Bracelets this time 🙂
Chain Maille Bracelets
Chain Maille Bracelets
Variations on a theme
It’s official, I have gone chain maille crazy! I love the effect of joining metal rings in a variety of ways to form interesting pieces. (Admittedly, it’s tough on the hands but I am ablsolutely compelled! Obsessed is probably a better word LOL!)
Chain Maille Necklace Simple and elegant this necklace is made with special square wire formed into multiple rings and hand woven.
Chain Maille Rosette Necklace A variation which adds a lovely melody to any outfit!
Chain Maille Grande Large rings make a definite statement!
Jewels for the holidays!
Here they come! Can you hear the holidays rushing towards us? Wasn’t it just summer?! Well, to start the season off right, here are a few new pieces of jewelry to add a bit of sparkle to your life 🙂
Art Nouveau Earrings A rainbow of hand tinted earrings that are elegant for any occasion!
Victorian Ornate Scroll Bracelets Each bracelet is colored and shaped by hand. These can be dressy or worn casually.
Posted in Bracelets, Earrings
Tagged Bracelets, Earrings, Hand crafted, layered stampings and filigree
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New news!
Hi folks, I just wanted to update everyone and let you know that I am now selling my jewelry in a new venue, Studios in the Park in Paso Robles. Check it out, it’s full of intriguing and diverse art pieces plus plenty of gorgeous handcrafted items in a variety of media! There are always artists and craftsmen in residence who demonstrate their art and are happy to answer questions. A terrific place to visit!
http://www.studiosonthepark.org
And don’t forget my other venue, Fiona Bleu in Morro Bay, filled with unique and creative art, jewelry, sculpture and other gorgeous works!
Posted in Bracelets, Earrings, Galleries and stores, Local happenings, Necklaces, paintings, Places
Tagged Bracelets, Earrings, galleries and stores, Local happenings, necklaces, paintings
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Sapphire Day!
The sky recently has displayed so many rich and vivid shades of blues that I just borrowed a few, mixed them with golds and bronze tints, and voila! Feast your eyes on these ladies:
Star Goddess Bracelet in Sapphire This lovely one rests on a pierced filigree bracelet cuff which has been hand painted in shades of cornflower, periwinkle and sapphire, then highlighted with a bronze tint.
Side view of the Sapphire Star Goddess Bracelet A flowered clasp and Czech sapphire crystal add a finishing touch.
Ancient Egyptian Goddess Bracelet
Ancient Egyptian Goddess Bracelet
Posted in Bracelets
Tagged Bracelets, hand colored, Hand crafted, layered stampings and filigree, painted and embossed
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Angels and Maidens
Well, as far as I am concerned, you can never have too much color so I developed new variations for two of my favorite necklaces. Cheers!
Art Deco Angel Necklace in Blue
This lovely angel is securely fastened with micro screws to a winged filigree scroll which is tinted by hand with a variety of paints and gilders paste. Love the varied hues!
Masthead Maiden Necklace in Burgundy
Hand-tinted in burgundy, cherry and gold using paints and Gilders paste, this lovely maiden is ready to sail!
Of course you need earring to go with all these new necklaces, but of course not matchy-matchy (do you remember “What Not to Wear? 😉 ), just an echo of the hues in the jewelry.
Earrings Aglow
Posted in Earrings, Necklaces
Tagged Earrings, hand colored, Hand crafted, layered stampings and filigree, necklaces
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Buttons Buttons Buttons!
I have an current obsession with Czech glass buttons! They are beautiful art pieces handmade by skilled glass artisans whose techniques have been perfected and handed down for generations. I can’t resist making them the centerpiece for more jewelry pieces so here we go!
Radiant Emerald and Wine Necklace The rich palette of this glowing Czech glass deserved equally sumptuous hues to complement it. The chain is handmade with squared rings.
Summer Peach Bracelet Golds, peach and cherry tones highlight this delicate offering.
Orchid Spiral Bracelet Layers of antique brass and hand painted emerald hues frame this lovely Czech glass spiral button in an orchid color palette
Butterflies in Flight
We live in the path of the monarch butterfly migration and are lucky enough to see vast numbers of them on the coast of central California. Though we see lots of monarchs, there have been plenty of varied colored butterflies flitting about our garden lately. Felt like I must make something to reflect the joy they inspire, so voila!
Sapphire Butterfly Bracelet This amethyst and sapphire butterfly flies through lush foliage amidst colorful flowers and leaves.
Sapphire Butterfly closeup
Posted in Bracelets
Tagged Bracelets, hand colored, Hand crafted, layered stampings and filigree, painted and embossed
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Chocolate Lush Recipe
My husband’s birthday was this week and the only gift he wanted (besides his dream of owning a Tesla, LOL!) is Chocolate Lush for dessert. So in the spirit of the 4th of July, I declared independence from calories for the day (don’t tell my hips please!).
Chocolate Lush, yes!
Chocolate Lush
Crust layer:
1 1/3 Cup flour
1 1/3 sticks of butter
1 1/3 C. chopped nuts (I use slivered toasted almonds, chopped)
1/3 C. powdered sugar
Mix together, and press into 9×13″ pan.
Bake at 375 until golden brown for about 15 minutes, let cool.
Cream Cheese Layer:
12 oz. cream cheese (softened)
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 1/4 Cup powdered sugar
Whip the cream cheese until soft. Mix in the powdered sugar until blended. Fold in the Cool Whip until mixture is smooth and well blended. Spread over the cooled crust.
For Chocolate Pudding Layer:
3 small packages of chocolate instant pudding
4 1/2 Cups of cold milk.
*You can use any flavor of pudding you prefer, but seriously, the chocolate is phenomenal!
Top Layer:
Spread 8 oz Cool Whip over the top of the pudding layer.
