Gemstone Pendants

Gemstone Pendants

(new ones)

 

A few weeks ago I made a trip to my gemstone supplier, Two Guys Fossils.

 

 

 

This is the pendant I made for my friend who was looking for a gift for a friend (See this post awhile ago - Christmas already.)  This pendant is sold but I purchased many others and here they are

 

Some of my favorite stones, Picture Jasper and then of course Malachite and Lapis Lazuli.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They come with an 18 inch silver plate chain. If you want a different length just ask. Here is a picture of a Malachite pendant with a chain.

 

 

 

 

 

These gemstone pendants make great gifts. They go well with different outfits and are one of a kind gift as no two stones are exactly alike.

 

Here is a link to all the various pendants available.

 

 

I will send a picture of the exact gemstone to make sure you will like what you order.

 

 

Need a quick gift?

Need a quick gift?

(I have them!)

 

The other day I had a call from a friend. She needed a quick gift for a co-worker. Did I have any thing that would fill the bill? I asked her price range and when she came over, I had two drawers of suggestions.

 

 

We decided on earrings. I asked her the color she would like. Blue. So, I pulled out any that had blue in them or would go with blue.

 

Success! My customer liked the earrings and I was told later, that her friend did too.

 

 

 

 

I've posted about earrings before. You can see the "Lots of Earrings" post here.

 

 

Of course, there are other things available for quick gifts. One of my favorites is the Glass Dome Pendant collection.These can be a very personal gift. The person's initial or a specific favorite flower, location, sport, hobby etc. The music G-Clef is a popular choice.

 

 

Note: these pendants do have a glass dome that doesn't show in the picture due to the extreme shininess and glare. See more in the video on the right hand column or on the website.

 

If you live close enough to come over, that is a great way to choose that special gift. Not only can you see items in person, you can walk out with your purchase.

If not, email me your request and I can send pictures that will fill the bill.

 

 

 

 

 

An other idea Pendants

 

There are many styles to choose from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For other gift ideas check out the other videos on the right or the Ring by Ring Designs' shop on line.

 

 

New Purchases

New Purchases

from the Innovative Bead Show

 

Every May, my friend and I drive up to Marlboro, MA and spend several hours at the Innovative Bead show. I was able to find some new cabochons at this show .

 

I also recently purchased a DVD so I could learn some new types of wire wrapping. Naturally, that is why I purchased the new cabs.

 

 

 

I was able to practice Monday morning. Here is my first try.

 

The colors are dark so I know it is hard to see the wire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I noticed the angles were all wrong. Well, at least not as good as they might be and I tried again. Also, made the coils bigger.

 

I like this one better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I look at the results, even the better one, I'm wondering if I should try it again using silver? I just might give it a go to see what happens. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Of course, this was not the only cab I purchased. You can see I found some others. These will take me awhile to finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just had to purchase that owl though. Not sure what will happen to him. Suggestions?

 

 

 

 

Then I found some that were almost finished, hearts to boot. Couldn't leave them there.

 

But I did leave some there.  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let me know what you think of my new purchases.

 

.

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

 

 Combining Techniques 

 

 

 

 

Last week I showed you some new gemstone pendants, including this one. A picture Jasper stone that I wire wrapped. However, the usual silver necklace I add to those pieces wouldn't work. I suggested leather as a possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                Several of you agreed. But, the colors/size of leather available just didn't work. I did find some chain that would work. But then, I got to thinking about fiber Kumihimo.

 

 

Then a nice thing happened, I found I already had some on hand to use in a new piece. I've made several Fiber Kumihimo necklaces in the past and had some fiber left over. So, I pulled out the left overs - eliminated the blues and greens and had a nice pile to choose from. You need eight different cords and I found eight different strands that were nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I loaded up my Kumihimo disk and started weaving away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is what I have finished so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I slid the pendant on and here is what it will look like. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chain will not go to waste because I have another stone to wrap. That way customers can have a choice. I really haven't made up my mind which one I like best yet. Opinions?

