In Love with Labradorite

I have created yet another piece of jewelry with my lustrous labradorite stones. I was playing around with some 16 gauge sterling wire, and came up with these asymmetrical components. I slightly hammered them, attached the labradorite and added a pair of handmade earwires...voila!

Two Toned Earrings

I have been experimenting with gold fill and sterling silver recently. Here is my latest creation, with the addition of aquamarine briolettes.

A Lovely Stone Bracelet

I finally found myself in the mood to make a new bracelet! For this bracelet, I decided to use some sterling silver link chain that I have had laying around. I used two shapes of briolettes, round pearls, rondelles and ovals; as a result, this bracelet has lots of texture.

I'm Back With a New Pair of Earrings!

Yes, I am still alive and kicking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! And yes, it's been a long time since my last post. But I am back now, and I have a lovely pair of earrings to share. I made these blossom earrings after I received a request for a similar pair, the other pair consisting of tiny peacock pearls. The gold Swarovski pearls pair nicely with the sterling silver wire for a two-tone combination.

Lab and Smoky Quartz Clusters of Joy!

I have a couple strands of swirl briolettes that I purchased from the Gem Faire awhile ago. They are beautifully faceted and unique, and I decided to pair them with tiny labradorite rondelles. The rondelles are attached to tiny, sterling silver ball headpins that were made using a butane torch. I believe the smoky quartz and labradorite go well together; I hope you agree!

Spirals and Labradorite

I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but I'm back now! 

I've recently created some new earrings; both incorporate sterling silver spirals crafted from 18 gauge wire. The earrings on the left include tiny beads wire wrapped around the bottom half, and I included a small labradorite briolette that dangles from the bottom.

Tiny Crystals

I created a new pair of earrings using 2mm Swarovski crystals. These are the smallest beads that Swarovski makes, so I had to be very careful not to drop and lose them! I decided to wrap these beads in the thinnest gauge of wire that I have on hand. I was originally planning to add a cluster of pearls at the end, but I decided on a simple single crystal pearl.

Tiny Beads

So I have these tiny amazonite beads that I bought a few months ago. I intended to wrap them around sterling hoops or earwires that I make, which I did. But then I had the idea to stick head pins in them and cluster them around chrysocolla quartz. My problem is, I don't have any fine-gauge head pins. My solution: I made my own ball head pins with my butane torch.

I have made my own ball head pins with fine silver wire in the past, but making them with very fine-gauge sterling silver wire is, well, frustrating. I had trouble grabbing them with the pliers, and I had to make sure I didn't put them too close to the flame (I had one that partially melted).

I love these chrysocolla quartz beads so much, I am about to make another pair of earrings using them. And guess what? I need to make more ball head pins because, just like these earrings, my new pair will incorporate more tiny beads.

A Long and Bright Necklace

It's been a while since I created a necklace. This is, however, my first opera length necklace.  I originally planned to add a clasp, but I decided a clasp might limit the options of the wearer.

I decided to make this a minimalist necklace and as a result, there is a lot of sterling chain between the stones. I really am pleased with the color combinations; it makes me think of summer!

Lovely Amazonite

It’s been a while, but I finally made a new piece of jewelry! I’ve been in a jewelry creative slump lately, partly because I have been coming up with ideas for a different product that I plan to make. I started making these earrings a couple weeks ago, and they just sat on my jewelry table untouched.

They feature on of my favorite stones: amazonite. Lately I have been creating jewelry using tiny turquoise-colored glass beads, which are very similar in color to amazonite. I originally planned on using them in these earrings, but I had just bought these small amazonite beads and decided to use these instead.

Another Pair of Earrings With Teeny, Tiny Beads

So once again, I have made a pair of earrings with these tiny glass beads. This time I used opaque purple beads with an aurora borealis finish. I wrapped the beads around these leaf-shaped hoops that I made a couple weeks ago.

My New Labradorite Earrings

I have a new pair of earrings that feature lovely labradorite. I made the long metal components by hammering pieces of wire, then wrapping them around a mandrel (which in my case, is usually a socket from a socket set). I made another set of these components to use in another design, but I am afraid to try it because it involves using my little butane torch right next to a gemstone bead. I am just hoping I don't break the bead!

Earrings with Red Swarovski Crystals

I have a new pair of earrings that I just finished photographing today. I guess with garnet being the birthstone of January and Valentie's day coming up, I have been in a 'red' mood! I have another pair of red earrings in the making, using garnet briolettes.

Frost and Labradorite

When I first started buying jewelry supplies years ago, I decided to buy seed beads in various colors and shapes. I don't even quite remember what I was planning on doing with them, but I recently re-discovered these cute little frosted beads. I have them in two different sizes and when strung next to each other, create a nice texture. I knew right away that these beads would look lovely with labradorite, so I stung them on my handmade earwires and attached a briolette. I even decided to buy more of these little beads in a few different colors.

Sneak Peak at New Earrings

I have a new pair of pearl earrings that I am about to list in my Etsy shop. These are dainty earrings that are a little less than 3/4". I've been having fun with these teeny tiny glass beads, and I think I will incorporate them in some of my future designs. They are so tiny that if I drop one, I don't even bother looking for it!

Labradorite Earrings

I have these small labradorite brioletts that I have been using in my latest earring creations. Here are my latest pair of earrings using these briolettes. I did something new with these earrings...I threaded the wire into a tiny spacer bead and placed the bead in the center. I think the antiqued look of the spacer bead looks nice with the labradorite!