Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Some pieces for Moi



Here a few things I've whipped up for myself recently. These are my fav earrings of the moment. The Lampies came from the USA and I've teamed them with my favourite Swarovski crytals in tones of Green.

All these amazing colours reminded of the tones found in the ocean in the tropical north.

I also have some gold tone Lampies in the same style and waiting for inspiration to hit.


The next set I whipped up to wear to a concert this weekend. My outfit is a Black and Cream pattern knee length dress that I plan to wear over black pants. I named this set "Redee or Not".

The Red lampies are from another of my friends Bev Butler from northern New South Wales. I teamed them with Black and Red 5000 Swarovski Crystals, beaten artistic wire and Sterling silver chain.
I adore the earrings, the hooks came from the USA.


Here's another pair of my favourites. I made these to go with a jungle print top that I often wear with Jeans.

These are glass, teamed with Swarovski Crystals. The hooks are 925 silver.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Back home safe and sound


Argyra's Crown my award winning Bridal Tiara arrived home safe and sound yesterday from the Sydney Bead and Gem Show co-ordiators (Conference and Exhibition Organisers).

I also received my certificates and prizes along with a lovely letter encouring me to enter again next year. The standard of finalists entries was very high this year, so will certainly have to come up with something even more amazing next year. Already have a few ideas about what I'd like to submit.

This piece "Cooper for Cleopatra" was also a finalist at the 2007 Sydney Bead and Gem show.
But as I'd entered it the 2007 Creative Beading Awards of Excellance and it was selected amongst the Top 25, I couldn't send it for judging at the Bead and Gem show.
But its all good, "CC" is currently doing the rounds of the Craft and Quilt Fairs in Australia and New Zealand as part of the Swarovski Creative Beading exhibition which is great exposure.
Check out the Craft and Quilt fair website www.craftfair.com.au for dates and locations.

Friday, October 26, 2007

More Beach and Sea

Been a few days since I posted here.

Yesterday I went off to the Craft and Stitches "Bead Fair" at the Brisbane Convention centre. Had a great day, fossicking amongst the beads and chatting to people.

Also checked out the Top 25 entries in the 2007 Swarovski Creative Beading Awards of Excellence. Baffling thing was that none of the entries had been tagged with the designers names or locations. Go figure!

Some brilliant work on display. Pity, the best pieces didn't even place in the Top 5. Don't get me wrong, am more than thrilled with my 12th placing out of 300 entries.

Aren't designs supposed to be original? Are the judges living under a Rock? Give up yet? YES.

As for the photography, it doesn't even rate a mention. Heck I can do better than that and I did. Talk about disappointing. My advice, find a photographer who is experienced at shooting Jewellery and give those truly talented Australian designers the recognition they so deserve.

Whilst I was at the Fair I picked up a few bits and bobs to finish off a couple of projects I had on the go. I finished both these today. I must say that was a marathon effort.

Two more pieces ready for my upcoming Jewellery Party....Phew!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Sea's Treasure Chest

Here are a few strands of Pearls that I've been working on.

I love the colour of the Pearls in the pic above and have teamed them with a Hilltribe Silver Star Fish clasp, the last one in my captivity for the moment and some beautiful Blue Zircon Crystals.

Just perfect for summer or maybe a beach wedding.





These round pink pearls are gorgeous too, a very soft pink and fairly large.

I decided to make them unique by finishing off the strand with a a couple of coin pearls in the same shade.


These will look fabulous on and a just perfect for summer as well.




These coin pearls were described as Steel Grey, but they're shot with rainbow tones. green, blue, pink and copper. I added the Indocolite Swarovski Crystals to capture the blue tones in the pearls and the Paua Shell Clasp


All these and more can be found on my Bridal Jewellery site. See the links at the bottom of the page.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Beach Flower Shimmer Earrings


Finally got around to making the matching earrings to the necklace of the same name.

Now I've run out of Jonquil and Turq Swaro's, looks like I'm going shopping later this week, because I still have the matching bracelet to finish.
Today I decided that I needed to do something really simple. Out came the boxes of pearls and in between a visit from a customer this morning, I've managed to string up a couple of designs. Still got another 4 or 5 to do, but as its getting late in the day, not likely to get them finished or shots taken before tomorrow.
So stay tuned for those.


Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Think I've got RSI


More from me. Been just a tad busy the last couple of days, churning out more new glitzy jewellery pieces.

