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.2 - Green Magnesite

Challenge No.2 - Green Magnesite

My second challenge is complete and yet again I thoroughly enjoyed it.  As I was working with plain rounds I wanted to make sure I used them in a way that made them look like something special and I really think I achieved that.  Since they are such a lovely bright turquoise I decided early on that I needed to team them with black to make them stand out.  I hope you agree that the contrast between the black and the turquoise is really eye catching. This time I managed to created a staggering 8 pieces, so that's a total of 13 pieces made for this challenge, so far!!

Here they are ......

    

Again, I started with a sketch......

 

The idea was to use black wire coils, made with the coiling gizmo, to separate the green magnesite.  However, I couldn't get them all exactly the same length and being a bit of a perfectionist I just wasn't happy with the finished product. So I dug into my stash of gemstones and found some faceted black agate beads for the job.  

Along with the agate and green magnesite, I also used black coloured copper wire and gunmetal coloured findings.  The gemstones and wire are both from Jewellery Maker.  The findings are from elsewhere, unfortunately, again, I can't remember where.

I also made matching earrings, ring, headband, bangle and bracelet using the same materials.  

After finishing these I only had single figures of the magnesite left so I decided to try out some chainmaille and use the gemstones just to add a touch of colour.  I made a bracelet and matching earrings using gunmetal coloured jump rings.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at the results of my challenge.  I apologise it took so long this time.  I've managed to get a bit of teaching work so I've been busy.  Over the weekend I'll reveal the next gemstone and hopefully it won't take me so long to get the pieces finished.  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.

My Favourite Gemstone - Lapis Lazuli

A Lapis Lazuli I made and sold over a year ago.

Despite Topaz being my birthstone, from the moment I saw Lapis Lazuli I was drawn in.  It intrigued me as has the topic of Ancient Egypt for so many years.  Lapis Lazuli was the gemstone of choice for the Ancient Egyptians.  The eyebrows of Tutankhaumn's funeral mask are made of Lapis Lazuli, Cleopatra (apparently) used powdered Lapis as eyeshadow and there have been hundreds of Egyptian amulets, ornaments and pieces of jewellery excavated over the years.  It seems only fitting that I would be drawn to Lapis Lazuli after being mildly obsessed with Anicent Egypt as a child (oh, who am I kidding?) and as an adult.

Lapis Lazuli is mainly mined in Afghanistan and as you can see it is an intense blue colour with lots of lovely specks of gold, and occasionally silver.  Lapis Lazuli is not one single mineral, but a combination of three.  It consists of Lazurite, Calcite and Pyrite.  It is the pyrite that gives it the wonderful shimmers of gold.

Now, apparently, all gemstones have some healing powers and special meanings.  I'm not dismissing that and I actually enjoy that aspect a little, even if I don't quite 100% believe in it, however, I can't find any reliable information on Lapis Lazuli.  The first 3 articles I read all stated different meanings and healing powers, so I thought I best not speculate and instead leave it to you to find out and decide, if you wish.

Lapis Lazuli Chips Memory Wire Bracelet.

Getting ready for CRAFTfest

Right, so here goes my second ....... entry?.  Is that what these are called?  Or is it my second blog? Well whatever it's called here goes.

As I mentioned in my first blog I am taking part in my first CRAFTfest next week.

For those who don't know, CRAFTfest is a week long online craft fayre and it's also the reason why I started to blog in the first place.  Creative-connections, which is a crafter's network associated with CRAFTfest, recommends getting your business out there and promoting it as much as you can, a blog is just one of the many methods they suggest.  In addition to this, I already have a facebook page, a twitter account and pinterest account (links on the right hand side).

The upcoming CRAFTfest begins on the 24th of Novemeber and runs for one week until the 1st of December.  While the CRAFTfest is on going I will be busy promoting my own business as well as the businesses of other CRAFTfest-ers, but before it begins I am busy designing and creating new pieces.

My most recent creations have been 2 coiled bracelets, a woven beaded bracelet and 2 hair bands.  These are not yet featured in my CRAFTfest stall or in my folksy account because on Saturday the 17th I have my first Christmas craft fayre of the season. I figured if they sell on the weekend (fingers crossed they do) then I won't have to spend ages uploading the pictures and writing decriptions on my stall, but just incase they don't here's a sneak preview of them.  Available in my folksy shop (link to your right) on Sunday if no one snaps them up on Saturday.

Beautiful bright pink coiled wire bracelet.

Sparkley blue beaded wire coiled bracelet.

Baby pink woven beaded bracelet.

Pink and white flower hair band.

Purple butterfly hair band.