Beaded Bookmark Treasures

Its been a while since I posted any beaded things, so here are a few of my more recent pieces. I rather enjoyed beating that wire into interesting shapes.
I think my fav is the next pic where the wire takes on the form of little sea creatures and treasures. A fish and the spiralled internal compartments of a shell.

Of course there are also pearls and other interesting left over beads in many gorgeous tones of blues and green. Once again these remind me of those beautiful colours found in the coral sea around North Queensland. I used silver plated bookmarks, 925 chain and head pins.

Bookmarks are a good way to use up beads with no remaining partners and make wonderful little gifts for lovers of books. Gee I should make one for myself...these were either gifts or pieces that I sold at a recent jewellery party.

The Simple things in Life

Another piece that I've recently completed for myself. These 10mm freshwater pearls have a gorgeous luster, whilst the faceted rubies catch the light like little sparkling diamonds.
The clasp which is 925 Sterling silver is also stunning and huge, but I think its a nice feature. I do however wish the Postie would hurry up and deliver the sterling silver fittings I need to complete the earrings. I guess its always the way at this time of the year. Its like waiting for a pot to boil.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.