Tag Archives: earrings

Jewelry Projects, Projects

Amethyst Sky Jewelry Set

Posted on by Steve
Amethyst Sky
18
May

The World Could Use a Little Sparkle About Now

Let’s Create Some Sparkle!!!

Ever have one of those mornings when you really don’t look forward to getting up and doing the whole “life” thing? Or maybe about halfway through the day, you begin to think, today would have been a whole lot better if you had just stayed in bed? A day when you have no sparkle?

Well, we have the answer to your daily doldrums, and it comes in a particularly fetching shade of purple. A jewelry project named Amethyst Sky.

Just the name, Amethyst Sky, envisions technicolor sunbeams, bright, cheerful, 60’s style, family sitcom mornings (I know, everything was black and white in the ‘60s, but bear with me. We’re painting a picture here). Add in some romantic evenings with balmy breezes, perfect temperatures, and absolutely no insects, annoying cell phones, or crying children. An Amethyst Sky is bliss. It’s sparkle.

The new Amethyst Sky jewelry set is all about light and sparkle and happy, purple-ly thoughts. Anciently, amethyst was a stone of healing; physically and emotionally. It was a stone that enhanced daily energy and gave the wearer a greater sense of happiness and well being. 

Well, heaven knows, in these trying times we could all use a little energy and emotional well being. And it doesn’t hurt that this new jewelry looks spectacular.

Of course the jewelry features lots of real amethyst, but there are also plenty of amethyst colored crystals and some very special findings we selected specifically for this set. The clasp on the bracelet, in particular, stands out as a pretty little extra, adding to the entire piece.

The necklace has an amethyst pendant with a very simple wrap you should be able to conquer in just a few minutes. (We have a new YouTube video to walk you, step-by-step, through the making of the pendant). And with just a few more minutes of stringing you can complete the necklace, add the pendant, put it around your neck, and let those positive healing powers begin to do their work.

The bracelet has, along with the beautiful, previously mentioned, clasp has a unique, chevron amethyst central stone. It sparkles with every movement or change of lighting. It looks especially fantastic on moonlit nights.

The earrings continue the theme, framing your face in soft, amethyst light, with just the right amount of sparkle. (Have you noticed we use the word “sparkle” a lot in describing this set? It’s only because it is true.)

Give yourself a reason, and the energy, to get up in the morning. The world needs you out there, wearing your new Amethyst Sky jewelry, sharing your amazing new energy, happiness, and well being.

Amethyst Sky is Available Now in the HomeStrung Store

The Wire Wrapped Pendant Video Tutorial

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General, Jewelry Projects

The Miraculous Story of the Navettes

Posted on by Steve
Navette and Gemstones
14
Apr


The Miracle



To understand the inspiration for this latest jewelry project, we have to take you to a small coastal town, in the south of France. The year is 40 A.D. (We are not talking 1940, or 1740, or even 1040, but 40 A.D., just 40 years after the meridian of time; almost 2000 years ago.)

It was at this time and place, that a small group of double prow boats (boats that come to a point at each end) arrived after a journey that spanned the Mediterranean. The boats moved without oarsmen, or even oars, but were propelled by a powerful, spiritual force. These little boats were called by the French, “navettes”.







The passengers of these tiny boats had left the holy land, shortly after the crucifixion of Christ, and were brought to this French beach just a little southwest of Marseilles. Mary Magdalene, her sister Martha, and brother Lazarus (yes, that “Lazarus”), led this little band, along with Joseph of  Arimathea, and a number of other notable Biblical characters.


Together they changed the religious, social, and economic foundations of France, and left a profound mark on the future of the entire continent. Their arrival at that tiny fishing village is celebrated today with the annual Festival of Lights, or Chandeleur.

As part of the celebrations, people make and consume bread and pastries in the shape of the little boats that brought their saintly passengers to France, known as Navettes.

It’s a Boat; It’s a Bread; It’s Jewelry


Back to the present day, a few years ago, Debby went shopping for something new and exciting to put into one of her jewelry designs. That was when she found these very special, navette connectors. The only problem, they were being discontinued, and there was only limited stock. She bought every one our vendor had left, about a thousand. They arrived, she briefly admired them, then put them into a container, in a drawer, on a shelf where they sat for years.

It was while we were cleaning and reorganizing the studio a while back that the Navettes re-appeared (without oarsmen, or even oars). It was a revelation. We brought them out to the work area, and the design just seemed to make itself.

Now we have it to share with all of you.







The main feature of each piece is the unique, marquise-shaped metal spacer beads and the Navette pendant, the “star” of our collection, is made from a circle of these navette beads. One prow of each bead is joined in the center of the star. The other ends are separated by a couple of sparkly crystals and your choice of gemstone beads. Finished, it looks exactly like an arrangement of navette pastries on a round plate.

The bracelet reminds us of a row of boats safely moored to a long, thin dock running out to sea from some small seaside village. A double row of gemstone beads keeps the navettes in tight formation.

And of course there are earrings.



Make and Wear the Legend

The navette jewelry kits are currently available in the HomeStrung store. The links are shown below. Each piece is available with one of four gemstones of your choosing: snowflake obsidian, rhodonite, lapis lazuli, or howlite. 

Supplies are limited, but for a short time we are are offering a free matching navette earring kit if you purchase both a pendant/necklace and bracelet as a set. Order the two pieces and we will include the earrings when we send the kits to you.


Jewelry Projects

Halloween is Coming and We Have Some Great New Holiday Jewelry

Posted on by Steve
Pave Spider Necklace with Memory Wire
30
Sep

 

The greatest Jewelry Holiday of the whole year is almost here

Christmas is coming; Thanksgiving, too. The New Year will be here before you know it. But everyone’s favorite holiday will be here in just a month.

