Leafy Lovelies

It’s been awhile since I posted anything here and that’s not because I haven’t been making anything. Actually, it’s because I have been making things at a pretty constant rate and I haven’t had time to sit and write about it.

Things have been changing a bit in terms of style, with a lot more emphasis on metal and a lot less on what I’ve come to call the “beads on a stick” approach. I’ve been sawing, filing, sanding, soldering and polishing my fingers to the bone, and I’m loving it. Below is an in progress image of my latest copper ring and the finished piece. I’m not often one to brag but I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with this ring. I keep looking at it on my finger and thinking “wow, I really made that!”.

Feeling somewhat emboldened by my success with the ring, I decided to try for matching earrings.

These leaves are much smaller than the original at only 8mm in total, and they were far more fiddly to work with. There are imperfections; the sawn details are not symmetrical on one earring and neither are as smooth and finished as I would like, but the idea is there and I am still pretty pleased with how they came out. I’ll be keeping the set for myself, but I think I’d like to explore this lovely, plump leaf idea for awhile, so expect to see some variations on the theme in store soon.

Before all this adventure with saws and blowtorches, I spent some time on a few wire wrapped pieces. These lovelies are available in the store, but I just wanted to show them off here as well.

That’s it for today. Hopefully it wont be another two months before I get around to sharing more from the jewellery desk with you. Thanks for looking and see you next time.

From the Jewellery Desk

Inspiration has overtaken me the last week or so, and I don’t seem to be able to put my sketch pad down at all. As soon as I’m done scribbling drawings for one design, another is forming in my brain. Here are a couple of things for the collection, but there is plenty more in the conceptual stage and currently in progress. As yet, only the Falling Leaves are in store, but stay tuned. The rest will be making their way over there soon.

Au Revoir.

Garnet Wraps
Hand-forged German silver spiral frames wrapped with beautiful, tiny garnets.

Faux Knots
German silver wire is hand-forged into Celtic-inspired, faux knots and embellished with sweet Keshi pearl dangles.

Copper Lovelies
Hand-forged copper wire, wrapped, oxidized and tumbled for strength and shine. Embellished with sweet, Keshi pearls.

Falling Leaves
These are a little different from the rest, but just as lovely. Beautiful Czech glass beads cascade from warm red brass hooks.

Still Romancing the Wire

This is just a quickie update because it’s really, really late and I’m quite tired, but I want to share a few new things. I seem to have become fixated with spiral earwires and long dangles. I never really cared all that much for long earrings before, but I am completely enamoured at the moment.

Enough of that; here’s the ear candy:

Faceted Citrine teardrops and honey-coloured Czech glass beads wrapped in warm, Red Brass.

Red Brass spiral earwires wrapped with tiny, white pearls.

Lovely, long dangles comprising white pearls in two different sizes and dramatic garnet Czech glass beads.

Delicate, long dangles comprising white pearls and small chocolate-coloured Czech glass beads – wrapped by hand with Red Brass wire.

Sweet and sophisticated, with just a little bit of drama. Lovely, blood red Czech beads dangle from hand-crafted, red brass spirals

Lovely bracelet featuring stunning aquamarine coin beads with scalloped edging and a picasso finish.

As always, please feel free to browse the store to see more photos of these and other lovely pieces.

Adieu.