Japanese Chain Maille

I've researched the aspect of a chain maille "slave bracelet" for a few months. I wasn't really impressed with the ones I was seeing online mainly due to the fact I had a design of my own I wanted to try to make.
The movie Excalibur  depicts the Lady of the Lake wearing a beautiful gold chain maille slave bracelet. I keep envisioning this hand rising from the lake holding the infamous sword of "the one true king", and enslaving her hand from her finger to her wrist is a gorgeous chain maille bracelet.
This is the slave bracelet of my dreams.
The attempt seen here was designed using base metal gold jumprings of 2 different sizes attached to a "snake charmer" ring. 
I also didn't like the look of a piece of chain worn as the ring.
This bracelet took about 22-24 hours to complete. While it was time consuming I am thoroughly pleased with the look.
The type of chain maille is Japanese.
I am considering making it a little longer, but when I get the time.

EyeCandy Chainmaille

EyeCandy Chainmaille

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Thaksgiving Promotions

While I'm away for the Thanksgiving holiday I'm offering free US shipping in all three of my stores.
It's my way of saying I'm thankful for everyone in my life.

I will also offer half price shipping to Canada and International buyers as well.

http://www.gemscrystalsandwire.com/
http://www.gemscrystalsandwire.etsy.com/
http://www.gemscrystalsandwire.artfire.com/


Have a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving

sales

Well this weekend has been a little profitable for the Florida Foundation.
Yesterday was a good day considering the demographic location of the show.
Many people exclaimed over my Fancy Feline bracelet.
Many tried to get me to take less, much less for the bracelet. Sorry, gals but this piecce is a vintage porcelain cat face sculpted in Gold filled wire. I might take a little less, but only on the condition it does not insult  my integrity or me as an artist.
Plus, with the proceeds going to the Florida Foundation for Lung Transplant Research, in good conscience I cannot take less.
I hope today is better.

Have a great Sunday!

This weekend

 Today November 13-15, 2009  begins National Donor Sabbath Weekend. Being a 3-time transplant recipient. All my online stores & the Christmas Bazaar at the Cultural Center will offer 10% donation of all sales Friday & Sunday, 100% on Saturday will be donated to The Florida Foundation for Lung Transplant Research. Please spread the word and join me in honoring my 3 organ donors and their families.

Sales finally

Woohoo finally a few sales with this economy. Hopefully Christmas will bring in a few more.
One was a gold filled sculpted Swarovski crystal AB heart, and the other was a rose gold filled Swarovski crystal AB heart.

The hearts have it this week!


Time to make more...

Finally a few photos

I finally managed to get a nice sunny morning to take a few photos.
To say photo'ing jewelry is difficult is a major understatement. Out of 30 pics I might get 3 useable ones.

So check out the bracelets!

 

These were made using a variety of wire: Copper, Argentium Silver and Gold filled.
Price range is moderate.

apologies

I wanted to let everyone know I'm sorry for no reccent posts.
I've been busy with a few shows and teaching, plus my camera has to charge for photos.


Since this is organ donor awareness time for me, I've also been busy in that realm.
I'm attempting to daily update my transplant blog  http://www.survivinganorgantransplant.blogspot.com/
and with a slow computer this takes most of my day.

I've also placed a video of many of my custom pieces on You tube under the name of
GemsCrystalsAndWire. it's about 2 minutes long if you'd like to view it. If you do, please let me know your thoughts on the video as well as the work..

More photos and possibly ideas soon.

Spidey Ideas

Photos of my Halloween ensemble this year.
It's only one month a year I can make fun jewelry and get away with it!

Who woldn't want to wear a bracelet made with Swarovski crystal skull and cross bones and spiders on webs on their wrist. Or better yet a black widow dangling from her sparkly web as a pendant. Dangle these pretties from your ears, they're just waiting to pounce on someone!

Have fun this Halloween, believe me. this is the closest I'll ever come to a spider!

Happy Great Pumpkin day everyone

Let's get ready for Halloween!!!!

One of my favorite holidays is Halloween!


We can wear the funkiest clothes nad jewelry and get away with it!


I've just taught a class on making High Class Sparkel Spiders.


Using Swarovski crystal pearls, seed beads, bugles and wire. My kits run $5.00 have enough beads to create the variation mentioned in the pattern or you can make the traditional spider.





