create jewelry, 2015

Previously, I wrote about how my earrings were included in the advertisement for the create jewelry magazine.  Well, I actually had 3 pieces accepted and published in this magazine!

The first were the earrings in the ad.  They are my Daphne earrings and named after my daughter who actually helped me sort through my beads to look for beads and components that fit the inspiration.  She found the bracelet links and I came up with the design. 



The second was a necklace.  I had found the colors in these beads so pretty but in my organizing mind, I definitely liked the look of them in order.  A graduated order of color. Greek ceramic washers separated with sterling silver plated washers make up the front of this necklace.


The third was another pair of earrings.  I like these tiny O beads - they can add just a tiny bit of accent color to all sorts of designs.  The small pendants are handmade ceramic beads by Gaea. 


You can check them all out for sale on my Etsy site here:  Gems of Summer

jewelry stringing, Summer 2015

This post has been in draft mode for too long...

A little late is better than never....

This is the first magazine that I was published in:

















So excited to be included in here!  (Yes, that is in the Summer 2015 one).

My necklace is the Beading on a Budget item.   When I saw the turquoise palette inspiration, I immediately thought of this chain that I had purchased (awhile back) in several colors and came up with an idea to use all the chains at once and have them visible on the wearer (in other words, not just in the back of a necklace, where chain is usually relegated!)

For sale, click here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/258951056/turquoise-multi-strand-necklace-multi?ref=shop_home_active_1

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Huge sale going on in the Etsy shop. 

40% off any jewelry.  Coupon code:  CYBER40

Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays?

Handmade, unique jewelry available in the Gems of Summer Etsy shop.

Check it out!  

Type in 'CYBER40' in the coupon code box at Etsy.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me on Etsy. 

Expires December 12th.  

 

 

Yuletide 2015

For the last few years, I have been fortunate to have some of my items in a Gallery in downtown Cincinnati over the holidays.  The 1305 Gallery hosts  Yuletide during the holidays and has all sorts of artists, crafters and designers contribute their items to the Gallery for Holiday Shopping.  

So this year I've switched up what I am selling again.  I guess that's part of being an eclectic jewelry maker (or schizophrenic jewelry maker) - is there a difference?  I get so passionate about making certain things for awhile and then my passion moves to something else.  

This year, I focused on beadwork and wire-wrapping.  I really do like beadwork but just not the time it takes to make it all.  So, I made lots of earrings.

 It's like a riot of color!  I love all these and hope to do more in lots more different color combinations or my etsy shop. 

 Maybe I'm the only one, but I think a lot of people like a little more bling over the holidays.  So in addition to the beaded Swavorski rivoli crystals, I also added some wire-wrapped frames.

These ones (above) use AB coated glass beads and Vintaj glittery acrylic beads with Swavorski crystals.

For the less blingy, here's some with handmade lampwork beads:

If you are in Cincinnati over the holidays, check out the 1305 Gallery and the adjacent quirky and cool shops - lots of handmade goodness!
Happy Holiday Shopping! 
 

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Do you know the Knock, Knock joke with the banana and the orange?
I have little kids, so Knock, Knock jokes are pretty prevalent around our house. 

My friend had asked for a choice of some orange earrings so I went ahead and got inspired.  With Lots of Orange.  But since I'm really not a big wearer of bright orange, I chose different shades and different metals, like copper to go with the orange inspiration. 

Stunning lampwork leaves from Beadfairy, Carnelian briolettes, a brass cage and niobium earwires that perfectly combine the brass and copper combo.

 Beautiful Swavorski elements make these simple earrings a real stunner.

Orange with a slight hint of yellow swirly lampwork discs hang from sterling silver earwires.  A simple orange combo.  These discs were purchased a few years ago at a bead show, but I'm pretty sure they are from Kimberlys Corner.  (Kimberly Branch).  She has the loveliest discs - and in so many colors!

Burnt orange polka dot ceramic beads by BoHulleyBeads accented with tiny turquoise lampwork rondelles and some large Saki Silver sterling silver earwires.  This color combo is so fun!

Orange Carnelian wire-wrapped with a purple stone dangle. 

Copper beads and silver findings combine to make the perfect rustic earrings.

Lastly, orange red faceted Czech glass rondelles topped with a translucent aqua cap spattered with gold.  Those aqua beads have 2 holes in them - one in the center and one off to the side.  I think they are a type of seed bead but I can't remember the name.  They were purchased at my local bead store. 
And there's a matching bracelet for the earrings:

You can find all these earrings in my shop now!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

Pretty Palettes: October Challenge

I'm really going over the top and doing 2 design inspirations this month.  The Halcraft Inspiration Blog's Pretty Palettes Challenge has a beautiful inspirational picture this month.  Fall is definitely not my most favorite season, but even I can admit that the colors outside at this time are truly fantastic!!!

