tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38662699935223003382024-03-14T06:05:08.883-04:00A Jewelry StoryThis site is dedicated to revealing some of the inspirations, motivations, and stories around the creation of some of the pieces from <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com">Sun Sparkle Designs</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-73488767179197491602008-02-05T16:56:00.001-05:002010-06-22T18:05:15.234-04:00mother and baby setA good friend was pregnant with her first daughter and had heard of "feeding necklaces" to distract the baby while bottle- or breastfeeding. She wasn't happy with any of the designs she found, so asked me to make one especially for her.<br /><br />It took a lot of research to find suitable beads. They had to be flexible non-toxic plastic, and definitely not glass or wood. They had to be large enough size, and in an eye-grabbing assortment of shapes, colors, and textures. In short, something the baby could grab, chew on, and generally abuse.<br /><br />I decided the best course of action was to buy pre-made teething rings and disassemble them for the beads. I used a doubled-up nylon kite string to string the assortment, with plastic keys as a sort of centerpiece or focal point. There were plenty of beads left over, so I made a mini-ring (which is actually bigger than a bracelet) for when mother and baby are on the go.<br /><br />See the set at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/02/mother-and-baby-set.html">Sun Sparkle Designs: mother and baby set</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-19500905993004621702007-11-25T00:30:00.001-05:002007-11-25T00:31:59.990-05:00crystal rose braceletWhile playing with the camera settings for the <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/11/crystal-rose-bracelet.html">crystal rose bracelet</a>, I accidentally took this picture with my fingers over the flash. I just thought it turned out really well.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3VZ5pQUvp_WcA4m-UV_lWdpZ5U7uEmrLnnaHNBl2GRSGWJOfDaImAtUk-u7qWTPMIX-hMA2TwcCKGxttZ4_mW4Ek-vOAfMDvimCPzp2gOiSUbPZHHPTKRqXk5WG_lGOqjAUGw0Wxxrrc/s1600-h/crystal-rose-flash.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3VZ5pQUvp_WcA4m-UV_lWdpZ5U7uEmrLnnaHNBl2GRSGWJOfDaImAtUk-u7qWTPMIX-hMA2TwcCKGxttZ4_mW4Ek-vOAfMDvimCPzp2gOiSUbPZHHPTKRqXk5WG_lGOqjAUGw0Wxxrrc/s320/crystal-rose-flash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136646190967100002" border="0" /></a>super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-5031161123083395052007-09-26T10:47:00.003-04:002012-11-16T18:36:34.893-05:00birthstonesFrom Wikipedia,<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" class="wikitable"><tbody>
<tr><th>Month</th><th>Modern Birthstone<sup class="reference" id="_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday#_note-1" title="">[2]</a></sup></th><th>Alternate</th><th>Traditional Birthstone<sup class="reference" id="_ref-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday#_note-2" title="">[3]</a></sup></th></tr>
<tr><td>January</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/garnet" title="Garnet">Garnet</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/quartz" title="Rose quartz">Rose Quartz</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/garnet" title="Garnet">Garnet</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>February</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/amethyst"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Amethyst</span></a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/onyx" title="Onyx">Onyx</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/amethyst" title="Amethyst">Amethyst</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>March</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/aquamarine" title="Aquamarine">Aquamarine</a></td><td>Red <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper" title="Jasper">Jasper</a> (Bloodstone)</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodstone" title="Bloodstone">Bloodstone</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/jasper" title="Jasper">Jasper</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>April</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond" title="Diamond">Diamond</a></td><td>Rock Crystal (<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/quartz" title="Quartz">Quartz</a>)</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond" title="Diamond">Diamond</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/sapphire" title="Sapphire">Sapphire</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>May</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald" title="Emerald">Emerald</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoprase" title="Chrysoprase">Chrysoprase</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald" title="Emerald">Emerald</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/agate"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Agate</span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>June</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/pearl" title="Pearl">Pearl</a> (the only non-mineral), <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/moonstone" title="Orthoclase">Moonstone</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrite" title="Alexandrite">Alexandrite</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrite" title="Alexandrite">Alexandrite</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald" title="Emerald">Emerald</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>July</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby" title="Ruby">Ruby</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/jade" title="Jade">Jade</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian" title="Carnelian">Carnelian</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby" title="Ruby">Ruby</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/onyx" title="Onyx">Onyx</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>August</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/peridot" title="Peridot">Peridot</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/aventurine">Aventurine</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardonyx" title="Sardonyx">Sardonyx</a>, or <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/sapphire" title="Sapphire">Sapphire</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardonyx" title="Sardonyx">Sardonyx</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian" title="Carnelian">Carnelian</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>September</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/sapphire" title="Sapphire">Sapphire</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/lapis%20lazuli" title="Lapis lazuli">Lapis lazuli</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/sapphire" title="Sapphire">Sapphire</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/peridot" title="Peridot">Peridot</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>October</td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/opal" title="Opal">Opal</a></td><td>Pink <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourmaline" title="Tourmaline">Tourmaline</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourmaline" title="Tourmaline">Tourmaline</a>, <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/aquamarine" title="Aquamarine">Aquamarine</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>November</td><td>Yellow <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz" title="Topaz">Topaz</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/citrine" title="Citrine">Citrine</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise" title="Turquoise">Turquoise</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/citrine" title="Citrine">Citrine</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz" title="Topaz">Topaz</a></td></tr>
<tr><td>December</td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise" title="Turquoise">Turquoise</a>, Blue <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz" title="Topaz">Topaz</a></td><td><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/lapis%20lazuli" title="Lapis Lazuli">Lapis Lazuli</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanzanite" title="Tanzanite">Tanzanite</a></td><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zircon" title="Zircon">Zircon</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby" title="Ruby">Ruby</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-19296385714129093192007-09-26T10:04:00.003-04:002012-11-16T18:37:03.243-05:00mystical crystalsHere are some selected physical ailments that may be relieved or strengthened with certain stones. There are also many spiritual and emotional aspects associated with the stones that I have not listed.<br />
<br />
Taken from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Visions-Roxayne-Veasey/dp/0924608153/ref=sr_1_6/102-2412851-3247368?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190815555&sr=1-6">Crystal Visions</a> by Roxayne Veasey.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/agate"><span style="font-weight: bold;">AGATE</span></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">blue lace agate</span><br />
neck & shoulder pain<br />
headaches<br />
sore throats<br />
thyroid<br />
anger<br />
inflammation<br />
infections<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">moss agate</span><br />
blood circulation<br />
lymph system circulation<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">AMBER</span><br />
central nervous system<br />
disease<br />
glands<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/amethyst"><span style="font-weight: bold;">AMETHYST</span></a><br />
meditation / sleep<br />
pineal & pituitary glands<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/aquamarine"><span style="font-weight: bold;">AQUAMARINE</span></a><br />
fluid retention<br />
thymus gland<br />
creative expression<br />
clarity of thought<br />
fears and phobias<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/aventurine">AVENTURINE</a></span><br />
emotional stress / anxiety<br />
muscle tissue<br />
blood<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">AZURITE</span><br />
psychic abilities / visualization<br />
thyroid glands<br />
spleen<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">BLOODSTONE</span><br />
blood disorders<br />
heart<br />
spleen<br />
bone marrow<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">CALCITE</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">white / transparent calcite</span><br />
memory<br />
eyesight<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">honey calcite</span><br />
kidneys<br />
gall bladder<br />
digestive system<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">CARNELIAN</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>asthma<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">CELESTITE</span><br />
headaches<br />
communication<br />
thyroid<br />
creativity<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">CHRYSOCOLLA</span><br />
stress<br />
lungs<br />
thyroid<br />
anger, fear, & guilt<br />
female disorders<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/citrine"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CITRINE</span></a><br />
tissues<br />
intuition<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">EMERALD</span><br />
eyestrain<br />
immune system<br />
nervous system<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/fluorite"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FLOURITE</span></a><br />
stress<br />
strokes<br />
arthritis<br />
hyperactivity<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/garnet"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GARNET</span></a><br />
bloodflow<br />
anemia<br />
pituitary gland<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/hematite"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HEMATITE</span></a><br />
spleen<br />
stress<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">JADITE</span><br />
heart<br />
kidneys<br />
immune system<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">KUNZITE</span><br />
"broken heart"<br />
depression<br />
self-esteem<br />
