Friday, September 26, 2008
A few weeks ago, I decided to try something different. Except for wirewrapping briolettes and other beads, I really haven't done much wirework. I like working with silver but never have been overly keen on trying my hand at wirework. But herringbone weave intriqued me. I found a tutorial by Eni Okin and decided to give it a try.
I pulled out my beads to got some inspiration.
Some round faceted carnelian beads called to me. Then some honey-toned chalcedony briolettes wanted me. (Yes they did. I swear to you.) Here is what I came up with.
IMHO not bad for my first attempt !
I didn't think it was so hard and I felt so satisfied with the way the earrings lookied, sitting in my hand. I had to make some more.
Who was next to be wrapped? The prehnite rondelles? I bought them last year and I still hadn't worked with them. Yes, they needed love.
That's it. I was hooked. I LOVE doing this style of wirework. I really like how oxidizing and buffing the sterling brings out the textures.
In the next few days I made these, too.
For the earrings on the left I used smoky quartz - almost clear - and my favorite gemstone, labradorite. The gemstones in the middle photo are garnets which range from straw colored down to the deepest burgandy. And in the right photo, the earring are quartz and freshwater pearl.
With this new style, I feel like I've been able to expand my jewelry line and I've included these in my Etsy shop.
I only have earrings listed so far, but I think any of these would make great pendants and plan on listing them in the near - or not so near, depending on how much time I have - future.
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I made a pair of the carnelian ones just for me. :-)
I don't usually wear really dangly earrings, but I really like these. And they just seem to go with almost everything I own!
They look even more unique in person! Photos are OK, but there's nothing like handling and touching jewelry yourself. I haven't sold any on my Etsy site, but I've gotten a couple custom orders from people who have seen them in person.