Happy Halloween

I cannot believe that over 6 months have passed since my last post; but, you see, my aunt and best friend passed away and I have been travelling back and forth ever since March. When I AM home again, it takes me a while to get those creative juices flowing again; but, rest assured that I have been making jewelry!

This is a fun bracelet that I made this summer that is absolutely filled with ametrine, citrine and keishi pearls in 14K gold filled.

Pink and Purple

Two of my favorite colors. I incorporated rhodolite garnet, amethyst, ametrine, iolite, rose quartz and rubellite into this sterling silver bracelet. I am waiting for a warmer, sunny day to take daylight pics of it; but in the meantime, here is an inside shot.

And my little furry baby, Angel, recovering from her surgery. Needless to say, not much jewelry was made during her recuperation because this is how she spent most of her day. Now that the collar is off, she is just too interested in playing with Shadow.

Cercles des Gemmes

Fun and flirty, these 14K gold-filled circles of gems earrings are laden with citrine, peridot and rhodolite garnet faceted rondelles. Each circle is independent of the next and gives you lots of sparkle as you move.

Merlot

A sterling silver choker/necklace for the wine lover! Pearls, red coral, rhodonite, swarovski crystals and jasper adorn sterling silver wire that has been hammered and formed.

Sassy Earrings

How can you go wrong with semi-precious gems like amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, citrine, iolite, peridot and rhodolite garnet? They will go with just about anything you wear. All constructed in Sterling Silver.

I wanted to create a fun front facing pair of hoop earrings, loaded with gemstones. I formed, hammered and reformed the sterling silver wire, and added the gems.

Work in Progress

It has been a few days since I have written anything, but one of our little kitties was spayed earlier this week and I have been busy taking care of her. When we went to pick her up, she had not even come out of the anesthesia yet and was basically unconscious all the way home! But today is the first day that she is feeling better and definitely has regained her appetite.

In my studio, I have a few pieces that are not quite finished yet. Here is one of my works in progress:

Arc-en-ciel

A rainbow, certainly. I cannot wait for Spring! The flowers beginning to bloom, a subtle warmth in the air, the days growing longer. I go out almost every day to see if the tulips have popped up through the ground; alas, not yet, but the leaves of the german iris are coming up nice and green. I really must plant some daffodils this year!

So, instead, here is my rainbow.

Inspector Purrfect

There are times when you just have to laugh. I had made this pendant a couple of months ago and hadn't had the chance to take any pics of it. So, earlier today I decided to do just that when Inspector Purrfect decided she should do a quality control inspection.

Yes, the pendant is right side up, the kitty isn't.

Another Storm Coming

Well, we are expecting the snow to start here at 3 am, and they are forecasting that we will be getting some real accumulation. I guess I will just have to make jewelry!

But ... looking forward to spring, here are 3 bracelets I have made with the next season in mind.

Sterling Silver, white rice freshwater pearls and multicolor 4mm swarovski bicones.

Sterling Silver, riverstone and 4mm swarovski bicones.

Sterling Silver, riverstone and 6mm swarovski bicones.

It's Snowing!

It has been snowing on and off all day, but with the tiniest of flakes. No accumulation to speak of, just a dusting. I took the time to take some photos, edit them, write some copy, and work on the pearl necklace.

But, in the meantime, I thought that I would post this set (earrings, bracelet and necklace) in Sterling Silver, gorgeous smoky quartz and gold freshwater pearls.

Multigem Earrings

Remember how I said I was going to take a few hours off to ride Monday? Well .... I took the time off; went out to the stables; DH saddled him up; we went into the ring and he decided to ride first. For some reason he was a little skittish yesterday and DH had already ridden him around the indoor arena a few times when suddenly, as I watched from the viewing stand, my horse spooked badly. One minute DH was on his back and the next he was on the ground; no horse under him. Needless to say I rushed into the arena, DH said he was OK, I went to get Cloud (he was most upset), walked over to see if DH was REALLY ok, and Cloud, head bent low, snorted as if to say, "I'm so sorry." I decided right then and there I wasn't going to ride that day!

Below are a dainty little dangle earrings that I made with apatite, citrine and peridot in sterling silver.

Enchantee Jewels Etsy Shoppe

Ye Olde Shoppe is now open. LOL, that's not the name, I'm just being facetious! You can find the link on the right under ~Where to find me~. I have been toying with the idea of getting one and my DH, friends and family have all been getting on at me, so I finally did it! The first two pieces are listed. Tomorrow I will be taking more photos; editing them; writing copy, etc. Since I seem to be up in the wee hours lately (I'm on kitty time) anyway, I may just list late tomorrow.

Of course, I simply must take a few hours in the afternoon to ride my beautiful horse! My body has finally healed sufficiently that I feel that I may be ready to do an extended walk and trot for a short bit. Well, it has been 6 weeks since I decided to eject from him. But, I can tell you that it is very unlikely that I will voluntarily jump off a horse when he is heading for a full gallop and going 15-20 mph again! What was I thinking (?) you might ask. Well, after someone let off firecrackers and spooked my fine wee horse; I decided to pick my spot! No broken bones, thank goodness.

I have decided to make a necklace to match the gold and white pearl earrings and bracelet; but since it took me 3+ days to make a 7-1/2" bracelet, it will probably take me a week to make a 17" necklace. So, I thought I would share this ala Eni pendant with you. It is not quite finished yet; I am in the process of designing the bail. This is a 19x16 cabochon heart shaped rose quartz and accents of 2mm rhodolite garnet with sterling silver crocheted around the quartz for its setting. As you can see, the silver wire is still attached until I decide how I am going to finish it!

