Merry Christmas!

As the holidays approach, I wanted to make a few items that reflected the spirit! The fat, round angels are my personal favorite, but for those of us who also like a little extra *sparkle* there are some rather long, dangly earrings with bracelets to match.

Smokey Quartz, Red Agate

This set was made for my mother-in-law last year for Christmas. My hubby didn't think she would like it, so I kept it for myself (a great benefit of making your own jewelry). It's made with smoky quartz chips, red agate, black crystals, and seeds. This set is very versatile. Made in the traditional "Y" formation, the necklace can work either day or night. Pair it with a jacket on the job or with a deep v-neck sweater for dinner. Total length is 22".

The earrings are made with the same drops as the necklace. They're only 2 1/2" long.

Chips -N- Koi

Made with real coral chips, black onyx, and Black Swan Quartz, this set reminds me of beautiful fantail fish and their shimmery scales. The large Black Swan ovals have swirls of silver flecks that reflect the light. The pendant is hand painted porcelain and has a mirrored back. In the center of this picture is the matching bracelet, made with one Black Swan oval and coral chips. The earrings (not pictured) are made only of the coral chips. (Click on the photo to see a larger image.)

Autumn in Alabama

Although we don't have the extreme color changes found in the Northeast, we still have some very pretty displays. Popcorn and Bradford Pear trees have some of the best coloring during November. Those colors of rust, gold, cranberry, and vivid orange inspired the pieces below.

Czech pressed glass leaves that look like hard candy are wire wrapped with shiny copper. To give them a chunky appearance, the wire wraps are "doubled."
More Czech pressed glass, still leaves, but this time with antique copper. Hung at several levels, these falling leaves remind me of leaf showers during breezy fall days.









A friend once suggested a Jack-O-Lantern as a pin. I decided instead to make a pin that could be worn well past the Halloween season. Made with metallic seeds and shiny copper wire, it's a perfect accessory to all things "Autumn." Note: The wire is curved outward to give the pin a 3D effect.

Black and Clear Set

A lady I know has a friend that wanted a special gift for his girlfriend. I'd made an anklet of black, clear, and grey crystals for this lady and she showed it to her friend. He asked for an anklet for his girlfriend. He (and his girlfriend) loved the anklet and have since requested a matching bracelet and earrings.

The Bracelet & Earrings

Luau!

When my mom remarried in August, she had a Hawaiian theme. I wanted to make her a jewelry set that really said, "Welcome to Hawaii." While looking for themed parts, I stumbled across the "Pud" flower.

These real flowers have been colored and dipped in epoxy to preserve them. After seeing a lariat made with these flowers, I was inspired to make a short necklace (20") with a clasp in front, green seed beads, and the flowers hanging down to look like they'd been hung by their stems to dry.

I made a necklace and earrings for my mom, and earrings and hair pins for me.

Iron Bowl Earrings

I've had requests for longer, fuller earrings for the Iron Bowl. Here they are!

Iron Bowl Bracelets

It's time for the IRON BOWL! Each of these designs is made with Swarovski crystals and seed beads. When you're wearing one it looks like two bracelets, but you only have to deal with one clasp!

Alabama & Auburn Anklets/Earrings

There are two anklet styles for each team and one pair of earrings for each style. One style is made with crystals and the other is made with Czech pressed glass and seed beads.