This is the inspiration photo:





The rich colors in this picture are wonderful!  And the beads chosen were defnitely diffrerent enough from my usual choices but still within that pinkish/reddish tone that I do like.

I came up with 4 pieces from this month's inspiration, in both a silver and a gold palette.  First, a silver-toned necklace and earring set.  The necklace was inspired by a white and black one that was on the Halcraft blog a few weeks ago.  That bib type necklace shows up well on an outfit.  And it was a good way to combine the different round beads. 

 The earrings in the middle are made with Humblebeads leaf charms.  Although not as visible in this picture, the leaves have an iridescent and translucent look to them.  They are so pretty when held up to light!

Second, a gold-toned set.  I think the red and purple beads look very regal with this color palette. It is a combination that I would not have chosen myself, but the gold looks great with the red and purple glass beads.  I really liked the hematite spacer but was a little stumped as to how to use it in the design.  So I ended up making lots of dangles with the spacers and the tiny red glass beads.  Together with the large quartzite ruby red beads, those dangles help fill out the bracelet. 

And all these items can be found in my shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

Art Bead Scene: October Monthly Challenge: Winged Goddess Ma'at

I feel like I needed a bit of a shake-up.  I've been working on some beadwork, but that involves lots of patterns.  It requires color inspiration but the how-to is given.  And I love how my techniques have grown but it's fall again and time for some general design inspiration.

Monthly, I look at the Art Bead Scene Challenges and have ideas but nothing comes to fruition.  And somehow I missed the challenge with an ocean theme, which is really my favorite thing to design around.

This month's inspiration is from the tomb of Queen Nefertari. 

My inspiration came directly from a suggested bead artist (who also lives in Ohio, yah!).  I normally don't buy orange beads unless presented with a challenge like this, so I actually sought out an art bead that fit the challenge.
I made 2 bracelets and a pair of earrings, using wonderful lampwork beads from Spawn of Flame.

The first bracelet and earrings are my favorite.  Only using a limited color palette, the etchings in the silver findings remind me of the hieroglyphics. 

 
The second bracelet has the blue and orange colors, a great combination and a matte version of the same lampwork beads as in the other bracelet and earrings.

These items are no available in my shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

create jewelry

Have you seen the ad below?  My earrings are in it!  I'm so excited.  This is only the 2nd publication that my designs are in and I'm very thrilled to see this.  I can't wait to actually get the magazine!

Create Jewelry 2015 Dive into over 50 all-new trend-setting jewelry designs sure to get your creativity flowing! This super-sized special issue is packed with a wide range of projects, from warm to cool hues and vivid brights to earthy delights. Explore the differences between epoxy resin clay and polymer clay, and then learn how to brighten up your jewelry components with 7 techniques for adding color to metal. With so many gorgeous jewelry designs, there's something for everyone! ORDER NOW Can't wait? Get the digital magazine instantly!

Shop more projects and inspiration in the Beading Daily Shop!

Pretty Palettes May Challenge

I love the image from this month's Halcraft Pretty Palettes Challenge and Reveal. It is so crisp and clean-cut, yet a little adventurous.  Plus, the retro vibe is very cool.  
A little late for finishing, but nevertheless, another month of inspiration turned into 2 necklaces and a pair of earrings.  I started seeing other blogs with the reveal pop on my feedreader but I didn't look at any until mine was finished and posted - that takes a bit of restraint...  and lots of motivation!


Here they are:
First, a necklace with all the colors.  I used the beads that Erin picked out from Michaels and added some matte gold seed beads that matched the bicones perfectly and a bead with poppy flower on it - reminiscent of a retro flower.  This was the only necklace that I incorporated all the colors.  It turns out I had a hard time designing with all of these colors.

Second, a necklace in a very retro looking black and gold theme.  Fairly simply.  I added chain that was from Michaels and too.  I like their heavier, thick chain that they have been stocking.  It creates a substantial piece of jewelry.

Third, a pair of black and red earrings.  A little wire-wrapping holds the red beads secured to the front of the black bead and they look perfect for this University of Cincinnati Bearcat fan.  The bracelet is something I made awhile ago, but don't the two look great together?

Erin, Thanks for picking out another great inspiration to work with. 