New Camera is Here

My new camera has arrived. Please bear with me while I try to learn its myriad of functions (I am only on page 90 of the manual so far). I cannot wait until I am more proficient!

One can only read small print for so long .... hence, a new bracelet is born to match the earrings from the other day. Sterling Silver chain, Argentium Silver wire, white and gold freshwater pearls, and Sterling Toggle Clasp; 7-1/2" (fits 7" wrists).

New Computer

When I went to shut down my computer Monday, something sizzled. Oh my and uh-oh. Well, it has done that before, I thought. No worries. Then first thing Tuesday morning, I opened up my laptop and nothing happened. I mean, literally, nothing happened. Hmmm. Power was getting to the transformer box, but not to the computer. Big UH-OH. What to do?!

Wake up hubby, he's the computer geek. Let's try switching batteries. Yep, mine was dead. But what next? There's only 30 minutes left on this battery. Shut everything down and wait. What was I waiting for? 10:00 am. That's when the stores open here! I never in a million years thought I would say this ... I can't live without my computer!

So many options, so many manufacturers, so many to choose from. What is the most important thing for me? Larger screen, definitely. OK, that narrowed it down a lot. What next? Manufacturer. Now we're down to 2 options. Price. Yep, this is the one. Find salesperson (of course there's no one around! ). "Sorry that model is not in stock". Can you please check when any are coming in? "Oh, we've been sold out of that model for a month now; no, none are coming in within the next week." Then why do you have this on display????? Off to another store!

Success!!!!

DH has to jerryrig cables to get data off old computer to new computer. Ok, now I have data, but none of my programs yet, so please bear with me. While he works on my computer, I decide to create new baubles and beads. These earrings are 2-7/8" long from top of earring and are made with white and gold freshwater pearls, sterling silver and argentium silver wire.

Getting a Camera

After having completed 2 days of research and becoming completely confused with all the options for click and shoot digital cameras, I finally had an epiphany! Call my friend who is a photography guru and discuss it with her. So, after an hour, we finally decided which camera will do the best job for me in photographing jewelry. Then another friend said she may be able to get one for me at a discount; but has to check first to see if it is the right one. If not, I will have to order it. So, at best I will have the camera next week; and, at worst, I will have it in 2 weeks.

I just have to get my photo box, backgrounds, and light set up and I will be all set to start photographing!

This is a fun little bracelet made with SS, 8mm riverstone and 6mm swarovski crystals.

Until next time ...

Copper, My Practice Metal

When I have a design in mind, I like to make it first in copper. That way I do not feel that I have ruined my silver.

Before I did the pearl and semi-precious gem choker that is my fav, I did two in copper. This one was the very first. It is constructed with 16, 18, and 24ga copper; solid copper chain; copper, bronze, gold and white freshwater pearls; carnelian chips; autumn jasper; bicone copper swarovski crystals; and the focal is a teardrop aventurine.

After the one above was finished, I was feeling a bit braver and did this one using gems as well, but still in copper. It was made with the same gauges of copper (as above); white, blue and pink freshwater pearls of varying sizes; round blue topaz and rose quartz; bicone rose and lt. sapphire swarovski crystal.


The last one is done in Sterling Silver with white freshwater pearls. I do sometimes get tired (and sore fingers) from tying all those silk knots, so I was looking to try something different.

Older Creations

We just have to get a new camera and, of course, learn how to use it. We took some photos last summer, but I must apoligize for the clarity in some of them. We are still learning this technique of photographing jewelry properly. I must admit, there is quite a backlog of jewelry that needs pictures taken of them. I thought I would post a few of the older pics that were not quite so out of focus.

I took an Eni Oken course on how to wire wrap bracelets. I love this technique, but you have to have a lot of patience with very thin wire (LOL). The first is a large 15-20mm oval ametrine cabochon nugget with 18x14mm faceted rectangle lemon quartz, 8mm round rose quartz, 6mm faceted round amethyst with Sterling bali beads done in Sterling Silver.

Next is a very feminine pink ala Eni Oken. Sterling Silver with 16x12 oval and 14mm round rhodochrosite and 9mm round pink opal.

I am very fond of this one for summer. I just love the look of cracked quartz; these are 14x10 faceted rectangles with 4mm faceted round clear cracked quartz in Sterling Silver. And you can wear this with just about any color.

Until next time ...

A New Journey

A year in the life of a jewelry designer. Hmm, rather daunting a prospect. Where does the inspiration come from? The gems and metals themselves. Right now, the jewelry is constructed with Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver, or 14K Gold Filled. Hopefully, if the price of high carat gold comes down a bit in price, I will venture into those metals as well.

I began life with the ability to draw; honed those skills through university classes in drawing and then on to painting. I have taken that knowledge for texture and color and applied that to jewelry making.

When I was drawn to the world of artisan jewelry, I began with beading and learning how to manipulate metal.

I had taken a metal shop course in junior high school and absolutely loved it! Of course, we did not use precious metals, but I learned to cut sheet metal, buff, polish, enamel, solder, use of kilns, etc. I never thought that one day I would actually be able to part those cobwebs in my brain and draw upon that knowledge again.

Please forgive the quality of the photos. I am now in the process of learning how do this properly.