Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Stone Donut

~Front of Pendant~

~Back of Pendant~

Here is a beautiful pendant that I am excited to be teaching people to make at The Bead Store in Kemptville on November 6. I used sterling silver wire and hand formed it into a 'cage' to hold the stone donut. Then I created a wrapped loop with the center wire, and used the outer wires to make a decorative, yet functional spiral cage for the top of the bead. Gorgeous! Check out The bead Store's Website for details!
Meghann

Custom Rings are In!

~Custom Sterling Silver, Carnelian and Rose Quartz Cluster Ring~

This is a ring I made today for a client in the USA. She requested a cluster ring, similar to my carnelian and glass bead ring, but with rose quartz, as she wanted the healing properties of the two stones together. I confess I am naive when it comes to stones and healing properties, but I have to admit it sure looks amazing! I used a single carnelian barrel bead, 20 rose quartz beads, and 5 feet of sterling silver wire to make this confection of perfection. It took a while, but it was so worth the end result. I am incredibly pleased with how it turned out, and I know this is easily my favorite ring so far.
If you like it, I can create something similar for you, all you have to do is ask! Visit my Etsy store to see more like this.
Have a great day!
Meghann

Ring Ring!

I LOVE these rings. This ring is made with 14karat gold filled wire with a beautiful ruby Swarovski crystal wrapped on top. It is a delicate-looking ring with big impact. I can make it in sterling silver or in other sizes should you require it.
This ring and much more is for sale on my Etsy Store, so check them out!
Meghann

Cha Cha in the Garden

I took this flower in my neighbor's front yard a few years ago and I am still caught by the way the flowers seem to dance in the photograph. That combined with the vibrant color reminds me of the flowing skirts women wear dancing the cha-cha.
This is now available for sale on my Etsy Store in a 5x7 print.
I hope you enjoy it!
Meghann

A Little Bit of Sparkle

~....Love It!!~

I made this using one of the lamp work glass pendants that Louise Ingram of Fireseed made for me last month and wow do I ever love it! She made the pendant and four spacer beads with her wonderful lamp work glass skills, adding silver in them to give them a beautiful organic look. This is so pretty that I wanted to keep it for myself, but, alas, it must go to a home that will love it and let it see lots of people so it can be admired as it should be. I found some beautiful striated jasper stones to go with the pendant and spaced them with sterling silver beads to bring out the silver in the pendant. A sterling silver toggle clasp finishes the necklace off with style. This is One of A Kind so get it while it lasts! It is now for sale on my Etsy Jewellery Store.....okay.....GO!
;-)
Meghann

Fall Cards are Fabulous!

~A New Card Set Just For Fall~

I just had to share this new card set with you! Here is a selection of 4 photos from right around the corner in fall and late summer. The high-quality laser printed and sealed images are about 4x5, and then mounted on thick card stock. The cards are about 4-1/4x5-1/4 inches and come with matching white envelopes. They are the perfect size for gift-giving, thank-you's and invitations! I am also able to make a custom set of all 1 or 2 images of your choice, and I am also able to print these as larger photographs - just ask!
These will be available for sale on my Etsy Store, as well as other card sets so hurry to check them out!
Thanks for stopping by,
Meghann

Fall for Fall....Again!

I love this photograph. It is just so warm and full of fall feelings. The tractor actually still works, despite being almost a hundred years old, and here it stands, stoic, solid, waiting for winter to come and go so it can get back to work!
This will be available for sale on my Etsy Store starting today. It will initially be available in 5x7, however, if you wish, I am more than happy to make it in other sizes.
Have a great day!
Meghann

Time for Photographs Already!

I realized something this morning: my business is "Little Studio Photography and Jewellery", and yet, I haven't posted about my photographs in, oh, I don't know how long!
I have some framed photos on my Etsy store, but I haven't listed any prints for sale - until now!!
Here is one of my all-time favorites: my "Backlit Bleeding Hearts". I took this several years ago, and I still love it more every time I see it. This particular version is in 5x7, though I will have several 4x6's to list, and I can always have a large size custom printed if you ask me. I think it looks best in 11x14 in a 16x20 frame - the impact is just too stunning. However, in the interests of keeping things easily mailed, and less expensive, these smaller prints are still just as beautiful. Great for framing to fill that empty spot in your wall, and a wonderful, inexpensive gift, these are going to go quickly so get them while you can! Obviously, the actual print does not have white borders or the copyright notice on it - but I had to mention it. :-)
Don't forget about my October Blog Contest! Sign up now and you might win a pair of earrings! See the top post for details!
Enjoy!
Meghann

Plea for Help!

The Etsy Artists Helping Animals 100% to the Animals store is in desperate need for sales to help their donation efforts to this month's Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary. 100% of sales goes towards the charity of the month. This month, sales are really down and the charity won't be getting much of a donation, and they really need all the help they can get!
Here is their Etsy shop announcement:

etsyforanimals's Shop Announcement --------------
All items listed in this shop are contributed by EFA members. $50 of our October profits will go to one lucky winner's favorite animal organization and the rest of the profits will go to the EFA Charity of the Month.

October Charity of the Month: Whiskerville Animal Sanctuary (a Hurricane Ike victim relief animal charity) - http://www.whiskerville.org/

See profile for more info on the Charity of the Month, EFA, and our funds raised for animals.

Combined Shipping is available. You will be promptly refunded if you have paid more than $1 over the actual shipping costs. Free Shipping is available on Sale Items.

Interested in contributing to the store? Please visit:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5837323

Please get out and help the animals!
Meghann

Broach the Subject of....Brooches!

