Dorothy Ring

I've been dipping into my donation bag again and I've been making some really cool rings with the some of the things I've found in there.  This ring used to be a clip-on earring, I believe.

By using the earring like a cabochon, I beaded around it using tubular peyote stitch with ceylon yellow and brown iris coloured seed beads.

The band that I stitched for the ring reminded me of the yellow-brick road - hence the name Dorothy.

I've done quite a few of these as they are fun to do and it's nice watching old jewellery transform into something new.

=:x

Wrong Side of the Tracks Bracelets

Today I have not one, but two bracelets to share with you.  I'd never used two-hole beads before and I didn't really know what to do with them.  Then I came across this tutorial from Inspirational Beading using Chevron Chain with Tilas.

I'd bought some beautiful marbled rose tilas which I paired with Ceylon Ivory seed beads.  When I showed it to my mom, she told me it looked very bridal style.  I was actually trying to create an antique lace effect, but whatever.

I beaded the toggle clasp and loop, so it's another metal-free bracelet.

I made another, but this time I used all black beads.  Instead of using two size 6/0 beads on the edges, I used 3 size 8/0s.

I also changed from using beading thread to using elastic instead, so this one is clasp-less too.

I had fun(!) trying to figure out how to connect both ends together without leaving a seam, but I finally managed it!  I'm thinking of making another one of these and attaching it to a ring.

=:x

Happy Birth/Mother's Day!

I don't usually post at the weekend, especially when it's my birthday!  However I was silly enough to be born around Mother's Day here in the UK so today I have to share the celebration of my arrival on this Earth with celebrating the amazing woman who gave birth to me. I don't have much to offer, so I thought I'd add to the ever expanding collection of jewellery that I have made for her.
As you may or may not be aware, I adore semi-precious gemstones and they are my favourite to work with.  I love the random beauty of natural stones.  I was excited when one of my favourite sites [Beads Direct] to get gemstones were having a sale as it gave me an opportunity to work with a stone I've wanted to buy for a while - Druzy Agate:

I Heart...Vintage Necklace

Today's item is probably not only my favourite necklace in the I Heart...Collection, but that I've ever created.  This is the ...Vintage Necklace.

New Collection Preview!

Sorry I've been away so long, but I'm currently in the middle of creating things for a brand new collection I'm launching, and as all the items feature hearts, it seemed appropriate to give you a preview of it today!

Each piece is named after something that I cherish.  It's mainly necklaces at the moment but I am working on some bracelets.  I'm not sure if there will be any rings, but I'll see what happens.  This collection isn't as full of sets as my previous ones, so you can just pick and choose the pieces that you like best.   It's been fun to try out new techniques and not having to worry about building an entire set around one idea.  I'll be showcasing them in full next week and I'll be adding to the collection piece by piece.  I'm currently in the middle of three projects just for this collection and I have two other separate projects on hold!  Still, it's fun to be creating again. :)
I hope you enjoy this new collection and I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!

=:x

Mintberry Swirl Necklace

I've really got to think of a better name for this necklace before I sell it!

I've had this pack of lampwork beads that I received in a goody bag (I think!) for while and I haven't really known what I wanted to do with them.  So using my new found beadwork skills, I've transformed it into this beautiful necklace.

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.

Industrial Steampunk Set

I said I was going to do more steampunk styled jewellery and this is what I came up with:

While browsing some designer jewellery, I came upon a spectacular design by Paco Rabanne, featuring chains, metal loops and black pearls.  I loved the simple looking construction which on closer inspection, you realise how intricate it truly is.  I've just bought a load of steampunk cogs and vintage chains, so I decided to simulate the design.  It kind of reminds me of a ribcage, especially the way it hangs, which I think adds to the steampunk effect.

As I layed out the materials for the design, however, I realised I wouldn't have enough of some of the cogs to finish the earrings as well.  But such is the beauty of steampunk, I grabbed some other metal rings I had and mixed and matched with different chain and various shaped cogs until I had this gorgeous "inner workings" look.  The "black" beads are actually dyed coral, and I love the way the vintage hammered chain contrasts with the normal silver chain.

Finally, I used a metal push clasp with a black acrylic bead to match the coral beads.

The earrings were a little trickier.  I'm not sure if the metal pieces are that were used on the Paco Rabanne ones are smaller than the cogs that I have used, but if I had copied the design exactly, I think they would have been hanging past your underarms!  The earwires are nickel free.

But this wasn't about copying, it was more or less doing what I always do - Taking a piece that I like, and putting my own flair on it to make it into something that I love, and I hope you will too!

This is obviously a one-of-a-kind piece, as I'm not Paco Rabanne, and don't have access to all these materials again! ;)

SOLD!

Shackles Necklace

I wanted to create something that was actually more my style.  Something with a Gothic edge, something with chains, something kind of like this...

Shackles necklace

This is the Shackles necklace.  15mm Black Tagua beads, antique silver bicone spacers, antique silver bead caps, hanging from a length of oxidized silver rollo chain.

Tagua beads

Although there are no recycled materials, this is a one-of-a-kind item, as I can't acquire the bead caps anymore.

Antique silver bead caps/Antique silver bicone spacers

Oxidized silver Rollo chain

This is also the last one of these antique silver toggle clasps I have left.

Antique silver toggle clasp

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

Steampunk Junk Necklace

I think the whole Steampunk style is absolutely fascinating and innovative, but it still hasn't captured me completely.  This was my first go at something Steampunk-ish, made from mostly junk and again old necklaces pieces and a few bought items.

Steampunk Junk necklace

 I'm really pleased with how it turned out for my first go.  The cog-wheel pendant I put together myself from an old travel clock belonging to my Gran, strung together with copper-esque wire.  The hands belong to another clock.  They are actually painted black on the side that's supposed to be showing, but I preferred the silver against the brassy colour.

Cogwheel pendant

I'd bought a really cool collection of assorted mint glass beads, with these interesting copper stripes painted on, I hung those from headpins and added some Antique Bronze metal spacer beads to add length.

The "connectors" were part of an old necklace that was given to me from my Grandma.  I wrapped more copper wire around them to keep with the "inner-workings-of-a-clock" theme.

Mint w/ copper stripe glass beads
Copper wire wrapped connectors

The royal blue beads were also a part of the stripped necklace.  I added them to the second strand, with more of the antique bronze spacer beads.  The nut I found lying around the house and I have a terrible feeling I'll be missing it off something, one of these days!  The key charm you can just about see on the right and the padlock charm (which you can't), belonged to an old charm watch bracelet; that I hated.

Nut pendant

This used to be a pendant from a old necklace of my Mom's.  I've always thought it matched my royal blue beads!

Pendant used as a connector

This is an old chain that I hated.  I love putting old things to new uses.  I think the pendant and the chain both make really cool, odd connectors.

Chain used as a connector

The "pendant" on the third strand is a circuit board from an old watch.  The gold and copper lined beads I bought.

Circuit board pendant

Finally is the Antique Silver clasp; which again is from an unwanted necklace.

Antique silver clasp

So, that's my first attempt at "Steampunk" style.  Eventually I plan to mke some earrings to go with it.

Obviously this is a personal item, and there is no way I could recreate it.  I will be making more Steampunk styled jewellery, and probably many more made from "junk".

Tomorrow I'll be showing you the jewellery I have for sale.  See you then...