Simply Shiny Life

Artisan handmade pearl necklace and earrings

I like pearls. They are classy and trendy at the same time and are appropriate with both jeans as well as work wear.  Classic white pearls just never go out of style, do they?

Two recent creations from me are pictured below. As I didn’t want a typical single strand pearl necklace, I decided a pendant might be a nice direction to take. The necklace is sterling silver and dozens of white fresh water pearls. The drop earrings are keishi and fresh waters pearls suspended from a sterling silver leverback ear wire.

Similar styles in different pearl shades are available in my shop.

What are Artisan Lampwork beads?

You have probably noted in my artisan jewelry descriptions, that I use a lot of glass beads called ‘lampwork’. Given a choice, I think I’d use them over all other components in my jewelry. I love the colors and the weight they bring to my pieces. But what are they? Artisan lampwork bead makers melt narrow rods of glass by hand over an open flame (usually a torch). The glass is wrapped around a thin metal rod (a mandrel), which later becomes the hole through the bead. Many effects can be achieved through using various colors of glass and various techniques. Lampwork beads can also be made into small figurines such as faces or animals. (source: Beadage.net)

As the beads are kiln annealed, or hardened, they are remarkably sturdy in daily wear. However, they are not indestructible, and will break or chip if hit hard enough or dropped a long distance onto a solid surface. That being said, I wear lampwork bracelets quite a bit, and have yet to chip or break a bead.

And thus ends your jewelry lesson for the day.

I’ve posted some pictures below of some of my designs using lampwork beads.

I’ve met many very very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting some of them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s etsy artist profile belongs to Rose of myfriendroze, a talented fellow Jewelry on Etsy Team (JETTeam) member.

Rose’s etsy shop is filled to the gills with little artisan works of art. Her jewelry is modern and whimsical at once. My very favorite pieces are the ‘bubblewrap’ series. (Note from the editor: you REALLY need to copyright those..they are FAB)

Etsy shop name: myfriendroze
Name: Rose Braunstein
Blog: little-corners/
Location: Los Angeles

What are your jewelry beginnings? Where did you start and how did you progress to work you are creating today?
I was a sculpture major at Parsons school of design, but never learned jewelry making there- on weekends I would go to Philadelphia and visit my Aunt Marge and she would teach me what I know and the rest is self taught…

What inspires you?
everything. things around me in every day life, I have a form of ADD, although I think that term is over used and I probably am just antsy. I start doing something and I see something orange and I think ooo I want to use orange and then I go buy orange gemstones and while I am there they wrap it in bubblewrap and I think I want to make something out of bubblewrap and then I start doing that and I spill some wax and think that’s cool I should use wax that way and then I do that and then I wash my hands and it’s bubbly and I think oh I should go back to my bubble rings, and somehow I finish one thing and then I’m hungry.

What artists have influenced you, and how?
OMG every artist and no artists all at once. I look around and see things I like and then I hope that I can do anything creative at all and just start working

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
just keep plugging away, try not to get discouraged

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
drinking wine and whining

Where have you been published or profiled?
Etsy front page, some friends blogs, my mom wears my jewelry

You can find much more of Rose’s work at her flickr pool here

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

A while back, I decided that purchasing several LARGE lots of foreign coins would be a good thing. I’m not really sure what I was thinking (or perhaps drinking) at this time, but I ended up with quite the foreign coin stash. Change from all over the globe now graced my work area.

Luckily, I have been able to list and sell some of it on etsy as destash.

And, some of it has made its way into my jewelry. I’ve drilled and tumbled coins to use in several bracelets, some of which I’ve pictured here. I like the partnership they can form with beads and stones. They are a nice change (pun intended) as charms on a bracelet.

What unusual objects have you used in your jewelry creations?

I love dark wood. A dark, rich cherry finish, aka mission style, is one of my all time favorites.  The color works nicely in jewelry too.

I’ve created a few new items using wood beads. A first for me, as I’ve not used wood previously in my jewelry.  I like the contrast between the dark dark wood beads and the shiny sterling. The bracelet has sterling and mykonos donut accents. The earrings are accented with sterling silver rondelles and wire.

All three artisan beaded items are available in my online shop.

I’ve met many very very talented artists on etsy in the teams that I belong. I’ll be highlighting some of them in the coming weeks on my blog.

