Autumn Moss: OOAK Russian Serpentine & Antique Copper Necklace

This necklace is a redesign.  Originally, it was named "Moss" and consisted of the Russian serpentine stones and two antiqued copper globes (the latter are absent from the present design).  I photographed it many times and was simply unhappy with the results.  I thought that the necklace needed something more in order to photograph well, since pictures are what buyers' decisions are largely based on.  The Russian serpentine is quite lovely and I wanted to pair it with something that showcased the beauty of the stones.  I am happy with the redesigned necklace with its antiqued copper accents and faceted firepolished Czech glass beads in a rich copper brown.

The name "Autumn Moss" endeavors to capture the beautiful greens and browns in this one-of-a-kind necklace of Russian serpentine, firepolished Czech beads, and antique copper accents.  The serpentine is an olive-pistachio green with a beautiful matrix of forest and hunter green--very lovely. 

On the end of each piece of serpentine is an antique copper flower cap and between each pair of flower caps is a faceted, firepolished Czech glass bead in an rich shade of iridescent coppery brown.  These "Crystal Picasso" Czech beads capture and reflect light beautifully. 

The focal point of the necklace is an antique copper barrel with a floral filigree design.  Four Czech firepolished beads frame the barrel and reveal its elegant design.








"Autumn Moss" closes with an antique copper toggle and bar clasp with its own intricate design.  The necklace is 22", or matinee length, which is a versatile length for office, evening, and casual wear.  And, it is ½" wide at its widest points.



 For lovers of gemstone lore:
Associated with Aries, serpentine acts as a catalyst for joy, increases clarity, and enhances cellular growth while activating Kundalini energy.  It is also known for its ability to attract love and money and helps us become attuned and open to nature spirits and the Earth's serpent energy (hence its name!).  Read more about serpentine here: http://www.thatcrystalsite.com/guide/properties-glossary.php?init=s

 These pictures taken in low light with bright flash reveal the strikingly beautiful nature of serpentine.

 

  Buy "Autumn Moss" here on Etsy!

FÍONA Necklace & Earrings: OOAK Green Moasic Turquoise Set

I haven't made very many earring and necklace sets, so the Fíona collection is special.  This set is also the last of the pieces I made for my line launch back in May, and the last of the completed pieces ready for purchase.  The set is one of my favorites and is in my favorite color: green.  I am working on completing three more necklaces and I have a few more designs in mind, so I will be posting new items soon.

 

Fíona is an Irish Gaelic name meaning "vine,"and I think it suits this necklace perfectly.  This necklace features beautiful green mosaic turquoise, which has a striking green, black, and white with hints of gray and brown pattern.  Each bead is unique and, altogether, the necklace is sure to draw compliments.

 

This one-of-a-kind necklace has is modern and asymmetrical, as it has two, arguably three,  focal points.  A large silver-over-Lucite-and-copper focal bead (approx. 1 ½" by ¼") and a gunmetal wire mesh bead are the main foci of the necklace, but the Tibetan silver toggle clasp and silver leaf charm  also make a statement.

  

The necklace feels lightweight on and measures 18½"and 3/8" inch wide, excepting the silver focal bead.

The Fíona earrings make a statement on their own with their green mosaic turquoise globes, Indian bloodstone tubes, and silver leaf drops. 

 

The bloodstone is mostly a rich, deep hunter green, but has flecks of blood red and some lighter green tones.  Paired with the green mosaic turquoise, these are perfect for lovers of all things green.

Bloodstone has long been known for its healing properties and it helps re-align energies, increase one's courage, and encourages awareness and being-in-the-moment.  Bloodstone is also believed to help revitalize relationships and renew physical, mental, and emotional realms of one's life (source here).  It is a very special stone with a lot of aesthetic appeal.

So, although the necklace and earrings were made for each other, I think they will be statement pieces on their own, but I do hope one person gets to wear them together!

The earrings are lightweight and just shy of 3" long.  You can buy them here on Etsy.

You can buy the necklace here on Esty.

New Pictures!

Those who know me well know that I have a touch of perfectionism, so I've been retaking pictures of a lot of my pieces and experimenting with lighting, camera settings, and angles.  My goal is to reproduce their colors and texture as accurately as I am able.  So, here are a few new shots I've uploaded to my Etsy listings.  

Click on the captions below the images to go to the Etsy listings.

White Lotus in Golden Bloom

Rustic Golden Leaves

Rustic Golden Leaves

Frida y Estrellas

Kathmandu Dreams I

Kathmandu Dreams I

Kathmandu Dreams I

Stormy Neptune

Princess of the Skies

White Lotus in Silver Lavender

White Lotus in Silver Lavender

Lillian I

And for fun, here are a few shots that I've touched up and manipulated in an (awesome) free photo editor:

Princess of the Skies

Princess of the Skies

Kathmandu Dreams I

*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!

Maldives Earrings: Highly Textured Coconut Wood

I love the texture and rich, dark brown color of these coconut wood earrings.  I've named these earrings "Maldives," which is an island nation in the Indian ocean, because the coconut palm is the nation's national tree.  These earrings are perfect for pairing with summer maxi dresses, the beach, and will complete any bohemian inspired ensemble. 

Buy a pair on Etsy today!

These are a limited edition design with three pairs available. The earrings are light to moderate weight and are approximately 2 1/4" long by 1 3/8" wide.

*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!