This blog will chronicle my journey as a wire jewelry designer. If you are interested in my jewelry please email me at beautyndbeads @gmail.com
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Golden Topaz still continued .... ( again )
For this set of jewelry, I use a swarovski ruby flat briolet 15.4x14 mm for the pendant and a pair of faceted teardrop pendant 15x10 mm also in ruby color for the earrings. And they are wrapped with silver non tarnish artistic wire 22 ga and 28 ga.
Golden Topaz still continued ....
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Golden Topaz continued ....
I finished this set just a couple of hours ago. As you can see, I tried to make it like a simple version of Eni Oken style ... not as good though ... ;D ( hahaha...)
Because the crystals are transparent I made coiling wires to frame the beads both for the pendant and earring to give a strong yet delicate impression.
I'm quite satisfied with the out come, it really look like a golden topaz.
I guess I'm ready to party...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Golden Topaz
This friday I need to go to a company party of my husband and I realize that I don't have a jewelry to wear. It must sound funny for a jewelry designer, right ? but it's true. I seldom made something for my self and if I made some and wore it then ussually somebody would offer to buy it which I gladly gave in.
I have decided to wear my orangey kebaya ( indonesian tradisional dress) for that occassion. And I thought a citrine color swarovski would be perfect to match my kebaya. Unfortunately, I only have a topaz yellow swarovski in hand. If I made it with golden wire, the color would complement my songket (tradisional cloth from Padang) which is orange with a touch of gold.
I don't have much time, so I decide just to make a pendant and earring.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Adjustable Filigree Ring
The idea for these rings came from "adjustable filigree gold ring", one of free jewelry making pattern from http://wire-sculpture.com/
I made it with more wires and add a 10 mm red swarovski pearl and a green 10 mm swarovski button on the other one. On the red one, I made the filigree around the bead and on the green one I made it more a-symmetrical. I wish I have a good lighting, because the color of the beads are more beautiful than the picture.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Jewelry - Symbol of Hope
By definition, hope is a feeling of want or desire to get something, do something or for something to happen. For most people, this word has a very individual meaning. For instance, someone may have hope in earning a college degree, starting a family or simply finding happiness. Whatever the term means to you, it's a wonderful way to live every day with hope in your heart. If you are looking to add this special sentiment to your jewelry collection, there are a number of symbols and/or styles that you can wear and enjoy.
Many of us love gemstones and appreciate the color that they add to our jewelry collection, but what we may not always realize is that every gem has its own special meaning. Pink Tourmaline, for instance, is the gemstone of hope. This bright, medium-pink stone is considered to be rare and is highly sought after in the world of jewelry.
When it comes to hope, many people look toward their religion for comfort. Cross jewelry, for example, can provide wearers with a great sense of hope. A prayer box, typically worn as a pendant or bracelet charm, is a small box that features a hinged lid. Many wearers enjoy placing a handwritten prayer inside, or possibly penned words of encouragement.
A dove may a small bird, but its symbolism is very significant. Many newlyweds release doves at their wedding, which can signify happiness and hope. The image of a dove in a jewelry accessory may provide the wearer with a sense of possibility or a new beginning.
To many, the symbol of an angel is reminiscent of a guardian, a protector and a symbol of hope. For those who choose to wear the image of an angel in their jewelry, they often feel comforted. As one of the most popular symbols in jewelry, the angel design is easily found in various pendant or charm styles.
If you still aren't sure which symbol best describes your definition of hope, think of something that you wish for. If you hope for sunnier days in your future, consider jewelry with a sun motif. If you're reaching for a goal, perhaps the image of a star would suit you well. If you are hoping for a little better luck in the coming year, perhaps the image of a clover, horseshoe, ladybug or an elephant would be your jewelry of choice.
In conclusion, the jewelry that you wear may or may not be anything more than a fashion statement. When one design goes out of style, another is sure to take its place. With so many trends on the forefront of fashion, it's often impossible to know what's 'hot' and what's 'not' on any given day. When choosing the pieces that you wear, however, it's worth noting that symbols of hope are timeless. A jewelry accessory that gives you hope or reminds you to never give up on the things that mean the most will far outlast the trends of today or tomorrow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Spark
Many of us love gemstones and appreciate the color that they add to our jewelry collection, but what we may not always realize is that every gem has its own special meaning. Pink Tourmaline, for instance, is the gemstone of hope. This bright, medium-pink stone is considered to be rare and is highly sought after in the world of jewelry.
