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In February, I attended a local historical reenactment gathering and tournament for the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). This group is a world-wide group of people who are dedicated to the research and re-creation of the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. This includes many talents from combat and cooking to story telling, costume making, artwork and more.
At the function that I attended, members dressed in the fashions and jewelry of the Middle Ages and Renaissance attended an all-day event that featured tournaments, a royal court complete with feast, dancing and other various reenactment activities.
Many of the women who attended were dressed in Viking Era fashion, which included an interesting style of jewelry I was enthusiastic to start making.
Above is one of the first of these designs. A Norse cascade necklace which is attached to the shoulders of an outer apron worn by the women of that era by large brooches.
Look forward in future posts for more information on these cascade necklaces and other historical reenactment jewelry that I'm working on. I plan to add an entire line of such pieces to my repertoire of designs!
Agate is a variegated class of chalcedony that usually exhibits with colored bands or other markings. It is often used and worn in order to help transform and eliminate negativity as well as find a balance between the intellectual, physical and emotional centers of the body.
In the handmade gemstone necklace pictured in today's post, agate is the theme of the piece. The spider web agate used in this piece is both earthy and bold with a smoky shimmer to the body of the beads and dark bands of inky black within the stone.
This spider web agate and bronze necklace has been created by hand from a large chunk of spider web agate designed into a pendant hanging from a hand-crafted chain of more spider web agate beads combined with fresh water pearls and lots of bronze tone accents. An extender chain at the nape makes the necklace able to be worn at a variety of lengths.
In celebration of the upcoming Easter holiday, I designed this lampwork Easter Bunny charm bracelet from a variety of beautiful pink and white beads clustered along the length of a silver plated chain with glass flower beads and lampwork Easter Bunny charms added in.
This handmade charm bracelet is a perfect celebration of spring and a wonderful reminder of the traditions of Easter and the Easter Bunny from our past.
The Easter Bunny is a character depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs, who sometimes is depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and sometimes also toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning.
The Easter Bunny was introduced to the United States by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 18th century. The arrival of the Osterhase (Easter Hare) was considered one of "childhood's greatest pleasures", similar to the arrival of Kris Kringle on Christmas Eve.
According to the tradition, children would build brightly colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in secluded areas of their homes. The "Osterhase" would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in the nest. As the tradition spread, the nest has become the manufactured, modern Easter basket, and the placing of the nest in a secluded area has become the tradition of hiding baskets and eggs for children to find on their Easter Egg hunts.
[Information on Easter and the Easter Bunny provided by Wikipedia.]
Sometimes when boredom strikes, you just need a little color to stir up the inspiration.
When I was little, my sitter and I used to play a game. We would pick a color then take turns going through the alphabet naming something that was that color. For example, for purple we would start out with "A" and I'd say "Amethyst is purple" and she'd say "Barry's Beetle is purple". We'd take turns like that, going as fast as we can, until either one of us became stumped or got one wrong at which point the other party won.
I had a lot of fun with it when I was little and now, as an adult, I sometimes find myself remembering fondly that game in particular when I'm working on my jewelry.
The piece pictured above is the latest piece that has brought these memories to the surface. These silver and amethyst colored handmade hoop earrings are designed with lots of amethyst glass accents combined with subtle hints of silver accents. Joined together on a silver wire hoop, they create a mysterious style that makes me think of gypsies and moonlight.
For centuries, ancient societies and individuals have believed that stones and crystals are gifts from the earth imbibed with magical powers to help with an individual's every day life as well as healing properties. Today, as then, they continue to be revered by many for these same properties and reasons.
The handmade bracelet pictured above is designed with honey jade combined with burgundy glass beads and antiqued bronze rose charms. Honey jade is believed to be a stone of happiness and joy and has been used for centuries to foster these emotions as well as to encourage serenity and peace during times of need.
Incorporated in this vintage-inspired bracelet, it adds a charming value to an artisan design that can be worn both casually or for dressier occasions.
These pearl and gold stitch markers have been designed from creamy white glass pearls and intricately designed golden bead caps. The loop on the top is 8mm in diameter to ensure they'll fit most crochet hooks and knitting needles while the charm's is 24mm in total length.
Stitch markers are one of the major wonders of the world to me. I have done a lot of research on them and their uses, but after all that, I still can't figure out how the person that uses them doesn't end up getting them stuck within their knit and crochet creations.
I watched a woman at a craft fair who had bought a couple of handmade stitch markers from me, use them in her work, but as fascinating as it was I still couldn't grasp how she managed to get them in and then back out of the piece she was creating. The needles moved, the yarn entwined, the stitch markers slipped into place and down the line somehow slipped back out of place as well. Magic, I tell you. Pure magic.
I love the bronze Tree of Life bottle used in this moonstone and turquoise necklace. When I first saw it, I was immediately inspired and the design took on a life of its own. It almost felt as if it created itself at the tips of my fingers.
The bottle at the end of this handmade artisan necklace is fully functional with a cap that opens but is securely chained to dangle when the bottle is open instead of getting lost. Along the chain, interspersed between lots of bronze accents, are large and medium sized rainbow moonstones combined with magnasite turquoise rounds.
This Tree of Life necklace is then finished with an extension chain at the nape so that it can be worn at a variety of lengths.
Fun and cute... and perfect for someone with a sweet tooth! This handmade charm bracelet was inspired by pink dyed coral beads that look like candy. The coral beads were used as spacers between sparkling clusters of crystals and glass beads.
Completing the piece, a handful of cute little lampwork glass cupcake charms with vanilla frosting and little pink rosettes were added. These cupcakes are handmade from lampwork glass and an adorable addition to the sweet tooth theme.
This handmade cupcake bracelet was then finished off with a toggle clasp in matching silver tones that looks like twists of licorice!
