Happy New Year!

A very Happy New Year to all of you! I hope it has started off well for you! It has started off here with a ton of house cleaning and organizing, simplifying and, of course, jewelry making! First, I want to tell you about our simple, wonderful Christmas. My parents came over, they brought a turkey as I don't eat meat, and we roasted it, made some brown rice, broccoli and carrots and I made myself a vegan nut loaf with stuffing for me.
While that was all cooking, we opened presents while watching our old favorite Christmas movies and then had dinner. It was delicious, and afterwards we decorated our gingerbread house. Yes, I actually made a gluten free, vegan gingerbread house and WOW! was it good! I also found a store online that sells organic (so no artificial colors to make Brennan sick), gluten free and vegan candy. Oh my gosh, I nearly died and went to heaven. It is ridiculously expensive, but honestly, it tastes so good, now I know why people snack on candy. I haven't had candy in about 6 years, so this was a huge treat for me. It was especially nice as we got to decorate the house together and then eat it. I also made 4 layer raspberry bars, so we were a full family after that! Of course, "the guys" decided to get a little x-rated with the candy placement on some of the gingerbread people, so never mind that in the photo of the ginger bread house *blushes*. Just don't look too closely HA! You can see the large main house, the dog house, the candy cane lane, the meringue stepping stones, the cotton candy snow, and all of the candy. The main house was a little over a foot high, I even made a little ginger bread dog, though you can't see it in this photo. As I am allergic to corn, I couldn't use most icing sugars to make icing, so I used a mix from Namaste foods, but the store I got it at only had chocolate, thus the brown every where, ha!
As I also mentioned, I have been making some new jewelry. I have a silver smith friend who is teaching me silversmithing so that I can make some new kinds of jewelry. I also made the necklace shown at the top of this post, a Swarovski crystal pearl birthday necklace. It has January's birthstone color in it (garnet red), but I'll be making one for every month, never you fear. If you would like to see your birthstone color, let me know here in the comments or though contacting me at my Etsy store and I'll do my best to get one up here for you. You can see more about this necklace and the matching earrings on my Etsy store here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/65385872/january-swarovski-pearl-birth-month

The chain and handcrafted clasp are sterling silver, and the pearls, being Swarovski crystal pearls, are vegan and just SO incredibly pretty. You really have a hard time telling that they aren't the "real thing" (as in, real freshwater pearls). I actually like these better, as they are more consistent in size and color, and can actually be more affordable.

My 50% off sale is still going strong in my Etsy store also, make sure you check that out, as there are still quite a few really nice items at incredible prices. See the sale section here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels?section_id=6286884

Well, I guess that is all for now, Arwen says a great big hello (actually, it was A-roo-roo-roo-ruh, but you get the picture), I'll try to have some new jewelry and Arwen photos for you soon.

Have a great day!

and Arwen

Sweet Saturday: New Earrings!

FINALLY I get to show you my new earring line (well, one pair of them anyway!). I am making Swarovski Pearl Birth Month Earrings with a color for each month! This particular pair is for March (usually aquamarine), using a light blue Swarovski pearl for the top bead, and a cream drop for the bottom. All the birth month earrings will have their month's color for the top, and a cream bead for the bottom so that they go with everything. You can see them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49252738/swarovski-pearl-birth-month-earringsThese ones were made with sterling silver, but I can also make them in 14Karat gold-filled wire on request.
About 2 inches (5cm) from top to bottom, these are stylish and versatile!

I'm also starting to redo all of my jewelry photos, so if the photos in my Etsy store look a little odd, with photos having all different backgrounds, that would be why. I'm changing to all white for clarity and to keep everything consistent and clean-looking :)
Thanks for visiting, see you soon!

Sweet Saturday: A Few New Things

Copper Snowball Ring

I have been trying to redo my jewelry photos and lo and behold! I've found some things that weren't listed! They should be up and on the Etsy site soon...be sure to keep checking back to see the new goodies...

Lindsay's Caribbean Blue Ring

Mostly I have just found rings, like the one of a kind Lindsay's Caribbean Blue ring, made with a beautiful lamp work glass bead, inlaid with gold foil.

However, I do have some new earrings that I want to show you as well...

Carnelian Arrow Leaf Earrings

And here they are! Carnelian stones are hung from graceful Arrow Leaf shaped ear wires, hand forged from 14karat gold filled wire. Gold plate daisy beads hug the carnelian for a pair of beautiful earrings, perfect to go from day to night! I'll also have these available in sterling silver.

