November Contest Winner!

And the winner of the November Blog Contest is.....

HANDICRAFTS!!

For their honest (and smart!) comments on how they are doing their Christmas (holiday) shopping this year:

Since I don't have a lot of money to spare, I am mostly likely going to buy from etsy only. I'd rather give hard-working artisans the money then some big corporation, which puts all the same things out on the shelves every year! (At least it seems that way to me!) But it will still probably be a credit cards Christmas. :(
Thanks for this opportunity!

Handicrafts will be recieving the ring shown above - Congratulations!! Please contact me within the next 2 weeks through my Etsy store to get the ring mailed to you as soon as possible. (After 2 weeks if I haven't heard from you I will choose another random name.)
Thank you to everyone for their responses and keep on the lookout for this month's contest!
Don't forget to check out my Etsy store, which is having a Buy One Get One 50% off sale - just in time for your shopping!!
Also stay tuned for a post on our Charity-of-the-Month :)
Take care,
Meghann

SALE SALE SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO!!

Just in time for the gift-giving season (and perfect for those trying to save a bit of money in these tighter financial times), I am trying to make room for my new creations, which means......

A HUGE SALE!!! Buy anything from my Little Studio Photography and Jewellery Etsy store and get a second item for 25% off!

Hurry - once these beautiful pieces are gone, that is it!

The nitty-gritty:
Second item must be of equal or lesser value. This is not available on custom orders at this time, and cannot be combined with another offer. The discount does not apply to shipping or taxes (if applicable). I will refund the difference after payment has been received. Shipping times may be slightly delayed due to higher sales volumes.
Don't forget to enter the contest of the month here on this blog.
Enjoy!!
Meghann

....And We're Back!

~One of the Pieces I Made for Fireseed~

Well, let me start by saying I am so, so SO sorry for the long space between posts! I have been very busy - I started a new medication for my fibromyalgia a few weeks ago that I am now coming off (long story), and have been busy battling the side effects, plus I was honored to have Louise Ingram from Fireseed ask me to make some jewellery with her amazing beads for a show she just did this past weekend. I am now making new displays for a jewellery party I am doing this Saturday, so my time has been pretty much fully occupied!
I have lots of new pieces I want to make, I simply need the time to make them. Never fear, however, there is always next week!
Don't forget to enter this month's contest to try and win a beautiful ring!!
See you tomorrow,
Meghann

Go Ape for Monkees!

~The Monkees Want to Hang Out With You!~

My friend Louise came over today to drop off some beads for me to make into creations for her upcoming show and showed me some beads that she wanted turned into a brooch. These Monkee beads spoke to me immediately and I thought of some great leaf beads with a blue tint that are great with the blue eyes of the Monkees. She said that she wanted them to be sort of 'hanging' and this just worked perfectly - I was actually able to make it while she watched! Using sterling silver wire I strung the Monkees, leafs beads and sterling silver round beads and made this beautiful brooch - what a great advertisement for Fireseed!
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

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

New Dangle Earrings

~Gold, Amber and Garnet Drop Earrings~

The fall's symphony of colors are out in full force here in my forest and I can't help but be inspired by them; the reds, golds and oranges are so rich, warm and inviting. I created these drop earrings by hand forming 14karat gold filled wire into oval shapes and hammering them flat. I then hung amber chips and small garnet beads from the center of each drop. So pretty!
I'm also working on new interchangeable earrings so watch out for those! They are so handy - like having many pairs of earrings in one!
I'm off to create more goodies for you - back tomorrow with more!
Meghann

Bookmarks and Cell FOB's and Sales, Oh My!

~A Few of the New Items on My Etsy Store~

Well the Etsy for Animals Birthday Bash is going strong and everything in my store is 20% off until the end of the month! All you have to do is enter the coupon code "LITT" in the notes to seller when you purchase and I'll give you 20% off anything you purchase! I've got lots of new things to put on my site, including a new pendant wrapped in gold that I am finishing as I blog now. Keep checking here and my Etsy store for new and exciting items! AND next month I'll be starting contests and giveaways so keep checking for those details too! www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com
Take care, happy bargain hunting!
Meghann

My Etsy Team is Having a Birthday Bash Super Sale!!

