Week 5: Breathe

It may seem like I am working fast, but this one's been on the table for a couple of weeks. I started out making it for another board's challenge: Make a set using pearls/shells...and 70% of the components have to be purchased from a specific retail hobby store.

The real challenge (for me) was that the choices at the store for real pearls and shells are pretty limited, but I did like the rectangular shells and thought about doing a stretchy bracelet with the Swarovski double-drilled crystal spacers. The bracelet was a snap, but I was kind of stuck trying to figure out a necklace to go with it...and earrings to boot.

After trying several different designs, I finally came up with a mosaic/puzzle pendant using a square frame. Because the shells spun on the thin wire, it didn't turn out exactly as I'd planned, but close enough. I then used seed beads, the shells and Swarovski components to make a necklace to pull the whole thing together.

The earrings were simple - I just used wire to wrap the double drilled holes on either end like a briolette. Dangle a shell on a headpin at one end, and a post/wire on the other end. I like this style of earring finding - it's super comfy.

All in all, I'm pleased with my results...and I can finally "breathe" again knowing that the challenge is on the books as completed!

Week 4: Fairy Wings

Well, maybe not quite, but I can spin it (maybe).

Dyed African Agates and sterling wire that can be seen as a wing shape. ;-) I love these African Agates - they are in so many colors that a necklace like this can go with any thing!

I'm also really working on photography. In the past, I've stuck with just using my scanner, but I really want to use my digital camera. That's why I bought it!! My first photographs of this piece were on a black velvet necklace bust...and every single piece of dog hair and lint showed up. Yuck! As a result, I adjusted my display, and decided I needed to do some serious cleaning of my displays. They didn't look that bad to my naked eye!!!

At any rate, I'm very pleased with this piece of jewelry. I think it calls for very simple earrings - don't want to overpower the necklace.

Week 3: Take Flight!

Got a jump start on this week's theme, but I did have something in mind. These Adventurine butterflies have been hanging around in my "green" bag for some time - I've made a couple of simple strung pieces with them, but hadn't found the right design to let them "fly" yet.

I like this design - 14g sterling frame for the cuff bracelet, tiny pearls and sterling seamless rounds along with the Adventurine are woven using 26g sterling wire. I can't LOS this piece because of the pearls, but I like it just fine the way it is - bright and shiny.

The one thing I am NOT happy with is the end wrap. To my eye, it looks messy, and I need to find a better way to end these wrapped pieces. They need to be secure, but neat...something to keep working on.

I really like this piece, and received compliments from my boys on it. It's simple but elegant, lightweight but has enough heft that I'm not afraid to wear it.

Week 2: Kisses in the Mist

I had a block when it came to this week's theme...all that came to mind were Hershey's Kisses and Sierra Mist. I suppose I could have done something in greens and browns, but, well, I didn't.

What did finally come to pass was some grey-blue labradorite that looks rather misty...nothing for kisses although I did try a couple of things. The circle pendant is based on an idea I saw from a couple of other artists (thanks Marsha and Cammy!). The chain is a twisted spiral in 20g 4mm rings. I've photographed a detail of the pendant from the front and back, as well as the entire necklace.

I actually think the pendant will look better on a plain chain, and I'll wear the spiral chain alone.