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

What is Gold filled?

Gold and Swarovski Flower Brooch

I thought I'd take a little break from my usual posts and tell you a little about some of the metals I use in my jewelry. Gold filled is one of the metals I use, usually yellow 14 karat gold filled wire and components. This is an excerpt from Otto Frei's website:
Yellow Gold Filled and White Gold Filled are man made metal products produced in the United States. They are vastly superior to any kind of gold plated product, making for a longer lasting and durable jewelry product.
Simply put, a layer of solid gold, either 12K (50% pure gold) gold or 14K (.585% pure gold) but at least 10K (.417% pure gold) is mechanically bonded with heat to a thicker piece of base metal. The gold layer is fused to the base metal, resulting in a product that has all the beauty of its actual karat gold plus long lasting resistance to wear.  The finished product must be by weight 1/20 (5%) solid 12K or 14K gold by weight or in the case of 10K GF, 1/10 (10%) solid 10K.  This process was invented in the United States and used extensively in the manufacture of pocket watch cases, many of which are still gleaming bright a hundred years after they rolled off the production line. (continued below)

   

 Simple Arrow Leaf Earrings in Gold

Gold Filled mill product is made in a variety of flat sheet and wire shapes and sizes. The stock products are used by large findings and chain manufactures using specialized equipment to create finished products.  Otto Frei sells 1/20 12K Yellow Gold Filled wire in even number wire gauges form 16 to 24 by the half ounce package. Because this is raw material, it is not required by law to be stamped 1/20 12K, as such markings can only be made after a piece is fabricated.  We also sell a wide variety of YGF and WGF findings including many styles of YGF bulk and finished chain. 

WGF product will usually always be Rhodium plated, as the beautiful yellow of pure gold will always want to show through a white gold alloy, no matter how much Nickel or Silver is added to pure gold to make it appear white.  

Rolled Gold or Rolled Gold Plate is similar to Gold Filled, but have far less gold by weight, usually around 1/60 12K by weight.

When I make my jewelry, I use 14 karat gold filled wire and components whenever possible. It is much more expensive than gold plate, but the gold will last for years with gold filled, versus months or weeks or days with gold plate. In the case of jewelry, you really do get what you pay for :)

Inventory FAIL

 Okay, here's why I don't do inventory. See, back 4 years ago when I started getting into jewelry making (again), I bought all sorts of beads. I am good with keeping receipts, and making sure that I don't spend more than I make (usually - oops). But I never did a real, physical inventory. I know how much I mark things up, so I generally know how much stock I should have. But I never counted the beads and supplies that I bought as I went along, nor did I subtract the beads and supplies I used as I went along.
Then I got a new spreadsheet software program.
It requires that I start with a complete inventory.
Ugh.
So, for the last four days, my ADHD brain and I have been having little battles all over my office (which, incidentally, is still pretty messy since my last office posting in July, I know. Bad!). You see, one of the main reasons I don't do inventory is that, with ADHD, I get distracted.
Really distracted.
Any noise, bird flying past my window or dog fart (all too depressingly common) will stop me in my tracks. I get distracted by email and general useful and useless internet searching (such as, "best bead storage systems", or, "How can I count inventory without actually counting it?").
So far, I'm about a quarter of the way through and my inventory says that I have 177 different types of inventory (read: beads, findings, stringing wire, etc), and over 30, 056 items counted. Yes, I have actually counted over 30,000 individual things.
Mostly... I can weigh my seed beads, for example, to get pretty accurate counts (I am NOT counting 10,000-plus tiny beads that I can barely SEE, let alone keep in a neat little pile), but most of the time I'm actually counting the little bug - er - beads and things.
Most of the time.

Marie Antoinette Raspberry Ice Necklace

Part of the challenge of doing inventory is that I have all of these nice, shiny, new beads (when they get put into a storage cabinet for a while, and then you pull them out again, they are like hidden treasures, being unearthed for the first time), and when I take them out, I can't help but notice how pretty, say, the moonstone beads look against the rhodonite beads. And how pretty they would be strung with a nice 14 karat gold toggle clasp and 14 karat gold finishing beads. Then my ADHD brain takes over and tells me that it really won't take that long to make one simple (albeit stunning, if I do say so myself!) necklace.
In the middle of doing inventory.

 Never mind that I haven't tallied my toggle clasp or gold beads. I just decided to skip a bunch of spaces that will hold beads in my spreadsheet, count and record the interminably small, frustrating gold beads (while starting to fidget and string the moonstone and rhodonite beads), count and record the clasp and nylon-covered steel beading wire (nothing but the best and strongest for you, my dears), and GET CREATING!!

What started out as an, "It won't take that long" project - you can see in the first photo the disaster of my desk and the starting of this new necklace on the bead board - turned into a couple of hours of bead-play time. I don't mind. The necklace was definitely worth it - it was so much fun to make, and turned out so well, that I think the time was well used (and besides, don't I deserve a little break for working like one of Santa's elves??)
This necklace, entitled Marie Antoinette Raspberry Ice Necklace, is the newest piece in my NeoAmour collection and is available in my Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleStudioJewels?ref=si_shop
Please let me know what you think, I really value your opinions :)
Have a great day. Oh, and if you don't hear from me for a bit, could you please send a search party in to my office? It may be that I got lost in beads....

