Oh That Camera

Well, I have spent the better part of last week trying to get good shots of the jewelry and have been disappointed most of the time. What is the problem? White balance. And it kept changing. Hmmm. I called a friend of mine and got some tips and some worked and some didn't. Needless to say the frustration was growing. And to top it off, the batteries keep dying; so, another 4 hours in the charger and by then the light is gone! Oh well, I will try again next week. But, the shots that did work, here they are.

While I couldn't quite capture the sparkle in this necklace, this is pretty accurate. Green amethyst, lemon quartz and mystic citrine.

And some pearls ... white pearls with some plain garnet rounds knotted with them.

Aqua

I really wish that I could have captured the sparkle that this necklace has. It really is a stunner. Gorgeous multi-color aquamarine wrapped with fine silver and made into a lovely little necklace about 18" long.

I love these gems so much that I am incorporating them into a friend's bridal earrings. I will be working on those later this week. Wish me luck ...

Spring Has Sprung

It's time to wipe the cobwebs off the camera and start photographing in earnest because I'm really getting backed up here. In addition to the pearls, I have now done about 15 necklaces. Most of them are finished, some have to have the chain added, etc. And I forgot that photos need to be square, so these will definitely be reshot.

So, here are the 2 that I photographed today.

This one is my version of a rainbow. And I made the matching bracelet; but I still have to add the clasp. Now this is quite a heavy piece, so to speak and needed a heavier chain.


And I am quite fond of this one ... if it doesn't sell, no problem ... it will be mine, all mine! Three of my favorite gemstones: peridot, tanzanite and aquamarine.

I will try and take more photos this coming week ...

Pearls, Pearls and More Pearls

Oh my gosh, I can't believe that it has been so long since I have posted anything. In my defense, most of the past year has been taken up with riding/training Harmony. Unfortunately I was riding her the day after Christmas and when she spooked not once, but twice and I decided to eject. So, while I have been recovering, I have maintained my sanity by making jewelry ... over 18 silk knotted freshwater pearl necklaces. Here are just a few:

Of those not pictured. 2 were gifts and 2 were for a friend's bridesmaids. I am keeping the lime green and white with multi gems for me (this is a tester for future necklaces) and the blue one is for a friend's birthday pressie next week. The rest, only time will tell. They range in length from 18" for the shorter ones to 30" for the longest ones. Most are in the 25-26" length because I just like to be able to throw one over my head and go. Needless to say, my fingers have had enough of knotting necklaces for a while. Soooo, I have been wire wrapping some gems of late. More on that later.

DVCTA Schooling Show

We took Inn Harmony to her first under saddle dressage show yesterday. I wanted it to be a good experience for her and I believe it was. She rode in Intro A and Intro B and she was simple outstanding! And Lauren could not have been a better trainer/rider. DH took video of both classes (haven't looked at them yet). I am waiting to see the official results, but I heard last night that she won both classes!!!! I am over the moon and did lots of happy dances, went out to dinner and celebrated.
Needless to say, ALL of my time in the last 2 weeks has been taken up getting Harmony ready for the show. Today I'm going out to lunge/ride her. She turns 5 next month, so we can increase her riding to 5 days/week; with a lunge on the 6th day. Her next show is May 9 and I have put her in Intro B and Training Level 1. Wish us luck!

March Madness

Oh it was such a lovely weekend ... the temperature here on Saturday was 70; that after we had 9" of snow this past Monday. I definitely had cabin fever and was so looking forward to playing with the horses. Harmony had a great work week and I rode her for a bit after her training on Sunday. What a dream she is! But boy do my muscles hurt right now.

I will be adding quite a few pieces to my Etsy site later this week. Included will be some of my earlier jewelry that I completed in 2008, like this sterling, turquoise and pearl necklace.

As well as this Sterling Coral, Carnelian, New Jade, and Peridot Necklace.

And this Sterling Hydrothermal Quartz Multigem bracelet.

There are many more to come, so I will be busy photographing and writing descriptions. Now all I need is more time.

Uruguay Amethyst Pendant

A gorgeous 16x12mm Uruguay amethyst surrounded in Argentium Sterling Silver. This is a faceted gemstone and not a bead, in case you were wondering. I have been playing with different wire wrapping techniques and this is one of the results.