Red Pagoda Necklace

This is a necklace I have designed and will be the project being taught in my next class on September 11.
A combination of herringbone (Ndebele) and peyote stitches come together to create a "Pagoda" like shape.
Multiple pagoda shapes atop each other form the centrepiece for this necklace which has a lovely dangling motion when being worn.
The earrings measure 45mm from top of hook to bottom of drop and are very unique in their resemblance to Wings.
I have experimented more with this shape and images of my creations will follow soon. Again, jewellery weaving never ceases to amaze and inspire me. So many ideas, only two hands !!

A New Direction

A new inspiration and thus a new direction will come of this. I cannot wait to explore all kinds of shapes.

Gemstones of howlite are surrounded by Czech fire polished crystals and hung from heaps more crystals, sterling silver, smokey quartz and bronzite.

This interesting centrepiece was designed by Marcia DeCoster. Many thanks Marcia.

WANTED - New Students

I have been teaching a core group of ladies for some ten months now and their skills have grown enormously -   as one would hope.
I am now looking for more students - beginner or intermediate - wanting to increase their weaving skills and finishing off skills to give their work that professional look.
One of my students is already selling her work in a gallery, alongside myself - Flourish Arts, Birchgrove, and others won't be far behind.
These ladies enjoy their time together and get as much out of the teaching as the gathering. So if there are any ladies and/or men out there wanting to learn more and gain more from their passion, please get in contact with me through the email form below right.

Starwheel

Here is a pendant made of Czech green iris seed beads and Crystals inspired by the Vintage lace necklaces I have been making. Again I have come up with an original pattern, never to be repeated. 

This has a twelve point star centre - symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel and/or the twelve Apostles. I like the "chain" I have designed to hang it from, I think it ties in well. The necklace measures 49cm end to end and the pendant is 5cm across. Being all green this would be a great necklace to wear on St. Pat's day for sure, for sure. 

Vintage Crystal Lace

 Recently I created a Vintage Lace necklace which sold within a week of making it - see post below. Here is another necklace I have created using crystals of varying sizes and shapes. I call this Vintage Crystal lace. This necklace comes with 1 Swarovski drop, 6 x 7mm Czech Crystal drops, 36 x 5mm Bicones and 28 x 4mm crystals. It sparkles with joy. Very elegant, a classic that will never date. The necklace also comes with an extension "chain"'. The necklace measures 44cm from end to end and extends to 50cm. When wearing the smaller length the extension dangles elegantly from the neckline. I really enjoy making these varying designs and attempt to never repeat a centre feature pattern, each need to be different as there is nothing worse than finding some other lady in the room wearing your necklace. How awful!!!

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Green Zig Zag

As mentioned in the post below, here is the result of weaving different sized beads in the zig zag pattern. I was also able to further embellish it with drop beads. I feel it gives the necklace a lovely textural quality.
To bring the weave in and make the finishing weave smaller I wove in Czech crystal drops.
This necklace also took around 10-12 hours to make but quite a bit of this time is spent in experimentation.
Maybe the next one would be even less time.

I would love to hear any comments.

African Zig Zag

I have called this "African zig-zag" because the colours and it's shape remind me of African patterns and jewellery, very earthy.
The decoration has black agate chips, onyx coin shaped beads, Czech fire polished crystals and the clasp has been woven into the necklace.
This necklace has taken 14 hours to create and has taught me heaps.
I am now curious to see what would come of weaving different sizes into this design. Time will tell.

Vintage Lace - SOLD 18/05/10 YAY!!!

Here is the result of more experimentation -  a necklace reminiscent of Vintage Lace.            Who would imagine by doing a simple decoration around a bead one could come up with so many varied combinations and achieve a necklace that is intricate, feminine, elegant and has a distinctive Vintage look about it??       I am really thrilled to have designed this piece and can see many more ideas eventuating from this one project.  The necklace is made entirely of black size 11/0 seed beads and 146 Czech crystals with a Swarovski Crystal drop at the front. I now need to make one entirely of Swarovski crystals. What a stunner that would be!!!    I am now off for a holiday by the sea for 5 days. A well earned rest and I am only taking books to read, no beads !   OMG !                                          

Shazaaam!! it is

When I make a piece of jewellery, I get a name for it by the time I am finished. Whilst making this necklace I thought it looked like something Morticia Addams would wear, so I called it "Morticia's favourite".  As I put the finishing touch to the piece and placed it on a stand I stepped back and in my head I heard the words "Shazaaaam!"

I am in a dilemma, which name suits it best ??

I thought I would put it on the blog and ask those ''out there'' for their opinions.

Let me know what you think.

D.I.Y. July @ Etelage, Newtown

Newtown stores in July are running D.I.Y. classes. I have been invited by Etelage, King St South, to teach a two day Peyote stitch workshop. These pics are of a bracelet I have come up with for intermediate students. Those who have so far seen this bracelet think it's a real stunner. So much so one friend has already made one for herself. Another friend thought it a great bracelet for old ladies with arthritic hands - because of the button clasp. I laughed so hard !!!