New Project in Progress

I thought I'd show you a bit of a work in progress. I was asked to do a custom bib-style necklace that I had to order some shell beads for, but while I'm waiting for those to arrive, I was inspired by that order to create something a little bit similar, but very different. Above is my little tray that I use quite a bit now - my husband has stolen my good desk chair from my office and is using it for his second desk (yeah, he has two "offices" in our house, don't get me started, lol). So I am stuck beading and making most of my jewelry here on my living room couch. Not that I totally mind - I can watch movies while tweeting to you all or making jewelry, so it isn't too bad.
Here are some of the tools I'm using for this necklace. It will be a bib-style, and in the bib part will start off with a chain mail type chain (a very simple chain mail weave though). To do this, I need my bent chain nose pliers - both pairs! I also need my jump ring opening ring - the little round silver thing in between two pairs of pliers. This little ring is a Godsend for chain mailers everywhere! Pop it on your finger with the correct-sized slot facing out to fit your jump rings and voila! your rings open SO quickly! I also have round nose pliers and my cutters for adding the beads after the chain part is done. In addition, I have some files just in case I need to smooth edges.
Here are my beads! Well, some of them I have also already added some onyx and lapis lazuli chips to the chain for dimension. Above are chips of amethyst, citrine and cherry quartz (which, incidentally, cherry quartz is NOT a gemstone, it is color-impregnated glass. Very pretty and colorfast, but NOT a gemstone!). I also have my headpins. When I start my metals mithing course next month, one of the things I absolutely HAVE to learn is to make my own headpins so that I never, ever, ever run out of these little buggers ever again!
Here is where you can see the stages of the necklace in progress, though I am deliberately keeping you fuzzy (pun intended) on the final necklace's details. Gotta leave something to your imaginations, right?? At the top of the photo above you can see the individual rings which I link one by one to create the simple double linked chain you see in the middle of the above photo. At the bottom you can (hazily) see the chain now has all sorts of bead chips added to it - what fun!! By the end, you'll have a hard time seeing the silver of the rings - it will be almost covered with gemstone chips, so pretty :)

Hope you are all doing well, and once again, thank you to everyone who reads this, even if you don't want to leave comments, or are just an occasional visitor, thank you. I really appreciate you visiting me here, and I hope you'll find the time to stop by my Etsy shop one day soon :)

Have a great day!

(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!

Lots of New FibroAware Jewellery!

EarringsBraceletNecklaceRing
~All of the Beautiful New FibroAware Jewellery~

So yes, I've been busy! Etsy teams and making jewellery and birthdays and so much more, I am surprised I haven't been absent on the blogger front for longer. That being said, I am so excited to show you my new additions to my FibroAware line of jewellery. This line is made to shed light on those suffering from Fibromyalgia, as I myself do every day. Many are unable to work outside their homes (myself included), and some are unable to work at all. This line is devoted to pledging 10% of the total sales before taxes to charities that help those with Fibromyalgia. Not only is it a good cause, this jewellery is gorgeous too! These newest items are made from sterling silver wire and amethyst, or other purple beads, as purple is the colour for fibromyalgia awareness. The earrings are made from dark amethyst bead drops, and Czech glass fire polish beads in "crystal" for the center of the earrings. I used the crystal to represent the tears that we sometimes shed, and the fibromyalgia purple amethyst to represent the community of fibromyalgia sufferers and supporters rallying around. The newest bracelet and necklace are made from two types of amethyst - light and dark in such beautiful, contrasting shades, it makes you wonder that something can come in so many different, and beautiful, colours. The light shade is almost a drop-style of bead in that it is quite long in relation to its width, and you are able to carefully spin them so that it can look very sleek with the beads facing one direction, or edgy with them facing different directions. The dark shade is a great contrast. The sterling silver beads make the whole thing really pop! The ring is made from sterling silver wire, hand coiled into a Celtic style of ring with small amethyst nuggets nestled between two Swarovski clear Crystal bicones. Very sparkly and pretty, this is made to be on your thumb, but I can make similar ones to fit your fingers.
All of these (and more to come!) are available on my Etsy store at: www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com - Don't forget that between September 15-30 Etsy for Animals is having their birthday bash and you will bet 20% off everything in our participating stores with the coupon code "LITT"! Start your holiday shopping then and you will have it out of the way in good time, supporting local artists - and saving money while you're at it.
I hope you visit and thank you!
Meghann

Dog Bling!

~Arwen Wearing Her Necklace~

~Left: Heart Closeup, Right: Whole Necklace~

This is truly an inspired piece! I love jewellery, and why shouldn't my dog? This is silver plated chain with amethyst chips, moonstone rondelles, and rhodonite beads. There are custom crafted silver-plate hearts with Czech glass faceted beads suspended from them. There is a lobster clasp that is big enough to make the necklace adjustable, with silver plated chain and a Celtic style heart to make a nice dangle. This necklace is about 20 inches long and is gorgeous! I'll have a similar one on the website soon, if you have any questions, contact me at Meg@littlestudio.ca
Have a great day!
Meghann

Fibromyalgia Awareness Jewellery 3

~Fibromyalgia Awareness Jewellery~
~Sterling Silver, Amethyst, Swarovski Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Necklace~

I think what I love about this jewellery is that people don't necessarily know right away that it is a piece of awareness jewellery, or what illness in particular it is bringing awareness to. The great thing is that it encourages conversation. People will ask what the piece is about, and you get to tell them, and explain the illness. It is a great way to start a conversation and educate people on the disease. I think that is very positive. I am sick, but I have great jewellery because of it - there is a silver lining to every cloud!
I LOVE this necklace! Its made of sterling silver beads, a custom sterling silver clasp, real amethyst nuggets and smooth amethyst chips, as well as Swarovski crystal pearls and Swarovski crystals. I wanted this to look good with a pair of your favourite jeans, or a fancy evening dress.
I love how it starts out as a simple necklace and then transforms with a beautiful multi-drop pendant with more amethysts, crystals, and sterling silver beads swinging and catching every bit of light. A beautiful sterling silver awareness charm is suspended from the center dangle.
The necklace is about 16 inches long, with the 3 inch dangle.
This is a beautiful, sparkly piece that will make you feel special and make any occasion even more special!
This will be available for sale on the website shortly at www.littlestudio.ca
I'll have more jewellery soon - this line has really inspired me!
Take care,
Meghann

Fibromyalgia Awareness Jewellery 2

~Fibromyalgia Awareness Jewellery~
~Sterling Silver and Amethyst Earrings~

Here are the matching earrings to the bracelet - which I made custom for the client who has purchased the bracelet and these earrings already! These are also one-of-a-kind. I'm trying to get more amethyst nuggets to try and make similar ones - though even if I tried, the hand-wrapped wire means that I'll never make 2 identical. I like that. I like being able to give people the chance to own something that no-one else has. They may have something similar, but never the same - makes you feel special!
I'll be making more jewellery soon, including a line of interchangeable earrings with Fibromyalgia Awareness pieces in those too.
Next post: the necklace, and boy will you want to see that!
Take care,
Meghann