Jewellery; but not mine

I've also started buying some jewellery for myself recently (I don't usually wear it). Here are some of my recent purchases.

I'm loving rockabilly, pin-up type designs.

I'm totally in love with the tattoo art designs of Kathy at Swallow Kisses on Etsy.

So I'm inspired to inject my new found interest in younger more unusual jewellery to my usual jewellery making.

So I might actualy make some new things for myself - why didn't I think of that before?!

Jewellery; Still

Every now and again people ask me if I still make jewellery. I kind of neglect putting any on here nowadays. However I was recently asked to put together a special collection for a pink and black themed summer ball.

Here are a few pieces I made:

Dusty Bracelet

I'm not making as much jewellery as usual at the moment, but here is a special bracelet I made last week. It is for the Dusty Springfield Fan Club (which my mum is a member of) and will be auctioned in a raffle raising money for several charities including the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
It is a charm bracelet spelling out "Dusty" and the colours - pink and purple were Dusty's favourites.

Cranberry Dancing Pearl Necklace

Here is a last, last minute commission for a festive red necklace.

I've made it mainly with cranberry coloured freshwater dancing pearls. There are also Swarovski crystals, lampwork glass beads, Goldstone beads and golden leaf charms.

Baubles

I'm not sure about them but my dad really likes these beaded Christmas baubles so I've stitched him this one as a gift this year. It is with a kit from Spellbound Bead Company.
Hopefully he'll be able to keep it and put it on the tree each year.

It took a long time to make but I'm happy with it now its finished. I've tried to send as many handmade gifts as I can. I'm glad its all now finished and I'm really looking forward to people opening the presents. Only 2 days to go .. yey!

Stretch Gemstone Bracelets

Here are some new bracelets I have made. They are strung on elastic so they can come on and off without fussing with clasps. They are quite a flexible fit for people too.
Here I have used tiger eye, jade, rose quartz and onyx.

Leaf Bracelet

I've just finished work on a special commission order for Christmas. It was for a version of my Autumn Flowers Bracelet but in shades of green. So I changed it from flowers to leaves.


This is the original bracelet.

Wine Glass Charms

A new thought this year for Christmas - wine glass charms. They fit round the stem of the glass and I've made them to go with the Christmas meal table setting.

I have made four different sets. I wasn't sure if people would like them but they have been popular at the craft fairs and people seem to like the idea.

I don't think its possible to over glitz Christmas!

Jewellery Catalogue

My jewellery catalogue is now finished - just in time for Christmas. I shall be sending copies out in the next week. Here is the charm bracelet page. It hasn't scanned very well but you get the idea. It has taken a lot of work so its a relief to finish. It is very exciting too to have my own catalogue. I'm looking forward to being busy with the orders.

Swarovski Heart Earrings

Party Charms

Cocktail Party Bracelet

I've been making lots of party type jewellery for the Christmas craft fairs I'll be doing between now and the end of December. So here is a fruity charm bracelet with cocktail charms and some girly pink mobile phone charms.

Work In Progress

I've been having some, erm, painter's block this last couple of weeks. This unfinished painting was a response to "Diary" on IMT all that time ago. Its all about change and transformation and the idea came about when I was prompted to write in my diary again by the theme. I was amazed to revisit some of the old entries and see how much I have changed in the year or so since I last wrote.

So I was really inspired and rather ambitiously embarked on this massive self-portrait.

I have done a little bit more than in the picture but I just can't seem to progress with it. I think its because I haven't got my likeness quite right and I'm finding it really off putting - I think its my nose!

However the theme at my art therapy class this week was "Change" and I decided to revisit the image of my original painting. So I came up with this quick painting in watercolour. I was trying to loosen up with it a bit and hopefully push past my creative block.

I can get quite uptight with paintings if I'm not careful especially if they are not going well (my pesky perfectionist side taking over) so I just wanted to be a bit freer and try and re-connect with the theme.

So I'm going to have another go at the big painting this week and see how far I get.

Here also is an unfinished necklace I seem to have been working on for ages. It is the Anemone Necklace Kit from The Spellbound Bead Co.

It was so complicated, probably the hardest one I've done so far and I've already spent over 11 hours stitching!

I'm stuck with the strap now the front section is done. I wanted to do something a bit different from the kit instructions and I suppose I'm just waiting for inspiration to hit.

Gemstone Chip Sets

I'm going back to where I stated with jewellery making here with gemstone chips. I'm making them for Christmas craft fairs.

The sets here are Amethyst, Tiger Eye, Hematite, Rose Quartz and Turquoise.

Smoky Quartz Charms

I got a commission this week for a bracelet and earrings to match the Smoky Quartz Charm Necklace I made for my autumn collection.

Here is the original necklace.

Christmas Jewellery - Bankfield Museum

This is my collection for the annual Christmas Presents Show. My jewellery will be exhibited at Bankfield Museum in Halifax.

Turquoise Tassel Necklace with Matching Bracelet.

Onyx Metallics Necklace & Earrings.

Magnetic Hematite Bracelet & Earrings.

Freshwater Pearl Illusion Set.

Biwa Pearl Charm Set.

Swarovski Fuchsia Heart Set.

Abalone Tapered Fan Set.

Crystal Heart Necklace & Earrings.

Honey Heart Necklace & Earrings.

Beaded Abalone Set.

Abalone & Swarovski Crystal Necklace.

Rose Quartz & Onyx Briolette Earrings.