Copper Persuasion Pearl Ring

And back to rings! The Copper Persuasion ring is one of a kind. It is amazing how many rings you can have in a little bag and not realize it!

Copper Midnight Ring

The piece de resistance! The ring above is made with a gem grade cubic zirconium in midnight black to contrast nicely with the copper wire. It is one of a kind.

Have a great Saturday, I'm waiting for my camera battery to recharge so I can take more photos :-)

Tuesday's Treasures: NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Earrings

Here they are! As promised, these are the matching earrings to the Marie Antoinette Pink Daisy Daisy Lace Necklace and Bracelet that I blogged about here and here. They are the perfect accompaniment for the bracelet and necklace, but are showy enough to stand on their own.
I used the same Czech glass beads and Swarovski crystal pearls as in the necklace and bracelet (see below), and painstakingly hand wove them into the same daisy chain pattern, giving them a light, flowing look that is all woman!
These will be for sale later today in my Etsy store, I do hope you will check them out :)
Here are the matching necklace and bracelet for the earrings:
Tune in next Tuesday for a bracelet inspired by Queen Elizabeth 1 !!
Until next time.....

Wordful Wednesday: June Sale!

The sun is shining, the weather is warmer, and I would like to celebrate with a little sale :)

June's birthstone is the pearl, so every item in my Etsy store with pearls in it will be 10% off! You can either purchase and get a 10% refund after paying, or ask for a revised invoice before paying. Happy birthday to those born in the month of June!

*cannot be combined with another offer or discount, not valid on sale items.

Have fun!

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!

Sweet Saturday: NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Jewelry Set Part2

**Update - this bracelet and its matching necklace are now up for sale on my Etsy Site!**
This is Part 2 from my post yesterday about the matching necklace to this piece.
This is part of my new NeoAmour Collection - Based on Powerful Women of the Past, Redesigned for Women Today.
Inspired by the femininity of Marie Antoinette, I decided to make a matching bracelet to yesterday's necklace. It had to be beautiful, feminine, and able to hold it's own with the necklace without being overpowering. I made this bracelet with Swarovski Crystal pearls in 'rosaline' (pink) and clear, silver-lined Czech glass seed beads. I again sewed a dainty Daisy Chain stitch and made the bracelet a little over 13 inches long.I then sewed pink ribbon on the ends to make a clasp, hiding the front stitches with seed beads, and sealing all ribbon ends with clear fabric glue to prevent unraveling:
The best part about the ribbon and the over all length of the bracelet is that you can tie the ribbon tighter or looser to make it longer or shorter (again, I would recommend doing a 'double bow' when tying it to make sure it doesn't come off - just tie a bow as usual, and then knot the bow again to make it extra secure.). In fact, the length of the bracelet is from 13 inches to just over 18 inches, so you could even use this as a choker necklace!
I do still prefer wearing it doubled around my wrist - it feels so silky soft against the skin.

This bracelet will be up for sale today in my Etsy store, under the NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Section. If you wanted to purchase this bracelet and the matching necklace at the same time, you will get a 10% discount!
Merci beaucoup!

Fabulous Friday: NeoAmour Marie Antoinette Jewelry Set

This is part of my new NeoAmour Collection - Based on Powerful Women of the Past, Redesigned for Women Today.
Inspired by the femininity of Marie Antoinette, I decided to make a beautiful necklace with Swarovski Crystal pearls in 'rosaline' (pink) and clear, silver-lined Czech glass seed beads. I started off with a dainty Daisy Chain stitch and made the necklace base a little over 15 inches long. I then came back and made small loops with more seed beads and Swarovski pearls to add dimension and swing:This captures the light, and emphasizes the neckline (and looks heavenly with strapless anything).During Marie Antoinette's time, there weren't many clasps to be found, and ribbon was often used as a closure for necklaces and bracelets (it looks more feminine anyway!). I sewed pink ribbon onto the ends of the necklace, sealed all the ribbon ends with clear fabric glue to keep it from unraveling, and used more of the seed beads to hide the stitches on the front side:Despite the weight of the necklace, the ribbon closure was perfect for this necklace as it also adds a bit of variability to the necklace - you can adjust it longer or shorter by tying the ribbon closer or further from the base of the necklace. I would recommend doing a 'double bow' when tying it to make sure it doesn't come off - just tie a bow as usual, and then knot the bow again to make it extra secure.
There is a matching bracelet, but this post is getting very long, so you'll have to wait on pins and needles for it to debut here tomorrow!
This necklace will be for sale starting today on my Etsy store, under the NeoAmour Marie Antoinette section in my shop.
Also, my TREASURY to help Epic Farms is expiring soon - please go look and click on the items and comment in the comment section to help this wonderful horse rescue.
A demain, mes cheries,

Tuesday's Treasures: A New Ring!

