind when I made these and I'm more than happy with the result!

 
These earrings speak for themselves!  The abstract gold splatter detail on these vintage red and blue Lucite globes is breathtaking like the spectacular sight of Independence Day or New Year's Eve fireworks displays.

 
Wavy antiqued brass disks rest between the two vintage globes.  Gold plated Bali style hardware and french hook earwires complete these statement making earrings.

These earrings are medium weight, 2 1/2" long including the earwire, and are 3/4" at their widest. 

Limited Edition: 1 of 2 pairs.

Buy them here on Etsy!

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.

*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.

*SOLD* Green Empress Necklace: Mosaic Turquoise, Cinnabar, & Hematite

Clasp detail.

This necklace is the second in my Empress collection, a collection composed of pieces that make the wearer feel beautiful, creative, and courageous (read about the first one here).

 
I love the color green and the mosaic turquoise that composes this necklace has a beautiful range of green, from light to dark, with a hint of blue turquoise.  The focal piece of the necklace is an asymmetrically positioned black cinnabar bead with a small hematite rondelle on each side.  Hematite also terminates each end of this necklace that closes with a Tibetan silver lucky fish clasp. 

I like adding hematite to jewelry because of its well known grounding and balancing properties.  In our busy world, it's easy to become distracted from what really matters in our lives.  In addition to the properties mentioned above, hematite is also a wonderful stone for teachers and others for whom public speaking is a daily activity, as it imparts courage, self-control, and at the same time, relieves stress.  Read more about hematite here: http://gemstone-dictionary.com/hematite.php

This necklace drapes beautifully and is of moderate weight.  It measures 19" and its largest bead, the cinnabar, is an inch in diameter.  The clasp is new and secure, so the spring mechanism may seem stiff when you first use it.  After time, it will loosen while remaining secure.

Buy this necklace here on Etsy!

*SOLD* Blue Empress Necklace: Naga Pendant, Mosaic Blue Turquoise & Cinnabar

 I sold this necklace at my line launch, but thought I'd share a little about it here.  

This necklace is the first in my Empress collection, a collection composed of pieces that make the wearer feel beautiful, creative, and courageous.

The centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind necklace is a handcrafted pendant made by the Naga craftspeople.  The Naga tribal peoples live in Northeastern India.

Blue mosaic turquoise, black cinnabar, and hematite complete the necklace and compliment its cool tones.

The necklaces closes with a Tibetan style silver toggle clasp.  I added a silver leaf charm to the end of the necklace for a touch of fun and distinctiveness.

Read about the second necklace in this collection, "Green Empress," here.
Buy "Green Empress" here on Etsy.

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.