~A Coupon for You!~

One of the Etsy Street Teams I belong to, Etsy for Animals (EFA) is celebrating its 1 year anniversary, and to celebrate, we are having a birthday bash sale! Get 20% your order between September 15-30 when you use the coupon code "LITT" in the sellers notes. You can use this coupon anywhere an EFA member store is displaying the banner and avatar for the sale, over 150 stores are participating! I hope you come out and see, my store is supporting "Hearts on Noses" this month - it's the EFA Featured Charity of the Month. They are in BC and help abandoned mini pigs. 10% of my sales will go towards them.
In other great news, I want to thank all my clients for helping the charity of the month last month - you helped raise $26.68 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada - Good For You!
I have lots more items on my Etsy store, AND I now have another store on iCraft.ca with different items. You'll have to check out both stores for all the goodies!
See my iCraft store at: http://www.icraft.ca/littlestudiojewels
and check out my Etsy store at: http://www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com
As always, my website is: http://www.littlestudio.ca and you can see items for sale in both locations.
Thanks for visiting I'm off to make yet more delicious gems!
Meghann

Keychains are Beadariffic!

~Celtic Style Clover End Key Chain and Spiral End Key Chain,

I love these stones! When I first ordered them, I knew they would be big, but I didn't think they would be this big! These are HUGE!! They could almost double as a self-defense rock. A good weight, and almost 2 inches long, it will be easy to find in a purse or jacket pocket. I only have 2 of these, and there are 2 styles: the clover end or the spiral end. They are made with African granite, which is similar to Lapis lazuli in that it has gold-like flecks in the mottled blue background. Each stone has a silver plated 'daisy' spacer on each end with a clear, silver-lined Czech glass bead topping it off. The wire is thick, non-tarnish silver-plated wire, with a silver plated chain and nickel key ring. These will each be for sale on the Etsy website starting tomorrow. Check it out: http://www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com
Enjoy!
Meghann

New Store on Etsy!

Well I am proud to say that in addition to my website at www.littlestudio.ca I now have a store on Etsy.com!
You can find my store at http://www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com or you can go to Etsy.com and enter the name LittleStudioJewels
There you'll find affordable items not available for sale on the website. Although I'm trying to keep up with the website, the Etsy store allows me to spend less time on the computer and more time with my jewellery. I'll keep the website up and add to it, but the Etsy store is going to be my focus for the next while. I have a few new pieces coming together now that I am very excited about, so I do hope you'll go to my Etsy store to see them!
That's all for now, thanks so much for visiting!
Meghann

Busy Busy!

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been pretty sick and planning all sorts of stuff for you!
I'm working on a few projects, including 'diet beads', Fibromyalgia Awareness jewellery, and jewellery lessons! That's right, I will be posting lessons on how to make everything from basic eye loops to wire-wrapped pendants that you'll be able to download and use to make your own creations. Some lessons will be free, others will be yours for an affordable, nominal fee. All projects will be fun and informative and have photos for you to follow along with the written tutorials. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to learn.
Also in the works is a set of lessons that I will (hopefully) be teaching in the fall at Rideau School of Art/The Bead Store located in Kemptville, Ontario! I'm so excited. These classes will be focused on wire working and will be only once per month, with different projects each time!
That's all for now, I'll keep you updated on my progress with these new projects very shortly.
Happy creating!
Meghann

Rings on Your Fingers...

Rings on your fingers, Rings on your toes - Rings everywhere! Sorry for the delay since the last post, but I've been super busy with jewellery making, gardening, and general Fibromyalgia crud.
Here are some great new rings that aren't even on the website yet - they are available in copper (shown), sterling silver, and 14karat gold-filled wire, as well as with different stones and beads.
The simple spiral rings can even be worn as toe rings!

Above - Copper Ring with Cushion-Cut, Gem-Grade Cubic Zirconia (Left), with Back Detail (Right)

Above - Copper Simple Spiral Rings in Large (left) and Small (right)

Above - Copper Wire, Blue Agate and Swarovski Crystal Pearl (Left), and Copper Wire, Czech Firepolish Glass Beads in Jet and Peridot (Right)

Above - Copper Celtic Spiral Ring with Swarovski Crystal Pearls (Left), Copper Celtic Spiral Ring with Czech Firepolish Glass Beads in Jet (Right)

These should be on the website and available for sale shortly! Check it out at www.littlestudio.ca

Happy Browsing!

