Creative Wire Work

I got a little more creative with my wire work this time.  I started simple, with some tiny herringbone wraps accenting beaded link earrings.

Sterling silver beaded links featuring agates.

Then I moved onto a more complex, handmade clasp.  I really love how this one turned out and would like to incorporate it into more bracelets - but I need to find some more sweet beaded gems to purchase!

Sterling silver handmade clasp on amethyst bracelet.

Finally, I dressed up a simple green cabochon with some wire scrolls and a beaded chain.  It ended up looking very elfin!

Sterling silver wire capture of a Peruvian Cat's Eye Opal.

Thanks for looking and happy creating!
SSS

Turquoise and Fossil Pendants

I'm continuing to enjoy working with wire even though I've started setting stones in more traditional sterling silver bezel settings.  When I have something completed to my satisfaction, I'll show those too!

But first here are a few of my recently completed pendants in sterling silver wire - two feature fossilized ammonites and the third is a piece of natural chunk turquoise.  Enjoy!

Ammonite cabochon set in sterling silver round wire.

Ammonite cabochon set in sterling silver square wire.

Natural turquoise cabochon set in sterling silver round wire.

Happy Creating,
SSS

New Pendants: Wire-wrapping Natural Stones

I've completed several new pendants in the last few days and am excited to show them off!  I'm continuing to explore ways to capture natural stones with wire while moving my work into sterling silver. 

Small agate pendant in sterling silver - stone is 1" high.

"Brownstone" in sterling silver - I'm trying to identify this lovely rock!

Leopard Skin Jasper in sterling silver - stone is from Indonesia.

The most difficult aspect of this art form, I think, is deciding how to finish the wire ends in an appealing and stable way....  A few more stones await, and then I'll have to go visit my local source for cabochons.  That thought alone spurs me on as he has so many great stones to choose from!

Happy creating,
SSS

Matched Earring Sets for Multiple Piercings

I have several piercings in my ears, as do many women in my family.  Usually I don't care if the earrings match - I wear studs, plain hoops, or other silver earrings with the "stars" of the show.  But I had one sister request a matching set and it made me wonder if there were any sets out there already....

Custom Matched Hoops - Sterling Silver and Czech Glass Beads

You know what I found?  There is an obvious lack of multiple earring sets, especially ones that are more than just studs or hoops in various sizes.  Maybe there isn't really a demand.  Hoops are hoops, right?  Studs go with everything.  Well, if you are looking for something a little more matched and colorful, check out this set I made for my sister, featuring a larger focal earring:

Matched Earrings - Featuring a larger focal pair with agate drops

These are all made from scratch from sterling silver wire and Czech glass beads (one focal pair has round agate beads).  And I think a set for myself is next on my to do list!

Matched Earrings - Alternative focal pair with purple beads

I will be posting these as a sample set on Etsy - I'm going to attempt to find out if there is a demand for matched earring sets.  These will be a custom item - meaning each order can have as many earrings in whichever colors the customer wants.  Fun fun fun!  I love custom orders!

Matched Earrings for multiple piercings - custom made set

Happy Creating,
PZ

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!