Peach Moonstone Earrings

Just when I think I've completely run out of new ideas for earring designs, something happens.  Rick comes back in from his studio/shop (it's a building separate from the house and I only let him back in the house at lunch or after 5pm -- I run a tight ship) with a bag of sterling silver ovals that I asked him to solder closed for me.

Here, I must digress to tell you why these ovals were cut in the first place.  I make these very popular and good selling bracelets of mixed chains.

As you can see, half of the bracelet is large link chain that I purchase in bulk, by the spool.  Yes, it's very expensive because it's heavy.  Those of you that work with chain know that every time you cut a link, you lose a link.  This is not so painful when working with small cable chain, but this big stuff really hurts!  Each link is about an inch long.  I had a big bag full of them and .... continued ...

So, I'm staring at these now solid links and I start scheming.  This is the result:

Voila!  A new earring design is born.  Needless to say, I made a whole series of similar earrings with a variety of stones.  They are longer than many of my designs and will (hopefully) appeal to a different set of shoppers.

I only have one show left this season and for that I am grateful.  It's the "lightest" show season I have had since 1997 and it feels good.  If you live in Southcentral Alaska, please visit me at the Bad Girls of the North craft show at the Millennium Hotel, Nov 5 & 6.

Variations on a Theme

You've seen this style of earrings before.  If it's still selling for me, I'll continue to make it.  And it has been selling well, mostly in local stores.  While the possible combinations of tiny rondelles seems endless, I have a tendency to stick with proven winners: garnet & labradorite, peridot & amethyst.

This pair is quite different.  I used rhodolite garnets, mandarin garnets and citrine for a fruit punch sort of look.  The pink, orange and yellow combo has a nice appeal for me these days -- it's very refreshing!

 Click on the photo to go directly to the listing in my etsy shop!

Citrine and Berry Treasury

I've been fortunate to have been included in many etsy treasuries (member curated selections) over the past 3 years.  This latest one that I find myself in is absolutely stunning and I'm honored to be included.  You can click on this photo to go to the treasury itself for a much better view.

Many thanks to trinitydj for selecting my Citrine  Checkerboard Necklace for use in this treasury.

Even More Citrine!

The citrine craze continues. These smooth briolettes are on my signature handmade earwires. The surface of these stones is incredibly glossy -- they remind me of butterscotch candies.


The briolette I used for this necklace is not like any I have ever seen before. It has a checkerboard pattern engraved on the surface.





If your interest in citrine is as great as mine, click here to see everything in my etsy shop containing citrine!

Rutilated Quartz . Mixed Gemstones . Necklace

I listed a brand new and quite delicious necklace in my etsy shop recently. I'd like to share it with you here. You've seen the gorgeous rutilated quartz briolettes featured in these earrings and in this necklace. I do believe I have made all of the "pairs" I'm going to get from this particular strand of briolettes, so the remainder will become necklaces -- no more earrings. This makes me a little sad.

Sad, that is, until, I created this necklace. I topped the briolette with a collection of rondelles in a rainbow of colors. I gathered some citrine, pink tourmaline, aqua blue apatite, amethyst and bright green chrysoprase.

Now I'm happy.

This necklace is for sale in my etsy shop. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Large Citrine Briolettes

These beauties are huge! They are a nice medium yellow color and not nearly as heavy as you might think. I wrapped them with sterling silver wire and suspended them -- all by themselves -- from lever back earwires. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

You may have noticed that many of my newest earrings are simpler than ever. The beauty of the beads so often speak for themselves, that I've decided to let them do just that. I will still do plenty of earrings with tiny gemstone clusters and more complex designs.


On another note, I'm planning my next newsletter, so be sure to use the form on the right to sign up!

More Citrine!

The cut on this stone is fabulous! It's a fancy cut marquis citrine. A marquis like this has four vertical lines and faceting all around.

And the color is like the deepest golden honey you've ever seen. This stone is so beautiful on its own, that I decided it didn't need any other elements. You will notice several new necklaces in my shop along these same lines of simplicity.

