Movin' On Up!

I have just migrated my blog over to a Wordpress site:  http://bigskiesjewellery.wordpress.com.

I have only been blogging for a few weeks now, but in that time I have come across some limitations here and feel that Wordpress has more flexibility to suit my needs.

Really hope to see you there!

It's the Weekend Baby!

New Stock

Another weekend has arrived– where is the time going?  Before you know it you’ll be making New Year’s Resolutions (and maybe breaking them!).....have you thought of yours yet?

I have had a busy morning stocking up on lovely new beads for making more stunning gemstone jewellery this weekend.  Good job I had comfy shoes on - a 5 hr shop is not the faint hearted!  (It involved a McDonalds drive thru breakfast and a Wimpy cheese burger, so the pre-Christmas diet is not doing to well today either...)  A successful jewellery show was had this week, so I needed to re-stock - and now get busy beading!

Favourite stock item of the day:

Malachite Oval Bead String

Aren't these malachite beads awesome?  I couldn't resist them - they look almost good enough to eat!

My second favourite purchase today are these unusual pyrite beads:



Pyrite Bead String

I can't quite make up my mind what to combine them with - will have to play around and see what pops out at me.

Beading projects for the weekend include making up some more of my new “half-half” bracelets.  I am really enjoying colour blocking in my jewellery at the moment and these bracelets lend themselves to the trend beautifully.  Much of my jewellery is very simple in design as the gemstones speak for themselves – they take the starring role and they don’t always need a supporting act.  These bracelets are simple yet stunning. 

Turquoise and Tiger's Eye "Half-Half" Bracelet

The combinations are endless - turquoise and tiger’s eye, cherry quartz and grey quartz, milky quartz and onyx, crackle fire agate and striped onyx, amethyst and malachite....and they look gorgeous stacked together.

Crackle Fire Agate and Striped Onyx "Half-Half" Bracelet

Along with stocking up on gemstones – onyx, tiger’s eye, turquoise, malachite, white howlite, agate, coral, amethyst – I also took delivery of my first sterling silver findings.  I would like to offer my jewellery buyers two options – a very affordable range using base metal findings and then a sterling silver range for those who are just plain fans of real silver or who are allergic to non-precious metals.  We’ll see how it goes – watch this space!

Let the Festivities Begin...

Christmas Cat

I have just launched the Coral Collection of handcrafted gemstone jewellery in my Etsy shop.  I was starting to feel festive and Christmassy after putting the Christmas tree up with the family after Sunday lunch last weekend, and this inspired me to create some new handcrafted jewellery pieces in bright Christmassy Red.....and it doesn't get much redder than coral jewellery!

Red Coral and Silver Bali-style Bead Necklace
https://www.etsy.com/listing/114695379/coral-collection-coral-and-silver

Did you know?

Only two types of coral can be used to create the red jewellery such as that in my Coral Collection.  These are: corallium rubrum and corallium japonicum, and they are found in the Mediterranean sea, off the coast of Australia, the South Pacific, and the waters of Japan and Africa.

Red Coral Bracelet

Coral is found in white, red, black to blue, and brown - red is most definitely the most popular of these colours.



Red Coral and Silver Bali-style Bead Bracelet
https://www.etsy.com/listing/114186803/coral-collection-coral-bracelet-coral

Coral has a similar chemical make-up to pearls.  Although it looks like a plant, it is the accummulated skeletal mass of living animals called polyps.  It can grow up to 40 cm tall with branches 4 cm thick - imagine the chunky jewellery I could make with that!!

Coral is susceptible to bright light and is soft so care should be taken when coming into contact with chemicals such as soap and perfume.

Orange Sponge Coral, Cream Coral and Bronze Ceramic Bead Necklace

Amongst its many meanings, coral is said to ward off evil spirits, prevent ill fortune, strengthen self esteem, and soothe fears.  It symbolises life and blood force energy.

Orange Sponge Coral and Crackle Fire Agate Necklace

I have always been fascinated with coral and its many forms- I have had coral trees as ornaments in my home, they are awesome just to sit and look at.  Nature really is amazing!

It's a Wrap!

I thought I would share the results of my first forays into a new technique for me - wire wrapping.



Wire Wrapped Flint Arrowhead

This first item is a flint arrowhead that a colleague gave to me asking if I could turn it into a pendant.  I am happy to say that she is delighted with the results.

After the arrowhead I decided to try and wrap a couple of pairs of earrings using teardrop semi precious beads in turquoise and coral.

