So as I was doing a little FB housekeeping, weeding through my photo albums yesterday, I thought why not share some photos of recent (and other) jewelry projects of mine...?
Why not, indeed...so here you go:
The style these days leans to the big chunky beaded stuff, but that has never really appealed to me. I prefer to do more delicate, simple pieces.
These are from my Twilight-inspired Halloween efforts:
I really liked working with the dark gunmetal chain and charms for a change. And the little blood-red Czech glass drops are a nice, if macabre, touch, yes?
I took a try at real beading a while back and came up with this pressed glass lei:
In the process, I discovered that beading is a bit of a pain, even if the result is lovely.
In my travels, I'm always looking for little bead stores...I like the boutique-y ones better than the big warehouse kind, because I find unique things to inspire and enjoy. The giant stores are overwhelming and I end up buying nothing. Like when we were in Beijing last summer and found floor after floor of beady business in the silk market. Spent nary a yuan.
But I can drop $100 on a vendor at a trade show without blinking. This is NOT a cheap hobby.
I came across some suede cuffs in a bead store in Agoura Hills CA a couple of years ago and made a pink ribbon watchband to go with the pink ribbon memory wire bracelet that I was inspired to do by an article in Bead and Button magazine:
My latest passion has been working with small, but authentic, semiprecious stones and silver charms I bought from HipChick, a vendor at last year's Whole Bead Show here in Honolulu.
I don't sell my stuff, but I do make things as gifts for special people in my life. Sometimes they even wear them. That always makes me smile, because when I'm making a gift, I choose my components very specifically and design the piece for that person...with a little whimsy. So if you are the recipient of one of my pieces, know that as I am crafting it, I am thinking of you every step of the way.
Like these earrings -- designed for my DIL - a busy mother of 3. The silver shows the swirl of activity she's swept into each day, balanced by the lapis stones. Lapis brings peace to the wearer.
These two necklaces were Christmas gifts for my nieces. The back of the charm on the black leather reads "only the heart really knows" and the back of the charm on the silver chain with the bird reads "I sing because I'm happy". Suited the spirits of each of them perfectly.
Of course, my best "customer" is ... ME!! Here is a piece I made for myself with HipChick components -- a necklace that symbolizes the love of my life. My birthstone is garnet, his is emerald and together we are pearl. Awwwww...
I really like being able to craft a little something to go with what I'm wearing. That was the genesis of these earrings:
I really enjoy doing this, but it comes in fits and starts. Last year I took a notion to make my Christmas gifts, so I had to start in the summer. I got a bit burnt out by the time I was finished -- some designs just don't work out and I have to start over.
It may be a while before I crank back up again. But I have drawers full of bits and pieces awaiting my next inspiration!
