Challenge No.3 - Fancy Jasper

Finally I've finished my third challenge.  Unfortunately this one took much longer than the others.  The biggest hold up was that I ran out of some essentials and then once they had arrived my cat, Maple, sadly passed away. Although a large part of me wants to wallow I know the best medicine, to take my mind off things, is to focus on something creative, so I threw myself back into the challenge.

Challenge number 3 was inspired by Laura Binding, one of Jewellery Maker's guest designers.  Whilst browsing youtube I came across a Designer Inspiration show with Laura Binding doing a tutorial of a wire wrapped pendant. You can find it here.  She made it look so easy I decided to give it a go with a bead I received in one of JM's bead scoops.  It was so much fun and I was so impressed with my finished pendant that I've kinda become a bit addicted to creating them.  I did it with five beads on this challenge!!

I hope you like my creations....

This pendant was made with Vintage Bronze coloured Artistic Wire bought from The Bead Shop website.  The chain is Viking knit using the same wire.  Unfortunately, I don't have a proper Viking knit tool (will definitely be getting my hands on one soon), instead I use a thick cardboard tube that came wrapped in yarn.  I have, of course, used the yarn and I've drilled 8 holes in the top.

This one was made using the same techniques but with silver plated copper wire from wires.co.uk and Jewellery Maker.  The following two were also made using the same techniques but using black coloured copper wire and gold coloured copper wire from the aforementioned shops.

I also made a ring using the same technique with the Vintage Bronze wire.

In addition to these pieces I also made another necklace and a bracelet.

I used gold coloured wire to create the links between each bead.  I also used the same wire to create my own clasp.  I've really been enjoying making my own clasps lately.  In my opinion, if you're creating wire work pieces then using the same wire to create a clasp makes the piece look seamless and more professional.


For the fifth necklace I decided that the bead had such interesting markings on it that it should be left as it is.  So I created a simple bail using a headpin and attached the bead to some waxed cotton cord.

So there's another 7 pieces added to my collection.  I hope you've enjoyed reading this posts and seeing my latest designs.

Challenge No.3 - Gemstone Reveal

Fancy Jasper

I've been really looking forward to working with this gemstone.  They are absolutely beautiful and everyone of them is different with gorgeous markings.

So watch this space ....

Challenge No.1 - Black Agate Nuggets

I have completed my challenge!!!  Yay!  I won't lie to you, it was a little bit difficult at first.  The nuggets weren't a favourite of mine (they still aren't) so I was stumped at what to do with them.  I think the process of making the jewellery took less time than figuring out what on earth to make with them, but I persevered and I now have 5 pieces of gemstone jewellery for my Christmas craft stall.

Here they are .......

I started by taking the beads off the strand and laying them out.  I then put them in groups according to size/shape.

I  played about with them in their groups hoping I could make some symmetrical pieces or a graduating necklace. I quickly decided to scrap both those ideas opting, instead, for the random sequence approach. I took to my scrap book and sketched this awfully drawn design below.

 

But now it's been brought to life, it looks like this .....

I teamed the nuggets with Hematite stars, black beading thread and dark silver coloured copper findings. The nuggets and beading thread are both from Jewellery Maker.  The rest were purchased from other jewellery making websites but unfortunately I can't remember which, sorry.

The bracelet then inspired me to make a matching necklace and earrings.  Here are the results....

I only had a small amount of nuggets left after making these three pieces and I hoped to make a ring to match the pieces above.  Unfortunately, after playing about for what felt like forever I concluded that the nuggets I had left just wouldn't sit right on a ring.  I was back to the drawing board again.  I tried to make a few different bracelets and earrings but with the inconsistent sizes and shapes it was difficult to get things to sit right.  Finally I made these earrings....

They were made with faceted Hematite beads bought from Jewellery Maker (which I NEED more of) and the same findings as the pieces above.  Using the last of my Hematite beads I made a matching bracelet ....

Despite banging my head against a brick wall for the first few hours after drawing the Agate nuggets, I've really enjoyed this challenge.  It forced me to work with a shape I would usually avoid.  The jewellery doesn't really represent my usual style or taste but I like each piece, my favourite being the first bracelet I made. 

Agate, is one of my favourite gemstones.  It comes in such a variety of colours and it is never just a plain bead.  There's always different tones and textures to be found.  You can see, above, that some of the beads have specks of white, grey and brown.  In some of the stones there are bands of brown or translucent areas that really catch the light. Beautiful. 

Brief Description of Agate.

The majority of Agate developed in ancient volcanic lava.  It is a form of Chalcedony which develops when water, containing silica, enters a cavity inside a host rock .  The minerals in the water then crystallize, forming layer upon layer of silicon dioxide. 

