African Rhythms

I'm still catching up from my trip to Africa, but here are a few samples of jewelry pieces that are in my new collection called African Rhythms. It's going to take me a few days to get them on the pages of the website since I am still behind on shipping, but they will be there soon with more to come! Enjoy!

To the left, a lampwork bracelet with special lampwork beads, a sterling silver bird toggle,  and Swarovski crystals in a copper colour.  Below, Swarovski crystals in rainbow colours grace the Swarovski bracelet with sterling silver.

Above is an iolite bracelet and below:

a fire agate bracelet;  followed by bracelets of lampwork and Swarovski red magma;  smoky quartz with gold vermeil;  leopardskin jasper;  carnelian, citrine, and amethyst, and a necklace made of sterling silver and chalcedony.

The First Day of Summer!

Finally, the first day of summer! It's a busy time of year especially at Cluny Grey. As I sit and make jewelry, I can't help but think how each piece will look with a sundress or tanned skin or a halter-top. Although jewelry really isn't "summer" or "winter" the way clothes are, certain materials, such as coral, lend themselves to a summery, even beachy feeling. For example, the top bracelet, above, is made with the new Swarovski colour (which I love) called cyclamen opal, but it evokes the beach with the swirling wave-like pattern of its lampwork beads. The next bracelet, made of rainbow moonstone and triangular-shaped freshwater pearls seems perfect for a white or patterned sundress. And, of course, the bracelet below, made of blue coral, would make anyone think of the beach because of its ocean-themed beads and charms: shells, dolphins, starfish.The two last bracelets feature cloisonne. The Swarovski bracelet with its sea-blue crystals (Capri blue) has cloisonne eggs with silver trim instead of the usual gold. The bottom bracelet has just one cloisonne bead, but it is gorgeous and looks terrific with Swarovski crystals in Pacific opal - all the elements of this bracelet are 14k GF.

Enjoy these summer days, and don't forget our FREE SHIPPING!!!!!

January's Specials!

January's weather has turned from snow to rain; I can't wait for more snow! I am working (and have been on the new Spring jewelry for this year, and there's something about a heavy coating of snow on the ground that is inspirational when it comes to jewelry. Meanwhile, I've also been getting ready for Valentine's Day and working on a special page of earrings!
Above are two bracelets featuring the Red Magma colour from Swarovski; I love this colour, a muted orangey red with a deep tone. The first is a silver bangle bracelet with Karen Hill Tribes tube beads and red magma crystals in the cosmic shape. Next is a freshwater pearl bracelet with creamy arrow shaped freshwater pearls.
Below, I've had these pink Botswana agate sharply faceted nuggets on the workbench for some time, trying to decide what to do with them. Then I got in some white coral from Thailand and it seemed perfect for the swirling patterns of pink, white, and grey in the Botswana agate. A large sterling silver starfish is on either side of the necklace, and an S clasp features a starfish atop it. All the sterling silver is from the Thai Karen Hill Tribes. This necklace looks great with a crisp white blouse, and with sweaters - the softness of the colours, I suppose. It would be a perfect gift for Valentine's Day. Below the necklace is a pair of earrings with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal butterflies in red, another perfect Valentine's Day gift.

Pietersite is a lovely gemstone that is both polished and earthy at the same time. It's pretty patterns are brown, but include gold, beige, black, blue, sienna, rust, and tan. The bracelet has two strands: one strand is of gemstones, and the other is a sterling silver chain with Swarovski crystals in mocha hanging from it. The Swarovski crystals, which are also in the main strand, add a sparkle to the bracelet and lift it from everyday to special! Below are matching pietersite earrings.THE SPECIAL I'M WORKING ON will be a page of gemstone earrings which will sell for only $20.10 each. These are all genuine gemstones and sterling silver - no base metals, no faux stones! For example, below: smoky quartz, rose quartz, and chalcedony.
Just for fun, a charm bracelet that is all gemstones and sterling silver. The gemstone charms include aquamarine, chalcedony, smoky quartz, moonstone, Botswana agate, rose quartz, and opal. All the charms hang from the double-linked sterling silver bracelet which fastens with a sturdy toggle clasp.
REMEMBER THAT SHIPPING IS FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE OVER $50.00; UNDER $50.00, EVERYTHING SHIPS FOR THE LOW RATE OF $1.95!