I want to be clear that I have not reneged on my promise to paint my nails at least once per week - the last polish (Borgese Palazzo Lilac, if you'll recall) was fantastic and lasted a whole three days without chipping (a miracle on my hands, even the salon stuff doesn't last that long), but after gardening, tree removal, sump pump excursions and a host of other jobs, my nails needed some therapy. Enter the 3 steps of Witchcraft brand nail rescue! Though I don't like the name, it works, period. It is all clear, which is why I didn't want to bore you with it.
Instead you get to see a new ring!
I used Sterling silver wire and wrapped it in a Celtic spiral ring, but then I attached vintage reclaimed freshwater pearls and Czech glass firepolish beads to the center loop for extra sparkle and flair. For extra strength I then carefully hammered the ring, giving it a light mottled look that is so pretty. I can also use different colored stones or beads to change the look. I hope to list this on my online stores soon, so please do check them out regularly.
Hope you like it :-)
Have a great day,

Fabulous Friday - Check Out These Earrings!

Perfect for a wedding, special event or just doing dishes, these are sure to stun anyone within eyesight! I used 2 inches of fine sterling silver chain to suspend ten tiny, reclaimed, vintage freshwater pearls in a rainfall pattern with a large Swarovski crystal pearl at that bottom of each earring. The effect looks rather like the pearls are rain falling down the earrings and collecting in a pool at the bottom :)
They are suspended from hand made ear wires and I think they are absolutely gorgeous! They will be for sale shortly on my Etsy store, so I do hope you will stop by and check them out.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming!

~My Niece Violet in Her Custom Tiara~

I am SO sorry for the unexpected absence the last few days - we were up at my in-laws visiting family (and my 5 month old niece, above, for the first time) and though I had blog posts planned, I never got around to doing them :(
However, the visit was fantastic, the drive much faster than usual (3-1/2 hours instead of 4-1/2), and the weather just divine.
I made my niece a custom tiara to fit her little head (it will fit an infant as a headband, but will fit anyone as a mini tiara very nicely). I used a gold-plate headband, Swarovski crystal pearls in white and rose pink and attached them with 14karat gold filled wire. It was a hit, everyone loved it, including Violet!
I hope you have a great day, with warmth, happiness and sunshine.

Fabulous Friday - Have I Got a Bracelet for You!

I LOVE this bracelet! I was thinking of Mother's Day, coming up next month and I got creating, thinking of my mom. I wanted it to be pretty and feminine, but not too 'girly'. I wanted something that would be timeless and would look good with everything form jeans and a t-shirt to a nice dress.
I used Swarovski Crystal pearls in white, with silver daisy spacers in between each bead, and then I used 3 hand-painted ceramic in the center to represent mom's role in family in the past, present and future. I finished the bracelet with a spiral clasp in non-tarnish silver plated wire. I added a small pink Swarovski pearl dangle on the clasp for extra prettiness.
This will be for sale on my Etsy store shortly - and will get to just about anywhere in good time for Mother's Day!

Monday Monday Monday - I Couldn't Think of a Fitting Alliteration for Monday

~Simple Headbands: on the Top with White Swarovski Pearls, on the Bottom with Czech Glass Fire Polish Beads~

~Simple Headband on the Top with Cream Swarovski Pearls, Flower Headband on the Bottom with White Swarovski Pearls~

Flower Headband with White Swarovski Pearls and Small Czech Glass Fire Polish Beads~

I'm Ba-aaack! Well after an unplanned three-day Blogger hiatus, I am back with some wonderful goodies to show you! Here are the tiaras that I custom made for a store near Toronto. I made the bases from scratch using thick silver plated wire, hammered it flat, and then tightly wrapped the bases with fine silver plated wire. I made loops on the ends of the bases so that bobby pins could be inserted through them to hold the tiaras in longer hair if desired. I then used more fine gauge silver wire to wrap the beads on the bases in different patterns. I used Swarovski crystal pearls and Czech glass fire polish beads in clear AB for great sparkle and subtle, yet pretty impact. These tiaras have great weight to them, without being too heavy. They are child-sized, but would work well in a 'mini tiara' look on an adults up do as well. I hope you like them!!

Also, I got my hand painted pendant from Gypsy Mare Studios this weekend - and oh my is it ever gorgeous! I can tell you, I'm not taking it off any time soon, Thank you so much Jennifer!~My Beautiful New Pendant!~