In crystal healing, Agate is believed to enhance mental functioning, such as concentration and analytical abilities.  It is also believed to be a calming stone that builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

Challenge No.1 - Gemstone Reveal

Black Agate Nuggets

Instead of using the whole names in a hat thing, I decided to computerise it and take a print screen of the result.

I promise this was the first result. I definitely didn't cheat because, after the obsidian squares, this is my least favourite strand. Again, it's the shape. I just don't know what to do with them.


Ideally I would like to enter one of the pieces I make into the JM Wall of Fame on Wednesday, so I have roughly 4 days to complete this challenge. Best I get the strand out of my stash and start playing around with some ideas. Wish me luck.

Treasure Trove Challenge

I recently wrote a blog for a Jewellery Maker competition, where I confessed that I had many strands in my collection that were completely unused and still in their packets.  I promised that I would dig them out, create something with them and blog about it.  So, here's my introduction blog where I show you all the strands.  After this I'm going to put the names in a hat, pull one out and make a piece of jewellery.  I'm kinda setting myself my own 'Designer Challenge', as they do on JM.

So here we go.....18 strands of gemstones all purchased from Jewellery Maker.

(Apologies for the photos.  I really need to work on my photography skills).

Black Onyx Cubes

 

Gemstone:  Onyx

Shape: Cubes

Origin:  India

Size:  7 x 7 mm

Carat Weight:  140cts

I'm hoping these are not the first out of the hat as I am completely stumped with what to do with them.  Where they've put the drill hole is so unusual that I'm struggling to think of a design that would do justice to the stone.  If anyone has any ideas feel free to comment below.

Red Agate Hearts

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Hearts

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  6 x 6 mm

Carat Weight:  55cts

Green Magnesite

Gemstone:  Magnesite

Shape: Round

Origin:  China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  185cts

These could easily be mistaken for turquoise.  In fact, I thought they were turquoise until I took a look at the authenticity certificate.  So although it says green on the certificate I'm more inclined to call them blue.

Pyrite Rounds

Gemstone:  Pyrite

Shape: Round

Origin:  China

Size:  12 mm

Carat Weight:  650cts

Abalone Squares

Gemstone:  Abalone

Shape: Square

Origin:  China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  N/A

Multi-Colour Quartz 

Gemstone:  Quartz

Shape:  Oval

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  12 x 16 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Multi-Colour Agate

 

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Oval

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  12 x 20 mm

Carat Weight:  340cts

Multi-Colour Quartzite

 

Gemstone:  Quartzite

Shape:  Faceted Round

Origin: China

Size:  8 x 8 mm

Carat Weight:  150cts

Black Faceted Obsidian

 

Gemstone:  Obsidian

Shape: Round

Origin: Mexico

Size:  14 x 14 mm

Carat Weight:  410cts

 Black Obsidian

Gemstone:  Obsidian

Shape: Round

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  10 x 10 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Fancy Jasper

Gemstone:  Fancy Jasper

Shape: Oval

Origin: India

Size:  19 x 29 mm

Carat Weight:  330cts

Red Tigers Eye

Gemstone:  Tigers Eye

Shape:  Round

Origin: Africa

Size:  10 x 10 mm

Carat Weight:  240cts

Rose Quartz

Gemstone:  Rose Quartz

Shape: Oval

Origin:  China

Size:  10 x 14 mm

Carat Weight:  150cts

Blue Quartzite

Gemstone:  Quartzite

Shape: Marquise

Origin:  China

Size:  9 x 18 mm

Carat Weight:  50cts

Faceted Pyrite

Gemstone:  Pyrite

Shape: Round Flat

Origin: China

Size:  10 mm

Carat Weight:  220cts

Lapis Lazuli

Gemstone:  Lapis Lazuli

Shape:  Round

Origin:  Unknown

Size:  10 mm

Carat Weight:  280cts

Red Shell

Gemstone:  Red Shell

Shape: Round Flat

Origin:  China

Size:  29 mm

Carat Weight:  N/A

Black Agate Nuggets

Gemstone:  Agate

Shape: Nugget

Origin:  Brazil

Size:  Varying

Carat Weight:  250cts

Right, now I'm off to put the names in a hat, draw one out and start creating some jewellery.  

Watch this space......

2 month countdown - Back in business

Back in Business - 1st of September, 2014!!

CassiaCreation's will be back in business two months today!!  Although I'm sad to see my adventure coming to an end, I am excited to get creating again.  I've got so many ideas!!  Firstly, I need to decided whether I'm going back to Folksy or whether I should give Etsy a go.  Decisions, decisions.

