It's been a while, how have you been?

Yes, I know, my last post was in June... I've been either a slacker or way to busy to write, hmm, well I guess it's been a little bit of both.  But I'm back and will make an effort not to be gone for such a long time again.

While I've been gone I have been very busy creating and selling jewelry.  Just recently I started a new line of pendants called the Cheryl collection, inspired by a wonderful lady who loves to challenge my jewelry making skills.  A few weeks ago she came to me asked for a long necklace that has a heart pendant with a lot of bling.  Cheryl and her sister are singers and she wanted something to wear on stage with this gorgeous black dress that has a high neck and plain front.  So I made her this...

I was so inspired by the technique that I used that I started making other pendants using the same techniques and came up with 3 that I will be selling in my Etsy store in the Cheryl Collection section.  It may take a week or so to get them posted, but meanwhile here is a preview for you.

He Loves Me

The camera put the yellowish tint on this daisy but it's actually clear.

Time 2 Rock

Let It Snow

That's a little of what I've been up to.  I hope you will continue reading.
Denise

Challenge Week 27

 Getting your wardrobe ready for fall and winter in the heat of summer always seemed a little crazy to me. I usually want to buy summer clothes in the summer. Lately, however, I realized that to get the new styles easily, without searching through every store, I have to start the fall and winter clothes shopping early; which leads me to this week's challenge.

This necklace will look great worn with a plain or turtle neck sweater. It is long enough to carry the bulk, yet delicate enough to be feminine. I used turquoise color Czech glass beads, (also used in challenge week 4), chain, and a beautiful medallion that you can see up close in the bottom picture. At first when I looked at this medallion I thought it was 4 little hearts in the center but I think it's a 4 leaf clover. The clasp is beautiful too, it has little Swarovski crystals on it. 

The original design for this necklace was inspired by a customer that wanted a necklace to wear with one of her sweaters, so I had purchased 2 of the medallions. After making her necklace I used different beads and chain to create this one.

Don't get me wrong, this necklace is very flexible and can be worn with a summer top, and even into the fall with a long sleeve blouse and jacket. Since I just made my first sweater purchase I'm in the winter wardrobe mode - not winter weather though.

Have a great week and enjoy the rest of the warm weather, fall is just around the corner.

You can see more of my jewelry on my website.

Challenge Week 25

This week's challenge piece was a challenge, a pleasant but difficult one. 

A co-worker had this beautiful purple stone, it looks like an emerald cut to me, and asked if I could put it into a setting for her. I showed her a book with some examples and she chose this orbit pendant setting. I like that one also and had wanted to try it. So when I started to make it I realized that the author wasn't very good at writing directions.  I had not used this book before, I bought it because I liked the wire work in it. It seemed difficult as I was making it, however when I finished it I realized that the way the author described the steps it was just difficult because I was so confused.  Now that I've made it I know what to do and the next one will be easier.

The finished pendant looks beautiful. I used sterling silver wire for the whole piece. I didn't take measurements but it is approximately 2 inches long and sits about an inch high.  The stone is so beautiful that it would enhance any setting.

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back next week for the next challenge.