Lavender Lampwork and Chrome Diopside Earrings

Sometimes things just don't go according to plan - and that's exactly what happened when I was designing a piece of jewellery to showcase three absolutely gorgeous Lavender Lampwork beads by Lavender Beads. My initial design plan had been a necklace with a "vine" created from wires as the base of the necklace, a few wire shaped leaves with some Chrome Diopside, and the lavender beads. I wasn't terribly happy with how it was going, but it all came crashing down completely when, in hammering the wires, I accidentally caught the edge of one of the lavender beads - Disaster!

So, suddenly only having two beads I could still use it was back to the drawing board. I didn't however totally discard the idea of a vine as this still appealed. Knowing that just two beads wouldn't really provide the right balance for a necklace, I decided to focus on coming up with a design for earrings. The priority was still obviously to focus on showcasing the beads.

Thinking through the idea of a vine I therefore decided that I could use my "vine" base to provide a loop around the lavender beads. I therefore twisted two wires together in a circle shape, deliberately making the twist uneven to enhance the idea of two stems wrapping themselves around each other, and then drew them down the centre of the loop for the lavender beads. I still also liked my original idea of using my gemstone Chrome Diopside beads, as I felt their glorious green colour would provide a perfect foil to the lavender. I realised that wrapping these beads around the loop would actually enhance the impression of a vine, effectively giving me a green vine. My Lavender and Vine loops were then suspended on hand forged ear wires to complete the earrings.

So from a disaster of a necklace that never ended up happening, I ended up with my beautiful Lavender and Chrome Diopside Earrings.

Sunday Theme - Swarovski Crystals

Swarovski is the brand name for a range of precisely cut crystal and related luxury products. The Swarovski company was founded in 1895 in Austria and its current logo of a swan is well known. The Swarovski range includes jewelry and couture, home decor and chandeliers, but probably Swarovski is most known for its sculptures and miniatures which are collected world wide. One such example is the small black sheep known as Shady, pictured above, which I am lucky enough to own.

There is a subsidiary of the main Swarovski company know as Swarovski Elements and it is this subsidiary that it just as renowned as the parent company amongst jewellery makers, because it makes a huge range of crystal beads and pendants in an amazing variety of colours. These crystals are great favourites with jewellery designers because of their high quality and huge range.

One of my pieces that incorporates Swarovski Crystal beads is my Fuchsia Crystal and Sterling Diamond Necklace

Here are some more pieces using Swarovski Crystals from some members of the Jet Team:

Crystal Blue Persuasion Adjustable Ring by Designs by Cher

Crystal Gold Bracelet by Chaya Gallery

Reflections - Earrings by Crystal Impressions

Crystal Periwinkle Necklace on Sterling Silver by Your Daily Jewels

Swarovski Crystal Watch by Designed By Val

V Style Earring Giveaway - Week 1

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the first week of my V Style Earring Giveaway

Natalie and Damon

A pair of my earrings will soon be winging their way to you.

For everyone else, don't worry - there are still SIX more chances to win, and don't forget, if you blog about my giveaway, or post details about it on your Facebook page, and remember to let me know about it in the Giveaway comments, you will get an extra entry into the drawer.

(number of winner selected by Random.org)

Friday Favourites

Among Friends 14 x 11 Paper Print

by

Mae Chevrette

Fashion Show Photoshoot - 6

Here, last but certainly not least, is the sixth and final model from the Fashion Show Photoshoot. The model is wearing: Burgundy Ripple Chainmaille Necklace;  Chrysanthemum Chainmaille Bracelet; and Sterling Silver and Garnet Watch Cuff.

BrisStyle Eco Market - Saturday 12th November

The BrisStyle Eco Market takes place this Saturday and I am very excited to be taking part in it for the first time. Having established that all the round silver wire I purchase, although for some reason not the square, is ECO friendly recycled silver, I will be bringing along a selection of my jewellery that is made with the round wire. 

This market however, is about more than just handmade, upcycled and recycled treasures - although there will certainly be plenty of those available. This market also has a place for seconds, vintage and destash. and believe me, I have plenty of destash. So, as well as my jewellery, I will also be bringing along a great selection of beads, as well as a few other crafty destash items.

There will also be several workshops being run by various stallholders throughout the course of the market - so this market is definitely not one to miss. Hope to see you there!

Fashion Show Photoshoot - 5

So here is a picture of the fifth of my models at the Fashion Show Photoshoot. The model pictured is wearing the following jewellery: Amethyst and Sterling Teardrop Necklace; Amethyst and Sterling Teardrop Earrings; Sterling Flowers Chainmaille Bracelet with Charoite.