Iolite, Fresh Water Pearl, Sapphire and Citrine Sterling Wire Wrapped Earrings

I've been having fun making some beautiful earrings with sterling silver wire, stones and fresh water pearls.  One pair is iolite and fresh water pearls and the other pair is citrine with various colors of sapphire beads.  These are not always the easiest to photograph!  The citrines were faceted on the front and back, so they are laying one way or the other.  Briolettes are a bit easier to photograph, but the citrines were just so pretty that I wanted to make earrings with them!  These are all handmade, even the ear wires!

If you like blue sapphires and the way tanzantite looked back in the day, iolite is a great, affordable solution.  Much of the tanzanite you see out there now has a lighter, lavender look to it.  You can get crystals in more of a true tanzanite color, but they are crystals!  I really enjoy using real stones and searching for nice stones to use with my jewelry.

Ruby, Freshwater Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings

I made these earrings entirely by hand with sterling silver wire, small ruby rondelles and silver fresh water pearls.  I cut the base pieces for the earrings and wrapped with a lighter gauge of sterling wire and added the ruby beads that I estimate at 2.5mm.  Yes, the sizes seem to vary a bit and yes, they do have inclusions...  I could say that's how you know they're real!  Instead of using a head pin and wrapping the pearl, I used sterling wire and really wrapped it!  I used another double wrapped piece to connect the main part of the earring to the dangle and then wrapped the top.  I used 20 gauge for the ear wires and wrapped the front a bit.  You may want to use a lighter gauge for the ear wires if someone hasn't worn earrings all that long.  You might try 22 gauge and that will be thinner.  I like the simple wire vs. a rounded ones or a long contemporary style.  It had to make sense with this pair.  There are  lots of different styles of wires you could make, but one thing that's for sure, store bought wires or lever backs are really expensive right now.  These really have an Eastern Indian feel and I just love them.  Thanks for looking!

Handmade Sterling Silver OM Pendant with Sewn on Fresh Water Pearls!

Wanted to share a photo of a pendant I finished with the pearls last night.  I roller milled both pieces of silver, hand stamped the OM design, I riveted it together, drilled holes all the way around, wire wrapped the bail, oxidized the metal, sanded it, sewed silver and lavender fresh water pearls around the edges, wire wrapped and hung a large pearl off the bottom and.... I guess that's it!  I've never seen anyone sew stones to a pendant like this and it was kind of a spontaneous idea of mine.  Thanks for looking!  Yes, I've already listed it on my Etsy shop and can't wait to see what kind of activity I get on it!

The Quilted Heart Pendant

I've had some sample milled pieces of silver and also some scrap I wanted to use.  Sterling silver was about $38.50 and ounce the last time I stopped to pick up some wire last week, so it's become a bit of a fun challenge to see how much of it I can use and then use smaller pieces for other projects.

I cut out the little rectangle and then sawed out a small asymmetrical heart out of some scrap.  They call this cold fusion, but it's really two pieces of metal that have been drilled and you use the same gauge of silver wire, trim it and use a chasing hammer to rivet.  I've had so much fun riveting!

I also had the idea to drill random holes around the edges of the metal and thread faceted gemstones all the way around.  This reminds me of the cardboard pieces children use with shoe laces to practice sewing.  Maybe some of us have tried that when we were tots!  I used peridot and various colors of watermelon tourmalines around the edges.  I think this looks like a framed piece of art or a framed photo.  I've never seen this done before and I will call it a Julie original!

Sterling Silver Leaf Pendants

I made some smaller pendants with oak leaves roller milled onto them.  I've left more of a satin finish on these and I really like the simple, distressed look.  I will be making some pretty dangles to wear with the pendants.  The leaves for these three pendants were collected near Tonto Creek in Arizona.

I've just collected more leaves, moss and grasses last weekend to use with these projects.  The pictured container of leaves were collected near the Mogollon Rim of Arizona.  It's a fun thing to do while you're out hiking and the scenery is spectacular!  The lake area I like to visit will be closing soon for the season and snow should soon follow.  Well, I hope!  Thanks for looking.

Wire Wrapped Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Earrings

I've been experimenting with some earring designs using wrapped wire, stones and crystals.  I've been working through various design patterns and writing instructions including gauges of metal and lengths to cut.  This way, if I make these in sterling, I will get maximum use of my silver wire.  I was out of town recently and trying to make earrings and I didn't have any jump rings.  I decided to use pieces of wrapped wire to pull the various components of the earrings together.  I connected the pearls to the main part of the earrings and also the top with one piece of wire.  Sometimes the lack of supplies will make you think and then you have something that's a bit different.  I think I will run with this design and say adios to the jump rings for the moment!

I desire to make beautiful things, but I'm also aware of prices.  I will be making these in a silver coated copper wire and copper wire.  The stones around the edge are actually crystal rondelles and I did use real fresh water pearls for the drops.  Your eyes will be drawn to the focal stone and if that's real, there is the feeling that these are more expensive.

