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.

Well, I finally got busy and made some jewelry for the holidays

See more at my new Picasa Album and soon to appear in my shops.

See my lapis lazuli necklace in Bonanza, in Robin1's new handpicked list

Lapis lazuli has always been one of my favorite stones. Lots of lovely pieces in this list. Take a look.

Here's my necklace: http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Necklace-with-Grade-A-Lapis-Lazuli-14K-Gold-Fill/21088269

Hubei Mines Closing.

Fire Mountain Gems recently published an article about China's decision to close some of its Hubei turquoise mines. I'd love to hear more about this and what you think about it. Hubei produces a variety of colors of turquoise. I wonder how much this will affect the supply and prices. Those of you in the turquoise business, what are your thoughts? I'm wondering if i should stock up at Tucson or whether prices will be higher by then. What else have you heard? An illustration of some of the Hubei turquoise I bought last year.

check out this very interesting article

A very good synopses of bead making history in the area now known as Pakistan.

Thanks Abdul Momin for bringing my attention to it.

Just click on the title of this post to link to it.

The World is My Oyster Hand Picked List on Bonanza

Click on title to see the list. My cranberry pearl and black lip oval oyster shell earrings are there.

A bracelet with orbicular black stone and some old favorites

Click on the title of this post to see all.

I've just posted some new jewelry in a Picasa Album

Featured are choker necklaces with freshwater pearl, lava rock and oyster shell on chain. The one with lava rock uses gunmetal chain findings, with matching earrings. The second pair of earrings is made with a very interesting black stone with orbicular markings. it's not hard enough to be jasper.

I'll be making more jewelry using this unique stone soon.

Another necklace chosen for Handpicked List on Bonanza

See this Handpicked list by clicking on the title of the post.
Called heavenly Bamboo. Some very nice items here, and I do love bamboo. My necklace has hand painted bamboo beads with lava rock and coral. Click on the title of this post to see the necklace

My earrings in a Bonanza Handpicked List

If you like purple, you'll like the things people have made here. What a range of items.

It's now official, I'm accepted by Three Sisters Marketplace

This is a new juried site. They promise a lot of promotion. If you make handcrafted items, check it out. it's free, just a commission when you sell.

I love this lizardite

More new items and some new exciting bead purchases

I've just done some more classic style freshwater pearl earrings in sterling silver -Argentium and 14K gold fill. Also some with large oval black lip oyster shell ovals. And just to show you some beads I really love...check these out

Click on the title to see the new Picasa album.

New Roman glass necklace now up on Picasa

Shown here also is a strand of Roman glass that I have not yet made into jewelry. The Roman glass I have was found in Afghanistan, in what appeared to be a dump of glass at a manufacturing site. Some of the glass here dates to the Roman glass period, and some later. the incrustation on these pieces appears to confirm that it is ancent glass. See also my earlier blog on Roman glass.

Click on the title to see the new Picasa album.




And also the necklace of purple agate drusy with 14Kgold fill and vermeil.