cardiovascular system<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/lapis%20lazuli"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LAPIS LAZULI</span></a><br />
skeletal system<br />
thyroid<br />
fertility / vitality<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">MALACHITE</span><br />
illnesses<br />
pancreas<br />
spleen<br />
circulatory system<br />
pituitary gland<br />
pineal gland<br />
sleep disorders<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">MOLDAVITE</span><br />
brain / central nervous system<br />
comas<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/moonstone"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MOONSTONE</span></a><br />
lymphatic system<br />
anxiety / stress<br />
female problems<br />
birthing process<br />
stomach<br />
spleen<br />
pancreas<br />
pituitary gland<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">OBSIDIAN</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">black obsidian</span><br />
intestinal / digestive system<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/peridot"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PERIDOT</span></a><br />
adrenal glands<br />
heart<br />
pancreas<br />
liver<br />
spleen<br />
environmental stress<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">PYRITE</span><br />
digestion / elimination<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/quartz"><span style="font-weight: bold;">QUARTZ</span></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">rose quartz</span><br />
kidneys<br />
fertility<br />
sexual imbalances<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">rutilated quartz</span><br />
regeneration<br />
aging<br />
immune system<br />
depression<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">smoky quartz</span><br />
adrenal glands<br />
depression<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">RUBY</span><br />
energy<br />
stability<br />
immunity<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/sapphire"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SAPPHIRE</span></a><br />
digestive system<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">SELENITE</span><br />
nervous system<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">SODOLITE</span><br />
endrocrine system<br />
lymphatic system<br />
<br />
<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/search/label/tiger%27s%20eye"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TIGER'S EYE</span></a><br />
spleen<br />
pancreas<br />
digestive system<br />
colon<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">TOPAZ</span><br />
digestive system<br />
tissue regeneration<br />
liver<br />
gall bladder<br />
spleen<br />
arthritis & rheumatism<br />
depression, anger, & fear<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">TOURMALINE</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">blue tourmaline</span><br />
anger & frustration<br />
sadness<br />
sore throats<br />
thyroid gland<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">green tourmaline</span><br />
endocrine system<br />
depression<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">TURQUOISE</span><br />
strengthens body<br />
nervous system vitalitysuper deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-52671355216108781942007-08-24T10:36:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:08:30.816-04:00fountain necklaceWhile visiting a friend near Chicago, we stopped at the <a href="http://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple">Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, IL</a>. Everything about the place was very beautiful, but I was drawn to the fountain. When I looked inside, I saw this:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL_z8l9Kr-l_1Um97E4JGFzDHKoLKNVDhyPO_KtHrcCAawtdJmSK24OlqNCzsOkJnB_F2Vch6J0x0Uynocz0NDL_88y5PcCZfmDgf7CNBfuOzamnbpFjbg-JJaRbgMc_cKOMZptNLwNxm/s1600-h/bahai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL_z8l9Kr-l_1Um97E4JGFzDHKoLKNVDhyPO_KtHrcCAawtdJmSK24OlqNCzsOkJnB_F2Vch6J0x0Uynocz0NDL_88y5PcCZfmDgf7CNBfuOzamnbpFjbg-JJaRbgMc_cKOMZptNLwNxm/s320/bahai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102276842762625442" border="0" /></a><br />I thought it was really cool and knew I wanted to make a piece of jewelry that captured it. The rest of my vacation, the back of my mind was formulating this necklace. (You might also recognize it as the background of this blog.)<br /><br />When I got home, I did some searching for the perfect beads. Since I had only an idea of what I wanted, I couldn't go to my regular sources. Instead, I looked at good old ebay. Besides having a wide selection of things available right then, most things were reasonably priced. I found several things that would be perfect for my creation and bought what I could, bidding on the others. There isn't a big market for beads, so I easily won everything I needed.<br /><br />I only had one problem (albeit a major one) when one company decided that instead of the $4.99 shipping charges, I would have to pay almost $30. That was a long drawn out fight, including reporting them to ebay, but in the end I ended up paying for them. It makes me sad, but they were really awesome beads. (If you look at the necklace, it's the lighter of the 2 large squares.)<br /><br />So after I finally had all my beads, I set about creating. The design process alone took several hours, but I had a picture in my head (and on my camera) which gave me a clear goal. I'm quite pleased with the way the necklace turned out. It is a little bulky and heavy though, so it's not a perfect everyday necklace. But it is so nice to look at.<br /><br />See the necklace at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/08/fountain-necklace.html">Sun Sparkle Designs: fountain necklace</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-44451458734951526362007-08-12T21:52:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:08:42.465-04:003-2-1 necklaceI wanted something to dress up a business suit, and thought a simple strand of pearls would look great. Of course, I couldn't decide which color of pearls to use, and they all looked so pretty together. First I thought I would just make a 3-layered necklace. But then it occurred to me that some of the colors might clash with certain outfits.