Gray Mist Lampwork Bracelet

I am so pleased with how this bracelet turned out. The focal bead is a One Of A Kind lampwork bead created by Cindy Craig at: Artglass Adornments . The gray part of the bead is kind of transparent with swirls of white and blue colors going through it but the beautiful part of this bead is on the inside: a luminous color of aquamarine/teal blue and it is so sparkly and beautiful to look at. It shows through both sides of the beads. I decided to add some sterling silver bali curved tube beads, rose beads, a couple of twisted rings and some 6mm Swarovski crystal bicones to add to the sparkle and luminosity of the focal. I finished it off with an extension chain and lobster clasp of sterling silver with a small handwrapped charm at the end of the extension chain. I tried to get the camera to pick up the dazzling colors in this bracelet but I think it didn't do it justice. It truly is a beautiful bracelet and it has a mysterious quality to it. If you're interested in purchasing this bracelet, you can do so in my Etsy Shop: Naturally Charming. I have more wonderful lampwork beads by talented artist on Etsy and I will be showing them off as I complete each design so stay tuned for more surprises.

Lemony Flower Jasper Olive Jade Pendant and Earring Set

This is the other pendant that I had so I decided to do something unique and unusual with this one as well. I started with some sterling silver cable chain and handwrapped some olive ab czech glass crystals and a oblong tab of flower jasper. I continued on with that theme along one side of the necklace and on the other side I added a couple of larger olive czech glass crystals and some beautiful sterling silver beadcaps in between the flower jasper beads. The end result is very beautiful, I think. I added a simple pendant of olive jade as a focal point for the necklace.

The earrings carry the same theme with the olive ab czech glass crystals and flower jasper beads. I added the olivine swarovski crystal bicones to give it a little more pizzazz. The ear wires are french style and sterling silver. If you are interested in buying these you can do so by going to my Etsy Shop at: Naturally Charming.

Turquoise in Motion Necklace

This is a little different style for me but I wanted to try something quite unique with some pendants that I have. I thought they required a chain but with some added flash. I handwrapped some turquoise and red mountain jade beads into the sterling silver cable chain and attached a beautiful heart toggle in sterling. Then I wirewrapped the pendant in sterling silver wire and added some jade charms and another larger round turquoise bead with a Hill Tribe silver bead cap. I think the end result is very stunning. The pendant is quite unique as it has a very nice striation of lines and markings all the way through the stone to the backside so that the back is just as beautiful as the front. If you are interested in buying this pendant and necklace you can find it listed in my Etsy Shop: Naturally Charming .

Gemstones Galore

I finally got these photographed tonight. These are the ones I found in downtown Melbourne, FL the other day. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can get a better look. From left to right:

1. First three are Silicon Carbide - Discovered in 1891 by E.G. Acheson. Man-made fro a compound that forms extremely hard irridescent crystals that are insoluble. Information on the metaphysical properties of silicon carbide is unavailable.
2. Next one on top - Ruby in Fuchsite - Encourages one to follow their bliss. Allows one to remain at ease after tense emotional or physical situations. Due to fuchsite's flakey texture, do not prepare elixirs from this stone in the traditional manner of soaking the stone in water.
3. Onyx - green/gold - Excellent for scrying or carving magical amulets. A stone of inner strength, allowing one to focus and follow through. A stone of physical strength, allowing one to gradually build up one's vitality.
4. Tiger Iron - Accelerates and enhances all healing functions. Diminishes one's tendency to procrastinate. Helps to alleviate fears associated with "survival" issues.
5. Bottom left - Amethyst - A physical representative of the Violet Ray of transformation, with strong protective qualities. Enhances psychic abilities and channeling. Stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, and the endocrine system.
6. Aquamarine - Aids creative self-expression. Enhances inspiration, peace, calmness and love. Calms nerves, reduces fluid retention. Strengthens kidneys, liver, thyroid and spleen.
7. Citrine - "The Merchant's Stone" - Allows the bearer to increase and maintain wealth. Enhances the body's healing energy. Never needs clearing or cleansing, and will not accumulate or retain negative energy or vibrations.
8. End piece - A carved whale bead in jasper - Holds an aspect of solar energy and a connection to the solar plexus chakra. An intense stone of protection against negativity. Helps one to be grounded to the stabilizing energies of the Earth.

