I've been adding photos of my upscale jewelry in the album on Picasa Web

Recently I have been using a much wider range of materials, much of them more easily affordable.  They present opportunities for great design, but it's always good to have a choice of items using the traditional precious metals and gemstones.

Many of these have been in my gallery Deerwoman Designs at Artisans Market.  That site is temporarily down for reconstruction but you will find many there when it is back up.  In the meantime check my other shops (links here on the blog) where I will be slowly adding some of these for the holidays.

You get what you pay for

I wa at Abdullah's North Shore Bead Store in Lake Bluff, IL  the other day.  For many years now I have acquired from him and his brothers beautiful hand crafted ethnic bead from Afghanistan and nearby areas.  One of the most appealing things about these is their handmade look and cultural significance.  Nowadays they are not cheap, especially older items.


We've all gotten used to "Made in China" for just about everything these days.  Well, look what Abdullah showed me.  First a photo of an Afghan bead alongside two Chinese ones.   And then a series of more examples.

He is always getting the comment "Well, I can buy them at such and such for much less."  Not the same thing at all.

Here's another example.  He showed me a gold tone Chinese bangle bracelet and then squeezed it in his hand.  See the following pictures.  It doesn't even look like it' made from metal.  Don't know what it is.

You get what you pay for.

Not Giving Up.

Well, my broken finger turned out to be only sprained.  I did make jewelry anyway, even though it's not in the greatest shape.  I did make some items with the eye beads I mentioned.  Here are a couple.

I have also been making jewelry from recycled bullet casings.  That brass really is attractive and there are so many different sizes too. 

Now my computer is the culprit holding me back.  it's slow to almost unresponsive, which makes uploading photos and creating listings a bit difficult.  Working on that issue too.

Pinterest

I have been enjoying looking at this for quite ome time now.  Not only do I pin my jewelry here,   deerwoman1 (Anita Ghaemi) at but have been learning a lot on many subjects.  As you know from my blog I am a great turquoise lover.  Russ Nobbs of Rings & Things has been pinning lots of turquoise pictures you'd be interested in seeing  http://pinterest.com/russnobbs/turquoise/.  Here' a sample:

Late at night I spend time looking through one of my favorite categories-Science & Nature.  I repin beautiful shots, interesting creatures and information I find here.  This is a sure fire way to take my mind off anxiety creating things.

Not in my plans

I was planning on making some new bracelets this week.  This past weekend I shared part of Afghan Tribal Arts' booth at the Prime Xpo show in Villa Park.  I got some wonderful African bone beads with eye pattern from them and a beautiful dzi bead from Abdullah at Pashtoon Artifacts.

Here's a photo of my Deerwoman Designs booth with thousands of ATA's bead behind me.

So what changed my plans?  I broke a finger on my left hand last night and it is now in a splint.  Only a chip they said.  So maybe it will be shipshape in no time.  Anyway, since I am managing to type maybe I can still make some of that jewelry.  Wish me luck.

I've finally been able to create some more jewelry. I've been concentrating on brass and copper pieces and especially the 24K gold washed copper that is fire torched.

I finally got the photos editedfor these. Click on the title to see all

I love copper and these chains make the greatest jewelry.  More coming.  The rings are the lovely torch shimmered copper washed with gold.  I have a lot more too.

More Persepolis inspired jewelry

Here is one more in the Persepolis series. This one shows the Simurgh, a beneficent legendary bird sometimes shown with a dog head. It is a very old motif and is well illustrated in the stories of the Shahnameh, where she comes to the aid of those in dire straits.

See also the bracelet and earrings with old Afghan beads inlaid with lapis lazuli

Persepolis inspired jewelry by Deerwoman Designs

New items.  These pendants were made in Iran and represent reliefs from the walls and monuments from Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) in Iran.  The site dates from Achaemenian times.  The beads include Chinese turquoise nuggets from Hubei and hand carved carnelian and Afghan jade beads.  The color combination of the beads reminds me of Persian carpets.

https://picasaweb.google.com/107390526265200811116/Per
sepolisInspiredJewelryByDeerwomanDesigns

For all turquoise lovers

This is a must read for anyone interested in turquoise. Thanks, Russ

Rings & Things Gemstone Index. Entry for Turquoise by Russ Nobbs. Learn from an expert.
http://www.rings-things.com/gemstone-index/t.html

New Items in Holiday sparkle

My red coral and green gemstone bracelet now on Bonanza's "last Minute Gifts"

Many thanks The Lucky Bird for including me. Click on the title to see her hand picked list and link

Holiday Sparkle

Well, I finally decided to make something using non precious versions of silver. I just made these and they look pretty good, silver plate chain and findings. With the red coral I think they look pretty good. I'd love to continue just using sterling silver but my stock is being depleted. uget means I have to wait before replenishing.

So many folks also find it difficult to pay the higher prices for precious metals in these difficult times. But I think, with care, these should continue to look good for a long time

Click on the title to see my newest Picasa Album "Holiday Sparkle"

Jewelry for my new shop at Alangoo

Deerwoman Designs has just been accepted at a new website called Alangoo. All items are created by indie designers. Many have a Persian flavor or motif.

Click on the title of this post and see some of my new jewelry for Alangoo.

I will slowly be adding my items there.