Gemstone Bracelets Shine!

I've been working these crisp, cold days of Fall. And when it rains, I can work without ceasing! As a result, I have some new bracelets that are perfect for gifts - or for gifting yourself! Above and below, two views of the same bracelet (which will be placed in our Blue Topaz Jewelry category on the site). The bracelet combines Swiss blue topaz cubes, and boy do they sparkle!, with flashing labradorite. A bezel-set faceted labradorite gemstone is near the center of the bracelet. One side features Swiss Blue Topaz and tiny Thai Karen Hill Tribes beads: the other, different chains hold little charms of Swiss Blue Topaz briolettes and a single teardrop of labradorite.  The special clasp is a toggle with a faceted labradorite bezel-set on both sides. The Swiss Blue Topaz cubes are some of the most sparkling gemstones I've seen, and they are AAA gem quality.

Above and below, a different combination of gemstones makes this bracelet cheerful and unique.  Aquamarine, prehnite, and yellow opal make an interesting mix with plenty of Karen Hill Tribes sterling silver, including little flower charms. A scalloped toggle clasp is the closure. There are 4 strands in this bracelet so it is distinctive on the wrist.

These unique bracelets make great Christmas gifts for someone special!

This mother-of-pearl bracelet is one of my favorites. The large ovals that you see are faceted mother-of-pearl with a pinkish cast.  The smaller gemstones are moonstones. Three strands include one of mother-of-pearl, one of Karen Hill Tribes beads with moonstones, and one special chain made of interlocking hearts.  All sterling silver. Below the bottom bracelet is a pair of matching earrings.

Finally, a last gemstone bracelet boasts two strands: one is sterling silver with tiny little heart and arrow charms hanging from it; the other has a medley of gemstones with a genuine ruby at the center. The gemstones are Swiss and London Blue Topaz, amethyst, citrine, and labradorite. This charming bracelet is great for mixing with your favorite outfits. And what a perfect Christmas gift!

Don't forget that shipping is free for purchases over $50 and only $1.95 for purchases under $50!

Losing Weight, Kitties, and What About Jewelry?!

 I am the proud loser of 33 pounds!  I have been eating healfully since January of this year, eliminated all sodas, and even most artificial sweeteners, and I have learned to adore iced green tea - plain.  I've gone from wearing a size 12, sometimes 10, pant to a size 4! (Note: sizes have changed; even when I weighed 10 pounds less than I do now in the 'eighties, I still wore an 8, sometimes a 6 on rare occasions). 
Sorry, but I have to brag just a little.  The main motivator was my son who told me that he wanted me to be around for a long time for my 4 year old grand-daughter. I want to be here too!

 What are the cat pictures?  The upper picture is of Cluny, my namesake, and the lower of Cuervo Sebastian; both are boys.  They like to hang out up here on the fourth floor with me to, ahem, help me make jewelry.  You haven't lived until you've spilled an entire container of small beads and watched 2 cats go crazy.  I like it when they help me as they are in the pictures here.

 Don't forget that it will soon be Christmas before you know it and you are going to want some jewelry!  If it's custom jewelry that you want, please let me know in plenty of time, so you can choose designs and beads and gemstones at your leisure.  
Cluny and Cuervo will be here to help me!

Charm Necklaces for Anyone, Anytime

One of the major trends in jewelry lately has been the charm necklace.  Different things have been meant by that over the years from the early '90s charm bracelet like necklace to today's more minimal charm necklace. From a jewelry-lover's point of view, I like the charm necklace.  It's simple, can work with many styles of clothing, and can be easily layered for a unique personal look.  From an artisan's point of view, however, charm necklaces aren't as much fun since they usually don't require a lot of intricate work unless you are making your own sterling or gold charms.  On the other hand, (back to the jewelry lover) they are often much less expensive than ornate statement necklaces since a charm necklace may require only a few precious or semi-precious gemstones instead of a multitude of them.
   Some of my charm necklaces for Fall: above a sunstone charm necklace with 3 pretty sparkling oval sunstones that fal through a handmade loop that I textured with a small hammer. It can be made the length the customer desires. Above it is shown in gold-filled metal. Below is a charm or lariat necklace made with special Thai Karen Hill Tribes components and genuine blue sapphires.

Below, the chain is from the Karen Hill Tribes and the center charm is a candy jade faceted briolette; a Karen Hill Tribes charm (sterling) hangs beside the briolette.

This necklace would look great layered with another chain or two or another charm necklace with sterling silver charms or a pink or green gemstone.

Below, this charm necklace consists of a single drop made of three faceted dark blue genuine sapphires topped with a sterling heart.  It hangs from a sterling silver chain.

Below, this aventurine and abalone necklace is made with gold-filled rings and boasts a drop made of a genuine abalone shell.  The abalone is beautiful on both sides.

Above, carnelian earrings are made of gem-quality faceted carnelian gemstones and vermeil from Bali. I love the earwires with the flower decoration on them. Below, gold-filled accents complement the flat oval lapis stones here.

A lapis bracelet is centered with three of my favorite lapis nuggets.  These flat nuggets are sharply faceted and have a good sprinkling of pyrite for glitter.

Below, sunstone and smoky quartz are lovely together.  Gold-filled beads and a gold-filled twisted toggle are just right for the mixture!