 

Bev, I think...

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who live here in MA I'll be showing my wares on Saturday, March 23 from 9 AM - 3 PM at the annual Quilt Show for the benefit of Science with a Mission.   Come see over 100 quilts (all different from those you may have seen before) have a nice lunch, and browse over 18 different vendors that will be there.

 

The event will be held at

Covenant Congregational Church

204 Center Street

North Easton, Massachusetts

from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

 

 

You can see most of the new pendants on my website as well as read more about the individual stones. Pendant, Various

 

 

As usual, I like to know what you think about what I show to you. Click on the link below rather than using the reply button. That way it comes directly to my email address which works better for me than the one associated with this email. Thanks.

 

Bev, I think...  

 

.

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Blizzard 2013

http://www.ringbyringdesigns.com/shop.html#!/~/product/category=3110416&id=19447019

Blizzard 2013

February

 

Many of you are also in the northeast and probably had as much snow or more than we did. It has been awhile around here, in south eastern MA, since we have had this much snow.

 

 

This is the view from our door on the driveway. Fortunately, our cars are in the garage. My daughter and son-in-law's cars were out. The official snow fall in our town was 23 inches but many around us got more. We are just down the street from the DPW and get our street plowed regularly. In fact, on Friday when it started snowing, I counted 15 plows going by our house before I stopped counting. We were, also, very fortunate to not loose electricity. Many are still without. They are cold and some have no water. Though there are warming places,  they still are hoping for lights soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Pathway started from our house to the  cars in the driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With it snowing hard on Friday, I decided it would be a good time to practice my wire wrapping. Boy, I'm still learning. Here is one piece I'll even show you.

  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not a fan of swirls and curly cues in wire wrapping but I did some anyway. While my wire wrapping skills are getting better, I need to work on my design skills for wrapping. At least to make me happy with the results

 

 

I have one Amethyst button left, the darker colored one. Of course, I can always take a short trip to my buddy at Two Guys Fossils for more.

 

Amethyst,

Malachite, or

Lapis Lazuli. 

Bev

Two Guys Fossils

Part 2

 

Friday, one of my beading buddies and I went to visit Al at Two Guys Fossils again.

 

 

The pieces I showed in last week's post have been quite popular. The Amethyst button sold as a gift for a person with a February birthday. That of course gave me the excuse to purchase some more.

 

 

 

I also, tried to wire wrap several of the stones I had purchased before. Well, as with most new techniques, the results were not great but with each try I learned something new. I won't bore you with the details (plus it is too hard to explain) but I needed to get more stones to try again. I did learn what kind of stone to look for in shape and probably more important, had a better idea what not to purchase.

 

 

 

Here are some pieces I found. They are fairly flat and have some interesting shapes with out being extremely odd shaped.

 

 

 

I've been thinking about something to add to the cross but it is still percolating. So when I find some time, my next project will be to wire wrap one of these stones. Haven't decided which one to start with. It seems I really like hematite ... One lonely lapis lazuli sits there too.

 

 

 

 

Since the Amethyst was sold, here are some replacements. Each one is a little different in shape and in depth of color. The one on the right is the one sold but the other two are available if anyone is interested.

 

You can check the pieces available here:

 

Amethyst,

Malachite, or

Lapis Lazuli.

 

 

Glass Dome Pendant Ideas

Glass Dome Pendants

Let's come up with some new ideas

 

 

 

 

Last February I started making Glass Dome Pendants. Because they are so versatile, it is hard to show everyone what can be done with them. The designs are endless and are only limited by our imagination.

 

 

 

 

I started looking at various pictures and found some "themes". Japanese symbols, flowers, Kaleidoscope designs and various others. You can see some of my choices on my website.

