Chantilly In A Treasury

It was a great start to the day when I received a convo from my BFF Brenda to let me know that she'd snagged a treasury and featured my Chantilly earrings in it! I've made several treasuries of my own, but had never been featured in one, so thank you, sweetie xoxo!



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Feeling Accomplished

Today was the day to get out the micro torch and fire it up! So easy, and much faster than I imagined. Other than a few panic-stricken seconds when I clumsily hit the torch with my arm and knocked it over, with it set on continuous flame no less, it was such a simple process. And nobody was burned! :D

In less than an hour, counting the time taken to reread the operating instructions and filling the torch with butane, I was the proud creator of 400 headpins: 200 24ga fine silver, and 200 26ga fine silver. The best thing, other than the tons of money saved by making my own, is the control over the size of the ball end. I prefer the ball end to be very small, and most often the ones I bought from others were much larger than I wished them to be. Determining the length of each depending on the size of the beads to be used is another plus. And having a ready supply on hand at any given time? Why didn't I do this sooner!

Not a very good photo, but here's some from my first bunch:



After that triumph the mail carrier arrived with three packages that I'd been waiting anxiously for; an order of my fave earwires from Meilan of Jewelry For All Ages, several feet of solid 18k gold wire, and a wonderful package from the lovely Deb of Crysallis Creations! A strand of the most beautiful golden rutilated quartz rondelles, a strand of sparkling, fiery rainbow moonstone, a gorgeous brio of ametrine (to replace one that I broke a few weeks ago :(...several loose rondelles of perfect swiss blue topaz, and a few strands of my favorite silver/gray freshwater pearls! Deb is not only an amazing jewelry designer, her Etsy supply shop has the yummiest strands of gemstones and pearls.



So now I'm off to work on the neverending bracelet...well it does have an end, two in fact, but the length of time it's taking to put it together is forever! But well worth it, I hope, when it's a fait accompli. :)

New Arrivals

Two new arrivals just added to my Etsy shop!

There's the Lucy earrings with sparkling faceted coins of iolite and flawless step-faceted citrine ovals, all handlinked on solid 18k yellow gold, and finished with 18k gold earwires:



The Chantilly earrings are cascades of shimmering Oregon sunstone rondelles, shaded green faceted ovals of tourmaline, and perfect smooth and polished briolettes of cognac quartz. Handcrafted fine silver headpins, sterling silver chain and finished with Meilan's beautifully handcrafted sterling earwires:



Today I'm working on a necklace, with the finest tourmaline I've ever had the pleasure of working with! Perfect pastime for a snowy day. :)

Girl With A Torch

In the first step to overcoming my fear of being within inches of an open flame, I went out and bought myself a micro torch yesterday! I hadn't thought very much about how much could be saved by making my own headpins, but the huge savings along with the joy of having as many as I need on hand when I'm itching to start a new design made it impossible for me to not give it a try.

Huge savings if I manage to not burn the house down with it, that is! :D

I received a gift card for Valentine's Day (thank you JP! ♥), and promptly spent it on fine silver wire in two gauges and several feet of 18k gold wire. When they get here, out will come the torch and here's hoping that I'll be successfully buried in headpins of my very own making before long!

Clear Skies: Wanted

Why does jewelry have to be so difficult to photograph?!

A pair of earrings that are just waiting for some decent pics so that they can be listed in my Etsy shop, but it's been snowing for three days here, and so overcast that there's just not enough good natural light in these parts. I should have taken more photos of them back when this one shot was taken a few weeks ago on a clear day! *can't wait for spring*



These earrings are sterling silver, with very high grade natural keishi pearls and finest swiss blue topaz rondelles. Finished with my favorite sterling silver circle earwires, handcrafted by the very talented Meilan of Jewelry For All Ages.

Amethyst & Coin Pearls

I just love these earrings! Perfect for a February birthday, the Anaïs earrings feature beautiful coin pearls set with amethyst in 18k yellow gold bezels, which are linked in 18k solid gold wire to deep purple, step-faceted amethyst twist rondelles, petite white freshwater pearls, and faceted amethyst briolettes.



Finished with 18k solid gold earwires, they are a fraction under 2 1/2 inches in length.

February birthday, anyone? :)

One Good Plug Deserves Another

I've been an Etsy buyer for quite some time and just within the past couple of weeks I've taken the plunge and put a few of my designs up for sale. Much to my delight, my BFF Brenda (Oklahoma Mama) plugged my newly opened Mardi Studio shop on her blog!

Brenda is enjoying great success with her Etsy shop, and for good reason. With a keen eye for overall design and wonderful color sense, her jewelry ranges from fun, contemporary styles to elegant evening wear. With a price range to fit any pocketbook, it's no wonder that her Etsy shop is a favorite to so many!

From Beads By Brenda, just in time for Valentine's Day!:

The First Post Is Always The Hardest

It's like opening a brand new journal with a stark white page staring up at you, pleading with you to get over your writer's block! ;)

...and these few words are all I can muster at 2:05 AM!

To bed, and the second post will appear when I have a cup of coffee in hand (and we all know the second post is always easier)!