WEEK 21

Not a huge offering from me this week - I am struggling (in vain it seems) to complete a competition piece.
On top of that I've been having major network dramas!
I can access some sites, but not all the ones I need to - I haven't been able to get into CWJ or the Aussie Beading forum for ages.
I actually got into CWJ yesterday, but couldn't log in. I could get into YOJ, but couldn't post a comment. And, just about every second email I sent was getting returned - unable to be sent - GGGRRRR!

My little oasis of calm came with constructing this neckpiece.
I seriously love the idea of these bails.
From the most recent edition of Step by Step Wire, here is my version.
18 gauge sterling wire on braided black leather. Coiled 20gauge ends and a hand-made 'S' clasp.
Same neckpiece - 2 different pendants.
It has been LOS'd, but you can't really tell from these photos.
Oh yeah - my glass too.

New Site - first sale!!!!

Well, I've started a new site (actually a Vstore) on Oztion and this morning I woke up to find I'd had my first sale.....
How excitement!! LOL..
Only a small sale, but a sale nonetheless :^)
My store is called Copper Magik and at this stage all I'm looking at having is copper, copper and more copper.
It's unbelievably difficult to get solid copper beads here in Oz, so I thought this was a great idea! All most places have on offer is plated copper and it breaks down too quickly and leaves you with ugly!
Time will tell I s'pose :^)
At the moment I don't have much stuff listed - just some beads, clasps and bead-caps, but I'm hoping to add things like head-pins, copper shapes & whatever little beauties I come across in my travels. Half the fun is just trying to find these things!

I must admit I am VERY lucky in having a wonderful friend in the U.S. who has helped me immensely in sourcing these items Thank-you wonderful friend :^)

WEEK 20 - BY THE POND.

This is my offering for this week.
My pond (if you use a LOT of imagination), like many of our waterways here, has blue/green algae, frog spawn and goodness know what other murky delights!! This is a dichro cab that I made ages ago.
I have made a netted bezel for this one with 26 gauge sterling wire. The starting framework for the back was done in 20 gauge, with a bit of gentle hammering to give it some rigidity.
It was a bit on the fiddly side, but nowhere near as much a PITA as doing viking knit with 24g. like my week 16 piece. Tiny little 3mm peridot swaros finish off the edge.
So far this only has a simple wrapped loop at the top, because it is going to become a strung necklace, when I have a bit more time.
Not the best photos in the world (actually they're shockers!), but I think it'll give you a basic idea :^)

WEEK 19

This is quite sad really - nowhere near this week's theme and this is the only thing I have done and finished with wire this whole week.
I've been doing heaps of glass fusing, so that's where all my time has gone.
This is a lump of boulder opal that belongs to a friend of mine and he wanted it on something simple. Actually it's a big lump of rock with a piddly bit of opal in it....lol.
Really basic - 16 gauge sterling on braided leather. The end caps are done with 20 gauge.
Sorry about the not-so-great piccie, I have visitors coming shortly so had to get this done before they arrive.

WEEK 18

I'm not even vaguely near this week's theme, my muse has gone on strike!!
For this week I have chosen to simply follow a tutorial.
This is my first ever ring with a stone in it. I'm very pleased with how it worked out and will definately try this again.
I'm having a bit of trouble with sizing, but should imagine the more I do the easier it will become(?)
Well I hope so anyway!!
You can't tell from this not so brilliant picture, but this tourmalinated quartz has a beautiful sheen to it.
**amended to add : for those that have asked - the instructions for this ring can be found at the Lapidary Journal site in their "step by step" projects.



And here's another ring I had a bit of a play with.
A simple 16 gauge sterling "belly button" ring.
Also a first timer :^)

Week 18 continues....

This is another piece, yet again following a tutorial - well, at least for the Eni style pendant. I've tweaked it a little bit, but not truckloads!! The beads I've used for this are dyed jade briolettes, mother of pearl, matsunos and little tiny sterling silver ones.
Simply strung with mother of pearl, amazonite, freshwater pearls, malachite gem chips, turquoise and matsuno seedies. A sterling silver Bali clasp finishes it off.