Coral Wire Wrapped Earrings
https://www.etsy.com/listing/117024948/coral-collection-coral-earrings-wire 

I have always really enjoyed the look of wire wrapped jewellery, but haven't been brave enough to try.  I now cannot wait to try out some more projects.  I have a few stones without drilled holes that I can make pendants from.  One of the great things about jewellery making is the multitudes of techniques and styles to try out - it's impossible to get bored!

Turquoise Wire Wrapped Earrings
https://www.etsy.com/listing/117021812/turquoise-earrings-wire-wrapped 

Now I just need to get more wire.....off to the shops!

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve is my favourite song, of all time.  I like to listen to music whilst I am beading – I think it helps the creative process.   Music puts me in a happy place. If I am feeling down or frustrated with life (or the traffic!!), I put on my favourite play list – and after singing to a couple of my favourite tunes at the top of my voice, I suddenly don’t feel so bad!  It’s a fact that it impossible to be angry or cross whilst listening to something you love.   Music has the power to uplift.

Turquoise and Black Rhinestone Roundel Earrings - sold in November on Etsy

I think the iPod is one of the best inventions of all time - I love my little orange iPod.    The joy of being able to make up play lists of all my favourite tunes, with such simplicity......bliss!!  I remember the frustrating days of my youth, trying to tape tunes from the radio or records (yes....records.... there was life before CDs). 

Turquoise and Labradorite Necklace - sold in November on Etsy

This weekend was pretty hectic – too many social engagements and not enough time for beading!! Not that I am really complaining, it’s always lovely to see friends and family, and make some new friends along the way.   I wanted to take photos yesterday afternoon so I can upload my new pieces to Etsy, but it was raining and the light was really bad.  So instead of posting new pictures today I am sharing pictures of the items I have sold from my Etsy shop in November.

Dragon's Vein Agate Necklace - sold in November on Etsy

What I did have time to work on this weekend is what I am calling my “Coral Collection”.  I love coral – there is something special about the combination of brilliant red and silver – and it feels festively appropriate with Christmas coming up!  I did also incorporate subtler colour schemes into a couple of pieces by using orange sponge coral and natural cream coral instead of the red.  After I have uploaded my coral collection to my Etsy shop I already have another collection in mind – the Tribal Collection – earthy, natural, rustic pieces using beautiful gemstones.

Agate Teardrop Slab Necklace - sold in November on Etsy

This weekend I also started to experiment with a new technique for me - wire wrapping.  After a couple of somewhat dodgy attempts I was rather pleased with my results.  This detour into wire wrapping was kick-started by me being given an arrowhead by one of my colleagues; she asked if I could please turn it into something she can enjoy more often by wearing as a necklace.  So I decided to give wire wrapping a go.  I think it is something I can get quite addicted to – it’s really fun creating your own shapes!  Hopefully tonight I can take some pictures of my new pieces to post next – may have to use artificial light though as it is still raining!

Turquoise and Indian Kashmiri Bead Bracelet - sold in November on Etsy

Please have a browse around my Etsy shop and if you like what you see then please "LIKE” my shop.  I am uploading new styles and pieces every week.   Also while you’re at it, it would be great if you could ‘LIKE’ my Facebook page too!! J

What's in a Name - quite a lot I think!

So why call my jewellery line and online shop Big Skies Jewellery?

Well, I recently went back to England to visit my parents, who still live in the same village that I grew up in – Brancaster, in the county of Norfolk.  Although I lived in Norfolk for over 20 years, every time I go back I am still amazed by the skies.  I am not sure what it is, maybe the cloud formations (cloud...in England.....how surprising?), but it’s very dramatic. 

The skies there have the ability to stop me in my tracks and gaze upwards.  When I mentioned this to my mother, as I was trying to take arty sunset photos on the beach, she just nodded and said yes, Norfolk is known for its “big skies”.  So when I set up my new Etsy shop, and had to put a name to my creative outlet, what better than Big Skies  - something inspirational which also reminds me of where I come from and who I am.

Why We LOVE Turquoise

http://www.etsy.com/listing/115095971

The main reason we love turquoise is because it looks amazing!  But, turquoise is also said to attract money, success and love. Its powers include protection, healing, luck, friendship, and courage. It also relaxes the mind, and eases mental tension.  So let’s be honest, what is there not to love about turquoise? 