* You can whip your own heavy cream, and sweeten it with confectioners sugar & vanilla.
Refrigerate overnight. I also like to sprinkle mini-chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shaved chocolate and/or chocolate syrup over the top, because there is no way you are counting calories with this dessert. It is definitely and completely over the top, yummy!
Layers of lovely chocolate lush!
Masthead Maiden Necklace
Isn’t she strong and lovely? I can see her on the prow of a ship, sailing through stormy seas and brilliant blue skies alike. She is secured and just awaiting to set out to sea and keep to the wind! (Okay, I have no idea what I just said but it sounds seaworthy 🙂 )
Masthead Maiden Necklace Hand-tinted an ultramarine blue using paints and Gilders paste, fastened with micro-screws and epoxy, this lovely maiden is ready to sail!
I love using interesting chain and clasps like these:
Masthead Maiden Necklace Beautiful chain and a bold clasp add elegant finishing touches to the necklace.
Posted in Necklaces
Tagged hand colored, Hand crafted, layered stampings and filigree, necklaces
1 Comment
Star Goddess
Really, making a complete mess of my home shouldn’t be this much fun! I love this gorgeous vintage brass Art Nouveau Star Goddess set on a large filigree which I painted in burgundy and bronze patinas then shaped into a wearable form. Having spent hours figuring out the best way to securely fasten this lovely lady, I discovered tiny screws and bolts work well. She looks so serene and peaceful. Makes me want to go take a yoga class right now! Namaste.
Star Goddess Bracelet This lovely one rests on a pierced filigree bracelet cuff which has been hand painted in burgundy and wine and highlighted with a bronze tint. A chain and clasp add a finishing touch.
Here’s a companion to keep her company 😉
Garnet Goddess Necklace This special lady is layered onto two pieces of embellished and painted filigree. Garnets add a deep accent to the chain.
Posted in Bracelets, Necklaces
Tagged Bracelets, Hand crafted, necklaces, painted and embossed
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Art Deco Angel
I am absolutely entranced by this exquisite vintage brass Angel! Such a lovely face. She is fastened to a wonderful vintage brass Art Deco piece which I hand tinted using a variety of methods and layers of color. Hah, I just may keep it for me! (I can just hear my husband saying, “Is that anyway to run a business?!”) places hand over ears, not listening…
Art Deco Angel Necklace This lovely angel is securely bolted with micro screws to a winged filigree scroll which is tinted by hand with a variety of paints and gilders paste. Love the varied hues! (It is 86mm x 55mm)
I Want a Wand – Accio Wand!
You heard me clearly, I want a magic wand ala Harry Potter, the sooner the better! I may be a bit late to the game but I have become completely enthralled by the Harry Potter series. Spellbound and bewitched! big grin Yes, I have become one of those fans, throughly wrapped up in the Harry Potter series, relating daily life to the hero’s journey. I admit it. I know, I “should” be reading something deep, meaningful, with thematic visions of love, friendship, good and evil, discrimination, and loyalty. Oh wait, I am! And in doing so I have discovered an entire world developed by a huge fan base around the series, full of music, videos, and activists who are moved by the series themes and are determined to find ways to give back and pay it forward. Just think of it, how many books make you want to go out and do something good for other people? This is one of them. There’s a network called The Harry Potter Alliance (http://thehpalliance.org) which does just that. Check it out. Just one of many ways to participate. Riddle TM, a lovely Wrock band who write extremely evocative music, explains it the in this song, Phoenix (lyrics at http://riddletmmusic.wordpress.com/lyrics/phoenix-lyrics/). And for those visual folks, heres a delightful video to go along with the words that an enthusiastic young lady put together with her friends:
Since I love music, wizard wrock groups have been a blast to explore! Some of the funniest, moving, and exceptional songs are out there, performed by many diverse folks. If you have read the books, try 16 Years Ago and Draco’s Christmas Wish by Riddletm or More than Enough and Accio Love by Ministry of Magic. Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls are great, especially Open at the Close and End of an Era. Oh and for good measure, checkout The Butterbeer Experience, Let’s Lumos, Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons, Gred and Forge, The Moaning Myrtles, and House of Black. Oh there are so many good bands it’s hard to pick just a few! Most have music you can listen to on Myspace or iTunes. Check ’em out!
Okay just one more video just because 🙂
This has been a total joy to discover and thoroughly immerse myself in. Give it a try!
Okay, this will have to serve as my magic wand for now 🙂
Embellished Romance
Having found another new technique to go crazy with, I am proceeding with careless abandonment and wielding my paintbrush and tools with recklessness. Beware, anyone who walks into the workroom better be prepared for flying bits of metal and paint!
I have aimed for a vintage look with multiple layers of stamped brass and filigree topped off with Czech glass buttons.
Floral Embellished Necklace Various shades of purple patina provide an elegant background for a glass Czech button with cobalt blue and violet metallic hues and gold luster accents.
Winged Filigree Nouveau Fan Bracelet This romantic cuff has a vintage look to it with layers of stamped brass painted with shades of amethyst and aqua. Rivets are used to fasten the layers together.
Chain Maille
So recently had a major need to up my game and do something new with my jewelry. Yep, short attention span here which means trying a variety of methods to add to the current madness. I settled on playing with chain maille techniques. Love the contrast between the squared edges of the round rings!
Midnight Chain Maille Necklace My first adventure with chain maille! I used brass square wire rings for the mesh, then embossed and painted a midnight blue centerpiece.
Hmmmm, don’t you think we need a bracelet to go with the necklace? Sure!
Chain Maille Bracelet using large rings of squared edged brass. Love the effect!
Here’s a closer look:
Chain Maille Bracelet
Posted in Bracelets, Necklaces
Tagged Bracelets, Chain maille, necklaces, painted and embossed
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