Gemstone Concho and Sterling Cuff Beads

Here are some photos of the beads I just finished.  I haven't seen any like this and at first, I was only going to make leaf texturized band beads to use with my paracord bracelets.  You can see I've progressed from cigar band rings to cigar band or cuff beads. I then decided to add some wire work and pearls.  I then decided to add a row of gemstones all the way around the pearl.  I really like this look however, it may be a bit fragile with stones of this size for a bracelet.  I will test the wear waters and call this one my own.  I will also be searching for some smaller gemstone beads as well.

The other cuff bead with the three pearls will be a great, durable piece to wear as part of a bracelet.  I need to experiment with some weaves and designs.  I may try to make some leather bracelets to wear these with.  Time will tell!

On the Bench Last Night...

Here we have another sterling texturized concho/cuff bead with all sorts of stones wired around the top.  I used a really pretty fresh water pearl in the center, labradorite, tanzanite, sterling beads and one more pearl.  The patina was in progress when I took this.

I had a piece of silver and figured I could cut four pieces, stamp on some designs, shape them and there you go... Two sets of ear cuffs!  OM.... Namaste... You get it!  I'll post more photos when these are finished.

Nothing to Report...

That's right... I have nothing to report because I'm taking the weekend off, celebrating Independence Day and swinging between these two trees!  Now you know where all the pine tree inspiration comes from.  Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Sterling Silver Cuff Bead with Fresh Water Pearl on Black Paracord

I've been working through some design ideas for what I'm calling textured cuff beads that have wire wrapped accents.  I texturized the silver sheet with dry oak leaves, I stamped sterling on the inside, filed the edges, formed the tube, soldered the piece, hammered it, tossed it in the pickle (acid bath), drilled a couple holes on the top and then did the wire work.  The pearl is anchored down to the bead and I've wrapped some of the wire to connect and secure the coiled sections.  This is the first one I finished that was all handmade.  I will be making a couple of larger cuff beads like this and use them on larger bracelets.  I may try using them with thicker pieces of leather almost like a concho.  Should have some of the other beads ready in a few days.  I haven't seen any beads quite like this and the design is something I came up with while day dreaming.  Seems there is a lot of that going on with me and no shortage of ideas to work through.  I'm also posting a photo of the beads and earrings prior to doing the patina.  Some of these items are for sale at wearartbyjulie.etsy.com .

Oak Leaf Imprint Earrings in Sterling Silver

I decided that I was really, really short on earrings to go with the pendants I've been making.  These have the same texture as many of my pendants.  They are sterling and I used wire to wrap the top and bottom and added some really pretty fresh water pearls.  These look large, but are nice and light weight and they will not weigh your ears down.  I will be making some more earrings soon with various stones.

I've experimented with taking photos on lighter color sand and cement.  The sand works well to hold the earrings at just the perfect angle for photos.  The lever backs press right down in the sand and then you just click away!

Wire Wrapped Silver and Copper Bead and Double Cobra Bracelet

I made this bead with a thick piece of soldered copper and hammered some detail designs on it with metal stamps and also hammered it more into an oval to flatten out the band.  I selected a really nice fresh water pearl and used sterling silver wire for the wrapping.  This is a sample and I'm working on some sterling silver beads to use with my paracord bracelets.  I haven't seen any made quite like this to specifically use with paracord.  This bracelet is pretty thick and works with this size bead.  Just something different!  Thanks for looking!

Finished Pine Tree Pendants with Peridot Accents

Here are the finished pendants!  If you look closely, I removed the patina differently on each of these.  The one with the peridot has a more brushed metal look.  The one pendant with the simple bail has the peacock look to the patina that was just too good to sand through.  I use sand paper vs. 000 steel wool on the texture pieces.  The sand paper is firm and you won't remove the patina from the detail.  If you press with the steel wool, then you've lost your color.   I like the gallery wire for the fence accent on the one pendant.  The milled leaf designs behind the pine really give it the illusion of being in the forest.  Now my mind is busy with all sorts of ideas for more elaborate forest scenes!