Wordless Wednesday: a Few New Items!

~Melissa Citrine and Glass Earrings~

~Turquoise Saturn Silver Ring~

~Summer Skies Silver Ring~

~Heather Gold Hammered Drop Earrings~

~Jessica Gold Filled Celtic Swirl Earrings A Favorite~

Here are a few new goodies in my Etsy shop! Please click on the images to go and read more about that particular item.

I must apologize for my unexplained absence. I have been very ill with my fibromyalgia and unable to do much more than reply to the most urgent emails and sit on the couch or sleep. I am feeling ab it better now and will try my best to keep you all up to date on everything going on here. Thank you all for your many kinds words and well-wishes, you are all truly a blessing to me.

Arwen sends you her best also, and says that this weekend we are going into town to purchase some boots for her so that we can walk on days when it is rainy or icy. We've had so much rain lately she hasn't gone out very often and I feel terrible about it. I just hate to see her after a walk on wet gravel roads - her paws get very irritated and she'll spend hours licking them. We are also looking for a nice (and affordable as I am very tight financially) sweater or rain jacket that will keep her belly from getting muddy when we walk...if you have any suggestions (or know someone who needs lots of advertising in exchange for a coat) please let me know!

and Arwen

New Ring!

Here is a new ring in my Etsy shop, what do you think? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14787637

Remember to enter my monthly contest by adding your name and email to my monthly newsletter (You have to sign up for the newsletter first to be eligible to win!!), see the full contest details here.

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!

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.

Tuesday's Treasures

~The Boudica Necklace, In All It's Glory~

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who sent well-wishes and prayers regarding my migraine, it seems to have worked! I took a bunch of Tylenol with codeine, slept, drank a ton of water and it seems to have gone quiet. Thank you very much! You are all so very kind, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and read my blog. I may not always respond to comments, but please know that I read each and every one and can't help but smile when I do. You make my day!
Now, on to the necklace, pictured above....

I LOVE this necklace! I made it with 14 karat gold filled wire, Swarovski Crystals and freshwater pearls. I took three pieces of short wire and spiralled the ends, then connected the three pieces into a Celtic (almost) Triskele shape. So beautiful, I think Boudica would have loved it (she was an ancient Celtic warrior queen - you go girl!). I suspended the pendant from 14karat gold filed chain (adding more Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls) with a handcrafted 14karat gold filled spiral hook and eye clasp. Dainty, feminine, yet not too girly - for the strong warrior woman in all of us :)
This item is now for sale and also matches the spiral earrings on my Etsy store, sold separately.

Happy hunting!

Fabulous Friday - New Rings!

~Left: Sterling and Amethyst Ring, Center: Gold and Lapis Lazuli Ring, Right: Gold and Swarovski Pearl and Crystal Ring~

I am so excited about these new rings - they are each a different version of my Lindsay Ring, named after my sister. I actually have a few more of these in different stones and metals, but I thought I'd start with these. Amethyst nuggets, Lapis Lazuli and Swarovski crystals and Swarovski Pearls are used to create beautiful, yet simple lines and accentuate any hand. They are very comfortable and look great on any finger, as their low profile and clean lines suit any shape and size of hand. These will be for sale shortly on my Etsy Store.
Don't forget to enter the January Blog Contest, where you could win a great prize.
Check out my Etsy store for beautiful, affordable items, and the SUPER 50% OFF SALE!
Meghann

Soulful Sunday

I thought Sundays would be great for something 'Soulful', so from now on, Sundays will be "Soulful Sundays" where I talk about something meaningful.
I put my tree up the first week of December, but I've been trying almost everyday to get Arwen to prick up her ears in front of it for a good photo....this is the best I've been able to do. She always does her 'I'm so innocent and cute look' with her ears back, but if you don't know her, you'd think she was about to attack you, as with her ears back she looks a little scary. Rest assured, this is her friendly look, and she even brought her friend the crab into the photo with her! I decided to do the tree in a burgundy and gold theme, and even managed to find some gold and burgundy ribbon to make bows out of. I really miss Gandalf, who passed away this past November, and putting up the tree reminded me of his absence. I am now able to put the tree up without him trying to climb it, I can put ornaments in the lower half of the tree without knowing that I'll hear a little tinkle-bounce-bounce-bounce in the middle of the night as he would take off the ornaments (even the tied on ones) and chase them around the house, and there is a conspicuous grey patch on the non-washable tree skirt where he would lie and survey us from the depths of the bottom of the tree. All this has really reminded me as to what really matters to me for Christmas - family, friends and paws. I am so grateful to have my husband and dog here for me at home during this season, and I can't wait to see the rest of my family on Christmas day.
I hope you all have a safe, happy and thankful Christmas and New Year!
Meghann
P.S. Even more items have been added to the SALE 50PERCENT OFF Section of my Etsy store so don't forget to check it out!

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

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

Check This Out!