I've made wire bracelets and attached the spiders to them, dangle earrings, and even spider web pendants.. Go crazy! This is the only month we can....

New ArtFire coupon

My ArtFire Studio has a new coupon listed to the left on this blog page.
Currently until October 15,2009 I am having a sale on all earrings.
50% off.
This is a great deal for those who like to start Christmas shopping early.

More Custom Work

This sharks tooth necklace was another custom design by me.

I actually designed it for me, but it sold the first time I wore it out.

Sharks teeth are difficult to gauge in photos, as this one looks small, even though it is about 2 inches in length.I used 14k gold filled wire and sculpted around the tooth. The top has a 6mm Mystic Moxie Topaz in the center.

Fossils are my favorite design medium.

Custom work

I've been rather busy with a few custom designed pieces. A close friend heard I had some nice size Mako sharks teeth and asked for a necklace that looked a little tribal.

So after wrapping the tooth, of course it had to be different. I prefer to not make the same thing twice as well as the original wrap for a sharks tooth is mundane and old.

I did a small braid using gold wire and then designed the necklace around it. With the necklace having to be masculine, I had to put thoughts of crystal and other "shiny" baubles out of my mind and design.

The necklace was created using Tiger Jasper beads offset with a few large black tribal beads.

I hope you like it.

Ornament designed to honor my Daddy

My daddy passed away in 2005. Each year the funeral home holds a celebration on life around Christmas with each family placing an ornament on the tree in remembrance. Each year a new ornament is added along with ornaments from previous years.

This year is my turn to make the ornament.

This has taken much thought, mainly because :

1. I was Daddy's girl

2. I miss him more each and every day.

3. I wanted to honor him in the best way I knew how.

Here is the ornament I was finally able to finish....after much crying each time I tried to work on it.

Inside the card reads:

His favorite color-

Like his smiling eyes is blue

His heart-

Made of pure gold

His Faith- Unshakable

He placed everything in God's hands

His family-

Fragile and precious , like the finest crystal

The work on this piece- imperfect

Just like his "baby girl"

Loving husband, son, brother, uncle, grandpa, and even

a great...BUT

The most wonderful Daddy in the world

God truly broke the mold when he created you.

You are missed more with each passing day.

We Love you.

Daniels Debut

Daniel's Pendant. I had to post this because we are so proud of what daniel age 11 was able to create his first time! His wraps were perfect and I was amazed at his attention to detail.

Jewelry news

We've spent the last month visiting Erin and the grandkids (now I know why they're called grands) had loads of fun as well as surprised Mom for her 80th birthday with a party.
I hope to post a photo of a pendant that Daniel (grandson) made. It's his first try and at 11 years old shows wonderful attention to detail as well as patience.
Busy making chains and bracelets for a show in July.

Remember to "borrow" those wonderful pieces of jewelry for your special occasions. You can hold onto your jewelry for 10 days (maybe longer) and show off your style.
My Etsy store and website have many items you may want to "borrow" and try for size.
You can always buy it later if you like it or return it after your special occasion is over.


Have a great day everyone...

Memorial Day

Today we celebrate and honor our Armed Forces.
Today we celebrate all the freedoms they've fought so long and hard for us to enjoy.
Today we celebrate the men and women who gave their lives for this country.
Today we remember the past wars, those lost and the many white crosses in Arlington National Cemetery.
Today I thank God for my family of heroes. My Uncles, cousins, brother, brothers-in law, nephews, Donor Dad, and the 2 greatest loves of my life; my husband and my Daddy.
They all believed, they all fought. So we could win.

God Bless them all.

Eureka!

I finally figured it out. I now have a short slideshow, however now to add a gallery page would be fantastic. Time will tell, how well I become at this blogging.

Slideshows

Not sure if anyone else has this problem, but I'm unable to upload a slideshow.

I tired the help pages and sent messages to no avail. I'd like to upload photos of my etsy store, but guess it will have to wait.

In the meantime, please visit my etsy store as well as my website for unique handmade jewelry items for purchase or to borrow.

For the Bride to be or that special event.

This 28mm Swarovski crystal AB Heart pendant will arrive with a delicate sterling silver necklace or a black organza ribbon choker. Deposit is $80.00