Some New Work....

Been having lots of fun with wire and semi-precious stones and shells - here are some of the last few days creations!....

Black MOP and wire

Purple Laguna Lace Agate with a Viking Knit woven bezel .  Unfortunately the beautiful rich purple leather  doesn't show up well in this pic - it really is stunning!

Ruby Variscite with woven bezel

Green Laguna Lace Agate with Viking Knit woven bezel

I think I will need to re-photograph most of these pieces as I didn't have my camera on the right settings and no amount of photo editing is going to help - just one of those things!

Finding Inspiration - What Works for me...

 I'm often asked where I draw my inspiration from, and while it's totally true, it does sound a bit naff and an over-used phrase to say 'from nature'.  So I must find another way to say it that's more meaningful and better describes what triggers many designs for me!

Sometimes it's the shape of a petal

Or the whole flower!

A 'punch' of colour



Beautiful patterning and textures



A dramatic shape

 My best tip for anyone wanting some creative refreshment - take a walk around your neighbourhood, bring your camera, stop and look - you could be surprised what you find!

What are your favourite places/things that inspire you?

How to Make a Leather Wrist Wrap

I've always wanted to make a leather wrist wrap and they're very popular right now.  So many options and styles they look great with semi-precious rounds, crystals, metal beads, and whatever else you can find with a hole and the same size!

Having received some beautiful hand-dyed leather cord recently, I decided the time couldn't be better to make one and the verdict on my Facebook page was to do a double wrap!

Here is the result .... I used a mother of pearl button for the 'clasp', czech fire-polished beads in blues and rich teals, and some sweet wee silver flower beads.  Following a completely random colour pattern the only constant was the placing of silver bead every 7 glass beads.

These really are such fun to make, and while I made mine up as I went along, I've found a great tutorial here if you want to give it a whirl yourself.

If you're not a jewellery maker with a big stash of beads to chose from you can find all of the things to make these from an 'Emporium' style of shop, and definately somewhere like Spotlight (NZ and Aus).  Don't be afraid to substitute leather cord for satin rattail or cotton cord - whatever you choose will make it even more personal to you!

You Make What You Make!

I sat down one day this past weekend intending to make earrings ... ahem ... 7 rings later!!  Oh well, I figure it's always important to go with the flow and make what's in your head on the day - some of my best work has been random and unplanned!!

Do you have a 'making' plan when you sit down to create?

Modern Birthstones - What's Yours?

April is my birth month and the traditional, modern, and Hindu birthstone charts all have Diamonds as the recognised gemstone for the month. 

I do love diamonds but I'm pretty sure I was born in the wrong month - May (Sapphire), October (Opal), or December (Tanzanite or Zircon) are much more me.  Actually February (Amethyst) would be just fine too :D

Oh well, it can't be helped, friends and family will just have to give me Diamonds!!

I've found a few interesting details about birthstones (good old Wikipedia.org) and was intrigued to learn the 'Modern' birthstone chart actually came to be in 1912 where the (American) National Association of Jewelers sought to standardise the list and officially adopted the stones shown in the 'Modern' column below.

The last change to the list was in 2002 when Tanzanite was added to December (greedy - 3 different stones!!)

Month	Traditional	Modern	Hindu
January	garnet	garnet	serpent stone
February	amethyst, hyacinth, pearl	amethyst	chandrakanta
March	bloodstone, jasper	aquamarine (or bloodstone)	Gold Siva-linga
April	diamond, sapphire	diamond	diamond
May	emerald, agate	emerald	emerald
June	cat's eye, turquoise, agate	moonstone, pearl (or alexandrite)	pearl
July	turquoise, onyx	ruby	sapphire
August	sardonyx, carnelian, moonstone, topaz	peridot	ruby
September	chrysolite	sapphire	zircon
October	opal, aquamarine	opal, pink tourmaline	coral
November	topaz, pearl	topaz, citrine	cat's-eye
December	bloodstone, ruby	turquoise, zircon, tanzanite, blue topaz	topaz

And how about this little ditty for remembering birthstones from the Traditional birthstone list.  Umm... and August, September and October babies?  I'd definately be inclined to make sure I had my birthstone on me at all times if you believe your verse!

By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.


The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.


Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a bloodstone to their grave.


She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.


Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.


Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.


The glowing ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they'll be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.


Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.


A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.


October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.


Who first comes to this world below
In drear November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz's amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.


If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

So tell me - do you own a piece of jewellery or raw piece featuring your birthstone?