Earrings

Finally I have come up with a design that I like enough to use some of my most favourite hoarded lampwork beads in (and it was about time as I have long since run out of bead storage and have been shoving my little treasures in draws, the horror)....

These beautiful lampies are by Pinocean and I love them! I think to date these are my most favourite earrings that I have ever made and I'm so glad to say that they have gone to a wonderful home! The little charms are coin hammered copper inspired by one of my very favorite designers Keirsten Giles  and have tiny set rhodolite garnets.

Shooting stars

More Pinocean beads this time with hammered copper stars set with tiny iolite cabs (6x4mm tiny and so cute) now I have to wait for more supplies (no not beads) before I can make some more!

L - LABRADORITE

A - Z

Labradorite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Labradorite ((Ca, Na)(Al, Si)₄O₈), a feldspar mineral, is an intermediate to calcic member of the plagioclase series. It is usually defined as having "%An" (anorthite) between 50 and 70. The specific gravity ranges from 2.68 to 2.72. The streak is white, like most silicates. The refractive index ranges from 1.559 to 1.573. Twinning is common. As with all plagioclase members the crystal system is triclinic and three directions of cleavage are present two of which form nearly right angle prisms. It occurs as clear, white to gray, blocky to lath shaped grains in common mafic igneous rocks such as basalt and gabbro, as well as in anorthosites.

Labradorescence is a side-effect of the molecular change which occurs in large crystal masses of anorthosite, producing an iridescentplay of colors similar to adularescence. This labradorescence, or schiller effect, is the result of light diffraction within the lamellar intergrowths – fine, adjacent layers of the separate materials (lamellae) comprising the whole rock phase – created when conditions do not allow for sufficient diffusion to the materials' equilibrium composition.

So that is all gobbledygook to me but what I do know is that labradorite is a beautiful stone, one of my favourites....

If you would like a chance at wining these labradorite earrings then head on over to my facebook page Silver NikNats and enter my Easter giveaway....

Have a wonderful day amazing people x

G - Granulation

A - Z

Granulation (jewellery)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Granulation is a jewellery manufacturing technique whereby a surface is covered in spherules or granules of precious metal. The technique is thought to have its origins in Sumer about 5,000 years ago. In the first millennium B.C. the technique was used by Etruscans living in present-day Italy. Greek craftsmen also employed the technique, but it was the work coming from Etruria which became famous, in part due to the mysteries surrounding the process. 

So with no experience of this what so ever I decide to give it a go any way....

I enjoyed making the little balls although a few just rolled right off my charcoal block, I did not how ever enjoy trying to get them in place or trying to solder them, they were going every where. I think this technique requires a lot more patients then I possess!

Have an amazing day lovely people x

E - Earring

A - Z

Earring

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An earring is a piece of jewellery attached to the ear via a piercing in the earlobe or another external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Earrings are worn by both sexes, although more common among women, and have been used by different civilisations in different times.

I really need to get to grips with my new cameras settings as these colours have come out all wrong!

The bottom left is a beautiful deep purple and bottom left is a stunning golden yellow

The beautiful lampwork wing dings are by Genea beads (love her shop) not sure where the spacers came from and I made the lion headpins, better photos to follow hopefully!

Have a fantastic weekend lovely people x

We’re All Ears Inspiration Challenge

After seeing this beautiful pic over at Earrings Everyday...

Damselflies in Love
Photo credit: National Geographic, Yeo Weng Sang

I really had to join in with their new We’re All Ears Inspiration Challenge! Isn't it beautiful, I love the blues and greens and how their eyes look like glass.

However an unfortunate accident with my much, much loved but now sadly departed camera almost put a stop to this post, after all whats a post about earrings with out photos of said earrings, but thankfully I remembered my phone has a camera, so the post shall go on!

Here is what I came up with....

Quiet surprised at how nicely the shots came out!

The Roman glass has a beautiful texture and goes so nicely with the lampwork head pins by Nadin Art Glass, the flatened headpins are upturned to stop the beads from twisting around.

They look like emeralds in the sun (yep for at least half the day we had sun shine, the most we have had in what seems like a very long time).

I like these ones so much that I will have to keep them, but I have a fair few more pairs of Roman glass beads so will make up some more to go in the shop.

Have a faintastic day and if you have some spare time why not pop over and see what treasures everyone else made?

x

Pearls and pops

I seem to have a bit of a soft spot for pearls at the moment, or to be more precise faceted pearls, and if it was not for the fact that the holes drilled in them are so teeny tiny that I have to re-drill them (by hand) I would have a lot more pieces to show you, but alas thats life....