~These Earrings Will Shortly Be Available on Fireseed's Etsy Store~

~Brooch Number 1~

~Brooch Number 2~

I haven't made brooches in a while and a few people who shall remain nameless (MOM!!) have been giving me grief over it. So, armed with a few of Fireseed's beautiful beads, some gold wire and Swarovski crystals, I went to work. These are the beautiful results! I love doing freestyle brooches, though I do have some more ideas for Celtic-styled and less freestyle pieces. Now that I've made these - one will be going on My Etsy Store, and one will be going on Fireseed's Etsy Store as these are collaborative pieces - I think I really should make some more. Now I just need more beautiful beads...*ahem*.... calling Louise!! ;)
That is all for now, I may be less active over the Thanksgiving weekend, so stay safe, have fun, and be thankful! We are all so blessed!
Meghann

Interchangeable Lamp Work Glass Earrings

~14Karat Gold Filled Wire, Gold Plate Beads, and Lamp Work Glass Beads~

In my quest for new, exciting, unique earrings, I consulted my new partner-in-crime, Louise Ingram of Fireseed. She's making a lot of the beads I am using in my new creations, and has some great ideas on what to do with them. She loves my Arrow Leaf Earrings, but thought that we could make them a bit more curved at the top so that we could slip beads on and off at will, making them truly interchangeable.
Just like my arrow leaf earrings, I hammer the bottom of the wire, but then I add a gold plate bead on the bottom, then a lamp work glass bead, and then top it off with another gold plate bead for symmetry. To change them, just slide the beads over the top and replace with another bead - too easy and beautiful! I'll be listing these shortly on my Etsy Store, so be sure to check them out there!
More to come soon! Be sure to enter my monthly blog contest!
Meghann

Our Charity of the Month is a Winner!

~The Bracelet with the Brooch in the Center~

Well, as I posted in an earlier post from this month, the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is the Charity of the Month. Instead of getting 10% of the total sales, I am donating a framed photo, as well as this beautiful bracelet and brooch set. The lamp work glass beads were made by glass artist Louise Ingram of Fireseed, and I put the pieces together with 14karat gold filled wire and findings, Swarovski crystals, and gold plated beads and jump rings. This piece will be part of the sanctuary's fund raising auction in November. For more information, visit their website: http://www.rideauwildlife.org/home.
I hope you like this piece, and keep checking back for more beautiful, affordable items for sale on my Etsy Store!
Don't forget about our contest - see the main blog page for details.
Meghann

Inspiration, Perspiration, Genius!

~The New Sterling Silver and Lamp Work Glass Bracelet~

I finally got around to making the first piece of jewellery with the custom beads my new friend Louise Ingram (of Fireseed fame) made for me last month. This was the fantastic result after a few hours of finger cramping labor - and I love it! It is absolutely a dream to wear as it hugs your wrist and isn't too large and flashy, nor is it small and unnoticeable.
I took about 3 feet of sterling silver wire and hand wrapped 3 strands together, stringing the lamp work glass beads with sterling silver round beads on the middle strand. I took the outside wires and formed them around the center beads so that the wires would follow the contours and sort of cradle the beads, while still allowing them to spin when not being worn. I then lightly hammered the exposed wires to give them a flat, hammered finish. The great thing I love about this bracelet is that the clasp is actually a part of the bracelet itself - not an added piece. I took the long wire ends and formed them into an asymmetrical hook and eye clasp to go with the asymmetrical coloring of the focal bead. Gorgeous!
I will be listing this bracelet on my Etsy Store later on today so get it while you can - this bracelet is one of a kind and won't last long!
Happy shopping!
Meghann

Are You Ready??

~These Could Be Yours - FREE!~

The wait is over! I said there would be an October contest, and it really couldn't be easier: Sign up as a follower on this blog (click on the "Follow this Blog" link to the right) during the month of October and you will be automatically entered to win a pair of Sterling Silver and Turquoise Arrow Leaf Earrings (shown above)! It's that simple! One name will be randomly drawn on November 1, and I will contact the winner, as well as posting the winner on the blog here on that day. The winner will have 2 weeks to contact me and give me their address so I can ship them their earrings. If they don't contact me in the two weeks, I will choose another, random name and they will have 2 weeks, etc. Good luck and keep checking back for exclusive discounts available only to people who read this blog!!
Keep checking my Etsy store for more new items listed every day, and remember - I love to do custom orders :)
Ciao for now!
Meghann

October Charity of the Month

A quick note to let everyone know that this month's Charity of the Month is going to be the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. They are the only non-profit authorized wildlife rehabilitation centre in the Ottawa area so I am more than proud to say I am going to be donating a custom made bracelet and brooch set to their fund raising auction to take place in November. I am also happy to announce that these pieces will be created from a collaboration with fellow Etsian and Merrickville citizen, Louise Ingram of Fireseed. Louise will be providing a selection of her beautiful, custom created lampwork glass beads for me to incorporate into these pieces. Thank you Louise! Check back later for pictures of the creations. To find out more about the sanctuary, click on the link: Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
To see more of Louise's creations, visit her website: Fireseed
Check back later for our new Contest of the Month!
Meghann

September Was a Success for the Pigs!

~A Picture from "Hearts on Noses - A Mini Pig Sanctuary"~

I have to give a big "Oink" (that's Thank You! in pig language!) to all my wonderful clients this month for helping raise $20 towards the Charity of the Month: "Hearts on Noses - A Mini Pig Sanctuary". Your purchases mean a lot to this small charity devoted to making a difference in the lives of abused, neglected and abandoned mini pigs in B.C. Thank you also to all those who took advantage of my 20% off sale -it's over now, but I'll have other great savings and prizes coming soon.

Keep an eye out for our October Charity of the Month, (I'll be posting that tonight), as well as blog contests!
That's all for now, thank you again and have a great, pig-filled day!
Meghann