I've been ordering materials and sketching ideas like mad lately. I'm very excited about pieces I will be making in the next couple of months. I plan to create a few high-end pieces featuring vermeil, Karen Hill Tribe silver, and 22k and 24k gold dipped brass. Currently, all the materials I use are carefully chosen and of high quality, but I'd like to design a few pieces that are considered "fine jewelry" for those looking for the perfect wedding day necklace, anniversary gift, or special birthday present.
One piece that I'm working and am truly in love with features amazonite in a beautiful pale aquamarine shade, vermeil, and a 22k gold over brass pendant. When the special clasp arrives along with a few other accents, I'll compete the design and begin work on another fine necklace featuring white coral, an opaline mother-of-pearl pendant, gold dipped and vintage accents. There is also a blue jade and gold piece in the works and a few minimalist designs featuring handcrafted Hill Tribe silver (which is approximately 99% pure silver).
I'm also researching materials for my next 13/20 piece. I'm not sure if I want to make another bracelet, which is more functional for dancing, or a necklace or long earrings. I'll decide and create something in the next few days. And, there are a few Nepalese, Turkoman, and Afghani pieces I need to build designs around--I'm waiting on a few more materials to arrive and then I'll get to work.
I will say that all of the upcoming pieces will be one-of-a-kind, so I plan to spend a lot of time with my camera and good lighting before I send them off to new homes.
I'm off to sleep now, as it's almost 2am local time!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
*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.
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
Lillian Bracelet: Yellow Jade, Amethyst, & White Cinnabar - Treasury Item
I photographed this bracelet on a beautiful sunny day. The yellow jade looked amazing and I hope I've captured its beauty alongside the purple, silver, and cream tones here!
Lillian features yellow jade, which is looks amazing in sunlight (as shown above). Even in lower light, the jade is a beautiful, Meyer lemon-like yellow. Antiqued silver bead caps with a woven-like texture showcase four larger jade stones. A deep purple amethyst bead and carved cinnabar lotus flower in a creamy white hue help complete the bracelet.
This bracelet is 9" long, fits a wrist or arm up to 8", and closes with a Tibetan silver toggle clasp. Although this bracelet will fit a larger woman's wrist best, it drapes well on my 6" wrist.
See other pieces in the Lillian collection here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76405838http://www.etsy.com/listing/74705511
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74889161
Update 8/29/2011: Featured in an Etsy treasury!
Monday, July 11, 2011
New necklace and bracelet preview!
Here are a couple of preview shots of my two new designs.
 |
| Lillian Bracelet |
 |
| Taos Sunshine Necklace |
I'll post them for sale on Etsy tomorrow.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
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!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)