The cha-cha ring

I'm not sure why this style is called "cha-cha" but here's my first attempt at a cha-cha ring. I chose simple black and white but I'm sure it would look nice in any color combination. I thought it would be akward to wear with all the dangle thingys but it was actually very comfy. I test drive all of the jewelry I make and I give this ring two thumbs up! It got lots of compliments and baby Meg was simply fascinated by it.

For someone who doesn't have pierced ears...

... I sure have a lot of earrings! Earrings are so easy to make, sometimes I go overboard. For my last craft show, I made about 30 pairs. I sold one pair! I've sold a few more pairs since then but that leaves about, oh, 25 pairs left! Perhaps for Valentine's Day, I'll have an earring blowout sale on the website.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite sets. It's so simple but the Jasper really makes it interesting. It reminds me of an "old world" style globe. If I had pierced ears, I'd make this set mine!

I have a confession to make...

... I am a lampwork bead addict! I just can't pass up a nice set of lampwork beads. Ebay is one of my favorite sources for lampwork beads. Once you filter out all the cheap, mass produced stuff, you can find some really nice beads for decent prices. Ebay is definitely a buyers market. Which is the reason why I no longer sell there!

I picked up this turquoise and ivory focal bead on ebay a while back. It is part of a set with matching spacers. I thought this focal bead was too pretty to put in a piece with other beads. I chose this toggle necklace design so that the bead would be the only focal point of the necklace.

I liked this necklace so much, I wanted to keep it for myself. Unfortunately, Meg likes it too and can't keep her hands off it when I wear it! I guess I won't be wearing very many necklaces for the next year or so...

A Christmas gift for my sister-in-law

Since I've already given this necklace as a gift to her, I am finally free to post a picture. I think this is a fine necklace indeed. I used an oxidized silver chain, a Hill Tribe flower pendant, and small blue and white lampwork beads. I really like the combination of blue and the oxidized silver. It's a nice effect.

While you can't see the clasp in this picture, it is a Bali S hook. It hooks directly into the chain so that the length of necklace is adjustable. I added a small Hill Tribe leaf pendant to the end of the chain. The leaf serves two purposes: to make it easier to use the S hook and it also completes the floral theme of the necklace.

As usual, your comments are most appreciated.

Jen

My first wire-wrapped bangle...

... a la Eni Oken. I fell in love with this style bracelet from the first time I saw Eni Oken's site. Eni is generous enough to offer her designs in a tutorial to wannabes like me. Of course this is my first try and it doesn't look nearly as nice and neat as I would have liked; but this is a learning process!

I chose two of my favorite colors, pink and green. The green stones are Serpentine and the pink is Cherry Quartz. About 25 feet of silver wire went into this bracelet along with about 7 or 8 hours of work. I found it a bit difficult to work with the fine gauge wire and some of the wire coils aren't as tight as I would like them to be! My technique improved as I went on and I think my next attempt will be much more professional.

Feel free to post your comments. I'd be happy to hear them!

Jen

My first entry...

... and I don't have anything to say!