I mean, really, what can’t you get away with on Halloween when people wear strange costumes and makeup and anything else they want?

Want to wear skulls as earrings? No problem. (And we’ve got some in this year’s new designs.) Got a sweater covered in bright orange jack ‘o lanterns you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing? On Halloween, you are a runway model. Thinking of going all “Elvira” for the office party with a black wig, black lipstick over a white foundation, a long black dress that looks like it was hemmed with a chainsaw, and a spider web necklace complete with a ruby-eyed, black widow? You’ll blend right in. (And we’ve got a couple of spiders featured this year as well.)

The only thing that might make this season just a little better would be your very own Halloween Jewelry, proudly made by you, to give away, or wear anywhere and everywhere you want. No judgement. Nothing but compliments.

We are here to help.


Check out these earrings

The rest of the year earrings are subtle, understated, and kind of hidden away. On Halloween we want bold, attention grabbing jewelry that is maybe even a little scary.

Dangling Skull Earrings


Chain Maille Pumpkin Earrings


Spider Earrings


Swarovski Ghost Earrings

On the far left, we have a pair of dangling skulls. With red enamel eyes they dangle on the end of an antique silver chain.

Next are our twirly-bird, chain maille, pumpkin earrings. Chain maille is extremely popular and looks super as a Halloween pumpkin. These are a little more of challenge to make but well worth the effort.

Third are a pair of spiders with enameled spots, dancing on the end of a wire “thread”. These are so, so easy to make.

Finally are these cute little ghosts with Swarovski crystal eyes. They want so badly to be scary, but you will just want to keep them close clear through Halloween.

Click on any of the pictures, or the links in the descriptions, to go directly to the listing in our webstore. The skulls and spiders are just $5 per kit, The pumpkins and ghost are on sale until Halloween. The pumpkin earrings discounted to $8 and the Ghost reduced to just $5.


Develop some Charm this Halloween

We love charm bracelets, especially when they have all the color and sparkle of these two pieces. Each one will give you chance to show off your skill at making wire wrapped loops.

The top bracelet we call Pumpkin Patch. It has eight, colorful magnesite jack ‘o lanterns with crystal and hematite “treats” between each pumpkin.

On the bottom is the Trick or Treat charm bracelet with skulls and pumpkins and ghosts and all sorts of spooky, scary charms. This bracelet also features some hematite and crystal “treats” between each charm.

To get to the catalog page for either bracelet just click on the pictures or the links in the descriptions. Each bracelet kit is $10.


Wear This Eensy, Weensy Spider

How can you not love the little spider pendant featured on this new necklace. This pave charm has lots of itsy, bitsy CZ crystals sparkling all over its little eight legged body.

The necklace is all black featuring top grade onxy beads set off by the dark fire of the select grade black crystal. Back tubing hides all evidence of an under lying beading wire. Even the findings, including the magnetic clasp, are black.

Spider Pendant Necklace


Spider Necklace with Memory Wire

You choose between two styles of necklaces. You can either make a traditional necklace with the beads and pendant strung on beading wire and finished with crimps. Or you can go with a memory wire choker with looped ends linked into the clasp.

With either option you can adjust the fit and length for your own personal comfort and style.

You can go to the Spider Necklace product page by clicking here or on either of the above pictures. 

The necklace kit, in either style, is $15.

The Spider necklace will look great on Halloween, but also stands out the rest of the year.

Jewelry Projects

Get Ready to Dazzle on the 4th

Posted on by Steve
25
Jun

Wear a Little Red, White, & Blue this Holiday

Show your patriotism this next week with Special Holiday Jewelry that you make yourself.

We pulled out some of our brightest and best red, white, and blue glass pearls that look great with silver plated chains and wires. Your new jewelry will sparkle and shine all day, from the early morning flag raising, the pancake breakfast fund raiser and parades, through the family BBQ’s and picnics, and lasting on into the night until the last of the fireworks are just smoldering memories. Your jewelry will be there with you, a reminder of what a great place it is that we live.

We have 3 pairs of earrings, 2 pendants with necklace chains, 1 holiday necklace, and a bracelet, all in traditional red, white, and blue. These projects are all relatively easy to make and wear, requiring only basic wire wrapped loops, a little wire work, and the ability to open and close a few jump rings. If you feel like you need a refresher on any of these techniques, just drop up a line and we’ll send you some instructions. (Each kit also includes a printed instruction sheet which should get most of you through with no problems.)

We have some special holiday prices for all of you. Going clockwise, starting in the upper left corner:

Clicking on any of the above project descriptions will take you to its catalog and purchase page.

A Special Deal for the Holiday

Through the 4th of July, if you purchase any 5 of the individual projects, we will throw in the 6th kit for free. (Hint: the Swirly wire pendant is the most expensive kits and really, truly wants to be free, but, hey, this is America and you can order what ever you want, however you want.)

Get your orders in so you have plenty of time to finish your jewelry. But remember, this jewelry also looks great on other holidays, i.e., Memorial Day, Flag Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Bastille Day (just reverse the colors, or even Steve’s birthday. And any day is great when you just want the world to know where your heart is.

If You Are In Town

If you are local, we are opening the studio this Saturday, June 29th, from 10 am to 2 pm as a free day for those who would like to come on in and finish their holiday jewelry under our watchful eyes.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, concerns, or just need to talk, feel free to comment below or drop us an email at: debby@homestrungjewelry.com.