New on Tuesday: New Earrings!

Black Lanterns Copper Hammered Drop Earrings

As promised, here are a few of the newest earrings in my shop on Etsy! Click on the photos to go to the site and get all the details!
Above are the Black Lanterns Copper Hammered Drop Earrings, just added to my shop today! Sexy, shiny and full of swing, it's no wonder that these earrings are one of my best sellers! Also available in Gold (below) and I have another, similar pair in sterling silver that are awaiting photographs.

Black Lanterns Gold Hammered Drop Earrings

I also make them with different dangling beads: crystals, crystal pearls, and gemstone beads. If you would like something custom made, just contact me!

Long, dangling earrings are very in style right now, as is evidenced by just about every star wearing some form of long, graceful earring.

Jessica Gold Treble Clef Celtic Swirl Earrings

 Back in stock are the Celtic Swirl Treble Clef Earrings. I make them in 14 karat gold filled wire (above), sterling silver (below) and copper with sterling silver ear wires, though they are waiting for photographs.

 These are very light and graceful, and wear well with jeans, as well as a nice dress (great for date-night!).

Jessica Sterling Silver Treble Clef Celtic Swirl Earrings

Please visit my shop on Etsy to see these, and more fabulous pieces of jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels

Newest Piece - Sterling Silver and Turquoise Pendant

 I am so incredibly excited to show you all my newest piece! I finished it last night at my metalsmithing class and I am very proud of it. I purchased a turquoise cabochon (a flat-backed stone without a hole), that has a rough face (not perfectly rounded on the top, it has some bumps and grooves that a natural stone should) for my first bezel setting piece. I sawed out the shape of the sterling silver back piece, filed and sanded it repeatedly to get it nice and smooth. There is a bit of Japanese influence here I think ;-)

 Then I created the bezel from a piece of wide fine silver bezel wire. I soldered the bezel together and then soldered the bezel onto the back piece, after I had soldered the bail (the tube that the chain goes through at the top). The bezel soldering part was a bit scary as it takes a while to get all of the little solder pieces to flow at the same time, without causing fire scale (a mottling of the sterling silver caused when you heat it for too long) or melting the bezel. I did it though, and then I had to set the stone.

Because the stone has a rough top, not all of the surfaces are the same height so I had to file and sand down my bezel to make it fit the contours of the stone. That took a while as I didn't want to scratch my piece or the stone. Finally it was ready; I popped the stone in and started to push the bezel into place over the stone, carefully fitting it all into place. Once the bezel wire was around the top of the stone, I had to smooth and burnish it, finally finishing the piece with polishing to get it to a mirror shine.

Lovely! I can't wait to wear this to the Farmers' Market this weekend!

New Jewelry!

Gold and Lapis Lindsay Ring

Well, it is only 2 days until my first public jewelry show, Spencerville Sparkles, and I have been working like a busy bee getting more jewelry made. I thought I'd tempt you with a few goodies that I've just finished and photographed, let me know what you think! I am also looking to know what YOU would like to see in jewelry - silver, stamped jewelry, gold, bead weaving, silver smithing, etc. I would love to hear what you look for in jewelry so that I can continue to make you happy :)

Lapis and Gold Seed Bead Memory Wire Bracelet - Fits just about every wrist size!

Remember: even if you can't make it in person to the show, Mother's Day is on May 8, so maybe you'll find something you like here. I can mail with priority post for an additional fee, to make sure it gets to Mom on time ;)

Hand Painted Ceramic and Swarovski Pearl Memory Wire Bracelet - Adjustable to Nearly Every Wrist Size

I haven't listed these yet in my Etsy Store, though I do have new earrings listed there, please take a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels?ref=si_shop

Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Earrings - October

Many jewelry pieces are still 50% off, so you can get a great deal on jewelry for mom... and maybe get a little something for yourself as well!

Sterling Silver and Swarovski Pearl Birthstone Earrings - June

Also, many of my pieces are customizable, all you have to do is ask. I am more than happy to make something to suit your needs and tastes - I'm here for you!

Have a great day, I'm off to make matching birthstone necklaces to the Swarovski birthstone earrings, more details on those later!

Another New Bracelet!

Here is another new bracelet with rainbow fluorite beads dangling from a sterling silver chain. Rainbow fluorite is hard to find in good quality, so it is expensive to use, but the results speak for themselves - gorgeous jewelry that no-one else will have!
I created a custom hook and "S" clasp from sterling silver wire, and then hammered it for strength and durability.
The drape on this piece is really fantastic - it isn't very heavy, but flows nicely on your wrist, as you can see here. This is now available on my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/51503481/flora-sterling-silver-and-rainbow
Thanks for visiting!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: New Bracelet!