I positively adore the Art Glass beads in the pic above. The colours are really gorgeous and very Summery, whilst the beads themselves are smooth and silky to the touch.
Blue, Brown and a touch of Lemon. Each one has been individually wired with a Sterling Silver Spacer then joined with Sterling Silver Jump Rings. The pattern on each alternate bead reminded me somewhat of the spirals found inside cone shells.
There will be matching earrings and as I have enough beads there may even be a matching bracelet still to come. I've got more of these beads on order, different shapes and colours, so am awaiting their arrival in order to come up with a couple more interesting designs. I have one in my head and it involves a large Hilltribe Silver fish.

Seems I've gone a bit Lemon mad the last couple of weeks as it's not a colour I use very often. These cute little crystal and enamel flowers caught my eye on a website the other day, so I bought a few to see what they were like. They were a good match for some Carnelian I had. but then I didn't have a suitable clasp.

Decided to use the last two to make my own clasp and with the addition of some of my favourite silver Artistic Wire am very happy with the end result. This set includes a little pair of matching faceted Carnelian Barrel bead and Swarovski Bi-cone earrings. Hooks are 925 silver.

The next set has some stunning sea green/blue tones and is a real sparkler.

What was that saying back in the days of old?
" Blue and Green should never be seen"
Can't imagine why, those are my two most fav colours when teamed together.


Comes with a matching set of earrings, Hooks are 925 sterling silver as is the square Box Clasp on the necklace. Measures 45cm approx.











Friday, October 12, 2007

Design Award - 2007 Sydney Beading Extravaganza Comp


Finally the wait is over for one competition.
The winners of 2007 Sydney Bead and Gem Show Extravaganza Juried Competition were announced today and I got a phone call around lunch time.
My entry a free form Bridal Tiara embellished with Swarovski Crystals and Pearls was placed Third in the Finished Jewellery category.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

More More More - How do you like it....

Ahhhh, sounds like a cue for a song....but alas... more earrings actually.

I loved these earrings, a little inspiration from the garden. Now that we've had so much rain the last few days, my grass as turned the colour of those Emerald Swarovski crystals almost.


These are all sterling silver

One more pair, similar design, but a shorter drop.



When you're on a Roll..... keep rolling!

More from me today, I've been really productive the last few days and still have heaps to do.

This set was an absolute pain in the you know what, to put together, and no, it wasn't the fancy wired feature or even the hand beaten clasp that I had to make because its almost impossible to buy decent sized copper clasps... it was the simple act of stringing.

First I missed beads and it didn't hang properly, then I accidentally caught the copper crimp cover in the wire when I closed it, not good because this would eventually cause the wire to break and yep beads would be all over the floor. I then had another go at restringing the whole thing and didn't pull the wire up tight to the crimp...... Enough I said, what now!! Thank goodness that's over.

While I was at it, I made a little pair of matching earrings, the hooks are fine quality Anodized Bronze Niobium with a 2mm Copper bead and are totally safe for sensitive ears (hypoallergenic) and the colour is permanent. I've made earrings for myself with these hooks and I can vouch for that. The set contains Black and Copper glass, tiny Czech Copper glass Rondelles, real Copper beads and Copper Artistic Wire.

"Venetia" - Masquerade Ball Beading Challenge


I've been busy working on a piece for a beading challenge on an Australian Beaders forum that I belong to. I finally finished it last night. I used all the pink toned Swarovski crystals (Light and Dark Rose, Rosewater Opal, Pink Alabaster, and Fuchsia, along with some baby pink Swarovski pearls) that I had in my collection. Non tarnish Silver Artistic Wire was used to make the form and for the fine wire wrapping. I found some stunningly beautiful organza ribbon in baby pink and Fuchsia, in my local embroidery shop to add a bit of fullness and Sterling Silver enamel spray paint I bought at Bunnings to coate the dowel to which I attached the Mask.


Edited: 19th Nov, 07 - Won this Challenge, how exciting is that!!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Silver Rose - Secrets in the Garden

One of my favourite combinations is Silver and Rose Quartz. I don't know they just seem to go hand in hand.
I've always loved the soft pink tone of Rose Quartz, looks great in summer with a tan.

Recently, I found some lovely faceted Rose Quartz beads hidden in my bead storage cabinet and decided that they couldn't stay hidden forever.

Then I remembered I had purchased a few lovely Hilltribe Silver Rose Pendants at the last Brisbane Bead and Gem show. The pendant I ended up using is the biggest one I had, at least 40mm, so its a real stunner.
There are tiny Sterling Silver ball spacers separating each bead and the clasp is Sterling Silver. All strung on Beadalon 19 strand for strength.

