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 Earrings-Special

New Earrings

Special

 

I taught a chain maille class on Friday. The new design was from Scott David Plumlee. He calls it "Side Knot Byzantine".

 

 

 

 

 

Because my students are proficient in Byzantine, the class focused on the Side Knot. As we were making the pretty knots, I realized that just a knot would make nice earrings and thus -  the latest earring pattern:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may have noticed that the title mentioned "Special". Since I have not been offering Friday specials lately, I thought it might be appropriate to offer "Introductory specials". My website cart does not allow me to offer discounts so as a "work around" I have made a new page on the site that is not easily found without the specific link. (I'm about to give that to you) That way you will be able to take advantage of these specials.

 

 

 

For specials this week, I've added the matching bracelet and another new earring design. Hope you will like them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Side Knot Byzantine Bracelet and earrings shown together:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the other new earring design:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, now, for the important link for special pricing. I'm going to type the link so you can copy and keep it somewhere (or book  mark the page) for the future. You will notice that the specials will change, however.

 

 

http://www.ringbyringdesigns.com/special-pricing.html

 

 

 

 

Let me know what you think about the Introductory Specials.

 

Lots of Earrings

The swirl earrings I showed last week inspired me to make more. I've been getting better with the swirls and tried some different looks. Plus I made some twisted earrings that I've made before.

 

 

 

Here is a pair like the one from last week.

The color is more blue than shows in the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I tried some Antique Bronze swirls in two different colors. I need some earrings to go with the wire wrapped pendants I have using Antique Bronze wire.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some red ones. This pattern could be made in many different colors. Your choice. Have a favorite color you would like? The metal could be silver or gold, also as well as the Antique Bronze..

 

 

 

 

Now when you cut the wire to make the earrings, it is a good idea to cut more than you think you will need.

 

 

But, not wanting to waste the extra, I started swirling the left over pieces. And here is the results.

 

 

 

 

 

Nice variation for those who like smaller earrings.

 

 

 

 

Here are the twisted wire earrings that I made. (Busy this week, no?)

 

The beads are blue tear drop shaped with a flower design you really can't see in the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And last but not least, twisted wire with pretty faceted black crystals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've added these to my web site and you can see them there with more information about them (size, price etc.)

 

 

Let me know how you like the new earrings

Bev, I think...  

 

.

 

Until next time,

New Earrings

Earrings

 

I really used to enjoy the "A Team" and especially when John "Hannibal" Smith would say "I love it when a plan comes together."

 

Last week I gave you a hint what I was up to. (Making new earrings). One of you even purchased the ones I showed on Facebook.

 

 

These are really nice, aren't they?

 

Now I know many of you do not like long dangly earrings. These are 2 inches long BUT they are very light.

 

 

 

You will not know they are on.

 

So, what's this about a plan coming together? OK, I'll tell you.

 

I took a class at pflora beads awhile ago and learned how to make an earring design called "Twist and Curve" I made several pairs in that style.

 

 

 

Including this one:

 

Do you see the difference/similarity?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One more piece to the pie is another pair of earrings I made using a pattern from pflora beads. They are called "Balloon" earrings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were away on vacation 2 weeks ago, I took my drill and wire with me. I love twisting wire with my drill. mrooommmm....mroommmmm....  While away I twisted lots of wire and turned some into the above "balloon" shapes. Probably more accurately a "tear drop" shape.

 

After we got back home I was showing my friend what I had made so far. We played with the twisted pieces and some beads I had on hand. (This is the way new designs are made) The "what ifs" flew. And we came up with the top picture. It combines one of my Twist and Curve earrings and one of my twisted balloons aka tear drop shape. The plan came together!

 

 

While on a roll. I decided to make a different pair.

Even now, as I look at it, I'm thinking I would like the bead to be on the little longer curve. I'll have to try it.

 

 

 

How would you change it?   The choices are endless. There are blue stones, green ones, black ones, round ones, bigger ones and so on and so forth.

 

Do you have a favorite color or shape???

 

Would you like them a bit shorter, longer? What would your choice be?

 

I'm thinking I could make some square wire shapes too.

 

 

I've made some round wires and even a single tear drop that is only an inch and has no beads, just the tear drop shape. I like it.

 

 

 

OK, I've shown you some new designs. What do you think of them? Do you have a favorite? Would you like something different?

 

 

Check out the earrings on the Ring by Ring Designs website.Then:

 

 

Let me know what you would like and I'll do my best to make what you want.

 

 

Christmas Earrings

Christmas Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few weeks ago I introduced mentioned that I needed to get started on making jewelry for the coming Holidays. I will be having a table at a craft fair to benefit the Boston Children's Hospital (Pediatric Advanced Care System) on Saturday, November 10,  10 AM - 4 PM, in West Roxbury, MA. (Save the date if you are in MA) That is not that far away, either.

