Irene's Present

In April, my Gran asked me if I could make her a necklace as a birthday present to give to her next door neighbour.  I then found out her birthday isn't until November!  I showed her the beads I had and we deliberated for a very long time.  Mainly because my Gran, unfortunately doesn't have much of a talent for visualising.  To make it easier for her I asked what Irene's favourite colours were and I could build around that.  My Gran replied that she didn't know, she'd lived next to the woman for over 50 years and still didn't know that much about her!  My head hit the desk.

Anyway, we eventually discovered her favourite colours were red, black and green and I got to work mid August.  When I took the finished necklace to my Gran for her thoughts, she was admiring my bracelet (the one in this post).  We agreed I'd make one as an addition to the necklace for Irene.  


Now I've got photos of the necklace, but I forgot to take photos of the bracelet before I gave it to my Gran.  When I next go over to my Gran's I'll try to remember to get a photo.

My Gran wanted something light and long enough to fit over Irene's head so she wouldn't have to fiddle with a clasp.  I used the rest of the red seed beads I had left from the Americana set and alternated with black fire polished beads.  On the right side I added a copper petal connector, which I manipulated into a flower.  On the second strand is a mix of emerald green seed beads and more of the black Czech glass beads.

As a focal, I peyote stitched black coral and green seed beads together and wrapped it around the strands to make it look knotted.  On the ends of the strands are red acrylic bicone beads and light green Czech glass beads.  I hope Irene likes it.  I'll let you know!


I posted this to give you a glimpse of the customisation process.  This design was loosely based on one I made my Gran for Mother's Day (Sorry I don't have a better photo):

Girls 'n' Pearls Set

I bought some beautiful vintage style findings, cabochons and cameos from America and I've been dying to use them in something.  I mixed them with my great-grandmothers pearls (fake), which gives it this really elegant look.  Although not when I'm using my hot wheat pack to show how it hangs!  I really must invest in some displays!

Girls 'n' Pearls Necklace

Girl with Nightingale cameo on Oxidized Brass setting

Earrings

I've plenty more of these antique/vintage style findings (I went a bit mad!) and I love making this style of jewellery.  You can be sure that there will be more like this, actually for sale soon.

If you would like me to make you something similar to this, please feel free to contact me at: kymberligee@gmail.com with "Girls 'n' Pearls" in the subject line.

Fun with wire & beads

The last few weeks I've mainly been testing out new techniques and having fun with new designs.  These aren't for sale, but they give you an idea of what I've been doing and what things you can expect to be coming to X99 Jewellery.

Celtic loop ring

Purple & grey Lattice Bracelet

The lattice bracelet is customisable, as I'll show you later with one I was commissioned to make for my Gran.

Updates at X99 Jewellery

Long time no see, yet again!  I'm sorry I've been away for so long but one of my cats has been injured and I've had to keep a watchful eye on him, because he keeps taking off his wound collar and making his injuries even worse!  He's a lot better than he was, but he's still receiving treatment.

I haven't had a lot of time to update the site because of this, even though I have new things to show you.  They're mainly things I've been designing for myself, but I do have a couple of new items for sale as well as a few ideas in the pipeline.

I've completed my third commission for my family.  My Gran wanted me to make a set for her next-door neighbour's birthday in November.  I've taken pictures, so you can see what they look like.  I've also made another necklace for my Mom, or rather, I was making a new necklace for X99 Jewellery and she commandeered it!  Don't worry, I have charged her for it! ;)

In other news, I've been updating information around the blog.  I now have a better idea of what postage will be since I signed up to the Royal Mail site.  I still don't know exactly, as the weight of each item will be different (of course) and it also depends on where I'm sending it to.

I'm hoping to invest in some busts and/or displays, so I can properly show you how my jewellery looks, as you'll see in the next updates, I'm making do with my hot wheat pack for the necklaces and a glass tumbler at the moment!  It all comes down to money, doesn't it? *sigh*

I promise there will be new items up soon!

x Kym x