Busy as a Bee Necklace

While shopping at Artbeads, I found this really cute brass bee charm.  Charms are not usually my favorite thing, but I was taken by this little guy and added a few to my order. The flower shaped filigree is a new piece for me too.  I like the way they work together.

Of course, all of the glass beads I selected had to be yellow and black.  What else could I possibly use to accompany a bee?

I recently listed this cute necklace in my etsy shop.  Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Brand New Victorian Styled Earrings

I recently came up with a new earring design using some of the antiqued brass filigree that I have fallen in love with.  Brass is affordable and gives me the opportunity to use elaborate components without resulting in a pair of earrings that would cost  $80 or more.  These same filigree teardrops in sterling silver would be extremely expensive.  I like to offer a wide range of designs to my customers and my brass collection has opened up a whole new world.

I gently pried open the teardrop and inserted a glossy aqua glass bead.  After closing the teardrop at the top, I wrapped it with some brass colored wire.  This really gives the earrings a more finished look.

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

Labradorite Flash . The Necklace

This brand new necklace started with an amazing labradorite cabochon. I wrapped it in brass filigree, added a few charms and suspended it from antiqued brass chain.

While at the Tucson gem shows, I found a vendor who carried cabochons in just the size I need for filigree work. I think I purchased 6 labradorite cabs and an assortment of other stones.

Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Brass on Bronze . Earrings

The color of antiqued brass is warm and earthy. The filigree I used to cover these bronze finish glass beads is just that. The tone-on-tone look is somehow very appealing to me.

The filigree was originally a teardrop shaped bead. I carefully opened it up and spread the 4 segments apart so that I could use it in this way. Clever, huh?

The brass leverback ear findings also have an antique finish. This style of earring better sell for me - I bought a gross of those earwires! I tend to buy everything in bulk to get a better price. It usually pays off.

These earrings are for sale in my etsy shop, or click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

Kyanite and Filigree

I found this long slender piece of Kyanite at the local rock shop -- gasp! not at the bead store -- and thought it was gorgeous. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to wrap it with filigree. The challenge was how to wrap it without covering too much of it.

It took 2 smaller pieces of filigree to achieve the look I was after. I enhanced it with some glass beads in light blue, periwinkle and lavender. The brass chain is one of the smaller and delicate chains in my inventory and it only works in certain applications. Many of my brass necklaces are just too bold or chunky to be carried by such narrow chain. I think it works nicely with this slender stone.

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


I still have my April special going on in my etsy shop. But it is only available to newsletter subscribers. Sign up using the form on the right and I'll send a copy to you!

Beautiful Brass

While most of my jewelry is made from sterling silver, I have found that antiqued brass can be very warm. It is especially well suited for use with glass beads of all colors, especially the bright ones. This is perfect for me, as I have a huge collection of vintage and contemporary glass beads . Best of all, brass is very affordable.


I've recently listed these 2 pairs of earrings featuring brass filigree, some bold glass beads and antiqued brass leverback earwires. Click on either of the photos to go directly to the listings in my etsy shop.

Dragonfly and Reed Necklace

I love this round brass pendant. It features a dragonfly in flight around reed stalks and evokes a feeling of serenity. It provides the backdrop for an assemblage of vintage glass beads and a square pillow shaped turquoise bead wrapped in filigree. The seafoam and lavender perfectly complements the peaceful scene on the pendant.

The whole assemblage is suspended from brass chain, which is finished with a simple hook clasp. The chain measures 19 1/2" (49.4 cm). The pendant part is 2 3/4" (7 cm).

Flapper Necklace

This top-drilled serpentine pendant has been difficult for me to use -- I bought a whole strand in Tucson. Then, I discovered this fan shaped filigree component. It works perfectly when wrapped around the pendant. I added some coordinating crystals and voila, a flapper-worthy necklace was created! Glass and brass beads top the pendant and the whole assemblage hangs from brass link chain.

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!