Meghann

Blue Glass with Gold Foil and Firepolish Bracelet

~Blue Glass Beads with Gold Foil, Czech Firepolish beads and Gold-Filled Bracelet~

So here is the bracelet I promised you in the Gold Spiral, Blue Glass and Swarovski Crystal Necklace page. I used the same blue glass beads (though I didn't put spirals of gold wire on each bead as they would catch too easily on things) and capped them with gold-plated daisy spacers and round beads, and spaced them with Czech Firepolish glass beads in "Topaz" to really bring out the sparkling gold foil in the blue beads. I then finished it with a 14karat gold-filled toggle clasp for security and style. I made it about 7-3/4" long so it has some movement on the wrist, but I can adjust it if need be. This is a really fun, stylish and summery piece - it evokes sun, sand and surf all in one, and does it with such class.

This bracelet is now available for sale on the website at: www.littlestudio.ca

I have just created some great rings, which I'll try and get on here soon too!

Happy drooling!

Meghann

Blue Swirl Sunburst Necklace

I love this necklace! This is actually the first necklace I made when I decided to start selling my jewellery as a business and not a hobby last year. I was inspired by the Mayas after watching a documentary on their civilization and art. This was made to look like a modern version of the 'bib-style' necklaces that you often see them wearing in their friezes. I made this necklace with Czech glass beads in a blue and crystal colour mix on silver plated wire. Each spiral is made with the same pattern of beads for continuity. The spirals represent the sun and are finished at each end with a tiny wired spiral for a nice polished finish. The chain is actually comprised of single and double beads hand wired together in a repeating pattern and finished with a nickel-plated lobster clasp. It took hours, but was so much fun to make. This looks great on, and I even made spiral earrings to match. It is light and swingy and so much fun to wear, but the necklace would also look good framed in a shadow-box for art with a dramatic effect!

This necklace is available for sale on the website at www.littlestudio.ca and as always with my pieces, it's affordable!

I hope you like it, there's more to come soon, so keep checking back!

Meghann

Sterling Silver Wire-Wrapped Turquoise Pendant and Happy Mother's Day!

~Pendant Details on Top, Whole Necklace on Bottom Left, Clasp Detail on Bottom Right~

Before I get to the necklace, Happy Mother's Day! I hope you are all having a great day - you deserve it!

This necklace was a bit tricky at first, but once I got into the rhythm of it, it was an absolute blast to make. I took a Stabilized Turquoise pendant at about an inch long and wrapped it with over 7 feet of sterling silver wire to secure it in place and create the bail (the part that the pendant attaches to the chain with). I then took some beautiful sterling silver beads, silver plate beads, and Czech glass black beads and used the fine sterling silver wire to attach them to the front of the pendant. The entire piece is suspended from fine sterling silver chain with a sterling silver toggle clasp to finish it. I love this necklace - it feels very smooth against the skin and has a very earthy-oceanic feel to it...Like The Little Mermaid's necklace that she could wear from the ocean to the beach! This is one of those go-anywhere necklaces that could be worn with jeans while cleaning the house, or a very nice dress for an evening out.

Truly gorgeous, I even made earrings to match, but haven't taken pictures of them yet as my Fibromyalgia has been really bad these last few days. The earrings will be on the website soon, but this necklace is currently on the website for sale at: www.littlestudio.ca

I hope you like it!

