My first slideshow...

I had heard about posting on Youtube as a form of advertising so thought I'd give it a go. Of course I knew about the videos on jewelry making tips but this is more about a slideshow presentation of selected finished pieces.

99% DONE!

My office/workspace in finally 99% done. All I have left to do is paint the closet door and jam and put up the new molding around it plus a piece of thin trim up high above my work desk where the patterned wallpaper meets the paint.

Of course I still have a lot of organization that is desperately needing to be done but I am working on that a little at a time. Seems like I have so many bits of that and pieces of something else. There are some things that are just going to have to go! Mostly just junk that I've stored away for some reason and don't even remember why on some of them.

Anyway, next time I post I hope to have some fantastic jewelry to show instead of WHERE it's made.

Office/workroom saga continued.....

All the paintable wallpaper has been hung and I'm now starting to paint it. The first and second photos show where I've cut in the paint into the corners. I can get close enough to the ceiling and floor with the roller so don't have to cut the paint in there. This last photo shows the cramped quarters where I'm trying to do my PC work. Making jewelry right now is out of the question as that work table has stuff all over it for the moment.

Office/workroom progress.....

I am slowly making progress. The first photo kind of shows the painable wall covering I chose to put up on the other three walls. Believe me, these walls needed something textured. I know it's not real clear but I think you can get the idea.

The second photo shows the starting of the painting. The color is kind of a seafoam green or aquamarine. It's real pretty. The last photo shows where I am at this point, one wall done.

I know this is going to all be worth it when done. At least that's what I keep telling myself when I can't find something because the room's in a real mess. My PC desk is setting right in the middle of the room and I'm constantly stepping over the wires and cords. Now you all know why I'm not making much jewelry at the moment.

As if I don't......

...have enough to do I've started redecorating my office/workspace. The first photo shows the tallest wall in the room (nearly 9 feet) which has been a pretty periwinkle or lavender blue color. You can see some of the other color I had used which is kind of a salmon or light coral. These are pretty colors but I needed something a bit more soothing.

This tall wall is going to be done in a gorgeous icey blue victorian tone on tone wallpaper. This paper almost looks like it has a silk finish so will offer a little light reflection.

The next two photos just show the other end and side of the room. These walls are going to be done in a textured paintable wallpaper. The walls in this home are not the best and the wallpaper hides the imperfections great. they will then be painted a lovely seafoam green that matches the colors in the paper beautifully. You can kind of see that right at the top of the photos where you see that solid color.

I will be posting the progression of this project in the days/weeks that follow, as time allows that is.

My latest custom pieces

With all the problems I've had with my computer over the last few weeks I completely forgot to post my latest two custom pieces. This order came from a lady who was one of my first customers when I started selling on Ebay in 2003. She had a lovely pink cats eye cameo of a Mother and Child and a large Nautilus shell she wanted made into pendants. After I received the cameo and shell I was wondering how I managed to get myself into this. Oh, the cameo was fine but that shell looked so delicate I was kind of scared to work with it. I did get it done and my lady was very happy with the results which are pictured here along with the cameo, of course.

PC problems...

Just letting everyone know that I haven't updated this blog lately because I've been having computer problems. I'm using hubby's laptop and it's brand new and doesn't have much of my information on it. My PC quit on me about 2 1/2 weeks ago and I did everything I could think of to get it going again. Thankfully it's still under warranty. Have been on line with HP and I have to send it in for repairs. If they can't fix it they'll have to replace it. They send the shipping box and packing materials so that should arrive in a couple of days. Have no clue as to how long this is going to take.

In the mean time, I'm stuck with my old PC I can't use my high speed connection with or hubby's laptop and I don't like laptops. My palms or something keeps bumping the touch pat etc. and messing me up. Anyway, hope this all won't take too awfully long.

A while back on one of the message boards I'm a member of someone was wanting to know about a tutorial for a cabochon/cameo bracelet that resembled the universal cabochon ring or as some know it the Pharaoh's ring. Anyway, I took on the challenge and after some trial and error finally came up with a workable design. The bracelet pictured here is the very one I created while writing the tutorial. This tut is 12 pages long and contains about 45 photos. I've classified it as an intermediate project and it really looks harder to make than it is, just quite a few steps to it. The tut is available both through my Website and my Etsy store. Thanks for looking!

It's finished!