The necklace sits nicely on the decolletage and is around 46cm in length. Earring drop from top of the hook is around 3cm. Hooks and fittings are all 925 sterling silver.

Here's a close up of the earrings.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Coral Charm - More things from the Sea

As you may or may not be aware, I love the beach. One of fav past-times is fossicking along the high tide line, often I take pics there and then of things that I find, arranging them into pleasing patterns.


I once found the tiniest pieces of red coral whilst on Holidays on Heron Island off Gladstone on the central Queensland coast, mostly broken, but still a vibrant red. That is something we don't see along the beaches here in the southern parts of Queensland.


Here's another new set of jewellery I made last week using vibrant red coral and sterling silver. The necklace can be worn with the feature clasp to the back of the neck or on the side for a different look. I added some Dark Red Coral 5301 Swarovski Bicones for just the tiniest sparkle. I love this set. The Bracelet is Plated Sterling Silver and has some handcrafted silver spirals that I hammered flat using my new chasing hammer and anvil. These pieces will be available for sale at my pre-christmas jewellery show.
Here's a close up of the earrings in the set.


Dragonfly Summer

You may recall a while back I posted a pic in this blog of a blue winged dragonfly, a pic I snapped over on Stradbroke Island last year. I was inspired to create a piece of wire wrapped jewellery, so here is a pic of the finished necklace and earrings.

The necklace contains Banded Black Onyx, Butter Jade (so beautiful) and who said yellow wasn't a nice colour, certainly not I...lol, Crystal Mutlifaceted Blue Opal Chalcedony, Silver Artistic Wire and Sterling Silver, oh and a sprinkle of Sapphire 5000 Swarovski crystals to capture a little glint.

Here's the pic I was talking about if you missed it.
Isn't that the most amazing Dragonfly and how lucky was I to capture it so close. Pity though I'd left my Macro Lens at home.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

How many dogs does it take to change a light blub?

Border Collie - Just one, but why not let me change the light fixture so it will accept fluorescent bulbs, which are much more efficient.... (typical border collie always thinking!!)
Bull Dog - Don't bother, I'll just lie here in the dark
German Shepherd - Just one, but it'll have to wait until I have rescued those people trapped in the dark and led them to safety
Sheepdog - I will, as soon as I arrange all the new bulbs in a tight and orderly little circle.
Golden retriever - The sun is shining, we've no work today and you're worried about a light bulb?
Rottweiler - Go ahead and see if you are tough enough to make me!
Labrador retriever - I can do it Please.... Please .... Please .... you know I can. Please...
Greyhound - It isn't moving so who cares?
Pointer - I see it. There it is.. Look, its right there....
Jack Russell - I can reach it. All I have to do is keep bouncing off the furniture and walls.
Poodle - I'll just whisper some sweet nothings into the border collie's ear and he'll do it.


Extract taken from why does a dog act that way.
"A complete guide to your dog's personality" - Stanley Coren (Simon and Schuster)

Gifts from the Sea

These gorgeous necklaces were made using a couple of strands of pearls I picked up from the Feeling Inspired crowd in Sydney.

Decided the pearls were perfect for Bridal Jewellery, but by no means limited to just that. They'd look great for any special occasion. Matching earrings complete the set.

Both are teamed with round faceted Swarovski Crystals. The first set are crystal copper whilst the clasp is 925 Sterling Silver. The pearls are a creamy white... yes I know there are so many versions of white, I always thought white was white still I started working in interior design.

The second set have light sapphire Swarovski crystals and a Hilltribe Silver Rose clasp. I adore these Rose clasps, they make such a statement. Which reminds me, I also have some large Hilltribe Silver Rose Pendants stashed somewhere. Must put on my designers hat and make something interesting with those.
Got to add, both these pieces make me want to get all dolled up in a glamourous evening gown just so I can wear them myself.
Now that's a thought, I need a new swanky blog pic.... I'll have to work on that.
(one thing about working from home, you get to wear your PJ's all day long and no one knows....lol)


Both available for sale, pricing etc see my weblink below
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~misterjet or email me bstoopman@optusnet.com.au for details.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Pre Christmas Jewellery Party


Well my young mate Rem has managed to finish the job I gave him of coming up with a party invite. Keep an eye out as the invite shall be emailed to customers, friends, friends of friends and family in a day or so. (Told you Border Collies were too clever for their own good!!)