Meghann

Desert Sands Necklace and Earrings

~Necklace on the Left, Earrings on the Right~

Here's a necklace I've had on the site for a couple of months, but I never get to tell the story about it. I was in a bead store last year and I saw this gorgeous, huge carnelian bead in the display case. It wasn't in my budget, but, of course, I had to have it. I had no idea what to do with it, but I bought it anyway and took it home where it sat on my dining room table all night. That night I had a dream. I dreamed of sand, hot under my feet and swirling on the hot wind into my face in golden colours of yellow, amber and brown. I saw the aqua sky, and burning red sun. I woke up at 2:30 in the morning and couldn't sleep - the necklace had planted itself in my mind and needed to be addressed. I drew it for an hour or so, went back to bed and created the necklace that very same morning (though at a decent time of day). I strung the carnelian for the sun with a small spiral of gold wire at the bottom (although I was envisioning the Sahara desert, the Celts see the spiral as a symbol for the sun) for the centerpiece. I then layered gold-plate beads, multi-hued amber chips and yellow aragonite for the sand and spaced them with Czech glass beads in an aqua shade for the sky. I created a custom toggle clasp with more gold wire and strung the aqua beads along it. I then made matching earrings with more Czech glass, amber, gold-plate and aragonite beads (with gold-plate daisy spacers for a polished look) on 14karat gold-filled ear wires. I love this necklace! It is long, about 18 inches or so and the carnelian pendant sits just at the decolletage. It feels really nice against the skin, even the amber, which at first I thought may be rough, but not at all. Very luxurious!

The necklace is available for sale with or without the earrings at http://www.littlestudio.ca/

Enjoy! I'm off to make more jewellery, blog you soon,

Meghann

Gold Spiral, Blue Glass and Swarovski Crystal Necklace

~Whole Necklace on the Left, Bead Detail at Right~

This necklace was in my head the moment I saw these lentil-shaped blue glass beads with gold foil in them. Normally, I buy my beads from a few very reputable online suppliers to get quality and good value that I can pass on to my clients, but a friend of mine knew of a little store in Ottawa that sold beads and jewellery supplies and had to show me. Good thing she did - I got these high quality beads and a few others too. It took a while to complete as my Fibromyalgia has been really bad pain-wise, but it was worth it - this necklace is stunning! The design for this necklace just popped out at me immediately. It's very Celtic in style - being blue and gold and spiral-laden - but I could picture someone (preferably myself!) in the sun on a yacht off the coast of Monaco wearing this necklace. Ho hum, nothing better to do than tan with gorgeous jewellery and hob-nob with the rich and famous. This necklace is so classy, but you really could just wear it to the beach with a bathing suit and towel, out to dinner with friends, to work to make you feel fabulous, you get the idea. The clasp is a custom-crafted spiral-based hook-and-eye closure that is very secure. The chain is comprised of 2 inch pieces of gold wire that are spiraled on each end with a blue Indian glass bead in the centre of each piece (the Indian glass beads are great because they occasionally have little silver flecks that actually look golden and match the foil-laden large blue beads - too convenient!). Each individual link ends up being about 1/2 inch in length. The links are then connected with gold-plate rings. The gold-foil blue beads, gold-plate beads and Swarovski crystals in "Dark Sapphire" are strung on jewellery wire, and then attached to the custom spiral chain, but first the gold-foil blue beads had 14karat gold-filled wire strung through them and coiled around the front for an extra bit of oomph. I really like how the gold wire frames the beads and brings out the gold foil embedded inside them. Over 5 feet of wire was used on this necklace!

This necklace is now for sale on the website, check it out at http://www.littlestudio.ca/

I have plans for the few remaining blue beads, so check back soon (hint - it'll be a bracelet!).

Take care everyone, I hope you have a sunny day! As always, I'd love your comments and suggestions.

Meghann

The Creative Process Lives On....

Welcome!
I am starting this blog to talk about my many varied jewellery designs. Often I am inspired months in advance of a piece's completion, but don't have the room to tell the story behind the piece in the description of the piece for sale on the Little Studio Photography and Jewellery web site. Now I finally have a place to explain the madness behind the method - and boy have I got stories for you :)
I have Fibromyalgia, and struggle with it every day. The only way I have found to keep the disease manageable is to stay at home, rest often, and make jewellery! I work from home, and I am trying to make a living making jewellery so that I am able to rest when I need to and keep this disease in check.
I try to make a few pieces a week and update the web page at least once per week, so this will be a new challenge - trying to update this as often as I make and photograph new pieces for the website.
I hope others will comment - I love getting feedback and suggestions for new pieces.
Check out my web page at www.littlestudio.ca if you haven't already.
Enjoy!
Meghann Gervais
Merrickville, Ontario