Keeping Things Simple...: Jewelry making day

My friend's article about our creative weekend

Keeping Things Simple...: Jewelry making day

Pearl Jewelry

This month we celebrate the elegant luster of the pearl, June's birthstone.
Pearls are one of the earliest gemstones found by prehistoric man, most likely along the coastline of India. They've been used for personal adornment and coveted by peoples throughout the globe for thousands of years. Ancient myths tell of pearls being formed when oysters opened their shells, rose to the water's surface and were seeded by the early morning rays of sunlight and drops of dew.

Button into Ring

Yes, I know it sounds funny :)

Till recently I separated these two things. Buttons were for dresses, shirts, jackets, etc. Rings were just rings :)

Now , when I see a pretty button, I always think how I could  use it to make a...ring!

... I had this mother-of-pearl 4-hole button, resting lonely in my box. Why not to give you,  my little friend, a new life?

I love the idea of recycling. The next were  shell 2-hole buttons (plus extra buttons from daughters pants, that usually put in little plastic baggy). So,  Party Shell ring was ready !

I could not stop now! I made really cute ring with Swarovski crystal® button and sterling silver wire.
Perfect for party nights or casual outfit:

You can buy all these rings at my Etsy shop

If you want to make your own ring,  I have step-by-step tutorial, that shows how to make an elegant ring using any (even recycled!) 4-hole button. You can use this method to make a ring with 2-hole button(s) as well.
Only $2.50
 

A licensed copy of the lesson in the PDF format will be sent to your e-mail address usually within 24 hours from receiving your payment .

Hummingbirds

I watch hummingbirds every morning that are flying around. It's hard for mе with my small camera to take a picture while they are flying. 

Photo by Yana.

 Do you know Aztecs wore hummingbird talismans? Hummingbird talismans were prized as drawing sexual potency, energy, vigor, and skill at arms and warfare to the wearer.

Of course, I couldn't resist to make a jewelry with this bird using hummingbird charms.

Like this Copper Moon Pendant that is available at my store:

Or this cute ring made with sterling silver wire:

Combining metals

Last night I wanted to make something not complicated, but  fun and cute :) And I wanted to use two different metals together. I chose copper and sterling silver. Combining with copper is more affordable and looks so good :)Perfect for summer outfit!

  Hammered copper loops and  faced carnelian beads supplement each other.

Necklace-Transformer

When people hear the name of this necklace, Necklace-Transformer, they always smile :) Maybe they think about movie 'Transformers' or about a device that transfers electrical energy. But non of them above:)

You can wear this jewelry in two different ways: as a long necklace on a single chain, or like a choker on a double chain.

 The fun part when I make this necklace is to make a tassel. It is like to put puzzle together. I play with gems, beads, chains, and findings (bead cups, charms,spacers, etc).

Spring Drops Earrings

Hurrah! 

Today I have received my copy of the Ukrainian magazine Модный (Fashion magazine) where my step-by-step instruction was published. This magazine is in Russian language with a lot of beautiful beaded and knitted works.

I have whole double page with instructions, photos, and a little about me :)

The main beautiful shot of my earrings was made by IrinaN . Thank you, Irina!

This pair of earrings is made with sterling silver wire, fresh water pearls, and Swarovski crystals. If you love this earrings, you can buy them now for only $35

When trees were big

Did I tell you that first I was "floral" wire-worker making beaded flowers and trees? My first bead work was money tree. 

I do not know exactly how many trees I made :) I made them for my friends, for my customers, and even for contests. My work Bonsai Shakkan has been used by Fire Mountain Gems both as a back cover advertisement and inside their catalog.

Photo from FMG catalog

People were asking mу about pattern for this bonsai. Fortunately, I had step-by-step photos and sketches and it was easy to put all together. Plus, I added instruction for Savanna Tree as a variation for this technique.

 BUY TUTORIAL HERE

Mixed Media Jewelry Techniques- Book

This is an excellent book! Written for jewelry makers of all media and skill levels, this book encourages the mixing of techniques with the skills of others to create unique designs.

The book features 9 exciting projects combining various materials into new jewelry designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. Each project brings together two or three jewelry making techniques, each of which could also be used for independent projects.

The techniques include: wire work, beading, chain mail, lampwork, beading, macrame, bead stitching, metal & polymer clay, PMC.

Size:8 1/2" x 11". 80 pp. Soft cover

Look inside:

Only $10.50! 

Lovely Labradorite, or Upgraded Pendants

 Did  I tell you that I love labradorite? Labradorite is truly a fascinatingly beautiful mineral. Its a mineral whose charm is not fully noticed and may be overlooked if not viewed from the proper position.  The usually intense colors range from the typical blues and violets through greens, yellows and oranges.

Labradorite is a tremendously spiritual stone.  It helps us regain our energy and aids our bodies and spirits in healing themselves. Like the sound and glistening beauty of a gentle rain, this gemstone quiets us physically, emotionally and spiritually...

I had a pretty labradorite cabochons.

One  was classic an oval cab, and I made a netted bezel for it :

I liked it, but something bothered me.

 It was kinda small pendant.

I have never thought that it is possible to upgrade jewelry :)