A New batch of Wire Wrapped Earrings!

I've been back at earrings again! I think it's a winter thing... it's getting cold, time to dig out all of the winter woolies. After pulling out all of my sweaters, pretty scarves, and crazy hats I had to have earrings to match! As much as I dislike the cold I love winter clothes-- lots of fuzzies and layers of color.

If you're looking to breath some new life into your winter wardrobe try some colorful earrings! I made a couple dozen new sets of earrings with all kinds of colorful gems... Red Jasper, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Lace Agate, Apatite, Green Kyanite, Lavender Jade, Pearls, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Norwegian Moonstone, and lots more!

I'll be listing them this week. And, of course, while I was making earrings for you, I made some for me too!! :)

A Thank you to all who visited the Harrisburg Country Club

Thank you to all who visited me today at the Harrisburg Country Club Holiday Shopping Bazaar. It was a great day for the show. I had a great time & hope you did too. I loved sharing my creations with everyone and it was fun helping & watching you try them on. It is always so neat to see how pieces just come to life on the right person.

I'm exhausted and ready to put my feet up! Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend and I hope to see you in the future. Thanks again!
~Kristie SWJ

Tons of new Face Cabs on the way!

The last couple of weeks I have been hooked on making clay faces again! It's been awhile since I've craved working with my clay and the bug finally bit me again. I can't stop making them, I have been at my bench 12 to 16 hours the last few days (and longer!).

I have also been hand painting many of them. Painting has been very therapeutic, it really takes you mind off everything! It's fun to bring them to life and give them a personality. Yesterday we took a trip out to Dick Blick and I bought more paints, pencils, markers, and toys... so I know I will be trying them out this week too!!

The pieces pictured here are all cabochons (no holes) and I'll be listing them over the next few days. I think this week will be beads, I haven't made many new beads in awhile. I will also be dabbling with wire wrap too... have a couple of ideas I have to try out. Sometimes I wish I had another set of hands!! It's hard managing two loves!! MY brain wants to do both and the hands are saying hey wait a minute there's only 2 of us!!

New Wire Wrapped Earring Designs!

Last week I was stuck on making classic wire wrapped earrings... this week was all about trying new designs and ideas! Adventurous... free-form designs with woven, coiled, and smooth wire united to create some amazing earrings!

When I sat down I wasn't sure what the outcome would be... I was just having fun. Now that they are finished I'm loving these new earrings. They are kind of steampunk-- futuristic strands, lines, and coils that are oxidized to age them. I must admit, I kept a pair for me. :) It was fun changing things up and trying some new ideas. While I was working on these I thought of lots of new wire wrapped pendant designs. I just need to find some time to make them before my brain explodes!!

Hooked on Wire Wrapped Earrings!

I have been on an earring making binge this week... making wire wrapped earrings like crazy. The bug hit me Sunday night and I haven't stopped since. It started with tiny geode pairs, then rose quartz crystal clusters, and onto cabochons I've had stashed away for some time waiting for the perfect day to set them. I haven't made earrings in a long time and all of a sudden I couldn't stop making them! I ran out of the wire I use for wrapped earrings and had to stop (for now).

It is so crazy how all of a sudden you can get a craving to make something and you just HAVE to do it. When I get like this I shut everything out and just create... I forget to eat, drink, talk,.... Good thing breathing is automatic-LOL. I just put my head down, create, look up and realize the day has gone by. It's a rush. There have been times that I will wake up in the middle of the night and creep down the stairs to make things... I just wake up with an idea on my mind and have to try it.

So, if you've emailed me or called this week and haven't heard back you know why! I'm sorry, I think I have it out of my system (for now). I can feel the next round coming on... I found some of the most beautiful blue and green phantom crystals I'm dying to get my hands on!! I also found some natural rhodochrosite crystals and... and... and... oh no, I better get to bed before I start pulling everything out again!

I have another gem show this weekend. If you have a request please let me know! It's a smaller show, but I have found lots of little treasures at this one in the past!

Fall is in the Air!

Fall is in the air... pumpkins, apples, colorful leaves, Indian corn, cool nights, pie, and soup are taking over! I love this time of year, but hate seeing the leaves start to fall. The weather has been inspiring new clay designs and lots of walks. I've been dabbling in pumpkins, grapes, and mulberry leaves- and yes, a few snowflakes too.

My friend, and fellow jewelry artist, Kerri created the amazing beaded pendant (pictured above) with one of my pumpkin goddess cameos. I wanted to make sure I shared this piece with you before it's gone!

When I created the cameo I never imagined it would become something so beautiful. Kerri worked her magic and really brought this piece to life. This pendant, and a lot of other pretties are available in Kerri's etsy store, Beadworks by Kerri. Thank you Kerri for allowing me to share your pumpkin goddess pendant with everyone!

WOW! I have a lot of stones!!

Oh my, do I have a lot of stones and crystals!!! I didn't realize just HOW MANY until I started re-organizing everything today. I'm not sure if I'll ever be finished!! My old system just wasn't working and needed to be torn apart and re-done... When the stones are in disarray, my brain is in disarray... so this is something I HAD to do before I go crazy!

While finding space for the new pieces I have discovered many old treasures I forgot about. I'm trying to remain focused, but it's SOOOOOO HARD! The more pieces I find and see together the more I want to start wrapping them. I must resist temptation!! I must!

If there's a stone you've been looking for don't be afraid to ask, I just might have a piece! I think I am going to take pictures of some of my stock trays and share some stones with you over the next few weeks. I wish my hands could wrap them faster --I hate seeing them all locked up in trays---they need to be shared and enjoyed!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. We have had the most beautiful weather! We went to a local art show and it was amazing (Long's Park Fine Art Show) ... so many talented artists and such a nice mix of things to see. It was real inspiring!