I paired a jasper on copper charm with a deep purple freshwater pearl one, and added them to a slim silver bangle:

Jasper and Pearl Charm Bangle

Looking at the finished piece, I like it, but I think it would be a more successful design if the bangle was made from copper – so I’m hoping to experiment with some copper bangles if my son takes a good nap this afternoon. The warm tones in the copper charms would blend a lot better with a warm copper bangle base – and maybe matching earrings? And while I’m being critical of myself, if I’d chosen a black pearl with more green/gold undertones, I think that also might have worked a bit better. But hey – aren’t my pink copper head pins gorgeous with the jasper?

Disclaimer: artbeads.com gave me the jasper beads in exchange for me blogging about them. I am not paid to say anything nice, I can say whatever I want in fact, and I get to keep the samples they send.

Fire Sculpted Pendants and Earrings

Two of my favorite techniques to use in jewelry making are fusing and sculpting abstract shapes with wire. A while back, I was experimenting with ways to combine the two, and came up with a technique I call fire sculpting. It’s a little sculpting wire, a little fusing/melting, followed by more sculpting, and I think the results are really beautiful and interesting.

The photo above shows two of my fire sculpted pendants and an earring, all made from fine silver. I’m in the process of listing these and some other similar pieces in my etsy shop (the first one is already there). One thing I love about working in this style is that each thing I make is truly one of a kind. Because part of the process is out of my control, I’m surprised and fascinated (though not always in a good way) by the results. Making pieces for this series is alternately frustrating and exciting, and makes me want to continue pushing myself as a designer.

This is a really good thing for my business – it is so important, as a designer and maker, to be excited about doing new work. Here’s another pendant, probably the most abstract piece in the series so far, but one of my favorites because it doesn’t really have a front or a back, so it’s a couple looks in one:

Fire Sculpted Fine Silver & Pearl Pendant

Pearl Cluster Ring / Necklace

It started out as a pendant, using one of my handmade argentium silver rings. I took a selection of pearls in a neutral fall palette of colors, and wired each one individually on handmade fine silver head pins into a cluster. As I was photographing my new pendant on a chain, I noticed that it was the perfect size for my ring finger – and the cluster looks fantastic as a ring.

What a great concept for holiday jewelry – a beautiful cocktail ring that can also be worn as a necklace. I’m envisioning a whole line, including earrings that also include removable cluster charms that can be worn on a chain – so a client could buy two pieces of jewelry, and have multiple looks with options for a ring, necklaces, and earrings.

Now I just need some time to work on my new line, and hopefully have it done in time for holiday shoppers!

I love my latest pendant, and I love these photos I got of it.

The pendant is made from argentium sterling silver, which I hand forged, textured, drilled, sanded, and polished to a finish that I like. I added freshwater pearls, each on an individually made fine silver head pin. One side of the pendant is a curving row of pearls; the other side is a curving row of fine silver spirals.

The pendant hangs loosely on a silver ring, so that it turns to show the pearl side, the silver side, and a view of both sides at once. This pendant isn’t meant only to be reversible – it’s meant to be viewed from different angles every time it is worn.

Wordless Wednesday

Actually, this pair is already up for sale on etsy:

($10.00 per pair)

And this pair I did up as a custom order, but decided they turned out so pretty I decided I’d add them to my regular line:

($14.50 per pair)

These last two are brand new:

These lovely silver/gray pearl earrings are $14.50 per pair, limited quantity available.

And these smaller (5mm) black pearl earrings are $11.00 per pair.

If you’ve never shopped with me before, shipping within the US is $2.00, regardless of whether you order one item or several. International shipping is $5.00.

I’m working on some very cool stuff to send to Exhibit One in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the moment – earrings with a steampunk vibe, silver rings, some copper and silver mixed metal pieces, and of course a few silver and pearl pieces. Preview coming soon…..

Pearl Cluster Pendant

Another View, Freeform Cluster Pendant

I’m loving my latest design, a freeform pendant with a cluster of tiny pearls. I love the look of clusters, but I really wanted to use it in a way that fits with my freeform style, so the finished pieces would be obviously mine.

I made each of the little headpins myself from 28 gauge fine silver – those pearls are tiny, and needed fine gauge wire. I wish I had tiny pearls in other colors and shapes, but it’s surprisingly hard to find really, really small pearls. I do have some seriously tiny gemstone beads though, so I might make more of these with gemstone clusters.

Pearl Cluster

with something like this:

Freeform Pendant

Find out tomorrow!

Bronze Freshwater Pearl Drops

These pearls are a beautiful color that I call bronze – it’s kind of gold, kind of brown, with pretty undertones of green and/or pink depending on the light. I love the metallic look, and because they are on silver earwires, they would look good with your other gold or silver jewelry. Available in my etsy shop. Mention you saw them here and get $1 off!