Weaving A Gem Of A Life

Citrine Necklace and Bracelet

I liked the green garnet necklace so well that I just had to use the design for more than one necklace. I had some lovely citrine beads in that same pleasing flat oval shape, so modified the necklace slightly by using 14 karat gold-filled wire instead of the sterling silver.

Since I didn’t have any gold-plated beading wire, I used liquid gold and little 2mm gold-filled beads for the length of the necklace. It’s a tiny bit heavier than the green garnet necklace, and a little bit less delicate. For me, that’s a good thing — I’m not the most careful person when it comes to wearing necklaces. I tend to either play with it while I’m wearing it, or forget I have it on and end up doing damage when I pull my shirt over my head – with the necklace clasped on top of the shirt!

Citrine enhances self-esteem and clarity in communications. It encourages generosity, prosperity, happiness, and success.

You can download the October 23rd, 2010 | Tags: healing gemstones | Category: Jewelry & Gemstones | 3 comments

Green Garnet Necklace

Although the overwhelming majority of my time this year has been spent weaving, for my September and October shows I was showing both weaving and jewelry. I hadn’t really made any jewelry this year, so needed to get those creative juices flowing. I started by making some simple pieces, and then moved on to new things that were really fun to make and used some beautiful beads I had in my stash.

The result was this necklace and earrings made from a nice grade of green garnet.

handmade gemstone necklace and earrings of green garnet

I used 21 gauge sterling silver wire to make the squiggles that served as both head pin and necklace interest, hammering it after I bent it to work harden it (make sure it retained its shape). The five dangles of varying lengths are surrounded by sterling liquid silver and 2mm beads. All are suspended from very fine silver-plated 49-strand beading wire. Although you can’t see it in the photo, I made a sterling hook and eye clasp for closure.

I haven’t used green garnet much, but find it really beautiful. Like all gemstones, green garnet has healing properties; they are different than red garnet properties. Green garnet promotes healing, encourages cooperation, and can be helpful in meditation. It can be a help in the creative process (maybe that’s why this necklace worked so well), as well as enhancing a sense of peace and serenity.

I won’t likely be putting this or other new jewelry on my website, instead only having them available at shows or by contacting me directly.

Studio Tour Is Here

I’m part of the Allegany Artisans, dozens of talented people who live and create here in Allegany County, NY. Every year we have a studio tour, when people open their homes and studios to visitors from far and wide. Here are a few shots of how this takes over my home.

Handcrafted jewelry in the dining room

gemstones for dinner?

handwoven scarves in the living room

handwovens take a seat, and a table

the kitchen's not exempt from displays

I’ve set up my Macomber loom so visitors can try their hand at weaving a mug rug while they’re here. I’ll be working on rayon chenille scarves on my counterbalance loom.

Gotta run – the show starts in minutes!

Think Pink For The Cure

Sandra Bell-Lundy of Between Friends turned me on to this video. I must admit, one of the pleasures of finally having a semi-high-speed internet connection is being able to watch the occasional online video. October is breast cancer awareness month, and although it’s a very not-funny topic, I think injecting humor into our lives wherever we can is a good thing. It helps us keep a positive attitude, even when life seems at its lowest.

So watch, and if you can, make a donation to help find the cure for breast cancer. And be sure to take regular action for early detection.

P.S. The first video has spawned many other great ones. Find them on YouTube, or go to pinkglovedance.com

Autumn Rayon Scarves

I know, I know, I raved about my new favs a few short weeks ago. And now I’m changing my mind. But only partially.

People really liked the burgundy and the green wefts in those scarves, and bought them both at my last show. So I decided I’d better get some more woven. I liked the burgundy weft way better than the green myself, and I’m the one who needs to be kept happiest with my weaving, so I made two handwoven rayon scarves in the same pattern with the burgundy weft.

But I didn’t want to make 3 the same, so what was I going to do with that third scarf on the loom to make it look different AND really appeal to me? After a few attempts at looks that didn’t thrill me, I hit upon a winner. I used three threads together as the weft, winding the gold, orange, and light green from the warp stripes onto the bobbin at the same time. (FYI, I don’t really recommend this, as one color invariably ends up tighter or looser than the others, but I didn’t want to use three shuttles. ‘Cuz I’m lazy. So I dealt with it.)

I love the newest scarf best of all!

I know that computer monitors can’t really give you everything in terms of depth of color, or even accurate color in many cases, so you’ll just have to take my word for it that looking at this scarf is like looking at the western New York hillsides. At least the ones by me that have already shed the red maples. I just love the complexity that using those three colors of yarn together gave the scarf. Because I used three yarns, it’s a bit heavier than the burgundy, but IMHO that makes it even nicer, since it’s getting chilly.

I’m not going to try to post any of my newest scarves to my website right now — if I wait a few weeks I’ll know what I have left in stock after my next two shows. Seems like the smart and time-efficient thing to do.

Your turn: have the trees in your area put on their autumn shows yet?

Weaving A Gem Of A Life

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Citrine Necklace and Bracelet

Green Garnet Necklace

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