Boudicca Sterling Silver Hearts Bracelet with Amethyst, available in my Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/51423235/boudicca-sterling-silver-hearts-bracelet

Thank you for stopping by, have a great day!

Fabulous Friday: New Bracelet!

Wow, where did Thursday go? I know I was busy cleaning the house and doing yet more holiday baking, but to miss a blog post?? I'm very sorry! I was also working on this beautiful new Viking Weave bracelet...maybe that is where the time went.
I do apologize for the rather crummy photos, but I will have this listed with better photos very soon. I used a beautiful round lamp work glass bead by my favorite glass artist, Louise Ingram of Fireseed. I wanted to complement the 15 feet of sterling silver wire that I carefully wove into this gorgeous Viking weave bracelet, and this big, heavy bead was the perfect match. It does make the bracelet a little top heavy, but it will be perfect for someone who likes to play with their jewelry when it is on...like me! Okay, I will list this for sale, but I do like it an awful lot...
I also hand forged a sterling silver "S" clasp and attached two silver plate jump rings to attach it. All in all, this is a soft, heavy, gorgeous piece and I hope you like it. I can't wait for it to find its forever home :)

Have a great Friday,

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: New Rings!

~NeoAmour Elizabeth Nest Ring~

~Custom Sterling Silver Nest Ring with Rainbow Fluorite~

I'm taking back my blog for a day - it's been raining so the roads are still wet so I can't walk Arwen until I find her some boots or the roads dry out.

Here are some new rings I made - one is for a client and made with rainbow fluorite, the other uses a Swarovski crystal in Emerald shade. I am making it a part of my NeoAmour collection for Queen Elizabeth1 and it will be for sale on my Etsy store at some point today. Both are made with sterling silver wire and Czech glass silver lined beads. Please check it out!

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THE CONTEST!! Sign up for my newsletter to try and win a pair of magnificent earrings from my NeoAmour Marie Antoinette collection (You have to sign up for the newsletter first to be eligible to win!!), see the full contest details here.

Sweet Saturday: New Rings!!

Sweet Saturday indeed! Here are some new rings I've been working on lately: the first is a ring that is sweet, yet sort of Steam Punk. I used sterling silver wire to make a comfortable shank, adding a teal Swarovski crystal to the center. I then coiled more sterling silver wire around the base wire and added 2 clear Swarovski crystals to the outside of the teal bead, coiling the remainder of the wire on the sides.
The result is a coiled ring that is pretty, yet different. You could keep it shiny, or allow it to patina and darken naturally, giving it a worn look for a more "Steam Punk" style.
The second ring I am calling my Turquoise Saturn ring. I took a real turquoise bead and surrounded it with a nest of sterling silver wire and creating a comfortable shank in the process.
It looks like a planet surrounded by rings (or a Robin's egg in a nest, whichever suits your fancy). I will be listing these rings on my Etsy store this weekend, so please do stop by and have a gander... I have even more cool items to come, please keep checking back!

Time is Running out!! Sign up for my newsletter to try and win a pair of magnificent earrings from my NeoAmour Marie Antoinette collection (You have to sign up for the newsletter first to be eligible to win!!), see the full contest details here.

Tuesday's Treasures: NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Rainfall Earrings

I originally came up with the idea for these after wanting to make my mom something nice for her birthday a few years ago. She loves feminine things, Marie Antoinette, and pleasant rain showers (among many, many other interests). I thought of how Marie Antoinette would have been nearly trapped in her palace on rainy days, watching the rain fall down a window, collecting on the window sill and imagined these earrings in all their luxury....They were a hit with my mom, and with a few other people I've specially made them for since.

These earrings are going to be your new favorite statement piece, make no mistake about it. They are elegant, glamorous and so feminine! They are great for a formal event - wedding, prom, or simply to dress up your jeans.
I took reclaimed vintage freshwater pearls and hung ten on each earring from 2 inches of fine sterling silver chain. I spaced the small pearls to look like rain falling gently down the chain, coming to a stop at a large, 8mm Swarovski Crystal pearl hanging at the bottom of each earring, as though it were collecting the pearly 'rain drops'. I also, as much as possible, made these earrings a mirror image of the other - to frame your face better. The earrings are then suspended from hand crafted sterling silver ear wires.

