While I was up to being my nomadic self these last few months, I kept my eyes open for new components for earrings. I’ve seen an interest from people in this aspect of my Talisman Too shop on Etsy, and wanted to offer something new. I decided to focus on crafting a collection of semiprecious gemstone earrings.
Plus – who doesn’t like shopping in a bead store!
My focus was on natural semiprecious gemstones, and metal beads to add intrigue. I wasn’t disappointed. I found several pretty beads of Azurite, Red Creek Jasper, Kyanite and more. As well, I found some beautiful metal findings to use with these styles as well as with Czech Glass beads.
I set to work in my “studio”(the passenger seat of my van Ramses), and let my creative muse begin to do her dance.
Here are some of the earring designs I came up with. You can click on the pictures to be linked to the item in my shop. There, you’ll find more images and information.
Azurite Beads, Silver Metal AccentsLotus Embossed Drops with Czech Glass BeadsBronzite EarringsCzech Glass Coin Shaped Earrings with Faux Tassel BeadArabesque Beads with Kyanite EarringsRed Creek Jasper with Copper Accents
Keep in mind that, along with these and more new earring designs, I’ve crafted quite a few new pendants, all featuring cabochons which I’ve personally cut, shaped and polished. See the current pendants here. A few of our most recent creations on this blog post!
Why not leave a comment? Let me know which pair of earrings you like best!
A year ago, the Covid-19 virus was barely on the radar for most of us. Even as the reality of what we were facing began to sink in, I don’t think most of us expected to be still living with the virus as a primary concern.
I’ve been fortunate to have fared well during this period. One thing in my favor is that I am a person who relishes solitude. Most of the things I like to do are best done alone, particularly when it comes to my small business. So, while I am definitely looking forward to things like going to a movie, gathering with friends for potluck dinners, visits with family members, I haven’t felt the terrible longing that so many have endured.
You may know that I travel cross country during the winter month; something I’ve done every year since 2010, save for the 2013/2014 season. One thing that HAS changed is my vehicle! Meet Ramses!
Last spring, my old van Penney, a1990 Ford E-150, got me back to New York – BARELY – and that’s not an understatement. I knew that was her last cross country ride, and began saving for a new vehicle in earnest. That’s another example of my faring better than many with this pandemic. I was able to put my first stimulus check completely aside for use as a down payment.
I had to take out a loan, and that was something I’d never done before. Looking back, it al went fine, but during the process, I was a nervous wreck. It’s a big difference, having a vehicle that I’ll be paying more than $300/month for the next five year, over a $1200 one paid for and done.
But, since it IS my home for five months a year, I’m getting off much easier than almost any other person who pays rent or has a mortgage. And, it’s been just a pleasure, to have a reliable vehicle that gets up and over the mountains without me rocking back and forth in the drivers seat in an uncontrollable urge to “help” on the steep! Plus – the room!!!!
The interior has not been finished yet. I ran out of time and cash before hitting the road in November, so I’m not going to show the interior. This summer, back in New York, I’ll be dedicating my efforts to getting Ramses in “Picture Perfect” shape. Or, perfect for me, anyway. An Instagram #VanLife Influencer, I’m not. But, if you WOULD like to follow my Instagram feed, you’ll see my day to day goings on, places I’ve traveled to,and insight into the creative process in my jewelry. Also doggy pics!, and how I personally deal with van living.
What I AM is an artisan jewelry maker! And if you recall, last spring I invested in machinery to cut and polish my own cabochons. When I got back to NY, the electricity which was hoped to go in over the winter, had not happened. But, because of Covid, my place of work was not open, and I took over the trailhead booth(which had solar power), and worked for tow months, nearly daily, on crafting cabochons.
Eventually, we reopened, and there went my studio. I was still hoping for electricity to come to my cabin, but it never did, and now it’s not looking likely, at least for a while. So, I went from mid-May until about a week ago, without firing up my machines.