Turquoise is indigenous to the Americas, Egypt, Iran, Tibet and China.  Other names for turquoise include the “fallen skystone” and the “gem of the centuries”.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/115096609

Turquoise ranges in colour from sky-blue (the most popular colour) to blue-green to apple-green (the rarest colour).

If you wear turquoise it should not be exposed to oil, cosmetics and household chemicals – always remove turquoise rings when washing your hands as its colour may not remain stable and it is a fairly soft stone.



http://www.etsy.com/listing/114477508



If you are born in December, lucky you as turquoise is the Jeweller’s birthstone for December.  It is also the gemstone for the 11th year of marriage.

Turquoise is ever popular.  In the United States it is mostly utilised in silver settings, per the Indian Jewellery fashion trend.  In the Middle East it is commonly set in gold, sometimes with diamonds.  Whatever the style, turquoise always looks amazing.

Squeaky Cat!

I have four cats.  I know.....I am one cat away from being “crazy cat lady”. (I checked online, you definitely have to have 5 cats to qualify!)  I didn’t mean to have four cats; the last one was spontaneously adopted from the car park of my husband’s golf club.....  Cats love two things, well three if you count food; they love shiny things and they like sitting on things.  Now, when you have a bead workstation, in my case a dining room table, you are creating a veritable cat paradise.   Cats also hate one thing in particular, apart from dogs, and that is being ignored, boy do they hate that - so where your attention is, is exactly where they need to place themselves.  (I am sure my cats think my laptop is a butt warmer!) So if you are beading at the table, then that is the place to be for a cat.  One of cats, Squeaky (called so because when she meows she sounds like a rusty gate being opened) took this to the extreme and actually plonked herself down right on top of the very bead project I was working on.  She is a beautiful cat, but I fear has a brain the size of a pea....

Usually my workstation does not look quite so chaotic (in the pic above), but I had just obtained a consignment of new stock and was in a hurry to experiment with all of it!   And if you think the towel I was working on was the attraction....oh no no...bead trays are just as enticing!

 

Mission accomplished!!



Wuht???



Bliss.....zzzzzzzz





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Discount Available on all Jewellery by Big Skies Jewellery

Use the coupon code NOVBLOG10 on checkout to receive a 10% discount on any purchases made before the end of November from my Etsy shop!

Turquoise, Brass and Agate Necklace...the finished product

This is the finished necklace that I started on Sunday afternoon using turquoise beads of different sizes, a faceted agate oval focal bead, brass beads and findings and carnelian.  It looks quite different to what I first had in mind, but that's how it goes sometimes.  If something doesn't look quite right or sit totally well with the eye, you start playing around and then the design takes form as you go along.  Originally this necklace was only going to use turquoise and brass, but when I was looking for an interesting focal bead, my eye landed upon the oval facet cut agate bead, which is a thing of beauty - and from there on the the necklace took a different design turn.

I used a variety of different sized turquoise beads - from 16mm rounds, 14 mm roundels, 12mm rounds and 8 mm rounds.  Each of the brass findings is also different - there is a mix of beads, bead caps, diamante charms and daisy spacers.  The bead string is securely fastened directly onto the neck chain.

I think I need to add a matching bracelet and earrings - that can be tonight's project!

If you're into fashion and jewellery, and enjoy a good laugh

...then follow Wendy Brandes Fine Jewelry blog: http://wendybrandes.com/blog/

Her blog motto is "wear what you want" (which pretty much means know the style rules.....and then break them!) and her favourite necklace is her IDGAF necklace - need I say more???

A lazy Sunday afternoon.....with Turquoise

Turquoise is one of my favourite gemstones.  It has been mined as far back as 6000 BC making it amongst the first gemstones to be mined.  It was greatly prized by the Egyptians and has the claim of being the only gemstone to have a colour named exclusively after it.  To learn more about turquoise, try the All About Gemstones website: http://www.allaboutgemstones.com/semi-precious_gems_turquoise.html

I love the versatility of turquoise, it looks fantastic with both casual and smart clothes. It mixes especially well with black, grey, peach, red or white. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115429288/turquoise-bracelet-turquoise-jewelry

From a design perspective I usually mix turquoise with silver, but today I started working on a piece using brass beads and findings instead.  Turquoise and silver is a classic mix, but in my mind turquoise with brass actually looks just as good.  I am so pleased with the results!  I am working on a necklace that utilises a large oval, faceted, dark red/orange agate focal bead at the centre, with a couple of carnelian beads thrown in too, to pick up the colour of the agate and accent against the bright blue turquoise.  What a great colour combo - turquoise, dark reddish orange and brass!  I can't wait to finish it tomorrow and get the photos uploaded.

