Making Magic

Q: What are you doing?

A: Making Magic.

That is the answer mommy uses when she is in the "ZONE."  Of course, I know I can't actually create magic, but I can try to create magical moments.

Like This Necklace....

A lot of work was put into this necklace. I know you can't really see the mechanics in this picture but, in a nutshell, the big rings are held together by small rings.  We are talking a long time to complete! Scrapping the project sounded good many times along the way. I wasn't sure if it was going to be worth the amount of time it was taking.  Thankfully, I finished it because it still takes my breath away. 

Here are some of her siblings:

This one is comprised of silver rings and mother of pearl disks.

Here we have a pendant that was donated by my grandmother.  I love re purposing jewels that would otherwise never get a chance to leave someones jewelry box. I sprinkled on a few aged bronze rings, some pink crystals, and wha-la. 

This set doesn't have as many jump rings holding it together so I guess it would be more of a cousin to the others.  Nonetheless, she has inherited the breathtaking qualities of her ancestry. Don't you think? Again, I used mother of pear disks, golden rings, and some champagne crystals.

All of these pieces have been sold but I thought they deserved a small, poorly photographed, spotlight.

:)

If would like to purchase a necklace like one of the pieces shown above feel free to email me and we can collaborate.  It shouldn't cost more than $20 to have one adorning your lovely neck.

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Christmas in Spring

Sweet Sterling Silver Action!

What to do with such beautiful material? I feel like a little kid in a candy store, or maybe, a little girl sneaking a peek into her grandmothers jewelry box.  Either way, I am excited to see what I can do with this mess of silver. I admit that I have had it laying around the dining room for a few days but it hasn't been until now that I have had the opportunity to "play" with it.  Of course, what you don't see in this picture is the behemoth amount of folded laundry on the table, the four month old baby sleeping on the floor to my right, or the one and three year old playing, (miraculously well) in the living room.  Quiet time rarely happens around here, so I'm diving into Mommy's la-la land and taking you along with me.  

First, lets learn a smidgen about Sterling Silver.



Sterling Silver Stamp 925 (Important)

I began dabbling in the jewelry arts about a year ago and in that time I have learned a lot about metal.  My first grievous discovery was how quickly plated silver tarnishes! What is the point in getting blisters on my fingers for such a short lived product?  I explored metal dips and inhaled monstrous fumes while dipping my silver plated chain into chemicals and hanging it to dry amongst the refuge of my cricket infested garage.  Wanting very much to nix that nightmare, I pursued other options and now focus on Sterling Silver.  Not only is the color of sterling more attractive that the plated silver, it is also more durable.  The biggest advantage is that even though it will tarnish, you can fix it.  Just polish it up and you can keep it forever.  Now say that again like Squints taught us in Sandlot, for-ev-er.

Admit it, that was more fun.

:)

These are all the ingredients necessary to produce a fabulous necklace.  In the past,  I would sit down confidently with a game plan, but it nearly always changed as I fiddled around.  I have learned to submit and let the necklaces make themselves. At times I think I must black out while I'm working.  I have had requests to recreate a few pieces and I just stare at them wondering how in the world they came to be. I'm exaggerating a bit, of course I can recreate most anything. :)

Anyways.

 BAM

POW

It hangs about 17 inches from your neck and sparkles like you wouldn't believe. 

More pictures of this necklace are available in my Etsy shop, just click the link below.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GraysonDesigns11

 

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http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Grayson-Designs/283604328334737