The Year of Jewelry Project 2012

Week 19 – African Opal Pendant Necklace – Bonnie Schilder

Bonstitches — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:42:16 +0000

Opal was my mother’s birthstone and she had opal jewelry but nothing like this African opal. My sister loves the stone because it looks like an ancient map ;-) and I love the color and luminescence of the “water”. You can see the entire necklace in my ArtFire studio. http://www.artfire.com/users/bonniesplace

Sea, Sun and Sand – Week 19 – Sandy @ SCJ Jewelry Design

SCJJewelryDesign — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:44:33 +0000

It’s been more than a little cold and wet in Seattle this spring and I’m dreaming of going to the ocean to soak up some sun, dip my toes in the water and get a sand pedicure. Peruvian blue opal with lemon quartz almost fills the need. Almost. More photos in my etsy shop here.

YOJ Week 19: Chunky Turquoise Necklace by NotaMona

NotaMona — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:08:50 +0000

This week’s necklace is highly unusual for me. I typically make rather delicate pieces but I was going out in a very classic little black dress and needed something to give it a punch of summer. I’m not petite, so I decided a bold statement necklace would be just the thing. This necklace is actually dyed howlite, just turquoise in color, but I got tons of compliments on it and most people commented what an expensive piece it must be. In fact, it was very inexpensive to make – probably less than $20. I’m very happy with it. More pictures at my blog.

Week 17 – Freeform earrings by Frances Whited, Bebop Beads

Bebop Beads — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:55:29 +0000

Isn’t it funny how we get on a kick with a particular technique or style? Right now, a lot of my earrings seem to feature a section of horizontal striped peyote stitch. I think it appeals to me because it demonstrates that freeform beading is not formless or undisciplined (which YOU all know as fellow artists — but you know how customers are sometimes!)

Week 16 – Going Green by Frances Whited, Bebop Beads

Bebop Beads — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:50:03 +0000

This is one theme that’s a no-brainer for me. Here is another recycled glass pendant of chartreuse Fenton glass with bronze and turquoise freeform beading.

Texture YOJ 17th week

daffydill — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:28:17 +0000

So, been a bit late posting, sorry about that. Health…….sigh…….energy……..!

Decided to use up some of the stashed things I’ve had for many years and also some of the BBB winnings I received from Magpie Gems. Hope that’s okay to mention?

I wasn’t sure what kind of texture I’d be looking for, so I compilation of different styles, shapes, colors seemed like a good start. To finish I wasn’t happy with it! I then got out the wire and a crochet hook and created a frilly, filigreed bezel setting for the mosaic pendant. Voila! Extra textured look with all the other gorgeous gemstones.

Closer shots and varied angles are posted on my blog if you care to have a better look. http://www.daffydelights.blogspot.ca/

Wk 17: Textures by P. Whitlow

pwhitlow — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:58:36 +0000

For this theme I decided to experiment with various wire techniques. First for the base of the necklace I did some viking knit that is tapered toward the ends. To create ends for the viking knit I made some twisted wire beads and capped them with an adapted bead cap topped by red creek jasper beads. The bail was made from twisted copper wire and the pendant was created using a Red Creek Jasper stone that was wire wrapped and topped by another bead. To emphasize the textures created by the different wire techniques, I gave it a patina using liver of sulfur. This was a fun project and I enjoyed doing the different techniques. Unfortunately the stone in the picture is slightly out of focus. However, the wire work was the main focus for this week’s topic:)

Wk 16: Going Green by P. Whitlow

pwhitlow — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:00:24 +0000

Although this project isn’t green I thought it would fit the subject. This piece was created to take to a craft show this weekend that will benefit Dolphin and Ocean preservation. Again I used layering of glass and glass paints to create a 3D type underwater scene. I then tried my hand at a new technique for me; Viking knit. The wire is copper silver plated craft wire and I added the swarovski crystals for accent. Visit my Blog on Friday 5/11 to see more of these and some wire wrapped pieces that I will be taking to the show.

Tiny Bezels – Week 18 – Sandy @ SCJ Jewelry Design

SCJJewelryDesign — Sun, 06 May 2012 22:25:12 +0000

I did a little experimenting this week with some sterling silver tube set bezels. One looks better than the others, Two I drilled the seat a little lower than it should have been and the bezel is a little thick as a result. I also used a little re-purposed diamond in one – the fist time I’ve dared work with a diamond. The tiny bails (hand sawed tubes) were the hardest part as I experimented with different ways to hold everything still and straight on my soldering block. The (too) thick bezels are growing on me – they give a slightly modern feel. I’ll keep the two thick ones for myself and put the “correct” peridot on my etsy site.

Week 18 – Wrap Bracelets – Bonnie Schilder

Bonstitches — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:15:24 +0000

These funky wrap bracelets will go around and around your wrist or straighten out into necklaces.