Click on the photo to learn more about the necklace.

Lemony Goodness

I've never been a big fan of the color yellow ... until recently. Now, it seems I can't get enough of it!

These citrine beads are cushion cut (at least I think that's what it's called) briolettes. The faceting is amazing and allows the light to reflect at every angle. Sometimes the beauty of the stone speaks for itself and needs very little adornment. These stones certainly fit that category.

These earrings are perfect for spring, summer ... oh, what the heck, wear them year round!

They are for sale in my etsy shop. Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Lemony Citrine

The color of these citrine marquis cut briolettes is astoundingly yellow. The faceting enhances that color by reflecting light at every angle. I've used oxidized silver with this stone, as the contrast between the yellow and the gray is just lovely.

I've used large link chain on the necklace. The earrings are on leverbacks, for maximum security.
If you love yellow, these items are for you. Click on the photos to go directly to the listings in my etsy shop.

Broken Teepee Designs - Handcrafted Gemstone Jewelry. Made in Montana

This blog post is all about my friend and extraordinarily talented teammate, Patty of Broken Teepee Designs.

We are both members of the Artisan Beaders Street Team on Etsy. I have come to know Patty and consider her a dear friend. Her jewelry designs are outstanding. She has mastered the use of color by choosing and combining the highest quality gemstones.

One of my favorite pieces of Patty's is her necklace (actually 2 necklaces!) entitled Eastern Spice, seen on the right. The earthy colors Patty selected are both warm and exotic at the same time. Beautiful citrines, green garnets and sapphires are brought together in Patty's talented hands to create the gorgeous focal point of the main necklace.

The second necklace is simpler, but is a perfect complement to the complexity of the one above. This photo shows both pieces and how they nest together to form an elegant and truly special jewelry set. Be sure to visit Patty's Etsy shop to see more of her unique jewelry. Plan on visiting her often, as she updates her shop frequently. You don't want to miss a single pice of Patty's handcrafted gemstone jewelry, made in Montana

Golden Citrine

The citrine briolettes featured in these earrings were purchased at the Bead Shack in Anchorage. They are incredibly clear and smooth. I'm usually attracted to faceted gemstones, but these just spoke to me.

I've suspended them from a short length of sterling silver chain. From each link, I've added a gemstone, alternating iolite rondelles and peridot briolettes.

This color combination is regal and also makes me think of spring!

Click on the photo to be taken directly to the listing in my etsy shop.

Golden Clarity . Citrine Earrings

I purchased these extraordinarily clear and smooth citrine briolettes at one of my local bead stores. The owner of the Bead Shack is a world traveler and owning a bead store gives her all the reason she needs to travel and explore.

I topped these yummy beads with a small cluster of mystic topaz and pink and green tourmaline beads. The color combination is a bit different for me, but I do love the way these earrings turned out.

Little Earrings

Some women like large earrings that make a statement and some prefer smaller, simple earrings that are more subtle. Here are 3 pairs of earrings that fit that second criteria.

This first pair features some small garnet briolettes that I wrapped (messy style!) with sterling silver wire. The garnets are diamond shaped and are highly faceted for maximum sparkle. These deep red garnets are perfect for the holiday season.

These citrine earrings are very similar to the garnets. The stone has a similar cut, but I've wrapped the briolettes in a slightly neater fashion.
The last little pair I'd like to share features some of my favorite pearls. I purchased these little teal coins in HUGE volume (don't ask) because I loved them so much. Here, I've topped them with a small sterling silver bead and an aqua colored crystal. Swarovski calls this color "Indicolite", which is the name of torumaline when it occurs in a blue-ish color.
All of these earrings are for sale in my etsy shop. Remember, all items are shipped USPS Priority and are packaged for gift-giving.

Cascading Gemstones

These earrings are a design that I never tire of. I always use a different combination of small gemstones, so no two pairs are exactly the same.

In this pair, I used amethysts, garnets, citrine, iolite and tourmaline in several colors. All of the shapes are different, giving these earrings textural interest.

To see the earrings from a different angle, please visit my etsy shop.