Beaded Links

I have a "studio" in my basement.  Considering the size of our house and that 5 human being live in it, it's actually quite a nice space. (And more space than my husband gets to himself).  

 But I also have two wooden trays that roam around the house with beadweaving projects.  (Wooden trays from Melissa and Doug toys with a felt pad work great!)  These projects are easily transportable and don't quite take as many tools as some of the other wirework I like to do. 

 Last fall, I started using the tutorial for the 'Nesting Bracelet' from October/November 2011 Beadwork to make some beaded links.  Every once in a while getting back to it with different combinations of different beads. 

Now, I have a few beaded links but haven't decided if I would make them all into bracelets or use them for focal beads in other items.  Either way, I think I'm finally ready to move on to a different beadweaving project. 

Art Bead Scene February Month Challenge

Somehow I actually finished on time this month.  I usually have the intention in joining in on this challenge but seem to rarely finish.  I even finished all the components I wanted to make for last month's challenge but have yet to finish the bracelet I was planning. 
Check here for the lovely inspiration:  http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2015/02/february-monthly-challenge.html 
The picture has Flowers and Butterflies - I can't wait for Spring!  Color!   I'm already tired of the snow and the winter blah-ness and we've only had real accumulation for a week and 2 days.  Nothing to complain about this winter but still very much disliked!

Here is my entry:

I used the Carmine bead in Marsala with Daisy Pattern by Cindy Kovar from Captured Moments.  Isn't is wonderful?  The color and pattern are just so cheery.  It looks like something that can be worn with a lot of outfits. 

 I had a lot of debate with how to do the chain.  At first, I was making a beaded chain by wire-wrapping the beads but the beads were a little thick and, frankly, I like the look of big chunky bracelets but they seem to get in the way unless I have a day of total leisure (with 3 kids, Ha!, wouldn't that be extraordinary?!).  So, I was looking for a low profile chain but something to balance the size of the focal and then I remembered the links I had made awhile back from Cindy Wimmer's 'Missing Link' book.  They attach together terrifically.  Some Vintaj jump rings and Czech beads to add in some of the other colors from the inspiration piece and a flower lobster clasp and...  completed on time. 

Pretty Palettes February Challenge

I think I'm more on board with spring challenges because of the colors and the promises of warmer weather, of flowers, of being outside, of not wearing 3 layers all the time!

This month's Pretty Palettes Challenge doesn't have flowers (and the person in it looks pretty cold), but the colors are so very nice - soft and warm.
Here is the inspiration:






Surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly), I already had 3 of the bead strands from the ones chosen by Erin Prais-Hintz so I stuck with those. 
I was struck by two things in this photo.  First, the way the sky image is in a circle.  This reminded me of a necklace that a person wears on another blog I follow (in this post).  Her necklace has 3 semi-circles.  Her necklace is by baublebar and when I checked out the website, it didn't have this particular necklace but from the looks of the others, I guessed that the necklace I like is probably made with 3 metal fan or semi-circle shapes with swavorski-like crystals embedded in them or with crystal casings soldered together to make the shape.  Well, my metalwork is limited to wirework and the occasional stamping.  With 3 little kids (and two rough and tumble boys), a torch in the house is not currently approved.
So, I worked with wire and chain to make my version, plus the pink faceted rounds, glass bronze crystals and bronze plated rondelles and some green grey faceted rounds. 
Here's the result:

 This necklace took a lot of fiddling to get the right amount of loop in the semi-circle without puckering.

 When I tried it on, the necklace definitely has more of a circular drape and looks great- maybe it just needs a thicker neck than my prop.

 

The second thing that caught me about the picture was the use of color and the way it seems to move you around the circle of the sky.  So, the second piece was made with some beautiful lampwork beads (I think by Kimberly's Corner).

The colors very much remind me of the swirling sky and do you see the toggle bar?  These toggle bars where you can add beads are awesome.  There are some AB pink/orange seed beads in there.  And the toggle circle is a Vintage piece that has been slightly buffed.

Thank you Erin for a great inspiration!

Spring Flowers Earrings Everyday Monthly Challenge

I worked on making some earrings last night that were inspired by the Earrings Everyday 'We're All Ears' monthly challenge.   The pictures are wonderful - so colorful, especially during such a dreary wintery month.










The colors are just phenomenal.  This 'Whimsical Flower Art' by Lim Zhi Wei.
Definitely inspired.  Probably a little too literally.  As you can see the earrings are very flowerful.  If I had real flowers, I may have included those too.

 Pinks

 Blue