Garnet Necklace for Amanda - Completing the "Amanda Collection"

This is the newest piece in my "Amanda Collection." Working on this collection began about a year ago when Amanda asked me to make her a ring for her anniversary. Since she's a January baby, she wanted her stone to be a beautiful red Garnet gemstone. She wanted the cost to stay affordable though so I ordered up some Imitation Garnet Gemstones from one of my favorite supply providers. 

 

The first piece I made for her last year was a Garnet Ring with a heart motif and tiny genuine Garnet accents. 

 

She has some earrings that match but I didn't get pictures of them. 

This year, she asked me to make her a necklace to go with her ring. I found a beautiful design by Magdalena Marszalik which I based my design on. Of course, no two pieces are alike even if an artist tries. 

One of the first steps to beginning a design is to draw it out. I like to use a pencil, OfficeMax Just Basics Economy Woodcase Pencils, #2 Medium Soft 72/pk, which allows me to erase any portion I don't want. Once you've got your overall design, the components have to be broken down. Can't begin something if you don't know the size of your stone or where you want to wire to go. 

Here's a picture of what this process looks like in my sketchbook. The top portion is the ring I made for Amanda and the bottom quarter is the pendant. 

I started making the pendant with the frame. Can't begin a piece without a good sturdy area to put your stone. Once that's done, it's just a matter of securing the main Garnet, adding all the beautiful filigree and scroll work then embellishing with your chosen beads. In my case, I garnished the pendant with some small 4mm Garnets and Sterling beads. Add a chain and some more embellishments and you have yourself a stunning pendant.

Each piece of this glorious necklace was handmade solely with wire. There is no soldering in this piece. It is very delicate.

Sunny Days: Lemon Citrine and Sterling Pendant

*The earrings have sold. The pendant is available at Eclectics Gallery as well as the John Knox Marketplace Spring Mart show March 31 - April 1, 2012.

My Heart is Yours Bangle

This bangle came about as a Custom order for Cindi. She contacted me concerning my Woven Eros Passion Labdorite Bangle and asked if I could do a design without the main focal gemstone and just have the hearts. This is for her wedding in November. So I came up with a lacy design with hearts incorporated for her wedding day.

The back portion is scalloped lace wire with a bangle outline and a heart hook clasp. The heart focals have been woven and adorned with a large 10mm Coin pearl and two 8mm pearls in the center of each heart. Down the center of the bangle is a line of smaller 4.5mm freshwater pearls for an extra touch of elegance.

The bangle is 1 3/4 inch in width and at its smallest at 8 1/4 inch in length. It can extend up to 9 1/4 in length with the 3 clasp options.

 

I drew the design out for her first. It came out exactly like the original design!

 

Each piece of this glorious pendant was handmade solely with wire. There is no soldering in this piece. It is very delicate.

Halloween is around the Corner!

I just love Halloween! It's such a fun holiday. Everyone from children to adults can dress up as whatever they feel like for the year. I just love the jewelry and accessories we add to our daily lives for the month of October too! So may things we can do to subtly show our tribute to All Saints Day.

I've made a pendant just for Halloween. My little cat. He's made of an abundance of wrapped silver and black wire. The cat is black, of course, with Swarovski crystals making up his color and a Topaz crystal eye for that "glowing eyes in the dark" look. Then the little guy is flying on his witch's broom. I haven't made her yet, but she's in the works.