These have an approximate 2 inch dangle. I am also able to make these for you in 14 karat gold filled, or with different colored pearls or beads, just contact me for a custom order.

These are currently for sale on my Etsy store, under the NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Section. Thanks for looking, and have a great Tuesday!

Fabulous Friday: A Bracelet Full of Sunshine!

The Celts believed that spirals represented the sun - the more open the coil, the brighter the sun. This is one bright bracelet! Click HERE to see the bracelet (with more photos) in my Etsy store. It is made from 14karat gold filled wire, sterling silver wire and amber. It is all hand formed into spirals and links.

$10 from the purchase of this piece will be donated directly to the Arthritis Society of Canada, which helps people with fibromyalgia as well as with arthritis http://www.arthritis.ca to donate directly - thank you!

Click HERE to see more items in my Etsy Shop, 10% of the sales always goes to charity.

Thanks for visiting!

Fabulous Friday - A Custom Order And Sale Announcement!

Not my usual photographic prowess, I'll admit, but I wanted to show you the custom order I received yesterday before I shipped it out. She ordered: a Celtic spiral bracelet, but wanted it in just sterling silver, instead of the silver and gold; a FibroAware Celtic spiral ring, but needed it a little smaller; the Airy Scroll Celtic Spiral necklace (it is packed in the white stuff at the top right of the photo so it doesn't tangle en route); and a Lapis Lazuli and sterling silver simple ring. Too awesome! These were gifts to herself for her birthday, and I have to say I admire that - we all need a little "To: Me, From: Me, Love: Me!" every now and then!

Also, this is the LAST CHANCE to purchase items from my 50% off sale! Get these deals while you can! I have a new collection waiting to be listed and I have to sell these sale items first to make room! Once these sale prices are gone, that is it!

I hope you all have a fabulous Friday of your own :)

Manic Monday - Some New Bracelets!

This morning did NOT go as planned: I had made my to-do list last night and planned to get up,work out right away after making hubby's lunch, eat breakfast, clean the kitchen and get right into laundry and housework so that I could get into more jewellery-making after lunch.
Not so, as my alarm clock decided that snooze wasn't going to work this morning, and so I woke up a full HOUR after I was supposed to, leaving poor hubby just 15 minutes to shower and get ready for work! That being said, I got him ready first, cleaned the kitchen, and I will work out...in a bit.
First I wanted to show you two new bracelet designs that, if all goes well, will be for sale in a store near Toronto that is currently carrying some of my tiaras and hair combs - fingers crossed!
They are made with sterling silver chain and wire and these are made with Czech glass fire polish beads, though the ones for the Woodbridge store will have Swarovski Crystals in them.
Gorgeous!
....Now, where did I leave my head again?

Thankful Thursday - It's SPRING!

I spent a delightful hour in the garden yesterday, clearing away the old to get ready for the new and I have to say it was absolutely blissful: the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the dog was eating grass and vomiting (well, that wasn't so nice, but she seemed to enjoy it). Then I came in for a glass of water and realized how messy my house was. So I spent the rest of the day doing housework, when I found this beautiful bracelet I forgot to show last week after I made it!
This is made with a sterling silver chain with beautiful rainbow fluorite beads dangling like a charm bracelet evenly around the chain. I finished it with a custom sterling silver clasp and lots of love. I hope you like it!

I'm in a Treasury!

I was 'Treasury Surfing' this morning and found that I had been put in a Treasury! My Aine Sterling Silver Earrings, pictured above are featured in a delightful treasury here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=41783
Please click on the links to see the earrings and the treasury. Don't forget to click and comment!
Thanks,
Meghann

Melodious Monday - Another Tiara

~Crystal Queen Tiara front~

~Crystal Queen Tiara top~

~Crystal Queen Tiara closeup~

Today has been a melodious Monday for sure! I woke up with energy for once in a blue moon! I am sore as usual, but I have energy, WOO! I got some housework done and then made this stunner of a tiara. I used a silver plate tiara base and Czech glass fire polish beads in 'crystal' then I used 6mm and 4mm Swarovski Crystal pearls in 'natural white' I attached them with over 5 feet of sterling silver wire. Not bad for a little over an hour! This is just beautiful - not too big and flashy, not too small to get lost in an up do. Just perfect for that Queen-in-the-making!
I hope the bridal store in Toronto likes this one, what do you think?
Meghann