Sprite's Touch Copper Necklace

I didn't know it, but it turns out Sprites have a purpose in mythology besides frolicking and looking cute. Apparently they're the ones in charge of painting the leaves in autumn all those gorgeous reds, oranges, yellows and browns. So when I finally found this grape leaf in copper, and saw the finished result, I did a bit of research and came up with this title. Once again, I love this necklace. I suppose it'd be silly if I didn't, after working on it for as long as I did. ;)

Dionysus' Grape Leaf Necklace

SOLD!!
These Pewter Grape Leaf Toggles are very detailed and I love using them in my Necklaces. Once again it can be used as the focal point, or worn behind the neck or to the side for three different looks. Dionysus was the ancient Greek god of Wine, and the color reminds me of a pewter goblet a king might drink from.

Viking Princess Sterling Necklace

This is a delicate necklace appropriate for nearly any setting. I really like these little sterling silver tubes and love pairing them with Swarovski crystals. I titled the necklace Viking Princess because the Vikings often used silver in their jewelry, as well as crystal and amethyst.

Love of Artemis Amethyst Necklace

This beautiful amethyst net necklace was inspired by ancient times.
Artemis was my favorite Greek goddess while I was growing up because she was one of the first feminists. She was her own woman, a hunter, intelligent and beautiful. The Greek myth surrounding Amethyst is really interesting. The story goes that a beautiful young woman on her way to worship at a temple of Artemis (also called Diana) got in the way of a drunk and angry God, Dionysus. Artemis saw that her disciple was in danger, and turned her into a glittering quartz statue. At the sight of this crystalline woman, Dionysus wept tears of wine, staining the quartz purple. And so was Amethyst created.

Philosopher's Stone Copper Necklace

With this necklace I finally found copper rondelle spacers and beads, and paired them with my one of my favorite pearls, these coppery peacock pearls (a few of them have a touch of green to them which looks great now, and will be perfect if the copper ever oxidizes). The decorative copper toggle clasp makes a great focal point, or can be worn as usual behind the neck for an elegant and almost formal look.

Silver Dipped Rose Leaf Necklace

This is a fairly long necklace made with Labradorite (one of my favorite gems), silver freshwater pearls, sterling silver tubes and seed beads. Whoever came up with the idea of taking dried leaves and electroforming them with precious metals should be commended. It's absolutely gorgeous, especially in person where you can really make out every vein in the leaf. And strong!

Fabergé Egg of Life Necklace

I created this necklace a few months ago and misplaced the images in my computer. Well, I finally found them and posted the necklace! I love the pendant, it really reminds me of Fabergé Eggs (which I was privileged to see in California Exhibit a few years ago). As soon as I got this pendant from my supplier, she informed me that they'd been discontinued, so I couldn't get any more. So this is it! Absolutely unique due to the fact that I'll never be able to make another! ;)

Escape of the Seahorse

I made two more historically accurate necklaces yesterday (I was excited and had the supplies on hand), but the weather has been too dark to take pictures. So instead I went back to a necklace I made a few weeks ago but hadn't gotten around to listing on etsy. It's a Glass Seahorse pendant I got in Maui, and Labradorite and Freshwater Pearls :)

Historically Accurate Jewelry

I've been meaning to create a historic jewelry piece for a while. Well, I found this gorgeous portrait of Elizabeth Brydges, Queen Elizabeth's handmaiden, dated 1589. After doing a lot of research, I recreated it!


Something that bugs me about the SCA is that most people are all about being historically accurate down to the hat and shoes, but forget about the jewelry. Historic Reenactors wear no jewelry, wear modern jewelry, or wear indian tribal jewelry no matter what they're wearing. So finally here's a piece of jewelry that actually compliments a person's garb :) (TMI about the SCA?)

Gold Dipped Rose Leaf Necklace

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this a real Rose Leaf that's been dried, then dipped in 24k gold. I used my favorite 6mm gold freshwater Pearls, 4mm bronze freshwater pearls, and sublte yet elegant 6mm pale gold translucent Czech faceted beads. I really love this necklace, and debated whether or not to put it up for sale. Buy I'm determined not to hoard the things I love the most, so here it is for you!

Bacchus - God of Wine Necklace

SOLD!
This newest necklace is made with Deep Blue Freshwater Pearls, Labradorite and Sterling Silver Seed Beads. The Grape Leaf pendant is also the clasp, and I love how it turned out!

Contest

A list I created for a contest over at Etsy. Items you might give to someone for a housewarming present :)

Fuschia And Rose

I'm a redhead so I don't wear pinks very often, but I found this amazing rhodonite focal stone and several beads that matched it exactly and went where the piece took me :)

Love of Ra

SOLD!
This is a delicate 18 karat gold and pearl necklace with swarovksi crystals. I made it a couple weeks ago, but didn't post it because I was waiting for a completely sunny day to get good pictures. It's been overcast here for a while, so I just decided to bit the bullet, do the best I can with the picture, and take better pictures later when the sun comes back.

In the Dipped Leaf Tradition...

SOLD!
I love these Dipped Leaves, they just look so delicate, but they're strong and gorgeous.

Queen Titania Necklace

This is a great necklace made up entirely of Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystals. It's always amazing how much of a difference the best materials make in the final product :)

Storage

Recently I've been looking for a good way to store my beads while keeping them accessible. My solution: a wheeled kitchen island that has a flip up top, much like a sewing table. All my jewelry books fit inside on shelves, as well as All of my beads, tools, and supplies :) Finally, some real order! And I can wheel it off to the side of the room when I'm not using it. It's great :) And since I got it from walmart, it was completely affordable. And I put it together myself, which is always nice :)

Oak Leaf of Strength Necklace

SOLD!

With the smallest of the dipped leaves, this one copper, I made a unisex necklace. I love these real leaves and thought guys should have a chance at them too ;)

Lady of the Lake Labradorite Necklace

This gorgeous necklace is made with Labradorite, a semi-precious gem that reflects green light, much like an opal. :)

A Lick of Frost

SOLD!
I did something a little different with this new necklace. I love the colors and the design. It works great with jeans (several shades of blue), but is elegant enough for an evening gown. That's the kind of jewelry I most like to make. Something that dresses up whatever you're wearing, and compliments a fancy dress. Why have jewelry you can only wear once?

I also went through all my jewelry and added metric measurements last night. That was quite the project. I knew it needed to be done, but a thread on the etsy forums convinced me to make it a priority. I'm definintely a lot better with metric now ;)