Aqua Blues Necklace

One of my newest creations uses the free-form wire wrapping technique I learned in a class last year with Nina Bagley. I put together an eclectic cluster of beads to feature as the "pendant" part of this necklace. Included are chrysocolla, amazonite, abalone, crystal, freshwater pearls and a glass leaf. All in the ocean inspired colors of aqua blue and green. All of the silver is sterling and I oxidized it for a slightly distressed look. I've added one small turquoise bead at the clasp end for a finished look to the necklace.

Moose on the Loose ... Again!

Once again we were visited by a moose very close to the house. Here are a few of the pictures I took through the windows.

Labradorite Flash Necklace

I purchased this large labradorite cabochon while in Tucson, not sure what I would do with it. When I saw this piece of brass filigree, I had my answer. In the first photo, you can only see the 4 corners of the filigree. The second photo shows the back of the stone and the detailed filigree. I wrapped it securely, to act as a bezel for the stone, and added some coordinating glass bead dangles and a dragonfly charm. The whole assemblage hangs from brass chain and is finished with a simple clasp. I love the way this necklace turned out!

Theme of the Week - Sunny Days

The etsyBEAD Street Team has selected "Sunny Days" as our Theme of the Week for 3/16-3/22. I have 2 pairs of earrings which I am offering at a discounted price as part of the theme.

Please visit my etsy shop to see a more extensive selection of my jewelry.

Dragonfly Embrace

This is my latest creation using my recent purchases from Vintaj, a company offering a wide variety of brass elements for jewelry design.

A large teardrop shaped pendant of blue-green amazonite is embraced by a brass dragonfly ... hanging on for dear life!

A brass chain holds this pendant and is asymmetrically adorned with coordinating glass beads and and brass beads. This 19" (48 cm) necklace ends in a simple spiral clasp. The pendant measures 2" long by 1" wide (5.1 cm x 2.6 cm). This includes the small beaded drop hanging from its tail.

This necklace is for sale in my etsy shop. I'm working on a whole collection of brass jewelry, so stay tuned!

Metal Working Classes

This past weekend I was in class all day Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday I attended a soldering class with Iris Sandkuhler, who is a guest teacher at my local bead store, The Alaska Bead Company.
I made these 2 pendants. I know, they're not very beautiful, but I've learned the basic techniques of soldering sterling silver and gold filled elements to a sterling silver base.




The class on Sunday was much more to my liking. I learned how to fuse fine silver and make a chain bracelet. This is a technique that I really think I will continue to do. My mind is full of ideas for variations on this basic chain composition.





Our instructor, Iris Sandkuhler, lives in San Francisco. She has a website where she offers distance education. Later this year, she will be offering online classes through Lisa Niven-Kelly's Beaducation.