Adventures in Handmade Jewelry

I threw a little party on my back deck today. Only served birdseed and water, but look who showed up. Chickadee trying to see who's flirting with his date. Finch, stepping up to the bar. Catbird, having his first drink. And of course, someone had to crash!

Just added these to the shop this am. Some other bloggers I read refer to wanting to lick stones because they look so good. These faceted nuggets of Amazonite are like that. They're like little candies. Very cool and refreshing for summer. Am making a bracelet to match now. Sweet.

This is what I've been working on lately...a really beautiful set featuring sterling silver and peacock pearls. The links are precisely measured, cut, shaped and gently hammered. They are connected with beautifully matched pearls set in sterling beadcaps. Complementary earrings are made from a single piece of wire and hung with the same pearl drops. The cirlce earrings are just there because I felt like including them. They're also gently hammered sterling silver and are very light with lots of movement. All are tumbled for durability and shine. I'm not sure where I'm going to offer the necklace and earrings. They really need to be seen to be appreciated. Will take better photos tomorrow.

Took the weekend off. Didn't make a thing even though a batch of beads arrived. Very glad it did since it included some bead caps I need to complete a necklace that's been in the works a while. It's really elegant and simple, but I'm not sure if I should list it on Etsy or if I should put it in the spa where many other pieces are headed. It opens next week! So to go along with my merchandise, I've had the lovely and talented Miss Helen put together some post card designs for me. I'll post pictures when they arrive since the files she sent me get totally distorted when I use them online. I'm going to use them as counter cards - sort of like an oversized business card or a small flyer. An ad basically. Oh and the big thing that was in the works has come to pass. I've decided to make a career change and go back to school. At least for a little while. My first class starts next Thursday. I'm a bit nervous, but it's an adult education deal...

Really I have. Grand new workbench and all, I'd better be. I have so much space now, but am trying my hardest to not let it get out of hand. You should have seen my old desk...cluttered to the point where I couldn't actually work. I'm sure a lot of you know what I mean. Leftovers from finished work, parts of pieces that stalled or didn't quite gel, scraps of wire and stones grouped together in little "ideas", sketches, scraps...it's crazy. So anyway...I've been working on inventory for a consignment deal that is in the works and here's what I have for her - The double drop leaf earrings are near duplicates of the ones in the shop...she liked them so I made another pair. The rest is just me fooling around. It's tough to know ahead of time what the potential clientele will want, so I'm doing a lot of different things. This assumes anything will sell at all. I also have some counter cards in the works. Postcards with photos of my work...

So we finally got the window stained (still no window treatments or anything yet...one thing at a time folks!) and can get my new bench into place. Here it is! It's almost 6-feet of solid maple with huge drawers. I can stand or sit on a stool to work. After going outside to make a necklace that required hammering, I definitely see the advantage to standing for some things. I'm a bit intimidated by it and will have to actually work at it for a bit to see where best to stow what. My Bisley cabinet remains though - I love that thing. Good for packaging supplies, pens, scissors, wire, calculator etc. Primo worksurface! Anyway...no excuse for idleness now!

It's mostly together, but because of where it has to go (in front of a window that needs staining) it will be delayed. I'm VERY excited about it though. A proper bench where I can stand and work. Big metal drawers. Places for hooks, but I can see the cats just loving that and knocking everything off, so we might not use that option. 6 feet long, 18 inches wide. Solid maple top. It will be sweet. I'll post pictures when it's fully together and in place. Also put in an order for some more beads. Not a ton, but some. Am working with an old colleague to put my jewelry into her spa that's opening on the 5th and I want to build up some inventory for her. It's an expense, but she insists she doesn't want a cut of the sales so I may be solvent with these purchases sooner rather than later. Good thing, too since I need more wire.

New in the shop today. I bought these little quartz coins from another Etsy seller, but the holes are so tiny only a pair of them would fit on my headpins. Sooo...here they are, paired with my favorite Montana Blue Czech glass rondells. Sparkly ain't they?

Pele is the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire and her name (and fearsome reputation) popped into my head while I was making these. They are substantial and stunning...some of my best work both jewelry wise and photography wise. Put them in the shop today after some internal debate. Carnelian is one of my favorite stones. I don't see many other designers using it often, so I do. It's warm and comes in so many shades. The translucence of it is magical.

Ramping up the old inventory. These are really lustrous and beautiful. I hope someone takes them home, soon. Become a fan on Facebook and mention it in your Etsy transaction and receive a free gift with purchase!!

Had a couple of sales (those green and gold Roman inspired earrings in my last post are GONE!) and am making new things. Here are some that are inspired by a pair worn by the character Angela in the TV series Bones. Whoever the jewelry designer is on that show is great. Drool city. I'm very happy with the way they turned out. I decided to put the texture in at the last minute after looking them over without it. It add something to it...visual interest maybe. Definitely catches the light more than if I left them plain. The stone is moukalite and I love the carved detail. I hope they sell. Here's a shot of the carnelian brios in the sun. They look so warm and golden. I haven't quite decided if I'm selling them or not.

Hitting the shop soon. Check out those carnelian briolettes. I'm especially proud of those. I think I'll have a Mother's Day Sale, too. I used up all my gold 20ga wire, so another shopping list is in the works.

Not a big project, but one for a repeat customer. I kinda like them. 12k Gold filled wire, hammered and tumbled. Rose quartz and Swarovski. Think I'll make some more stuff and have a Mother's Day Sale.

Yeah, it's been quiet around here lately. Combination of a lot of things. Real Life. Pain. The need to get an actual, paying job. Self-doubt. Laziness. But if I can stand to sit in my work chair long enough to make something, I think that I will. My back has been a horror for a few days and I can't even put on my own socks, much less sit upright for any length of time. I'm so pissed. It just comes and gets me for no reason. Anyway, I hope to be back in the saddle soon. I think it's just a phase. OK, I'm ready to go try out my bench chair. Am restless and bored and need some distraction with accomplishment. Languishing in self-pity isn't helping me.