 They are quiet hard to photograph too, as are.....

Cake pops, these were part of a huge batch, but only 3 remained long enough to be in a photo. These are no bake Oreo truffle cake pops (or should that be cookie pops?) I found them on a fantastic blog called Love From The Oven and had to immediately try them, not only do they taste great but they are fun to make too! 

Have a great weekend

xxx

Print tray II

I have not done much in the way of making over the past week as I have been painting my bedroom, but now the walls are finally finished I managed to hang my second print tray/jewellery display.... 

I really love it! I decided not to paint this one as it looked so nice after all the wood was cleaned, so I just buffed it with a bit of wax to give it a light shine. Now I need to find a light fitting and some finishing touches.

I managed to knock up a couple of pairs of earrings while waiting for the paint to dry. A pink lampwork pair, that are very me and....

A more rustic looking pair with some lovely sparkly navy goldstone, I'm hoping to get some time to practice my soldering next week as mess maker is going back to play school (shes not been for the last three weeks due to sickness and school holidays) wish me luck!

Have a great weekend

xxx

First jewellery of the year and.....

Gosh January is nearly over and I have only made one pair of earrings....

I'm trying hard not to start any new jewellery projects until I have finished some of my many works in progress (it is taking a lot of will power as I was given some new tools for christmas that I am dying to try out).

But on the plus side I have managed to finish mess makers dolls house....

The roof is made from a couple of decks of playing cards, simply glued on and painted. 

The roof opens up to reveil a master bedroom and bathroom but I need to fit something to hold it open.

 I stuck in a few ACEO's on the walls as posters, which she loves, but I still need to kit out the kitchen. One thing is for sure three year olds that know what they want are the worst people to work for!

Have a fantastic weekend

Beautiful day

Latest makes....

and oh my can you belive that these photos were taken on a October morning, the sun is shining and its hotter now then it was during most of our summer!

Now off to enjoy the sun, wishing you all a fantastic weekend xxx

Teaser

Phew, I have just finished my bead soup pieces, but I cant show you them yet (not long now) I should at least show you a bit of eye candy tho (or ear candy)!....

My latest earrings....

Make sure you pass by on Saturday to see what I made from all the lovely things I was sent, here is a little teaser just for you....

Have a great day

xxx

Summers gone!

I can't believe how quickly the summer went by and after a week of madness/excitment, and getting all organised the girl and the boy have both started there new secondary schools, they look sooooo grown up in there uniforms....

Two days have passed and there have been no major incidents! 

I must admit mess maker and I have been enjoying the quiet while they are at school! Mess maker has been doing just that and I have been working busily on my bead soup, which I can't show you so I'll have to show you my latest earrings instead....

Keeping it simple with a sprinkle of sparkle!

And wire wrapped labrodites with pearl earwires, these were really fun to make, I might have to try some more wire wrapping!

Hope you all enjoyed your summer

xxx

Same again please

I made up a white version of the black earrings I made a few months ago, this time using my own ear wires, I think these are my favorite earrings so far, I love that they are so simple, and easy to make. 

When you have beads this beautiful you don't have to do over complicated designs.
(of course you have noticed that the beads are by the beadtastic Laura)

I have also been lucky enough to be included in this fabulous treasury....





Can you guess which is mine?

Have a fab Monday

Galatic earrings

I have a bit of a thing for galaxy beads.... OK, OK I just have a thing for beads in genaral, but am very drawn to galaxy beads. I think its because I love the colors used and also the dept they seem to have or possibly the fact that when I was younger all my dad used to watch on TV was Star Trek and Star Gate. Any who this is what I have done with my latest galaxy beads.... 

Galaxy wire earrings with a hint of blue goldstone for added sparkle....

It is however very hard to catch the sparkle on camara so you will just have to take my word on it!

Where ever you are in the galaxy have a great day

xxx

Cute as a button

 I think my bead addiction may well be turning into a button addition too, but it's not my fault, I mean how cute are these tiny little mother of pearl buttons....

I'm in earring mode at the moment....

Crystals, clear glass and silver trails, beads by the fab Laura Sparling.

Enjoy your weekend

xxx

Earrings

Do you have something that sells better then everything else? With me it earrings. I'm not 100% sure why this is but I think it's due to pricing (earrings are always cheaper).
So here are a few I have just finished....

Beads by Laura Sparling with a twist of silver and a splash of swarovski.

Same kinda thing with spacer beads and longer wires.

And again with a few jump rings thrown in for extra movement!

Striped Agate and swarovski and finally some for me....

Some thing sparkly and simple. The pins have the cutest tiny stars on the end.

Enjoy your day

 xxx