Custom Order

This necklace was made for a custom order. My client reviewed my beads and charms. She began by selecting the Celtic charm as the focal point. She wanted the remaining necklace to be black and those beads were selected.

Customs orders are ALWAYS welcome. I enjoy helping client select the beads, charms, and clasps they want. Contact me at 815-316-2920 to set up a time to view my bead selection and begin your custom order.

Experimental Necklace

Experiment. Took one round, silver necklace that you hand charms from. I then added soft coated wire in copper and gold by twisting it around the hard base. See photo above. I wrapped the wires together. See photo below. Not sure how well this turned out. Comments would be appreciated.

Purple circles and squares necklace

Here is my latest necklace. I hope my grandmother likes this. It is a combination circles and 5-6mm purple squares. Large circles are 12-14mm while the small circles are 4mm. There are nine wooden rondelles throughout the necklace. The silver clasp is magnetic. It hangs at 10.5".

Bracelet

I spent a few moments learning how to tie a surgeon's knot last night (while eating a blizzard). This is a very helpful knot if you want to make bracelets using stretchy cording such as Stretch Magic. I got a great deal on some mother-of-pearl shells sold in a mixed set of colors(my blue necklace, listed several posts ago, contained a couple of these shells). These worked perfectly in the bracelet design. I am going to make a few more before I list the pictures.

Earring pattern

Thought I would try a new earring pattern I found on a jewelry site. Once I modified the pattern a bit I got it too work out. Didn't have enough patience to try too much. After my band's show tonight may have time this weekend.

New tools

After reading the wire magazines, I learned of many metal working tools. All of which I did not own. I rectified the situation today with purchase of the following from Harbor Freight Tools (best prices I found):

25 pc. Doming Block & Punch Set
8oz. stubby ball peen hammer
9 pc. punch and die set
36 pc. 1/8" steel stamping set of numbers and letters
Hand punch
1 lb. rubber mallet

I cleaned them all as the metal items are covered in oil to prevent rusting. Now it is rather late so I will have to test them out another time.

Career keeping me from posting new necklace

My legal career has kept me very busy in my role as guardian ad litem. Finished the THREE day custody battle. It appears that the rest of the week will be very busy as well. Darn hearings. Then my second career as a rock superstar will be getting my attention through Saturday afternoon. Then maybe I can get to making some jewelry and posting some pics of last creation. So many good ideas in the magazines I bought on Sunday. Can't wait to try out the new styles and techniques.

Jewelry Magazines

Found too many jewelry magazines at borders yesterday. Had no idea so many existed. I selected Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Easy Wire. Both are great! I have been inspired to create more wire pieces. That is what I began doing at the end of last year. I got distracted by all of the beads. I think that I need to bring back some of the wire elements that I started with. Don't expect any new pieces this week, my legal career will be keeping me too busy. But keep your eye out next week.