Spring is coming and summer isn't' far behind... at least we all hope that's the case! With thoughts of a warm spring and the beginnings of summer rolling around in my head as inspiration, this handmade sunflower necklace has been created in anticipation of that soon-to-be-arriving season.
The pendant at the end of this artisan necklace is a beautiful porcelain cabochon that has been set within a frame of leafy bronze fronds. The pendant is 70 mm in size and dangles at the end of a length of hand-created chain with bits of bronze beads, yellow pearls and matching porcelain beads with sunflowers on their surface.
When I started working with these bead wafers, they reminded me of church. At first, I wasn't sure why, but then it struck me that they're a very similar size and weight a the host that's given in church during Holy Communion. That is how this handmade eyeglass holder became titled "The Host" once it was finished!
Designed with wooden wafers combined with unusually shaped cream wafers and other dark wood and cream beads, this beaded eyeglass holder is perfect for holding on to reading glasses that usually like to try and make a run for it and get lost. The dark wood and cream colors are accented by touches of golden shimmer that adds a bit of warmth to the design.
One of my absolute favorites of late! Titled the "Forest Runes" charm bracelet, this piece is designed from beautiful puffy lampwork coin beads interspersed between shimmering clusters of beads and charms.
Each cluster contains the soft glow of pearls combined with the bright shimmer of crystal glass beads in shades of green and tan. Included as well are little leaf charms and a coin shaped rune set in the center of each cluster.
This handmade charm bracelet is then brought together with a beautiful leaf-embellished toggle clasp and the entire piece measures at 8.25-inches (21 cm) in length.
A beautifully made 52mm bronze owl with black rhinestone eyes and the shimmer of rust colored rhinestones at his crest and tail dangles at the end of this handmade gemstone necklace designed from rust red fossil stones, honey jade gemstones and lots of little bronze accents including floral charms and bead caps.
This handmade owl necklace is both earthy and elegant with a touch of shimmer and lots of rich color. It's sure to be a favorite to owl lovers everywhere! The necklace's length is adjustable between 19.5" - 21.5" in length (49.5 cm - 54.6 cm) thanks to an extender chain at the nape and lobster claw clasp.
Delicate and colorful with a vintage style flair! These handmade earrings are created from pretty little glass turquoise beads faceted for a cheerful shimmer combined with bronze accents.
the little delicate dangle earrings have then been set to hang from matching bronze tone earring hooks. The earrings are not just fun and colorful but light weight and easy to wear.
I wish I could find more of these!!
That's what I thought when I found this little pewter and rhinestone elephant charm. I fell in love with him right away but was only able to find two. I then used one for a custom order and this one is all that's left!
Using this beautifully detailed elephant charm, I've designed a handmade elephant bracelet created with shimmering crystal beads and black glass beads. This bracelet is both fun and elegant too and I love the way it sparkles and shines!
A bronze pendant with sea life motif including seahorse and angel fish is the focus of this handmade aquatic themed necklace. Designed with a combination of genuine fresh water pearls, aqua colored amazonite gemstones and crystal beads in aqua and teal this necklace has an extender chain at the nape for an adjustable length and lots of little bronze accents.
Each link in this handmade beaded necklace has been hand turned with special care towards quality and workmanship.
The clear globe beads with golden flake filling their insides instantly inspired me to design something elegant the moment I saw them. Used here combined with midnight blue pearls, lighter blue glass accents and a bit of gold and white, the globes are set to shimmer and dance along the strand of this beaded lanyard for both an elegant style and useful purpose.
This handmade badge lanyard is designed to be worn around the neck with a badge clip or key ring located at the end to keep badges for work, volunteering, school and more easily in reach. So many different venues now require wearing a badge and here's a way to do that without giving up personal style!
The moment I saw this pendant I was immediately inspired and when I ordered it, I couldn't wait for it to arrive so that I could work with it.
Made from mint green jade gemstones and the rich, soft glow of fresh water pearls, this handmade gemstone necklace is designed around the beautiful forest themed pendant that dangles at it's end with dancing fireflies against a rich green backdrop.
The finished jade necklace is designed with spiral swirl accents to match the frame of the pendant and is then finished with an extension chain at the nape to allow the necklace to be worn at a variety of lengths for comfort.
Made with delicate glass teardrops in a rich amber color, these wire wrapped earrings are a colorful and understated accent when worn. The glass teardrops started out in a shade of crystal clear amber and were soaked in a glass clouding solution for a smooth satin finish. Once the finish was just right, they were thoroughly cleaned then carefully wrapped in silver tone wire for contrast between warm and cool tones then set to dangle on matching handmade earring hooks.
This pair of handmade teardrop earrings is part of an extensive collection titled "The Elixirs" which come in a variety of colors both in shimmering clear tones as well as in the clouded satin finish you see pictured here. Every pair is completed with care from their wire wrapped tops to their carefully shaped earring wires.
A sea of cobalt blue with bright yellow flowers floating within it is the theme of the floral lampwork beads that are included in this handmade eyeglass holder.
These beads aren't just the theme, they were the inspiration for this beaded eyeglass holder made from matching cobalt and navy beads combined with touches of yellow and lots of gold tone shimmer interspersed along a beaded white strand.
When I saw this little 21mm pocket watch, I instantly fell in love with the little owl on the cover. I was impressed with all of the beautiful intricate details on the face of the watch as well as the floral motif on its back.
I've paired the pocket watch up with lots of matching bronze accents in this handmade gemstone necklace, adding in bits of earthy green lace agate stones and honey jade gemstone highlights for a uniquely elegant look that's an excellent alternative to wearing a watch.
The length of this owl pocket watch necklace is also adjustable! The nape has been made with an extender chain that the clasp can connect to in order to wear the necklace at a variety of lengths.