Today’s etsy artist profile belongs to Laurel of lavalleygirly, a talented fellow Jewelry on Etsy Team (JETTeam) member. Laurel also belongs to the Starving Artists  forum; which is actually where I cyber met her.

Laurel says “making jewelry is pure joy for me. A wonderful creative expression. And when someone comes along and spends their hard-earned money on it, well that makes me so happy, how wonderful to have people want to buy my things! I’m in my own little world imagining someone who will fall in love with something I have created enough to buy it without ever even touching it first. Knowing that I am making it for *someone*  …dont know who, but it is definitely for someone.” And, I have to disclose, I am one of those ”someone’s” as I am lucky enough to own a LavalleyGirly original.

Laurel possesses the enviable skill to blend metals and beads into tiny works of wearable art. Unabashedly wearable as well as trendy. How could the jewelry buying public not love that?  And, plus, she is over the top completely and utterly nice. Nice. I can’t say that about very many people.  Smooches to you girlie.  

Etsy shop name: lavalleygirly
Name: Laurel Peters
Where else can we find you and your work?: Flourish Boutique in Indiana..should be there by now!
Blog: LaurelPeters.Blogspot.com
Location: LaValley…uhm, Glendale California

What are your jewelry beginnings? Where did you start and how did you progress to work you are creating today?
My mother bought my daughter one of those jewelry kits from Michael’s for Christmas several years ago. My daughter turned her nose up at it. So it sat there for a while. At the time I had just finally been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia..,,,and while I was glad to finally know what was wrong with me, the life sentence part waswasn’t so hot. So I kinda went to bed for a month or two.

I was out of it! Then one day I saw the jewelry kit and broke into it and had fun playing with jewelry. The next day I went out and got tools and more beads.

What inspires you?
The process inspires me the most, just getting in and making something come to life. But I get ideas from the strangest places…..shapes of buildings or bridges. Of course nature, everyone says that, but a large portion of my jewelry is inspired by nature.

How do you describe your design style?
Hmmmmmm, Indie Pretty? Im not sure. Simple and fun and elegant. Pretty I guess.

What artists have influenced you, and how?
Marie Christine.Her style and my style overlap, but I just love her earthy feel and we use a lot of the same skill sets in our jewelry making. Uh, hers being WAY better!

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Go to TheStarvingJewelry Artist forums. There is so much to learn and share and we have a ball!

How do you spend time when you are NOT creating?
Cleaning up so I can create? Driving my daughter around. Lots of grocery shopping!!

Where have you been published or profiled?
I’ve been on the front page of Etsy 3 times! I couldn’t tell you all the blogs, but no magazines yet..someday, maybe!!

You can find much more of Laurel’s work at her flickr pool here

Stay tuned in upcoming weeks for more talented etsy artist profiles from my JET and ABS team members.

During my evening surfing, I discovered this blog

A blog on etsy blogs

Its a HUGE list of blogs written by etsy shop owners. So, if you don’t have yours listed, email the blog owner to have it added.

What a great idea!
And thanks Rod for responding to my add request so quickly.

Ok, so I was perusing some images on flickr tonight and ran across a random picture of a bracelet posed on an acrylic hand. Just like the one I have. The way the plastic appendage was posed made it look VERY much like a member of the Adams family. Remember thing? Ok, so the one at my house is slightly paler.

You compare.. not so distant relatives…hmmmmm

Happy Friday everyone.

The editors of Chic Galleria have posted a feature about Shiny Adornments on their site.

Check it out.

http://chicgalleria.com/women/2008/09/shiny-adornments-wearable-for.php

thanks CG!

One of my intrepid etsy team mates commented last night that the silk flowers I use in my background can detract from the jewelry itself.

An interesting concept that I had not considered. So, I reviewed some of my more recent jewelry photographs, and you know what? She is definitely right. Compare for yourself in the images below. The live greenery definitely looks better right?

What does this mean for me? Well, for one, I’ll be making a short trip to my backyard to pluck unsuspecting greenery for my photo shooting sessions. And two, sigh, I probably need to retake most if not all the photos I’ve already posted with the fake greens. I really need to find a local photographer that will work for cheap.

What are your favorite jewelry photography props? Are you using silk flowers in your photos? What has been you biggest photography prop flop?