 

 

 

 

Here is the first piece I've been working on, Christmas earrings. A really cute "tree" made with Swarovski Margarita beads. (Now, doesn't that sound good?) The spacers are Silver Plated Pewter beaded Heishi beads and topped with a Swarovski Sunflower bicone.

 

 

 

 

 

They are really cute and fun to wear for the holiday season.

 

I have added these to my website and they are ready for purchase. For more information, pictures and to order click here or on the picture.

 

 

Until next week,

 

 

Bev

New Earrings

New Earrings

(I've been busy)

 

 

 

I haven't made many earrings lately and suddenly, ideas just keep coming. The first two were easy since they matched the two recent pendants I've made.

 

 

 

 

 

These match the Twinkle Star pendant I made recently. They are the same size as the pendant.

 

Click the picture for more information or on the website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I made some earrings to match the Trinity Pendant. (By the way I have ordered rings to make the design in blue, green and violet and I think I ordered purple too).

 

Click the picture for more information or on the website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you send me an email, I realize these do not exactly match. I was trying out different versions and can't make up my mind. Let me know which one you like best.

 

(This is not on the website yet waiting on the variation decision.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then just one more. A more traditional chain maille pair of earrings. These are made with some twisted Argentium Sterling Silver rings connected with smaller rings. I really like the shiny bright look of twisted rings.

 

Click the picture for more information or on the website.

 

 

 

 

Hope you like the new earrings.

 

 

Twist and Curve Earrings

Twist and Curve Earrings

 

 

 

You may have noticed that these earring were called "Fancy Earrings" last week. I decided mid-week to change the name to "Twist and Curve".  Does that sound better? Not?  Any other suggestions?

 

If you are in the northeast, you know how hot it was last week. I got through to Thursday. Then on Friday (an apt name, Fri-day, get it?) we went to the movies in the afternoon to get cool. The car thermometer said 105 when we pulled into the parking lot.. (Outside temperature)

 

 

Anyhow, it was a good week to spend time indoors and so I made several of the, now, "Twist and Curve" earrings. I really like the twisting part. Getting the silver wire the right length is also a challenge.

 

 

 

I love how designs "just happen".  After twisting a length of wire twice as long as needed (to make sure the twist is the same for each earring) I cut it in half. Now, I know you need to cover any little piece of wire you cut off but this was four inches long. So I wasn't as careful. Mistake! It flew somewhere, I know not where. I'm still looking for it. So, the result is the cute little short piece on the Violet bead earring. (From the piece that didn't fly away) And thus a "new" design as all the rest of the twists needed to be changed too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I mentioned last week that I would be going through my stash of beads. The beads in this pair are from the three row leather bracelet," Oceania". They would go very nicely as a "set".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been so busy making new earrings that I've neglected taking good pictures. I like a nice white background so the piece is the focal point.  It is hard enough to get one earring to lay nicely  let alone a pair, so I settled for just one. With my camera manual and camera in hand, sitting in my chair, I took this picture of this one earring.  (The white background is a pant leg ;-)

 

Still need some work on pictures! This is better but not good.

 

This bead (from my stash) is pear shape, Czech glass, in green with flowers.

These are not up on the website yet but I hope to get them there this week. I really need to work on getting good pictures first. The price will be $25.00

 

Fancy Silver Earrings

Fancy Silver Earrings

with Crackle Beads

 

 

 

I took another class at pflora beads last week. I had lots of fun choosing the beads to add and  twisting the square wire used,  then making the appealing curves. There were 5 of us in the class and at the end there were 5 very different pairs of earrings. Actually several people made more than one pair.

 

 

One of the things I really like about these earrings is that they are very light. Considering that they are about 2 inches long, that is a good thing.

 

 

Some of the earrings made in our class, had little wirewrapped beads dangling off the curl on the bottom instead of the larger bead I used at the bottom. Also, several used longer silver curves and either more or fewer curves.

 

I got busy after a trip to the hardware store to purchase a cordless drill for twisting the wire.

 

Here are some simple rings and the start of a new pair of earrings.

 

I'll go looking through my stash of left over beads and probably have some more to show you next week. Better pictures too. ;-)

 

 

 

If you had a choice of color or type of bead, what would you do to change this design? Would you add more pieces of silver? Less? More beads? Gold?

 

If you have any requests let me know. The variations are endless.

Until next week,

 

Bev

 

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

 

New Metal Stamped Earrings

Last Saturday two of my beading friends and I went to Swede's Beads in West Bridgewater to take a class in Metal Stamping. We were given 5 copper circles to practice with and then we could purchase some other shapes and metals to use what we had learned.