I had plenty of stones to work with, and so was focused on jewelry-making. Here are a few of the pieces I created during that period, all with stones I cut myself. You’ll be able to click the images to get to the listing in my Etsy shop, so you can read about the piece if you’d like.
I’ve also been on an earring making microbinge. Here’s a link to the Earrings section of my shop, and I’ll be adding more as soon as I can photograph and edit images.
As of late February, I’m in Quartzsite, Arizona, mainly due to my ability to polug my lapidary equipment in and work. In a week or so, I will move on, and begin a slowed down journey toward my home in New York. I’ll be heading north toward either Sedona or…should I veer more westerly and head to souther Utah? I haven’t yet decided!
I know what it’s like to want to do something special for someone, and be so limited in my funds that it can be difficult, and I know I am far from being the only one who knows that predicament!
That’s why, this year, I want to do something to help people who aren’t in a position to spend much money give a little Valentine’s Day gift to someone they care about. To that end, I am offering a choice of Pink or Blue Glass Bead Earrings for sale at the price of fifty cents each, plus shipping. The cost covers my Listing Fee of twenty cents, and thirty cents for the padded envelope. Shipping cost is set by the post office, at $2.62.
This promotion is available for a limited time only, as I have only so many beads to make these pieces with, and of course because Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. The offer is subject to end without notice!
Here are the Details:
Only ONE piece per person, please. If you purchase more than one of these specially priced items, your order will be cancelled, and your money refunded. You CAN, however, include other items from the shop in your order.
I expect to be doing a lot of wire weaving work in the next few months – reason being that it has finally “clicked” for me, and instead of being frustrated by all but the most simple of efforts, I am getting really excited to be making some more elaborate pieces.
Sodalite Bead Pendant Framed with Copper Woven Wire and Antiqued for a Rich Patina
You can see more images of the work, and purchase if you’d like, through my Etsy shop. This piece was made following a tutorial, but now I feel confident that I can actually branch off on my own and come up with designs without following a step by step process. In fact, this afternoon I will be working in weaving a frame for a beautiful Fire Agate that I recently purchased.
I’m also making new earrings almost daily, and have been traveling this last month and stopping at bead shops along the way. Here are a few pieces that have come out of recent bead binges! Click on the images to be directed to the item in my shop.
Pearly Beads, from Swarovski, topped with pretty Vintaj bead caps
Another pair of earrings recently made – simple and casual. A little bit of metal manipulation to halter these pretty Dove Gray Czech Glass beads.
Pretty drops of Czech Glass in Dove Gray Sway from Antiqued Brass Rings
Next is another dagger-style drop design, pinched with a delicate bail. Something a little bit unexpected!
Iridescent Glass Twists, Suspended from a Delicate Bail
Feel free to browse both my Talisman Too and Talisman Studios Shops, to see what else has been done since your last visit, and “Favorite the shops to see new additions when you log on to your own home page at Etsy!
I have to admit that, when I organize my inventory, I am often enchanted with my own work. I guess that’s not a bad thing!
Here are some of my recently made items, but you know what? I have not been able to get time to work with all the newly found beads I have – oh, how I wish the temps would cool down a bit, so I can feel inspired to work with them.
Deep Red Czech Glass Beads, accented with Antiqued Copper
Genie Lantern Earrings in soft blue iridescent glass, accented in antiqued brass
Lovely peach pink Czech glass beads, with hand hammered earring pins and wires, antiqued copper
One of my favorite pastimes is browsing through antique and vintage shops, whether online or on the street. Mostly, I justify my use of the time(which can be significant) with the idea that I am searching for vintage buttons that I can use for my collection of ponytail holders at Talisman Studios, but just as often I am enjoying the design and practicality of objects which once were part of someone’s home.
When I saw the necklace that I harvested the beads I created these earrings from, I couldn’t resist buying the piece, and I almost completely forgot to ask the obligatory question(“Do you think you could do better on the price?”), because I wanted to get that beauty home and dismantle it!