Yep, I finally got the center focal piece for the wedding headpiece done. Believe me when I say my skills were really challenged on this piece.

Both stones are prong set, both settings have spaces within the setting and the top stone has six places on the underside to attach the remainder of the headpiece. I think you can see them in the the last photo. Anyway, here are the photos of this piece. Oh yeah, despite my efforts the stones look like Sapphires while actually they are gorgeous deep purple Amethysts.

My lady's sister is an accomplished beader and will be completing the necklace and headpiece.

I'm thrilled.....

A few weeks ago I created a pendant for a lady that she will wear for her wedding coming up in October. Although she was thrilled with the design from seeing the photos I always worry about what a client thinks after they see the finished piece in person. Glad to say she was very happy.
Now she wants me to create the focal for her headpiece. It will contain two stones that will be connected together with a small chain. Beading will then be attached to the top stone setting to form the remainder of the headpiece. I'm not doing the beading just the settings for these two fabulous Amethyst stones.

On top of all this, I'm trying to get some pieces together for a small Fine Arts Gallery in our area. I've shown the owner some pieces and she has invited me to consign some of my work with her. It won't be a whole lot as it's a rather small place but it will give me some exposure in my local area.

That's all for now, will write more as time permits.

Sculpted Pendant tutorial is done!

I have finally completed the tutorial for creating those beautiful Sculpted settings for cabochons and cameos. The tut is 17 pages long and contains 32 photos plus an inspiration gallery of 8 previously finished pieces.

The tutorial is in PDF format and is available for purchase through both my website and my Etsy store. Links are on the right hand side of this page.

I'm open to any input or comments.

Way behind.....

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm so far behind! Wellll, on the other hand that is what happens when you get busy doing redecorating around the house. Used to be a lot faster but this old body just doesn't move like it used to.

Anyway, I have been pretty much keeping up with Year of Jewelry except for one week that I haven't done yet. I keep telling myself that I've got to get that done!

Week 16 is themed Brazil Culture and I couldn't think of anything. Then I remembered I had this real nice Brazilian Agate cabochon. I grabbed some Gold Fill wire and started wrapping.

Been Busy

I've really been a busy little bee here the last couple of weeks or so. Been working on a really special pendant for a lady. It's going to be worn for her wedding. She had sent a photo of her dress and the style is like something out of a fairy tale, absolutely fabulous. The stone is a quite large Amethyst trillion. I just received her approval this morning and she's thrilled with it, yea!
I know it looks dark blue in the photos but it is a gorgeous dark purple Amethyst. The first photo is the one she sent me to show what her dress looks like. Isn't her in the dress though, wedding isn't until October

On top of that I'm completely redecorating my hubby's office. He's in a wheelchair so I enlarged the 30" door to 36" so he could get through easier. I'm now in the process of putting up wallpaper on the upper part of the walls. White beadboard wainscoting will then be on the bottom three feet.

Way behind.....

Just a few words to say I'm running waaay behind on just about everything these days. I just have my fingers in too many pots and at the moment I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I keep telling myself, this too will pass. Spring coming along isn't really helping as there are so many things to do and the weather has been kind of wet and lots of clouds making it more difficult. I'd just like to see some good old sunshine. That always kick starts my motor LOL!

On a Victorian style earring kick...

I had made this style many years ago and really love it. Matter of fact, one of my first wire earring projects ever was a pair of all silver earrings like this. After finally being able to get a nice supply of Swarovski crystals in various colors I'm making them again.

Left to right are Purple Velvet and Tanzanite, Light and Dark Sapphire, Jet and Crystal. Last but not least is a pair done with Turquoise beads. All the metal including the french style ear hooks is .925 Sterling Silver.

Yep, you guessed it, this was my YOJ 2008 week 11 offering.

More custom work...

Well here I am running behind myself again. Over the last two weeks I've been working on a custom order for a lady creating special settings for her Larimar cabochons. Wow, are these stones pretty! Anyway what she wanted was a bail that could be clipped over a necklace rather than slid onto a chain or what have you. Shown here is the final outcome of the pieces.

Also posted these pendants in Year of Jewelry 2008 for week 10, the theme being Pisces Zodiac sign. Well, since I couldn't do that I figured the beautiful ocean blue of this stone would have to do.

YOJ Week 9 and March Article

Taking the easy way out this week. Combining my March Ezine article and YOJ Week 9 offering.