I also finished a couple of turquoise bracelets, both with silver beads and findings.  Each has a filigree silver heart charm and an extra turquoise bead drop near the clasp for a little extra bling and interest.  In one of the bracelets I used a blue and silver Indian Kashmiri clay bead at the centre,which works really well.

So What's Everyone Doing This Weekend?

It's Friday afternoon and the weekend is almost upon us, what are your plans?  I think a small glass of wine after work may be in order to kick the weekend off!

Tomorrow we are having a good old fashioned South African braai (barbeque for any non-South Africans reading this).  I am hoping the Highveld thunderstorms keep at bay for the afternoon; fingers crossed its not a washout!  Having guests may mean that I need to tidy up my bead station, aka our dining table.  Although the chaotic sight of my entire collections of beads and findings scattered around our dining area fills me with cheer, it does tend to scare the crap out of other people, including my husband. Actually I think he just gets confused looking at it all....so he tends to walk past with blinkers on.  When I do beadwork I like to be able to see everything I have....literally everything.....

So I better do some tidying up tomorrow morning, although I will be leaving my finished pieces strategically out in case any of my guests have the urge to purchase some early Christmas presents :-)

Sunday will hopefully be devoted to beading, I have lots of ideas for some great Christmas gifts for a beadshow I am having at work in a couple of weeks....

Enjoy the weekend!

New Materials Arrived Today - Gemstone Chips and Tigers Eye Pendants

I have spent today at work in great anticipation.   My husband collected a consignment of new materials from one of my favourite gemstone suppliers earlier today - Silver Hills Gems in Hartbeespoort, north-west of Johannesburg.   Silver Hills Gems provides beautiful quality beads and findings at really good prices (check their website out: http://bronnrocks.com/catalog/ ). 

Silver Hills often have unusual focal beads that really appeal to me and my design style. Two items I was especialy looking forward to receiving were a Tigers Eye heart bead (28mm high) and a Tigers Eye flower shaped pendant (36mm).  So many design ideas are floating through my head right now!

I also ordered a lot of different gemstone chip strings – lemon jade, lapis lazuli, periodot, smokey quartz, red aventurine, aqua marine.......  I want to make some long chip necklaces, plain but in blocks of colour with small silver or gold accents in between the colour blocks.  Colour blocking is very much in trend right now.  Perhaps  peridot, smokey citrine and red aventurine......with gold spacer beads.... 

My new materials have arrived.....

So finally I have my hands on my new gems and can start playing with the different colour combinations, exploring which ones 'talk' to me. The most satisfying thing about making gemstone jewellery is the ability to turn a vision from my mind’s eye into a real piece of jewellery in my hand.  What could be better than that?  And knowing that other people are wearing my jewellery and seeing other people wear my jewellery, gives me way more joy than wearing it myself - and I love to wear jewllery!

Aren't these Tigers Eye pendants beautiful?

Keep an eye out for the lovely results of these fabulous new materials....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BigSkiesJewellery

 

Big Skies Jewellery goes into the unknown waters of blogging.....

So now I have set up my blog.....and I am not exactly sure what to do with it!  But, here goes...

My name is Tracy and my passion in life is making handmade beaded gemstone jewellery.  I love jewellery, I love wearing it - and I love making and then wearing my own jewellery.  Jewellery making is what I do in my free time.  Like a lot of people, I started out making it for myself, and people would comment on it, then I sold a few pieces, then I started having "bead shows" at my work, and now I have a shop on Etsy and a vision to make this my fulltime job rather than just a hobby.  Actually beading full time wouldn't be like working because I enjoy it so much!

Jewellery combines creativity with a certain amount of technical skill.  There is a science to piecing an item together - turning all separate elements into a finished article.

I love working with natural materials, predominantly.  There is just something about the way they feel in your hands and then later around your neck or wrist.  When I see gemstones I just want to touch them.   I was lucky enough to grow up virtually living on a beach in England and have collected shells and stones for as long as I can remember.  I would spend hours scouring the shoreline for interesting finds.  There is nothing more beautiful than that which nature produces.

This necklace, available in my Etsy shop (www.Etsy.com/shop/BigSkiesJewellery) reminds me of my beachcombing days with its shell and stones.

Delivery

Deliver to South Africa $37.00 USD Deliver to Everywhere Else $38.00 USD