This is only a test

Google doesn't make it easy to transfer one's blog to a new Gmail address. So this is a post testing my attempt at switching my blogs to my new address. Here goes nothing!

Swarovski crystal bracelet and earrings

These items include a lot of headpin wrapping, which can be a bit tedious.  This set is a series of blue shades.  I've also done similar items in green, pink, black and white, and red.

Bracelet

Earrings

Wedding jewelry

I found a design online that I wanted to attempt for my wedding jewelry.  Here is the result:

I used Swarovski elements along with filigree findings.  This is one of the most intricate pieces I've ever attempted.  The crystal beads are called chatons and are placed in a flower frame, folding metal tabs over each chaton.  The pearl was glued into the middle, and the whole flower was glued to a filigree silver detail.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.  There are also matching earrings I'm not quite finished with yet.

Closeup of pearl and crystal chaton detail

Sparkly Swarovski crystal ring

Another new ring technique for me.  This one uses an adjustable ring with a loop on the top to attach beads to.  I used 6 mm Swarovski crystals and silver headpins to make the charms.  I used one headpin for each bead and created a wire loop at the top of each one.  Then I used jump rings to attach the headpins to the ring.  It was pretty tricky to get all the beads on, but I think it worked out okay.  What do you think?

Olivine, Fuschia, Rose, and Indian Sapphire Swarovski

I tried a second ring with 4 mm Swarovski beads, but it just did not work out.  So what to do with 28 wire wrapped head pins with sparkly beads attached?  I made some earrings.

Wire wrapped rings

I've been trying my hand at wire wrapped rings.  Here's a few examples.

Jasper bead with 16 gauge copper wire

Side view

Swarovski pearl with bright silver 20 gauge wire

Sodalite with bright silver 20 gauge wire

Chinese agate with brown 26 gauge wire

The rings work best with an 8 or 10 mm round bead and 20 or 22 gauge wire.  The other important tool is a mandrel, a tapered wooden stick used to make the round part of the ring.  Some of them have markings on them for the different ring sizes, but mine is just plain.  It will take a while to refine my technique, but making these rings is pretty quick and fun.

Pink shell child's necklace

I've made two versions of this necklace now for little girls around age 4.  I used a vibrant pink shell bead with pewter butterflies and flowers.

Full view of necklace

Closeup of flower and butterfly beads

The important thing when making jewelry for kids is to design it so that it can break away easily if it gets snagged on something.  I used crimp beads to crimp the ends, and connected to the clasp are jump rings.  If the necklace gets caught on something, the jump rings will open but the beads will not fall off the wire.  Fixing it is as easy as closing the jump rings or attaching new jump rings.

Copper bead fun

I got some copper-like beads for Christmas, so I started playing around with them.  I started with a bracelet.

I paired them with some Swarovski crystal and a copper-like toggle clasp.  After making the bracelet, I created some dangling earrings to match.

I fashioned a few dangling parts with copper flower beads, Swarovski crystal, and Czech crystal and attached them to a bit of chain.  Pretty fun!