Back last July I was asked if I would be interested in doing a monthly instructional article for an online Ezine called Beading Times. Basicly I create a piece of jewelry using wire and beads, taking photos and writeing the instructions for each step. You can click on the link and see the instructions plus check out the previous articles plus more neat stuff.

Anyway, knowing St. Patrick's day was coming up I thought how nice to make a pair of Irish green earrings to celebrate. These are Sterling Silver and Emerald Swarovski Crystals. The instructions show you exactly how to make these glamorus and fun earrings.

YOJ 2008 Week 8

Wasn't able to go with the theme of Argentina Culture this week even though I did have good intentions. Have started to do some more remodeling on the house plus kind of got on a beaded bangle kick this week. Sooooo, my offering is this Sterling Silver and Sodalite bracelet along with a composite photo of the others. Actually I made six bracelets. The original Rose Quartz, the one in the photo, sold the day after I listed it in my ebay store so I've made another to replace it. The other bracelets are a clear turquoise and silver, a China Jade and silver and a Red Zebra Jasper and Gold Fill

This sodalite bracelet is kind of an experiment for me. I had these little 4mm beads on hand and wanted to see if I could make a wearable bracelet using the usual beaded bangle pattern and these beads rather than the usual rectangular ones.

YOJ 2008 Week 7

This weeks theme was Amore'. I've wanted to try my hand at a crocheted bezel around a stone for quite a while so thought I'd give it a try this week. I had this heart shape carnelian stone I got a couple of years ago and some 30ga fine silver wire that I'd had forever (it seems). I had no idea what size crochet hook to use so I just grabbed a number 5. The bezel does need a bit more stabilizing but turned out pretty good. This will be kept for a personal piece.

YOJ 2008 Week 6

Aquarius, the theme for this week kind of threw me a curve. I finally did a google search for clip art pertaining to the sign for Aquarius, the water bearer. In no way could I come up with something created in metal or wire. Been wanting to try my hand at creating polymer clay cabs with images so thought this was a good time to try it. Below is the result, not the greatest and has some problems. Has some rough edges and tiny bubbling in the image but not too bad for a first try. Used 21ga brass held together with copper HH HR for the setting.

Commissioned Piece

Along with the flower citrine shown in the week 5 YOJ post I had this beautiful 11.93 Trillion cut Madiera citrine to create a setting for. After studing the stone and musing over it several times I opted to set it in the shield position. Didn't do any fancy open work with this one even though I did think about it.

YOJ 2008 Week 5

The theme for week four was Mardi Gras. I definitely was not on theme this week because I was busy working on a custom order. One of these pieces was my showing this time. After all, the whole idea of Year Of Jewelry is to make a new piece of jewelry each week for a season or whole year and this is brand new.

The stone is a very large Madiera Citrine that was carved into a flower form. Since I've been wanting to try a prong style setting that was open on the sides I thought this stone was perfect. While it was a real challenge I think it turned out quite good.

YOJ 2008 Week 4

The theme for this week was Blustery. While going through my stash of stones I came across this beautifully patterned Wonderstone. The colors and pattern kind of reminded me of desert dunes and sands blowing about in the wind. I chose a combination of yellow and rose gold fill for the sculptured wire setting. Feeling a bit whimsical I fashioned waves in the longer wires to mimic the patterning on the stone.

YOJ 2008 Week 3

The theme for this week was Australian Culture. I did a bit of checking and was kind of stumped as to what to do. Lucky for me I had done a trade out with a gal and this stone was one I had chosen.

It's a Yowah Opal and comes from Australia. Yowah opals are a variety of Boulder Opal. These opals are rounded pebbles of sandstone impregnated with Precious Opal and come from Yowah opal field, Queensland, Australia. The Yowah opal field is only about 2 1/2 square miles in size. This is one opal you won't find in every jewelry store.

Since the stone is almost nugget shaped I opted to create a reversable pendant. One way, you have a pretty dark to light brown speckled stone and on the other side a fabulous large area of fine opal.

YOJ 2008 Week 2

The theme for this second week was Capricorn, the Zodiac symbol for January birthdays. As mentioned before, I was born in January so it's also my birth sign.

I opted to keep it fairly simple. Using 18ga Sterling Silver wire I fashioned the Capricorn symbol then hammered it flat creating strength and texture. I then took a 6mm silver jump ring and attached the pendant to a string of beautiful silver gray baroque pearls.