Time to Think of next Month...

~Want to Learn to Make This? You Can - Thursday January 15, 2009!~

Well the first class I taught at The Bead Store in Kemptville was a huge hit. The pendant was finished by the end of the class and the participants got to wear them home! They loved the project and now have some new techniques to add to their repertoire. I had so much fun, so a big thank you to all who came out!
The next project is the one you see above. This is a beautiful nested ring with sterling silver wire and Czech glass beads surrounding a beautiful focal stone, in this case a carnelian melon. This will be taught by me at The Bead Store in Kemptville on Thursday, January 15 from 7PM to 9PM. It will be lots of fun, so I really encourage you to come out and try it. It is a great way to get out of the house and escape those January doldrums, plus it is an affordable project and you'll have a beautiful ring to give away (or keep!) by the end of the class. Check out their website for details: www.rideau-art-beads.com
The SUPER SALE is still going strong in my Etsy Store, so check it out as there are lots of great affordable gift ideas and there is still time to get it mailed to you (or directly to the recipient) before Christmas. See the sale here: www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com :)
Also, don't forget to enter the December blog contest to try and win a wonderful prize! Everyone is eligible, so enter and tell your friends too - you never know...you just might win!
Meghann

Today's the Day!

It's finally here! Tonight I teach my first jewellery-making class at the Bead Store in Kemptville!
I think there is one more spot open so if you want to learn how to make a wire wrapped donut pendant like the one above, call them to see if you can come too! It'll be lots of fun and a great Christmas present that you get to brag that you made yourself.
Don't forget my SUPER SALE and enter the free December Contest to try and win a great prize!
Don't forget that 10% of the total sales before taxes and shipping go to the charity of the month, Epic Farms
Meghann

Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Stone Donut

~Front of Pendant~

~Back of Pendant~

Here is a beautiful pendant that I am excited to be teaching people to make at The Bead Store in Kemptville on November 6. I used sterling silver wire and hand formed it into a 'cage' to hold the stone donut. Then I created a wrapped loop with the center wire, and used the outer wires to make a decorative, yet functional spiral cage for the top of the bead. Gorgeous! Check out The bead Store's Website for details!
Meghann

Celtic-Style Hammered Copper Necklace and Earrings

~Necklace and Earrings Together~

~'Dagger' Drop Bead Detail~

~Spiral Clasp Detail~

This last week has been really something. I am now officially teaching some wire working jewellery classes at The Bead Store in Kemptville starting in September, I've been working on several jewellery projects at once, I've been cleaning and gardening, taking photos for a friend, and I've been really sick with my Fibromyalgia flareups.
The piece above was originally going to be a mock-up for a Fibromyalgia Awareness jewellery set, but after making a few heart-shaped links, it took on a life of its own (as so often happens with art) and I was inspired to change a few things and make the necklace in its entirety. I then had to make matching earrings for it (of course!). Over 7 feet of copper wire was hand-wrapped and hammered into 21 Celtic-style hearts that are connected with silver-plated jump rings. 7 'jet' Czech glass 'dagger' beads are suspended from the bottoms of select hearts for extra style and substance. A sterling silver spiral clasp is the perfect accent, and also hammered to match the copper wire's hammered finish. An additional 2 hearts are suspended from sterling silver ear wires, with an additional 2 Czech glass 'dagger' beads in turn suspended from the bottom of the hearts. This necklace is lighter than air, despite it's appearance.
I'm now working on a similar-but-different piece in 14karat gold-filled wire with amethyst beads for a necklace, with matching earrings and a different take on the piece for a similarly-styled bracelet. I'll do a similar set in sterling silver when I'm done. I'll have them all for sale, but I might just keep some for myself - they are that gorgeous!
I'll keep you updated on the progress of the new pieces. Check the web links to the right of the page to go to The Bead Store's website and check them out!
Stay adorned, and until next time,
Meghann

Fibromyalgia Awareness Jewellery

~Fibromyalgia Awareness Bracelet~
~Amethyst, Sterling Silver, and Swarovski Crystal Bracelet~

I've finally finished the first piece of jewellery in a series of Fibromyalgia Awareness jewellery items! It is a one-of-a-kind bracelet made with Amethyst, sterling silver wire and Swarovski Crystals, and is absolutely gorgeous. The awareness colour for Fibromyalgia is purple so I used amethyst. The beads are smooth, tumbled nuggets about 1cm in length, and are wrapped with nearly 3 1/2 feet of sterling silver wire, symbolizing the control we aim to have over the disease. The Swarovski crystals are about 6mm wide and when light flows through them, it creates a rainbow of colours, symbolizing the light that shines from within each sufferer. I will be making more items, but this is the first, and is very special, especially as it is the only on eof its kind. This bracelet is available for sale on the website at www.littlestudio.ca Just follow the links to the bracelets page.
All of the Fibromyalgia awareness items will have 10% of the price of each item going towards charities that help those with Fibromyalgia, such as the Canadian Arthritis Society, instead of the regular charity of the month.
I will be making more items as I can, as well as putting together tutorials for teaching you how to make your own beautiful jewellery pieces! Keep checking back for more information.
Take care, happy adornment!
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