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.

I finally decided to join Year of Jewelry again. I participated the first year and can't say why I didn't do it again for the following two years. Anyway, the theme for week one was "I Can Do This!"

Well, having tried my hand at creating pronged settings for larger faceted stones I decided to try to make one for a smaller stone. This one is a 6x8mm emerald cut garnet crystal. Since my birthday just happens to be in January, this is also my birthstone.

I do have to admit though, I just didn't care for those little tendrels so have removed them. I was afraid they'd get caught on my clothing.