Jewelry Design Station

So this is where I spend alot of my time each day, working on the computer. I try to spend a few hours each day on answering email, listing jewelry, editing photography, promoting my jewelry designs and my Etsy Shop, writing in my blog and keeping up with current events. Between the computer and designing my jewelry, I keep pretty busy each day. I generally am up pretty late each night as well, due to the fibromyalgia...I don't sleep very well and when I do it's only for a few hours because of the pain.

Designing jewelry has literally given me a reason to get up in the morning. I was always very active in my life before I fell in 1999 and injured my low back, then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and COPD in 2002. My life changed very dramatically then as I became less able to get around or do the things that I loved to do. When I decided to start doing jewelry again, I felt like my mind was coming alive again, I became creative again and I was thrilled to be learning new techniques. Now I try to learn a new technique at least once a week. I really enjoy some of the bead magazine that teach you how to do different techniques.

My workspace is very nice as you can see in the picture up above on the left. My husband built my work table. I decided I didn't want a table that I had to sit at all the time...I wanted something that would be comfortable for me to stand at when I needed to be up and moving...this table stands about 37" high and the table top is 66" x 34". I have several storage boxes with drawers stacked towards the back wall of the table and underneath the table there are two shelves on each side with storages boxes as well. I also have a closet with two sets of rolling drawers stacked about 4 1/2' high full of beads and supplies.

All my cameral equipment, lighting, jewelry displays and props can be stored underneath the table. All my jewelry design books, magazines and my photo portfolio of my designs sit on top of my two filing cabinets where they are easily accessible for reference when needed. As well as keeping a portfolio of all my jewelry that I design, I also keep a catalog of each piece and what exactly went into it and what it cost me to design so I know exactly what I have invested in each piece. It also helps me so I don't duplicate my designs by mistake as each one is one of a kind.

As you can see, I'm very serious about what I'm doing and very conscientious about it. I try to be professional yet enjoy what I'm doing. I really love my little workshop and that's important to me as I spend most of my days in this room.

Jewelry Beads Hunting...

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I spent the day searching for new beads and ideas for my jewelry designs. While I was downtown Melbourne, I ran into Natasha, my friend from Etsy. We ended up spending the afternoon together looking for beads, visiting with merchants and promoting our jewelry. It turned out to be a very good day. I found some really beautiful seashells and some gorgeous gemstones for wirewrapping. My favorite fine was a tumbled piece of ruby in fuchsite approximately 28mm x 22mm x 11mm. It has alot of ruby in it and has a beautiful emerald green color to the fuchsite. I can't wait to get it wrapped. This piece will be for my own personal collection as it is my birthstone. Maybe if it turns out great...I'll go back and get another piece to sell. We also found something called silicon carbide and I have to say it is so absolutely stunning. I bought 3 pieces of it and can't wait to do something with them. I will get a photo so I can post it here for you all to see. The colors are so breathtaking...lots of turquoise, purple, green and so sparkly. It's fragile though so it will have to be wrapped carefully so as not to break or crumble. It's going to take some thought as to how to do this but I will figure it out, I'm sure. So I will get back to work here and design some jewelry....it's so easy to get off track these days.

Meeting Natasha...

I had the most lovely day today. I met a wonderful woman from Russia who just happens to live here in Palm Bay, FL where I live. We originally met on Etsy but decided to meet for lunch today and I'm so glad that I did. We have a lot in common as we both have shops at Etsy and we are both very creative and craftsy. I learned alot about marketing and promoting for my jewelry, thanks to her. If you would like to see some of her designs you can find them at: Tender Things and her name is Natasha. She has many wonderful things for sale. I also have a couple of possible sales. One of the waitresses at the restaurant asked me to come back on Thursday to see some of my earrings. I will bring extras just in case some of the other waitresses would like to buy something as well. We both left several of our business cards with the restaurant owner.

On my way home from lunch, I stopped at Goodwill, one of my favorite places to bargain hunt. This time I went in the other side where you can buy by the pound. As I was checking out at the counter, I noticed that there was a huge grocery bag full of junk jewelry and I asked the clerk how much they were. She replied that I could have the whole bag for $ .50 if I would like. There were a few pieces lying on the counter as well and I said I would give her a $1.00 for all of it. She agreed so I have found a treasure trove of wonderful little surprises. Tons of beads, pendants, etc. I'm so excited because I love tearing apart old jewelry and redesigning it into new designs. So I have alot of work ahead of me. It's been a very good day.

Don't forget to check out Natasha's shop at Etsy. You'll not be disappointed!