Week 44 – Moonlight Sonata (Marian H.)
I picked up this 2-inch round onyx cab at a show in Santa Barbara over a year ago, and was part of a big bunch of gorgeous cabs I found that day, waiting for a home. This poor cab has been tossed around, fondled, thrown back…you name it. I felt bad for the poor thing, so I was determined to make it into something gorgeous! This necklace developed out of complete frustration, though I was playing around with Eni’s Netted Bezel tutorial and I just couldn’t get that net to work right to a point where I liked it. So I set the whole thing aside (poor, poor little onyx cab!) and worked on other things for awhile. Then, one morning it just sort of came to me. Instead of the net, I created a series of beaded "prongs" around the frame. I then wove a pattern of silver and onyx beads through the prongs in a way that built the bezel and cinched it around the cab.
The photos are not as great as I wanted them. The cab is super shiny and nothing I did worked very well. Fortunately, my sister is a professional photographer, and I’m sending this piece to her for help. In the mean time, these are decent enough to get the idea. I love this necklace because it looks a bit like a winter wreath. and can imagine it being worn to a formal holiday party. I think you can check your make-up in it, too, it’s that shiny!
Clockwork Orange
This is one of the most time-consuming projects in my history. A sphere consisting of six sections: three of them cut from sterling sheet and drilled with various size holes, other three are almond-shaped frames coiled with fine silver wire. All sections were put together by wrapping tiny Bali silver beads – over 70 of them in the whole pendant! You’ll also find a gorgeous Bali sterling bead made of sheet. The whole piece hangs from various rolo chains – one of them is imprinted with the same floral pattern as those tiny Bali beads. The piece was made in sterling and fine silver and oxidised. The sphere measures 5cm by 4,5cm (2” by 1.8”). More pictures in my gallery 🙂
Thank you, Iza.
Way late, but I am here
OK, life is so nuts. I am desperately trying to rekindle the passion I have for jewelry. I am actually very pleased with this piece. It is a hammered bracelet, which I sanded and filed to ensure the edges were smooth. I then netted a cabochon ala eni oken style, and attached it to the cuff.
Seeds
Well you’d think for this one I would have used one of my seed bead creations but actually the bronze pearls under the SS cap remind me of a cluster of seeds so I went with this one instead.
Falling Leaves
Certainly on theme for this week – another seed bead in amber tones and a sterling silver teapot clasp. I’ve called this one “Tea Leaves”.
Fire Folk/Fire Dancer
Closer to theme than I have been for awhile – I love doing these l’il people. Smaller ones such as the
yellow jade triangles are earrings and the others will be fun pendants to wear on a chain. I used bits of
sterling silver chain and semi precious stones.
White Hot
Playing catchup – I apologize – this week is more warm white than white hot. A double seed bead strand and a beaded bead with mother of pearl leaves. I’m actually getting luke warm on using seed beads in my designs in favor of wire and metal sheet. But occasionally am tempted to do designs like this. 
Week 44 – Rocks!
Yep, just some wrapped rocks. I found these at a local show a couple of weeks ago, the picture doesn’t do the colors justice. I’m scrambling to get a few last pieces made for a show this weekend, so I’m actually early, woohoo! I took a picture of the both sides because with several of these they look quite a bit different from either side. These are fun to do!
Week 43 – Silk Wrap Bracelets – Randi/Dax58
I took a great class last week on silk wrapping beads onto cording… Karey who teaches at the LBS where I teach was great, and I’m kinda hooked on making these now!! The top one is beautiful peacock pearls wrapped on waxed linen cord with a small handmade toggle bar, and the bottom bracelet is mixed gems (faceted rounds) wrapped on leather with a handmade silver hook.
I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of these from me… I plan on making a few using different stones and shapes….
Comments are always welcome… check out My Jewelry Blog for more on my FSOJ projects, and check out My Website for more of my jewelry. Thanks, Randi
Week 43 Dust to Dust “In Memory of Mary Jo”
My dear friend Mary Jo Parvin lost her battle with Leukemia earlier this year. She had just gone to her first jewelry making class and was excited about making jewelry for her 3 sisters and daughter.
This piece can be a pendant, but it will most likely remain an "alter style" piece. I wove together orange/yellow glass flowers with seed beads, tiny green pearls, olivine and fire opal swarovski crystals with brass wire. It has a flat brass backing with a soldered oval wire frame to hold the photograph. I encased the photograph in epoxy resin (glue). (not sure if I would do that again. I think many layers of lacquer would have been OK, or if I had used the "right" type of resin that may have been better,
too much dirt and other particles.) I drilled small holes around the brass oval and attached the woven strand in a wreath around the frame. The stand is 12 gauge copper wire curled and wrapped together.
When I thought about this piece I wanted to create a feeling of funeral flowers. I will light a candle for my friend Mary Jo on all All Souls Day.
Cwj's Year of Jewelry Blog 