I am guessing the necklace was a souvenir purchase someone of my mother’s generation made while traveling in the Middle East or perhaps Asia, The necklace was fairly simple, and not likely to be desired in and of itself, at least at this time. Too clunky for current styles, I thought, as I considered the negative aspects of using the parts instead of keeping it whole. But the beads – so wonderful!
The barrel shaped focal beads are almost certainly Bakelite. Though I have not tested for authenticity, Bakelite is fairly easy to recognize. It has a certain sumptuous look and a saturated denseness that is pretty unmistakable. However, I decided to leave the question open – I do not think the material matters quite so much, in this case. Bakelite or not – they are just lovely beads; a deep chocolate brown, almost black, color.
But the truly remarkable components are the brass bead caps. Each one was cut individually. Looking closely, one can see the angled marks of the metal snip used to make them. The design is inspired by a Lotus Flower motif, which is why I wonder if the necklace wasn’t originally sold in some local bazaar in one of the mountainous regions of the Himalaya. They are delicate, thin sheets of metal, and this makes then precious, in my opinion.
I opted to add a simple round ring to the top of the design, when I made these earrings, and am reminded of a lantern shape. I have enough beads to make a half dozen or so pair of earrings, but I would also like to use some in necklaces.
The earrings have some sort of appeal, as each and every time I wear the pair I am keeping for myself, someone has commented on their beauty. This just doesn’t usually happen to me. So I have to believe that somewhere along the line, these beads were handled by someone with a strong and positive energy. I think it may have been the artisan who crafted the brass beads, and probably the original necklace.I can imagine a man, crouched into the squatting position of rest one sees of the tribal folks of the East, working on new creations as he spent his time selling to travelers passing through. I see him as a kind man friendly, interested in his visitors, and accepting. I am grateful to have found the necklace, and am confident that man would smile in knowing the pieces will be finding new wearers ho will appreciate their beauty.
You can find the earrings, available for sale, in my Talisman Too shop.
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While visiting the A Rolling Stone bead store in Redlands, CA, I found a display case of beads different than what I had been used to seeing. Labeled as “double dipped copper beads,” I instantly fell in love with the delicate filigree construction. Expensive they were, but I could not resist. I bought what I could afford – but two sets of two beads; enough to make two pair of earrings. I hoped that I would be able to reorder more when needed.
Once I got home and had some time, I began scouring the internet in search for suppliers. The bead store I had visited wasn’t really set up well for ecomm, and I admit – I was hoping to locate a source selling at below retail cost.
At first I had difficulty finding the beads, but this was due to my searching under the term the beads had been labeled. Once I did some brainstorming, I easily found several sellers of these wonderful beads which are made in India. Unfortunately, I also found that the retail-priced beads that had hooked me in the first place were actually inexpensive, comparatively!
Nonetheless, I went forward with a purchase from one supplier, and added a few new designs to my shop. First was a pair of earrings made from exquisite pillow beads in a trapezoid shape. The intricate work in this arabesque design in so pretty, I had a hard time not keeping them for my own. I’ve paired them with Caribbean Blue faceted beads of Czech glass.
Another bead design I could not resist were round in shape, reminding me of our sun, or that of an antique clock set atop a street post in a European town. The stylized flower design, to me, could be inspired by the flares of the sun, and perhaps that is what made the connection for me. I accented these antiqued gold beauties with amethyst purple glass beads, along with metal bead caps to balance the design.
I had located the original teardrop beads in silver color(the bead is made of copper with a coating of silver), and with this design, I tried hand hammering metal for the headpins. I chose a sickle shaped motif, which I envisioned as a stylized variation of the star and crescent element, so important in ancient eastern design, and nowadays associated with Islam.
I hope to add more designs that incorporate these beautiful metal beads, but for now these will have to suffice, The old saying may be that one has to spend money to make money, and I have certainly done my share of spending! Now I need to make some money to justify spending more. Well, at least until I fall prey to my propensity to visit bead stores and online catalogs…..