~A New Bracelet I Call My "Impressionist Lampwork Bracelet"~

I am so fortunate to have just met the wonderful lampwork bead maker Louise Ingram who lives near me (see her Etsy page and her Website). She made me some gorgeous beads earlier this month (they are still waiting for just the right silver beads to be assembled into something fantastic) and we had talked back and forth about doing some trades so I could get beads and she could get jewellery findings made by me. I am so lucky that she came over yesterday, as she brought her "unique design" beads (beads that turned out differently from her original intentions) to show me. The beads in the bracelet above were actually in this pile and I couldn't believe my luck when I found enough of them to make this gorgeous bracelet! We had a lovely afternoon chatting about beading ideas, she got some ear wires made by me and I got a whack-load of gorgeous glass goodies! I'll keep you posted on the other fantastic creations I make with these beads. Visit her website for even more incredible creations!
I created this bracelet by combining these beads (I think they look like an impressionist painting - Monet eat your heart out! If he could have made glass beads this was what he would have created!) with beautiful clear Swarovski crystals, gold plate beads and jump rings, gold filled beads and lobster clasp. I finished it off with a dangle of one of the beads I had left over (you can't just leave the little guy homeless) for a little extra sparkle. This is just stunning and ONE OF A KIND!!! Get it while you can! I'll be listing this little gem on my Etsy store today, so check it out - www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com The 20% off sale still applies!!
Also check out a new section soon to come where I'll be selling hand crafted findings and beads that I haven't used in a little bit but are still fabulous to use.
That's all for now, see you later!
Meghann

Falling For Fall Leaves

~Another Fall-Inspired Necklace~

I was inspired for this piece while on a walk with my dog. We live in a forested area and right now all the leaves are in various states of changing and falling. It is absolutely gorgeous, especially when the sun hits the canopy at just the right angle, bathing everything in golden autumnal light. Just such an occurrence happened earlier this week during my walk and even the dog seemed intrigued. The leaves all changed from yellows, reds, oranges and greens to luminescent variations of themselves. I immediately thought of this piece and knew I had to make it as soon as I got home. Unfortunately, this was at the beginning of our walk and I knew that I couldn't disappoint the dog, so we walked our walk, and then upon returning home I began to create.
I took 14karat gold filled wire, sterling silver wire, and non tarnish copper wire and formed various leaf shapes - a maple in gold, a birch in silver and an oak in copper. I then hammered each leaf to get it to lay flat and have texture. Then I suspended them from 14karat gold filled chain and added a green tree agate bead, amber nugget, and small garnet bead for added color and texture. This is a larger piece - great for the plunging neckline of an evening dress, or just a nice tank top. It is for sale on my Etsy store now, so check it out by clicking the link to the right.
Everything is still 20% off until the end of September so get it while you can!
Take care,
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

With Colder Weather Comes...Fall Jewellery!

~Gold, Autumn Stone, Carnelian and African Wood Necklace~

It is getting cooler, the leaves are changing, and new inspiration seems to come from every glance outside. Chunky jewellery is in, and I made this necklace just in time it seems! I took a beautiful faceted autumn stone drop pendant (yes, autumn stone is its real name!) and I caged it in 14karat gold filled wire, adding small scroll details on both sides of the pendant. I love this stone because of the wonderful colour striations in it - here a sandy brown, there a bit of cream, and a dark chocolate mahogany streak for added oomph. Then I strung it from a necklace dripping with autumn red carnelian stones, gold plated beads and dark brown African wood round beads. I then finished it off with a 14karat gold filled toggle clasp. This has all of fall's most beautiful colours in all of its rich looking glory! It's also affordable - and one of a kind! I used my last African wood round beads on this necklace, which I'm a bit sad by, as they are so versatile, but that just means I'll have to go shopping for more! This piece is for sale on my Etsy store, as are a few other goodies not mentioned here. And, until the end of the month, all my items are 20% off when you use the coupon code "LITT" in the notes to seller when you purchase!! Take advantage now and get a head start on your holiday shopping, saving money and time all at once!
Keep checking here, I'll be posting more often to keep you in the loop!
Meghann

Bookmarks and Bracelets and Rings - Oh My!

~A Few of the Items I Made This Week~

Well, this has been a busy week: I made the items you see above (plus a few more), as well as stocked my Etsy store with a few others from my website; I also got a few more reference books to inspire me to make some new pieces (keep checking back - they are going to floor you!); plus I made my best friend Stephanie a beautiful bracelet that I will have to make again to show you - it's gorgeous!
I made some great simple rings with sterling silver wire and Czech glass beads, as well as similar ones in gold filled wire. I also made a beautiful spiral ring with amber and Czech glass in 14karat gold filled wire. I made a nice bracelet with memory wire and rhodonite stones with agate and Czech glass beads. I also made a stunning bookmark with a gold plate bookmark, and beautiful patterns of Czech glass beads in lilac, gold and natural pink, and leaves of green. I made so much more, but I don't want to ruin the surprise!
I have so much more to show you, but I have to get these new rings, bracelets, earrings, a cell fob and a bookmark on the Etsy site tomorrow. Check it out! These are high quality pieces at great deals!
Have a great day,
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