7 posts tagged “jewelry”
Last summer, I was taking an online rune class, as mentioned here. I had to drop the class because I had other distractions pop up. Regardless, I decided to make my own set of runes, rather than buy some made by a Chinese child in a factory. Runes are traditionally supposed to be made from something of the earth. Since I am not known for my wood-whittling skills, and do not have the patience to chisel runes images into stone (as cool as that would be!), I decided to go as au-natural as modern craft would allow. I used paper clay! At one point, it was of the earth, trust me. Another tradition that I read, the colors used would be red. The most hard core of the Runes makers would use the most natural red pigment---blood! I decided to forgo the bio hazardous approach and stick with what I know- Lumiere by Jacquard light body metallic acrylic paint. Way less creepy, and in my opinion- prettier!
I carved the Rune images with the handle of a paint brush. I then painted the inside of the carvings with Crimson Lumiere paint. I painted the outside of the stone Bright Gold. I really like the way they came out. They are very light weight, but sturdy. I am not fearful of breaking them or anything.
I keep them in a pouch that I received as a bridesmaids gift from my friend's mother-in-law. The cultural juxtoposition is a little odd-- Korean pouch with Nordic divination--but I like it and it works for me. And that is what is most important.
While I had the paint out, I decide to make one Rune for a piece of jewelry, mostly just to try paper clay as an amulet. The Germanic name for the Rune I chose for the amulet is Jera, which represents the letters J and Y. You know, J for Jennifer? The Rune represents Harvest, which is additionally appropriate because my birthmonth is October- a very Harvest-y month! According to the book Relationship Runes: A Compass for the Heart, this Rune indicates Perseverence: "Perseverance leads to the harvest of the self...So be open to life, be open to adventure, and remember to look for the humor in times of hardship. This Rune reminds us that we can change when we make change our first priority, and that we always possess the freedom to persever and begin again. Patience yields its rewards. Time brings answers. To understand is lucky."
I created my own jumpring, because for some ungodly reason, I have zero jumprings. What self respecting neophyte jewelry maker doesn't have jumprings?!?! I stuck with the more natural feel by using waxed cotton as the necklace.
In case you did not know, Portland experienced Arctic Apocalypse in December. Right before Christmas! On one cabin-fevered filled day (two days before Christmas, mind you), I decided to walk in the snow (say it with me: "up hill, both ways") two miles each way to Michael's. It is the closest craft store. The buses were not running on schedule to say the least. So, I geared up and made the trek all in the name of handmade, crafty gifts. I wanted to use the flower brooch idea, and needed nice flat faced flowers. And possibly some doll parts. That part- no success. But I did get the flowers I needed and whipped up those puppies in time for gift giving.
The second two are for Rachael, my roomie. The left flower is the same size as Kristen's. The one on the right is about 6" and diameter! I have a watch face in the middle, with a heart rhinestone in the middle of that. I really like how they turned out.
On the smaller flowers, I touched the petal edges with glitter. I put glitter on the insied of the big one.
I made the gifts last. I made the ones for myself first. My reasoning was, if I screw up, I only mess my own up.
The flowers I made for myself are both of the larger variety. That is how I roll. The first, the purple, has what looks to be a thermometer face in the center. I put a round pink rhinestone in the middle and dusted the center with purple glitter.
The orange one, the coup de gras in my opinion, has a miniature Barbie head in it!! Oh my GAWD, it is fantastic! I found her in Las Vegas by a slot machine several years ago. Proof again as to why being a pack rat can pay. She has purple hair, so I dusted the middle of this flower with purple glitter as well. The orange brooch is modeled on the twinset, paired with a scarf that I have literally been working on (not non stop) for three years. It is supposed to be a gift for Ashley. Or it was back in 1996. Ha! It is really quite pretty. Maybe I will give it to her! I used a silvery gray silky yarn and also some of that "fun" wispy black yarn. I would use the term fun loosely. Could be why this is the longest running project to date!
I whipped this bracelet up for my sister. And then I tore it apart because I could not figure out the clasp situation!! I finally settled on simple black cord, so she could just tie it on! It feels like a cop out, but oh well. The beads, all of them, even the cute kitty, are Unakite.
And lastly, a gift I received from my multitalented sis. She used a gift I gave her last year, something to the effect of asian brush painting.
Sigh. Sometimes Vox pisses me off. It has been noted, on numerous occasions, that I somehow exist in this world without an overabundance of patience. Let it be known that everything that you read after this sentence, is typed for the second time!
After wandering around the house taking pictures of things I had created recently, I realized that I had not posted about some pieces I made last summer! Allow my tireless model, Twinset Dressform, properly exhibit my handiwork!
I made this piece after finding cute beads at Michaels. I know, I should be crucified by the Craft Gods. Oh well. I made the simplest necklace design in the history of the universe, and consequently get tons of compliments when ever I wear it! Nice!
I was in a wedding in August. I was a bridesmaid, the only one who did not live in the town of the wedding. Coordinating proper attire for the wedding was...interesting. That is all I am gonna say. SO, I made a necklace to wear. It did not meet code. This is the necklace. I am happy to post it because I am going to take it apart and make something else. There are a ton of beads and components that could be better used elsewhere. This necklace is just too formal for anything that I will ever wear. Can I just take this moment to bitch about weddings in general? Or rather, being a bridesmaid? The big concern is that our wedding garb will "be worn again". To brides/Brides to be/Wedding planners/generally mentally unstable: Take this to the grave. I will NEVER wear anything that I wore in a wedding, again. Ever. Take this as an example. I STILL have not laundered my dress from said August wedding. It is in a Target bag hanging on my bedroom door. I will never wear the shoes again. And likewise, I will never wear this necklace. Sadly, I never got to wear it. Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. Also, let it be known. I had a blast at the August wedding, and cherish every moment. Honestly! Oh, back to the necklace. I got all components at Fire Mountain Beads. The flower used on the necklace is a real Chyrsanthemum hand dipped in resin by some underpaid Thai child.
That is him, my little angel, love of my life- Toast. The necklace was another creation that came to be with the help of my friend Dan at his mother's silversmith shop in Colorado, Cowgirl at Heart. I made the necklace for myself- NOT for Toast. I just thought he could model it so much better than I could! And I was right!
The style is reminiscent of Carrie a la Sex and the City. But mine is much cooler, because A. I made it 2. It says 'Toast', not 'Carrie'. It is Couture!
I don't wear this necklace as often as I should, really.
I purchased these stones at The Bead Shoppe in Eureka, CA. They are 2 Lapis Lazuli, 1 black lava and what I thought was carnelian. But upon closer inspection, I think it might be red agate. Well, I just looked at
I love this ring! I created it while visiting my friend Dan in Ouray, CO before he made the move to Israel. His mom owns Cowgirl @ Heart silver studio and shop, and he was keeping her books for her. He helped me make this beautiful ring! I felt a little guilty later, having picked such a gorgeous stone (malachite) from their collection, but he said it had been sitting around forever. Waiting for me, obviously!
This is my first attempt at jewelry making. Not bad, but the beads don't go all the way to the top! And I obviously did not know what I was doing with the clasps. Oh well. I have since learned, thanks in part to: about.com Jewelry making and Under 1 Hour by BeadStyle Magazine.
This necklace is made with moss jasper and amethyst along with a few accent glass beads and tiny jade rocks. I try to stick with mostly stones and gems. It feels more precious than plastic, glass or metal beads. I am on the fence with wood and shell beads. I haven't worked with those yet. The ones I think are pretty cute are the felted beads! Those would make awesome earings- so light!
Anyhow, now that I kind of know what I am doing, I may reattempt this necklace at a later time.
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