When it comes to hope, many people look toward their religion for comfort. Cross jewelry, for example, can provide wearers with a great sense of hope. A prayer box, typically worn as a pendant or bracelet charm, is a small box that features a hinged lid. Many wearers enjoy placing a handwritten prayer inside, or possibly penned words of encouragement.
A dove may a small bird, but its symbolism is very significant. Many newlyweds release doves at their wedding, which can signify happiness and hope. The image of a dove in a jewelry accessory may provide the wearer with a sense of possibility or a new beginning.
To many, the symbol of an angel is reminiscent of a guardian, a protector and a symbol of hope. For those who choose to wear the image of an angel in their jewelry, they often feel comforted. As one of the most popular symbols in jewelry, the angel design is easily found in various pendant or charm styles.
If you still aren't sure which symbol best describes your definition of hope, think of something that you wish for. If you hope for sunnier days in your future, consider jewelry with a sun motif. If you're reaching for a goal, perhaps the image of a star would suit you well. If you are hoping for a little better luck in the coming year, perhaps the image of a clover, horseshoe, ladybug or an elephant would be your jewelry of choice.
In conclusion, the jewelry that you wear may or may not be anything more than a fashion statement. When one design goes out of style, another is sure to take its place. With so many trends on the forefront of fashion, it's often impossible to know what's 'hot' and what's 'not' on any given day. When choosing the pieces that you wear, however, it's worth noting that symbols of hope are timeless. A jewelry accessory that gives you hope or reminds you to never give up on the things that mean the most will far outlast the trends of today or tomorrow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Spark
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wire Jewelry Indonesia
Until a couple of days ago, I felt so alone in the world of wire jewelry in Indonesia. Of course there are lots of "foreign" milis to join but I felt an indonesia milis would be better.
Than through a lot of browsing I found wire jewelry indonesia! It's like discovering an oase, I tell you... I was amaze to find a wire jewelry lover community, right here in my beloved country, Indonesia. I assumed some of them are living in Jakarta. And when I saw their photo album, they are very good. They are like the Eni Oken of Indonesia and they are right here ! It means I could learn from them. It means I will make new friends with the same interest.
So, who is next to join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wirejewelryindonesia ?
Than through a lot of browsing I found wire jewelry indonesia! It's like discovering an oase, I tell you... I was amaze to find a wire jewelry lover community, right here in my beloved country, Indonesia. I assumed some of them are living in Jakarta. And when I saw their photo album, they are very good. They are like the Eni Oken of Indonesia and they are right here ! It means I could learn from them. It means I will make new friends with the same interest.
So, who is next to join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wirejewelryindonesia ?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Elegant Wire Jewelry by Kathy Frey
The other book I bought from my trip to Singapore was ELEGANT WIRE JEWELRY by Kathy Frey. Unlike the previous book that I wrote yesterday, the designs on this book is more modern, clean, simple and contemporary. Kathy's works remind me of my wire jewelry artist idols, Dianne Karg Baron.
Same as the other book, it began with basic information of tools and techniques. And it also has projects for different level skill from beginners through advance.
I was fortunate to have found these two books because it has different beauties in it. The projects on BEAD & WIRE are more elegant unlike on this book are more modern & contemporary.
BEAD and WIRE art jewelry by J. Marsha Michler
One of the books that I bought the other day was BEAD & WIRE art jewelry.
Honestly, I was interested in this book because of its cover. The bracelet looked so beautiful !
I thought there must be other beautiful projects inside and I was right. The book is very informative. It has a chapter of what tools, beads and wires to use. And a step by step techniques of wire working.
This book is good for beginners, intermediate and advance level skill of wire working because it has projects for each level. With beautiful pictures and step by step information, I would say this is a very good and informative book, at least to me ;D
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
My trip to Singapore....
Last week I had a chance to visit Singapore and I took the opportunity to shop for my artistic wire (since I couldn't get it in Jakarta).
That afternoon was raining, luckily that shop could be reached through the tunnel from Orchard Road.
This favourite bead shop of mine is at the Shaw Centre called "Beadsetc". It's a pretty little shop but to me it was like heaven, because you can find almost anything for jewelry making purposes.
It just moved to this place just this year, before they were at The Heeren.
I visited this shop online http://beadsetc.com.sg/ so many times but this was the first time I visited their new shop. Other than the wires, I also bought a couple of books and became a member.
I wonder when will such shop exist in Jakarta or probably it already exist somewhere in Mangga Dua perhaps ? Do you know ?