<br /><br />I never thought I'd be inspired by Swatch Watches.<br /><br />I think I'm a genius, and I really hope that nobody else has marketed this idea before. However, with my readers as my witnesses, I came up with the multi-strand necklace idea all on my own, on August 11, 2007.<br /><br />To see the necklace, go to<a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/08/3-2-1-necklace.html"> Sun Sparkle Designs: 3-2-1 necklace</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-28512102559053037902007-08-10T11:49:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:09:24.472-04:00clown braceletFor my birthday, a friend bought me these cool beads. They were awesome, but hard to work into a design. Finally one day I decided that the beads are elaborate enough - the jewelry would be better simple.<br /><br />I played around with my stock beads until I found some that perfectly matched. I wouldn't have thought about the blue lace agates if I hadn't seen them up close. The colors on the agate were just light enough to draw out the colors on the glass even more, and the hint of blue looked great with all the glass, even the red.<br /><br />The result was a beautiful (accidental) work of art.<br /><br />See the bracelet at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/08/clown-bracelet.html">Sun Sparkle Designs</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-42073828497587583212007-08-10T11:44:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:10:18.912-04:00gradichrome necklaceI bought a new outfit on Saturday. Naturally I wanted to wear it on Monday. I had a black shirt, white skirt with black trim, white shoes with black trim, a black headband with white stripes, but no jewelry that matched so completely. Sure, I could throw in a splash of color, but I was going for the whole bi-chrome effect. So I did what any self respecting jewelry artist would do: I made myself a new necklace.<br /><br />Once I had all my supplies together, the designing process didn't take long at all (duh - black, gray, white, repeat). SO I whipped myself up a pretty strand of faux-pearls. As I'm about to snap a picture for posterity, I notice that in one place, the pattern doesn't go b-g-w, it goes b-g-w-w-g-b which is only a minor misstep, but I'm a perfectionist dammit.<br /><br />So I remake the necklace. Then as I'm crimping the final bead that holds the whole thing together, the wire breaks for no reason and black agates go a-flying. I yell a few choice words and begin the reconstruction process. Craig tells me to stop it, give up, do it tomorrow. But I need to <span style="font-style: italic;">wear</span> the necklace tomorrow!<br /><br />So I make the necklace for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">third</span> time. All goes as planned, I take the photos, and decide I can finally go to bed. This is why when my alarm went off at 6:45 am Monday morning, I wondered aloud what day it was, and had to really rack my brain as to why I would be getting up so early.<br /><br />Then, after all that, I wear it twice (in one week) and somebody buys it. I was a little sad, but if I didn't want it sold I wouldn't have put it up for sale.<br /><br />See the necklace at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/07/gradichrome-necklace.html">Sun Sparkle Designs: gradichrome necklace.</a>super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-78480235019220388542007-08-10T11:27:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:10:48.412-04:00blue & purple pinA coworker had a gift in mind for someone that had helped her through a hard time. The woman the gift was for wasn't real big on jewelry, but would wear a nice brooch on occasion. I told my coworker I could make something for her with her favorite colors.<br /><br />I looked on <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/ssimpsonca">ebay</a> and found a beautiful handmade dichroic glass piece. I super-glued a pinback to the glass, and connected some simple curved wire hangings. From the wire, I strung seed beads to complement the glass colors. It was very simple, perfect for someone who doesn't wear a lot of jewelry. I thought it was quite pretty, and I was very pleased with the result, as was my coworker.<br />The next day, my coworker reported back that the recipient loved it, but my coworker's wife had said "it looks like something a 5-year old made."<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />See the pin at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/02/blue-purple-pin.html">Sun Sparkle Designs: blue & purple pin</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866269993522300338.post-53769483464336730452007-08-10T10:39:00.001-04:002010-06-22T18:10:58.123-04:00black flower necklaceI was Maid of Honor in my best friend's wedding. Thankfully she allowed us to pick out our own black dresses, instead of forcing us each into the same tangerine or mauve atrocity. I had just purchased a wire jig from <a href="http://firemountaingems.com/">Fire Mountain</a>, and I felt that black-coated wire was the best thing to start experimenting with.<br /><br />Turns out I could figure out some daisy-like flowers, but that was about it. So I worked on perfecting the flowers. Slowly I realized that my bridesmaid dress was draped in black beaded flowers - very similar to the ones I was making for fun. I made 3 flowers and linked them with a small chain. Then I had to re-coat some spots of the wire with black nail polish where the copper was showing through.<br /><br />I sat on the 3-flower chain for a while, not knowing how to complete the necklace. On an unrelated shopping trip, I brought home some white Swarovski bicone crystals and realized that the wedding's color theme was black, white, and red. I had some large red crystals, and I threw together some seed beads, and voila! My bridesmaid's necklace was done. Perfectly matching, with just a hint of sparkle.<br /><br />See the necklace at <a href="http://desjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/06/black-flower-necklace.html">Sun Sparkle Designs</a>.super deshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04347176046518919059noreply@blogger.com