I will be making these in sterling as well and I have found a source for some ruby, emerald, tanzanite and tsavorite beads that will look great with these.  The prices on the better stones I will buy are good, so you can have something in sterling with actual gemstones and it will still be affordable.

Thanks for looking.

On the Bench and Around My Neck

Seems I have so much going on with various projects including textured metal, new pendants and earrings as well.  I recently finished a couple of large sterling silver oak leaf pendants.  They are dog tag size and simple, but interesting.  These make a quick journey from the bench to being around my neck!  I'm wearing one right now and I might not take it off!  As always, thanks for looking.

New Pieces

I've finished buffing some of my new pieces and have made earrings and bracelets.  This series of color is inspired by Sedona and the red rocks!  You will see earth tones, turquoise, what looks like stone inlay, petroglyphs and even hints of woven Native American blankets!

It's the things we take with us that connect us to the places we have been or dream of!  This wearable art will remind you of somewhere special and you can always have it with you on your journeys.

Please visit www.wearartbyjulie.etsy.com to view more available items!

Thanks for looking!

Oak Leaves on Metal

I was up in the mountains over the weekend and collected various organics from the forest floor to use in my metals class.  After annealing, I sandwiched some very dry oak leaves and pine needles between silver and some copper.  I cranked this through a rolling mill and you can see the beautiful detail of nature forever impressed upon my metal.  I lightly sanded the metal with a fine, higher grit sandpaper before milling.  The leaves over the sanded metal in a way, protected that finish and the other areas that received more pressure, seemed to shine up.  You can adjust the mill however you want, but I like how these pieces came out.  I will be working on some pendants and will patina them again when I'm finished.

Feather Moves Metal...

I've had a desire to make what I call "real" jewelry and I've been taking a silver fabrication class.  It's been years since I've held a torch and it was time to do it again!

We were talking about texture on metal a few weeks ago and the instructor had some of her samples on the table. We discussed the use of the rolling mill and all the different things you could place in between a couple of pieces of metal and after milling, the image would be there.

We saw the tin foil imprint which was pretty cool and it looks like leather after oxidizing the copper or adding patina.  You can use leaves or any other dried out organic material and even brass jewelry components.  The one that really caught my eye, was the imprint of a feather on the metal.

First you have to anneal the metal which is heating it with a blow torch to change and make it more malleable or easier to work with.  You then take your cool metal, a feather and another piece of brass or copper on the top, adjust the mill and start cranking.  Out comes the metal with the impression.

I was rather blown away with the thought of a feather moving metal...  It's kind of a lesson in holding space or pushing back when it feels like things are closing in on you or how something so fragile can seem untouched.  With all the pressure, you would think the feather would be smashed and not leave a mark.  Every little wisp and detail of the feather came through on the metal.

So, that was my big thought that day...  Feather moves metal.  A good lesson~

What's Julie Working on this Week?

Well, this is what I'm working on this week!  You guessed it, more beads.  I've been working on some southwestern designs and I decided to experiment with some new colors.  There is a blue metallic color and I almost think it's a bit too dark.  I also used more of a true turquoise color on some of the beads.  You will see that some of the bead bases are smooth and some are the chunky, natural turquoise look.  There has been a lot more consideration with sanding on these because I have the bumpy turquoise and the sculpted areas.  I used a more toothy grit to take down the chunky turquoise, but had to be careful with all the sculpted detail.  I also mixed a couple of colors of paints for staining and layered those which makes it more work to knock down with sand paper.  I used two brands and will buy some more of the higher quality to mix together.  The turquoise looks better with black and more of a burnt umber rubbed into it vs. just a brownish color.  This makes the matrix look more real.  Aside from the initial color mixing, making simple stripe canes, sculpting, baking, I also added 1.5 hours of sanding to this pile last night.  They will need to be sanded through another few grits later and then buffed.  Along with the beads, I've made some smaller sculpted pieces for earrings.  These still need a lot more work!
I always have my favorites and they would be at 1 and 2 o'clock in the top photo.  I sometimes get caught up in making thing too layered and complicated.  The one has sculpted strips of color and I did not press tuxture into this one.  I also have gold clay on the outside layer and this can be seen from the side.  The thinner bead next to that has drawn on wisps that look like blanket fringe.  I wanted the colors to look like Native American textiles or stone inlay.

550 Paracord Water Bottle Holders

I had thought about making some 550 paracord water bottle holders.  I made two different sizes and they both have the end at the top and the cord will rapidly deploy when pulled.  These are both made with one continuous piece of cord.  I made a drawstring top that is adjustable and knotted over the loop where the hook goes.  You can put these in your backpack or clip them to a belt or pack.

The green bottle has over 100' of cord and the black bottle has over 70' of cord!  Great way to be prepared in any survival situation!  Extra water and extra cordage!

