swarovski pearls - i love them! these are the necklaces i made for my mother for mom's day....the blue pearls have a silver rose box clasp, silver spacers and swirled AB finish crystals/the pink pearls are paired with a heart shaped silver box clasp, silver daisy spacers, clear crystals and diamond dust silver beads. they are approx 20" long so they sit just right on blouses/sweaters. i really hope she likes them!
i created this necklace for a friend of mine who is fighting breast cancer. i promised her something pink but not the typical pink used for ribbons and such. this is an awful photo (maybe i can get her to take a better one). you can't see the opalescence of the pendant or the other beads.the white beads are actually moonstone like and the pearls are a deep lavender gray. it looks so much better in person, believe me....
our spring concert is usually theme based with loads of 'choralography' (dancing). maria sang a duet with her friend alex (blue skies from the early 30's) and then was one of the background dancers for time warp (pelvic thrust and all).
i am taking a jewelry/metalsmithing class at our local arts center. our first assignment was to create a copper/brass pendant. the techniques used were sawing/piercing the metal, riveting and texturing. i agonized over a design for the whole first class (we had certain stipulations - size, piercing of layers, etc). i finally decided to create what i love - my biggest vice - coffee. i didn't want to overthink the design part and instead wanted to concentrate on learning the techniques. it is a big piece 2.5"h by 1.5"w. i am thinking i will just put it on a necklace of black strands with some copper/brass wire...not sure yet.
this is a piece i created for a friend who is going through a rough patch. as i worked on it i was able to think about her, our friendship, the influence she has had on me and send out good thoughts for her well being. i guess you could say it was a creative version of prayer. i was so happy to hear from her that she received it and loved it. i am hoping every time she wears it she is reminded that there are people who care about her deeply.
the pendant is a beaded turquoise cabochon (flat backed stone) with a peyote stitched bail and the necklace was done with faceted seed beads in a tubular herringbone pattern. to attach the toggle i finished the necklace with a cone and then strung beading wire through the tube. this will be a bit sturdier than attaching the toggle to the beaded tube. it will keep it from pulling on the tube and stretching it (because i used larger beads on the tube the stitching is not as compact as it would be with smaller beads). this was the first time i attempted the herringbone in a finished piece and also the first completed beaded cab (i have a few work in progress pieces laying around).
Turquoise Gemstone meaning
Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets, and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures.
Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world
If given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune. The turquoise is the symbol of friendship. It also brings peace to the home.
This stone is a very personal and meaningful stone to one who wears it. Turquoise takes on the characteristics of the owner.
i am totally infatuated with super chunky choker length necklaces lately. i found these in my bead store (on the rocks ) the other day and i had to have them. i used another of the s-clasps from ad adornments as the closure, i am so hooked on them (literally lol). after making the necklace, i have a few beads left over. i might try to incorporate them into a bracelet or another necklace. they are just too yummy to waste!
found this pendant in my stash... no idea why i bought it except maybe because the colors were cool (it is solid blue/green on the back). i had these dull brass metallic coated irregular beads that i picked up years ago and just threw them all together with a quick larkshead knot. this way if i decide i want the pendant on a cord i can just switch it out. it is an interesting combo, not totally enthralled with it but i am happy to be working through my stash....
here are a couple of pieces i put together while watching tv . i keep my beading stuff by the chair in my bedroom so when i am catching up on shows i can work on jewelry....
this is a brown tiger eye looking fragment piece i made for my cousin's birthday, it is a lot like the blue/red fragment i created last month (i bought the strand from the same guy)
i created this one after finding a bunch of heart charms and a crystal heart in maria's bead box. i just attached them to a chain with purple jump rings. i made them for her to wear valentine's week....
my dear friend sue martin made me this awesome wall hanging quilt. it was hard to photograph it well and capture the colors, my hallway doesn't have much sunlight. every time i walk up the stairs, it reminds me what an awesome friend she is and how lucky i am to have her in my life. i thought i posted it before but just realized i hadn't. isn't it gorgeous????