Jewellery Maker - #Blog2Win

My Top 5 Favourite JM Gemstone Strands

While browsing the Jewellery Maker Facebook page I came across this #Blog2Win competition, and just in time!  There was one problem though,  I could only pick my top 5 favourite JM gemstone strands and at the time I was choosing there were over 150 pages with 20 gemstone strands on each page!!  So, there was a long list, followed by a short list followed by my top 3 and then I was stuck.  I couldn't choose another two!! There are just so many stunning gemstone strands on the JM website!!  Finally after a number of hours I had my top 5, and here they are. 

Number 1 - 35cts Lemon Quartz Graduated Concave Cut Pears

Lemon Quartz JM Webpage

Approx from 18x13mm to 21x15mm
3 pieces

Has anyone seen the film 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'?  For those who haven't it stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, and towards the end of the film they attend a very lavish and posh party held by a diamond company called DeLauer.  The guests at the party get to loan beautiful jewellery for the event. Upon entering the party, Kate's character, Andie, is given a jaw dropping diamond necklace called Isadora, to wear.  The moment I saw this strand I was reminded of Isadora and fell in love with the idea of making myself a similar necklace.  I'd have no idea what I would wear it with or where I would wear it.  Maybe I'd just prance around my bedroom in a posh frock pretending I'm in the movies!

Number 2 - 35cts Green Amethyst Graduated Concave Cut Drops

Green Amethyst JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 13 to 19mm

3 pieces

I know, I know, they're very similar to the ones above but how could I leave them out of this list.  Look at the sparkle!  Imagine the beautiful necklaces you could make with them!  I think any woman would feel like royalty wearing a necklace boasting one of these beauties.  The green is so subdue they almost look like big glistening diamonds.

Number 3 - 30cts London Blue Topaz Graduated Faceted Pairs

London Blue Topaz JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 5x3 to 9x6mm

16cm strand

Topaz, my birthstone, just had to be on my list so I am so glad I found these beauties. The colour is amazing.  I imagine turning these in to beautiful drop earrings.  It would be divine if I could somehow frame them in diamonds (and afford diamonds in the first place)!

These were also my boyfriend's favourites.  (Yes, I did subject him to hours of looking at pictures of gemstones and listening to me yammering on about them)!

Number 4 - 50cts Green Amethyst Graduated Concave Pears

Green Amethyst Pears JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately from 18x9 to 16x12mm

16cm strand

Again, it was the diamond appeal that drew me to these.  Any hint of green that may be there is so faint they look almost clear.  I only wish the hole was centre drilled so that I could make a wire wrapped ring with one of these.  I'm sure it's doable the way they are but I think it's beyond my skill.  (Must keep practicing).

Number 5 - 35cts Multi-Colour Beryl Graduated Faceted Drops

Multi-Colour Beryl JM Webpage

Each stone is approximately 10x6 to 11x7mm

21cm strand

.

And finally, I found these.  I actually missed these the first time around, maybe they were added after my first search, who knows.  I'm glad I stumbled across them, although I'm torn between how I would use them.   They look so beautiful strung together on this strand that I would be tempted just to restring it with maybe only one spacer between each gem and wear it as a necklace. The other option, of course, would be to pair the gems up and make beautiful drop earrings.  Might just have to buy two strands!!

____________________________

The best thing about all these strands though is that every bit can be used in jewellery making, not just the beads.  I've seen (albeit, very talented) designers on JM use the tassels in necklaces and earrings, the spacers used to set the beads apart could be used as spacers in your own pieces, even the string can be recycled to make your own necklaces and bracelets.  Nothing goes to waste, which I think is something every crafter can appreciate.

The strangest thing about all these strands is that they all consist of drops roughly the same shape.  Now this in itself is not strange, but the fact that I usually avoid this type of bead when purchasing is.  I always go for the safe option of a nice round bead.  To work with, I prefer a round bead as I feel they lend themselves easily to a variety of different styles and they are so easy to work with.  Drops, on the other hand, have a more sophisticated (and expensive) look and deserve to be made into stunning eye catching jewellery to be worn at fancy events.  I'm sure I'm capable of making this type of jewellery, but the gems I have similar to these have been in my stash forever.  I can never figure out what exactly I want to do with them.  I either get an overload of ideas or I'm stumped. You wouldn't believe how many strands from the gems of distinction range I have that I haven't touched.  They're still in their plastic wrappers, tassels attached!!  When I get home I think I'll do a series of blog posts on them and document their transformation from gems of distinction strands into (hopefully) beautiful pieces of jewellery (finally)!