Acorn and Leaves Necklace Design

This design pleases me so much!! I'm not sure if I want to use all the copper leaves or not, since I have ordered more lampwork acorns. I guess I'll be busy making a lot more of them soon.

Purple Beachcomber Bracelet #3

This is the third iteration of this bracelet, intended for my daughter Chloe. The first one was too big, so it went to my older granddaughter Aoife. The second one was too small, so that went to my younger granddaughter Aisling. I hope this one is JUST right. She picked up the shells on the beach in NC.

White Oak Leaves in Copper Photographic Study

Here is a pair of interesting pictures.

I have just created a set of white oak leaves from 24 gauge copper, and after tumbling them, they are very shiny. I will patina them afterward but I was curious about how they would photograph because of all the reflection. I used a light box indoors next to a very sunny window for both. The second one is the first picture I shot. I really like it. However, Frank suggested that I place dark brown construction paper on the inside top of the light box to reflect that color back onto the leaves. The first picture is the result of that shot. I find it fascinating. I think if I used a lot of sheets of the brown, all around the light box, it might be even better.

River Stone Pendant

I've just done a 'happy-dance' around the house with this piece!!! I am so proud of myself. It's an amulet composed of a river stone, two copper bead caps, and 12 gauge sterling bail, and a 14 gauge fine silver balled headpin for the rivet. The instructions are from an online class from Beaducation.com, and is one of several classes I have taken from them. They are super nice and the classes are beautifully done.

Now, I have to decide about a chain for it.

Copper Linked Lampwork Bead Necklace

It's amazing what liver of sulfur can do to a piece. When I bought these beads, I had a vision in my head of a darkened copper chain highlighting these gorgeous beads, but as I was making it, I was so disappointed in the look. I thought that I needed to add something to it to make it stand out, but after darkening it, I love it, and it is just what I envisioned. The bright copper wire did nothing for these beads. I made the bead caps with my new disc cutter and dapping tools.

Finished Lily and Leaf Necklace

I am madly in love with this piece and wear it whenever I can, even with jeans. I chose not to patina it since it would be almost impossible to clean off the oxidation. It will naturally change color over the next few months and that's fine with me. I made a simple chain to contrast with the wildly spiraling pendant.

Metalwork Pendant with Pearls

This mixed metal piece was made following a video class from Beaducation.com, a wonderful site with lots of video classes. They are having a sale this week too, so I purchased the class before 7:00 am this morning, and here is the finished pendant. The cone has been oxidized and I made the balled head pins after following another video class which I took a year ago. I also have some small leaves which are also very cool and will attach those when I make a necklace chain.

Blue Acorn Necklace

So, my sweet friend Louise, knowing of my love for all things acorn, presented me with this beautiful lampworked acorn, and I knew that I had to do something special with it. I had originally planned on some sort of needlewoven band for it, but after playing with some seed beads, I changed my mind and went with wirework. I made a series of wirewrapped bead links, connected with figure-eight links. I LOVE IT!! Thank you Miss Louise.

Copper and Crystal Necklace

I've been trying some new techniques and this project has a few for me to practice! First time using liver of sulfur, as well as punching holes and cutting metal. The link components are not hard enough and tend to move out of shape, but overall, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm thinking I need to texture the metal a little bit more.

My daughter Chloe brought me some shells from her week-long trip to the outer banks and today I put the first bracelet together. I have ordered a bunch of glass fish beads but they won't be here for a while, so I 'made do' and love the look. Thanks, Chloe!!!