You can see the picture of my sample pieces.




Hammering is a great way to get out some frustrations. The funny thing is that the first ones (top) seem more planned than the lower two where I was trying to make something. Interesting phenomenon don't you think? They just need ear wires to make nice earrings. Well, interesting ones anyhow.

I like the silver and copper earrings that I finally made.




They clink when you wear them. They are a little longer than I like but not too bad. I need to measure the holes better so I don't have to use such a large jump ring to attach to the ear wires..

They were all oxidized to show the the detail in the stamping. I think I should polish the silver a bit more but for a picture that is not a bad thing. (Not so shiny) I used my initials and a squiggle stamp. Then for "interest" I hit the silver pieces with the ball of the hammer. Makes dents. The oxidation makes them show a bit. On the square copper pieces I just made lots of hits with an "interesting" design.

With the "interesting" design stamp, I bounced a bit and liked the results, so I bounced several hits to make it look as if I did it on purpose. (I'll never tell that I didn't do it on purpose)

Anyhow, I've discovered a new technique and need to explore it more. Lots of different possibilities.

Next I'd like to make a bracelet with the squares and different stamps on each one. As with most new techniques, it requires some new tools. They are on order and I hope I remember everything when they get here.

B

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

Flat Box Chain Maille earrings

I wanted the earrings to "match" the Flat Box Chain Maille necklace and bracelet I had made. I found the the Box weave was a bit wobbly. Rings hung down when not secured. I had really wanted to use a matching bead from Sherry Ploof but the ones she sent were too big. So I used plain silver balls. Then it occurred to me that the plain silver might be more practical. In other words could be worn with out the matching necklace and bracelet.

So, the set is now finished. Here are all the other pieces.





B


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

Lexie's Earrings, Swarovski Pearls

Second in the series of Lexie's Jewelry line.


The next natural extension for a bracelet is earrings. A very simple design using just two sizes of the pearls with the matching Bali spacers.


The earrings are available in each of the 5 Swarovski pearl colors found in Lexie's bracelet.

Gray is shown in this picture. It is one of the more popular colors. It looks almost silver and therefore a-go-with everything color. Next popular is white. Again a-go-with everything color.


Meaning of the colors as chosen by Lexie:

Light blue for a Cure; Rosaline (pink) for Love; White for Hope; Light gray for Courage; and Mauve (purple) for Lexie.

However, many people have purchased more than one color. (Unable to decide ??)

What would your favorite color be?

All of Lexie's jewelry can be purchased at:

www.bevsjewelry.com or

www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

B

Bleeding Heart Earrings

My Mother really loved flowers. She knew a lot about them, in the "common" way. That is to say not the biological names but the more common names and things about them. She loved Bleeding Hearts and always had one in her garden. I have one too.


She taught me about the "inside parts" of a Bleeding Heart and I've tried to pass it on to my children and grandchildren too. (Not sure how successful I've been but I've tried.) This is a picture of the parts of a Bleeding Heart.


The outer red parts are the "Rabbits", next come the "earrings"





then the "slippers" or shoes (she referred to them as "mules") and last the "bottle of champagne".


The story often was embellished a bit depending on her mood. A Bleeding Heart blossom was always something I could take apart and look at the various parts with their "common" names.


One of my nice memories of my Mother. Thanks Mom.


B

Chain Maille teacher gifts

My daughter is a former preschool teacher and has definite ideas of appreciated Christmas gifts for teachers. So, when it comes to giving teacher gifts for her own kids she is particular. No chocolate, no mugs etc.

I wasn't surprised when she asked if I had any of her favorite Chain Maille earrings. She likes the simple three ring mobius earrings I make. Well, it turned out that I did not have any already made.

I told her that if I had the correct ring size in stock, I could make them for her. It turned out that I usually use 18 gauge, 7 mm but I only had 6 mm. That would be OK, she told me.

So, with in an hour, we had some nice teacher gifts. It is nice to be able to do that.

I hope the teachers will like them.

B

Christmas Earrings

With a Jewelry Show coming up tomorrow, I decided to feature some Christmas earrings. Last year I made some Christmas Trees using Swarovski Crystals. I think they are very cute and don't look like "Made in China" as many Christmas earrings do. (IMHO)

The pair I made this year have a little of that look but are still cute. They are multi-colored bells. They don't have a clapper, they are too small for that, but the clang together and make a soft ringing sound. Fortunately, not too loud as they are next to your ear.

Anyhow, off to pack up my stash and make sure everything is labeled and looks nice and ready for sale.

B