Mini Rose Garden Wedding Set

Mini Rose Garden - Custom Wedding Set with Sterling Silver and Carved Amethyst

My best friend is getting married soon, and I wanted to make her something special for that day!  While she doesn't have to wear this set at her wedding, the sentiment is still there....but I think she'll be happy with them!  I only wish I could be there - I'm missing everyone's wedding lately!

We talked about a couple designs and she told me she really liked my mini rose garden pendants.  The original plan was to make a similar one to what I've made for others and my shop, but that didn't seem special enough for a wedding so I went on the hunt for what I needed, but didn't know I needed....

Mini Rose Garden Pendant - Custom Piece in Sterling Silver & Carved Amethyst

After finding carved amethyst roses (she loves purple and amethyst so these were really perfect!  The photos don't do the stones justice - they are a deep but vibrant shade of purple instead of the almost black in the photos...), I knew I had it!  I also upgraded to sterling silver settings that I made from sterling sheet (I am so happy to be working in metal again!). 

I changed the original design up a bit, making a round setting with dangles instead of an oval setting with all the beads embedded in the clay - though I admit that I made the oval setting first and still have it, waiting, for something..... I finished it off with some amethyst rounds in the chain and a lobster claw clasp so she can adjust it to any length.  The clay has been colored with a subtle metallic green powder. 

 

 

Mini Rose Earrings - Sterling Silver and Carved Amethyst

She's only expecting the necklace - but when I found smaller carved roses to match, I had to make a set of earrings too!  These are a little different, again, but matched enough to be a set.  She's not a matchy-matchy person anyway, usually wearing different earrings in each ear, so I didn't want to just copy the pendant....I think they look like long stem roses dangling from the ears and I hope that translates to others as well!

She should have the set soon, if not already.  Congratulations and enjoy, my oldest and dearest BF!

Happy Creating,
PZ

PS - Next week's post will be a day late - BECAUSE it's the BSBP reveal on Saturday!  YAY!

And the Winner Is.....

Silly me, I held my final giveaway (at least for doubling blog followers) over the Memorial Day weekend!  Poor planning aside, I had one lucky participant, LJ!  She responded to my winning email and chose her custom colors for a mini rose garden pendant. 

Here's her prize:

Mini Rose Garden Pendant

Congrats again, LJ and enjoy!

For anyone else interested in one of my mini flower garden pendants just follow the link!  I have a few selections in my Etsy shop, PZ Designs, and I LOVE taking custom orders!

Happy Creating,

PZ

Mini Garden Pendants in Epoxy Clay

New Medium - Epoxy Clay!  

Custom Mini Rose Garden Pendant

 

I've started playing with a new medium - epoxy clay! It's also called jewelry clay or crystal clay and it's a 2-part clay that feels like polymer clay but has epoxy glue/binder in it.

 Epoxy clay - comes in 2 parts.  This is the pack I used from Fire Mountain Gems.

 Also available at Michaels Craft Stores and many online bead/jewelry venues in small amounts.

So what's this strange clay good for?  Many fun and creative endeavors, including making your own rhinestone jewelry or beads, decorating high heels, adding a little something to picture frames....and probably several others .  I chose to make mini-gardens using glass beads and bezel settings!

 A close-up of my Mini Rose Garden Pendant in red.

I'm thinking of and planning more uses for epoxy clay...  If you are like me and want to test out these fun new products, then pick some up and try it!  This is an easy one to use as you don't need any special tools - just the clay, whatever you want to embed, and whatever you want to decorate!  You can use polymer clay tools with this, but I'm not sure if you have to worry about cross-contamination with polymer clay.  This is a little stickier since an adhesive is involved.  If you do use any tools, make sure you clean them well when you are done - the epoxy will make the clay stick very well to just about everything!

Mini Rose Garden Pendant - Coral Rose, Glass Leaves

This clay air dries in 24 hours and has a work time of about an hour.  Fingers work great for forming it if you don't have tools on hand, but remember to be safe - work in a ventilated area and wear gloves.  I suggest vinyl because they are affordable and easy to find (I can find them at most grocery stores in the cleaning aisle).  Nitrile will also work, but some epoxy reacts with latex.

  Mini Flower Garden Pendant - in Blue and Yellow

If you are going to make jewelry, start with the smallest amount you can buy - a very little bit goes a long way.  I only needed a pea-sized amount for these pendants!  If you are interested in larger projects, buy in bulk as it will save you $$$.  Here's some more info and bulk sales:  Epoxy Clay.

Mini Garden Pendant - Leaves in Coral and Cream

 

These mini garden pendants are now available in my Etsy Shop, PZ Designs, here: Mini Garden Pendants.

I'm working on a variety of styles, with more coming soon....and I LOVE taking custom requests!  I also love sharing knowledge and learning from others, so don't be shy with questions, either!

Happy Creating!
PZ