New Year...New Work

In between un-decorating the house and simultaneous cleaning, I have retreated to my jewelry table.    The first item up are these cute earrings, with lamp work beads by Sue Kennedy.

I added sweet little sterling silver heart beads, as well as some sterling mirror-ball beads.

Next, I got to play with some heavy gauge (10 g)  sterling silver wire I have been hoarding and made these bangles.

These are my new favorites to make......lots of hammering!

Lastly, I very recently purchased a gorgeous porcelain pendant from Marla James .

Isn't that glaze awesome!  I knew I wanted to make a pendant and I wanted to somehow mimic the 3 circles in the design.  So I got out the silver wire and made some rings.

I really should have finished cleaning the rings before I took that picture!  Anyhow, then I went to my stash to find some coordinating beads and formed a pile to see how this might all come together.

I settled on lampwork by Kelley Wenzel, and the lamp work disc bead by Blue Seraphim.    This is what the completed pendant looks like now.

I am sucker for sterling silver, so I made a bail, hung the pendant from sterling silver chain, and made a silver clasp, as well.

I really like how this hangs from the neck!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the week (it is finally cold here!) and thank you for stoppping by!

I Heart Macro

It was almost 65 degrees in Northern Virginia today...way too warm for me for December.  It felt like springtime, but my landscape says otherwise.  These leaves appear to be holding on for dear life.... 

But I do love the bits of moss peaking through the piles and piles of leaves that have accumulated in my wooded back yard....

I must brace myself, as the temperatures on Tuesday will have single-digit wind chills.  Personally, this Chicago-born girl can't wait for some cold weather!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!

Playing with Sterling Silver and Beads

My absolute two favorite materials to work with are sterling silver and lamp work beads.  I was playing with the sterling silver wire I have on hand and came up with these:

My favorite style of earrings has always been hoops.  I first made a paddle shape out of heavy gauge wire, then added a sterling jump ring, which I then soldered.  The plain hoops, though pretty on their own, needed something, so I added these gorgeous lamp work beads.  I do not know where I got them, which is unusual for me.  They were not labeled in my stash.

These were fun to make, but took close to 2 hours  - most of the time was spent going through beads to find just the right ones!  I love them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Artists Helping Artists Silent Auction

December 28: The auction has closed - the winning bid goes to Kim Roman.  Thank you to all the bidders!

***Updated December 26 - In the spirit of the Holiday Season, I have decided to match a donation for the highest bid placed on my necklace/earrings offered for auction.  As of December 25th, the current bid is $50.  The auction is open until midnight, December 28th.  Thank you!***


***Updated December 23rd!  New artist added to the auction!***

Several artists in the blog community have decided to come together to help a fellow artist in need. A medical emergency has prompted this need, and I feel blessed that I am able to help.  I am offering this necklace and matching earrings.

The necklace was inspired by beautiful turquoise and cream lamp work beads by Cheryl Harris (http://www.etsy.com/people/cherylsart).  I wire wrapped the beads with vintage wire, and added some beautiful amazonite gemstones, which perfectly match the lamp work beads.

The necklace closes with a hand forged clasp made of the same vintage wire. 

The focal is made from a deep turquoise blue, round porcelain bead, which has been wrapped inside a vintaj filigree. The "top" and "bottom" of the focal include pretty enameled flower charms from Sue Kennedy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/suebeads), and a stunning lamp work head pin from Anne Gardanne (http://www.etsy.com/shop/GardanneBeads).

The necklace measures 18 1/2" and the earrings measure approximately 1 1/2" from the top of the copper ear wire to the bottom of the earring. 

The auction will run from Thursday, December 22nd through Wednesday, December 28th at midnight.

Would you like to be the winning bidder?  Bidding starts at $20.  Please leave a comment along with your bid.  If you are the winning bidder, you will receive an invoice after the close of the auction.  There must be a way to contact you!  If you have email preferences turned off in your provile, please leave your email address with your comment/bid.

Many people are auctioning items to help out!  Please visit the other artists below and place your bid:

Auction participants:

Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/ You are here!

Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Lana Kinney and Marie Cramp http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/

Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/

Diana Ptaszynski http://suburbangirlstudio.com/

Terri Wlaschin http://beads2die4.blogspot.com/

Andrew Thornton, Nan Emmett, and Maria Richmond http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

www.mairedodd.blogspot.com

Thank you for visiting!

I Heart Macro

This is my first time posting for I Heart Macro, with the lovely Lori at Studio Waterstone!

Part of my traditional, old fashioned Christmas decorating theme!

The macro shot came from a ceramic hurricane that I hand painted several years ago.  Somewhere in my Christmas decorations there lies the matching ceramic wreath.....it might be next year before that is located!

Have a good day!