Amethyst Bracelet and Dangle Earrings

Gemstones, whether we wear our birth stone or use them for healing, are magnificent to have around in any environment: office, home, outdoors. Used in jewelry, it can symbolize the wearer's birth month or is believed by many to contain certain healing properties. Amethyst, the stone for February, is believed to invoke healing and purify negative energy. Its calming properties help clear the mind and are often used in meditation. Even though my birth stone is not amethyst, I absolutely adore this gem!

I was happy to get my hands on some lovely amethyst chips, and excited to use them in creating comfortable pieces of jewelry that are wearable for various occasions. 

The bracelet is made of amethyst chips, and a crystal purple bead in the center. It closes with a simple toggle and clasp. The bracelet measures approximately 7 1/4 inches from toggle to clasp.

Amethyst Bracelet with Purple Crystal Bead

Amethyst Bracelet - Aerial View

I made a simple yet elegant pair of earrings to match the bracelet. It also uses amethyst chips on silver ear hooks. The drop measures about 1 1/4 inches.

Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Amethyst Bracelet with Amethyst Dangle Earrings

I hope to be using more gem stones in my work. I just love them, and they can be used with almost any kind of media. Which gemstones are your favorite?

Enjoy! ッ

-meowser

Black, Silver and Crystal Modern Celtic Bracelet

Happy Monday! (Those two words don't belong in the same sentence.)

I took the weekend as an opportunity to flex some of my Soft flex (get it, hehehe; ugh, anyway...)

After breaking several crimp beads with my gorilla hands, I managed to create this black and silver celtic bracelet. The color scheme is reminiscent of a modern office building: the transparent gray rondelle crystals, sleek black beads and silver spacers, finished with a small silver toggle and clasp. From the center hangs a much beloved silver celtic knot. The bracelet measures approximately 7 and 1/4 inches including the toggle and clasp.

Black, Silver and Crystal Modern Celtic Bracelet

Black, Silver and Crystal Modern Celtic Bracelet - Front View

Black, Silver and Crystal Modern Celtic Bracelet - Arial View

Black, Silver and Crystal Modern Celtic Bracelet - Celtic Focal

I'm quite happy with how this turned out. I forgot how versatile soft flex can be!

Enjoy! ッ

-meowser

Herringbone Weave Cuff with Brick Stitch Earrings

Finally, a use for those hex cut beads! I didn't realize that hex beads made the herringbone stitch stick out so well. I created a cuff using black hex cut beads, and it looks as though it's shimmering as the light dances off the multifaceted beads.  I have to say, I am so proud of this piece  ッ

I also made my first brick stitch component, and did a brick stitch around a bead. I used one as a sort of closure for the cuff, and I decided to make more components for the earrings. No pattern followed here, just regular brick stitch and herringbone.

 I really wanted to make the earrings using a herringbone stitch, but since I wanted to increase/decrease the rows, I found that I needed to use brick stitch. So, the center of my earrings has 3 rows of herringbone stitch, and the rest tapers off each end using brick stitch, follow by the little component.

Here's the set, although the bracelet had a hard time standing up.

Just laid on a glass jar, to show the components.

I would love to get some feedback on these. I'm actually working on the choker for it right now. I'm thinking of putting a larger component in the center, and maybe have some picots or fringes on the front. I need to buy some ribbon ends/clamps, or whatever those things are called that are used on cuffs and chokers. 

Anyway, are these sellable (yes, I just made up that word)? Would you buy them? 

Ciao for now.

-meowser ッ

Right Angle Weave Gray Pearl Set

Viola! My very first beaded set!

I created a ring and earrings off the same pattern (or tried to).

A note about the pattern: when you go over the ring again with the seed beads, it tightens up the ring and makes it smaller, so give yourself more length to work with (my ring only fits my pinky finger).

For the earrings, I made a larger unit on the bottom and tapered it towards the top. I went back down, trying to follow the "V" pattern, and weaved back up and created a loop to hold the earring wires. The "V" shape shifted a bit in the pictures.

I know it's no where near professional quality, but I was happy that I managed to finish my first set!

Feedback? Thoughts?

-meowser ッ

Right Angle Weave Silver Pearl Bracelet

Finally! Another completed beaded project by the non-beading bead weaver (try saying that 3 times fast).

I found the following page with a few different schemes or patterns:

http://www.artbiser.com.ua/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=44&p=173

I saw this particular 2 needle right angle weave pattern, and thought I'd give it a try with my 6mm gray pearls and black seed beads:

From http://www.artbiser.com.ua/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=44&p=173

Note: You can scroll down, or Ctrl+F for "Zigzag cernobily".

As you can see, I didn't follow it exactly (I got confused when adding the seed beads).

Looks more like "V"s instead of "X"s, but that's ok  ッ

Close up of the pattern

It's actually not a very long bracelet

I really like the raised effect that the seed beads add to the bracelet.  It gives it added depth.  I added a silver toggle clasp to the bracelet. My modest goal is to make a matching set for this piece.  I'm so happy to have tried something new!

Enjoy your beading / bead weaving!

-meowser ッ

Little S-Link Silver Wire Bracelet

I learned that I need a LOT of practice when it comes to jewelry making. I have a vision, but in the process I lose it, and just get frustrated. I'm still learning how to manipulate wire, and still need either Tool Magic or some nylon pliers so that I stop stripping the wire. In any case, I tried to make a simple bracelet for my niece today. It's a little smaller so I'm hoping it fits her nicely.

S-Link bracelet with silver wire and beads

Another view

Full circle

It's very simplistic, but I hope she likes it. What do you folks think? Suggestions, supplies, insights, commentary, anything, I need to know!! Thanks for reading ^^

-meowser

Hand made bracelet using silver wire and beads

Hello! I have recently taken an interest in jewelry making. I ordered my first silver wire, tools and beads and went to work right away.  Here is the "finished" product.  Finished, of course, if it gets positive feedback.

I aimed for symmetry. Did I get it?

Another aerial photo of the bracelet.

As seen on the hand. Rockin'  \m/

Up close.

Lobster clasp.

The wire measures 7.5", however having looped the ends it cuts down the size of the bracelet. I could adjust it for whoever would want it. It's currently posted on Etsy for a modest price. I'd like to justify buying more supplies and equipment if I can at least cover costs, because I really love making jewelry so far! Please take a look, and if you fancy anything, let me know!

-meowser