 

Here is one of the Japanese designs for "Peace". I get compliments when I wear this one. Plus being asked "What does it mean?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of the flowers that I chose to make. One of my favorites. See more here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the two craft fairs I attended lately, there was a lot of interest in the designs I have. But as I talked to the people (that is one thing I love about being at craft fairs - the interaction with my customers) I found they had some other requests. Since then, I've sold some "special" pendants. Children's pictures - gifts for grandparents, pets - gifts for ?? or themselves. So that made me wonder what suggestions will all of you, my newsletter followers, come up with. Thus, this post asking for your suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the ability to have these pendants used as fundraisers. My friend, Melanie, requested a blue paw print to sell at her school. The school mascot is the "Hancock Huskies"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, the "Parkview Panda" mascot. Pandas are popular in general, of course. And this one is so cute. (Parkview is the school my youngest grandson attends)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You see where this could go? I have another request for the local high school marching band to raise money for trips etc. They sell for $15 (a good price point) and profit is $5 per pendant. Beats magazines and candy bars.  ;-)

 

 

Think of the little girls who love dancing, kitties, dogs or play music. Here is the link again to the ones I already have.

 

 

 

And a link to let me know what suggestions you have for more designs.

 

 

 

Just a quick note about the pictures. Most do not have the glass dome in the picture because of the glare in taking the picture. Hope that is not confusing to you. All will have a glass dome. It does tend to magnify the picture a bit, too.

 

More New Pendants

(See some new choices)

 

 

 

The curtain is lifted and more designs have been added to Ring by Ring Designs' Glass Dome Pendants. I've added them to the web site so you see them in the Ring by Ring shop

 

The "Parkview Panda" had been popular. It really is cute, isn't it? The price is reasonable at $15.00 each.

 

I'm also offering any design(s) as fundraisers to any one interested. Email me for information if you are interested.   bevcarlson@comcast.net

 

 

 

 

  

One of the new categories available is Japanese Calligraphy, with meanings. Very stylish.

 

Included are Happiness, Dream, Family and Peace.

 

(Note: the picture is not shown in the pendant so it can be seen better)  That is my excuse and I'm sticking to it! Really, it isn't square.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite new categories is "Love Letters and Flowers".

 

So far,  Lily, Dahlia, Violet and Red Begonia are available.  I will be adding more beautiful flowers as time  goes on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later this week, I plan to add a new category for Sea Shells.

 

I'm not good about knowing the names of sea shells. Scallop is included (I do know that one) but the others have names like: yellow shell etc. Maybe I'll have time to look them up on Google.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to purchase

 

 

Drop me a note, please, with any comments.  bevcarlson@comcast.net

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

website:http://ringbyringdesigns.com

 

Email:info@ringbyringdesigns.com

or       bevcarlson@comcast.net

 

Also find Ring by Ring Designs on Facebook http://facebook.com/ringbyring

and Twitter http://twitter.com/#!ringbyring

and now on Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/bevcarlson/

Kumihimo / Nice Day!

It has been an absolutely beautiful day here today. With a list of things to be accomplished, I sat out side for quite awhile. (I had my Kumihimo disk with me so I would look busy). Actually, I did quite a bit. The birds were flying around, chirping and I saw a pair of Cardinals in the large evergreen tree in our neighbor's yard. The planes were flying overhead. I discovered their path was right where I didn't even have to move my head to see them. OK, a few more rounds of Kumihimo. Then a few more.

Usually, I show things after I've finished but ... I'm not finished yet. But here is what I've done so far. You may remember the batch of pendants I purchased a few weeks ago. I'm making this braid to go with one of them.

Funny thing, I bought about 6 packages of fibers to go with my pendants. Only to discover that the best colors were from some I had left over from other projects. I combined them in a different group. This braid has 5 blue and 3 beige cords. It is hard, at least for me, to tell how the final braid will look. I expected this one to have more blue. Any how, so far I like the results.
Here is a close up.





Thanks to the birds, planes, gentle breeze I accomplished 3 or 5 inches of my Kumihimo necklace and got an idea for a blog post. All in all, a good afternoon.

B

www.bevsjewelry.com and www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com