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.