Word Beads

These word beads are so much fun!  I had some stamps made with a variety of words and karma is one of my favorites!  The organic beads are super fun as well.  Here's to good living!  Thanks for looking!

Ocean Blue Sculpted Bead and Paracord Bracelet

I've been making sculpted beads to use in the paracord bracelets I've been making.  I'm a pretty solid fan of using dark brown for a lot of the earthy colored beads.  Sometimes I forget that people like to wear jeans and that many times, the colors in the beads look great with a blue cord.  This bead has some pretty ocean blue colors in it and also some hand drawn or etched in designs.  It was sanded and buffed to this shine.

I'm always trying to find fun paracord colors to use with my beads.  I will order or pick up many shades of colors and this blue is just different.  I call it my ocean blue!  Thanks for looking!

Faux Turquoise Pendants

I made some faux turquoise pendants with the bear bead batch.  I gave a couple of these away as gifts.  I hardly every have to run out for a gift!  Another good reason to make things!  You will always have gifts and can trade items as well.  Really, these can be trade beads!

Bear Paws and Sketches

I was at a show and talked to several folks about bead designs.  Some suggestions were bear paws, elk prints, moose heads and the lotus.  I sketched out some designs and hand sculpted stamps and then mixed the polymer clay and made the beads.  I sanded these, but did not buff them.  I like how this color looks with the darker imprint.

When the clay is sanded and not buffed, it has a nice matte finish.  I make many of the beads two sided so you can wear them either way.

Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise and Paracord Bracelets

I'm still experimenting with simulating turquoise in polymer clay.  If you are using a food processor, it's best to use a clay that is firm and hard, then break it into very small pieces before mixing.  From my experience, I like to use Premo and Fimo Classic for this project.  If you use a softer clay, it can smear in your food processor and then when you want to change colors, you may have unwanted colors mixing.  See the photo!  If you look close, you will see a lapis color speck in one of the beads!  I didn't really want that there, but it's alright.

I have tried to make the matrix look as real as possible.  I stained the beads with a couple of different colors and then sanded them through five grits of wet/dry sand paper.  These were buffed on a muslin jewelers wheel.

I made bracelets with my beads and black 550 paracord and used black plastic clips.  This style of bracelet has become very popular within the past couple of years.  The paracord contains seven strands inside and in the event of need, the bracelet can be unknotted and the cord may be used.  The inner strands may be used for sewing thread, fishing line and you name it!  Some call these knots the cobra or double cobra.

If the clay is more firm and hard when you process it, the pieces will break up really small and this will give you lots of pieces to press back together.  I have been working on some other simulated stones I will post photos of soon.  Thanks for looking!

More Tiny Sculpted Beads!

Here are some tiny sculpted beads that I made last week.  You can see by the size of the dime how small they are.  I sanded and buffed these to a nice shine.

Gold Bar Beads and Lost and Found

Here are the bar beads I made with a gold clay.  I stamped them a bit and added some color accents.  I sanded the tops to 1200, so they have a nice buffed shine.  I dropped one in a bush while taking some photos outside, but was able to find it!  The risk you take trying to get some photos in warm, natural light!

Finished Sculpted Bead!

I finished staining, sanding, heating and buffing this bead yesterday.  I have made quite a few other styles, but this was the only one like this with the batch.  I really like the earth tones that to me, look like bands of textiles wrapped around it.  I didn't want any sort of perfect caning, but just strands of color that look like fabric.  Each piece was carefully cut out and put in place and this is my own design.  Still for some reason, this reminds me of straw art from New Mexico.  No inlay here, but just the geometrical theme and colors.

I also finished some beads that I will add to a bracelet.  They aren't anything fancy, but I like the gold color and sanded, then buffed them to a nice shine.  I was trying to take some photos in the warm light right before sunset.  I was holding the beads on a denim shirt and one popped right off and went into a bush.  I had to shake and shake it.  Finally found it!

Rattesnake Accent Bead

In case you missed this in the other photo, here is a close up of a rattlesnake accent bead I sculpted.  It's really tiny and cool!  I will place that on the cord with the rattlesnake pendant.  One of my favorite tools lately seems to be the hair stick or chop stick.  If you use a crochet needle and press the clay, it can sometimes get stuck.  If you use the hair stick or chop stick, one side will be smaller and it will come off more easily.  This works great if you want pony size bead openings or centers.  Just say no to distorting your beads!!!

Hand Sculpted Southwestern Polymer Clay Focal Beads

These beads were entirely hand sculpted by me with an ivory blend base.  All the little piece were hand cut out and placed on the bead.  The spiral in the center was made with a stamp I hand sculpted.  These beads were shaped, baked, stained, sanded through four grits of wet/dry sandpaper, stained, heated again and after cooling, buffed to this shine.  There was quite a bit of labor and time involved in shaping the beads.  The details are all drawn freehand by me with a needle tool.  These have a Native American and Spanish Colonial feel to them.  They have been crafted to look like they have many years of stories to tell.