Spring Green and Blue Aqua Crystals on Silver Chain

This is an "endless" necklace, one without a clasp.  It is designed to put on over your head, and is helpful to those who have problems maneuvering a clasp.  Between the chain links are crystal and glass beads of green, blue, and white.  The colors are light and crisp.

Turquoise, Violet, and Champagne Cream Necklace with Pendant

This necklace is a bit OTT in comparison to my other designs, but then I do like variety.  This is a double-strand necklace, although it is operating more like a single strand.  You can see that the main strand uses light and dark champagne cream seed beads, and then uses a few lampworked beads that are violet with turquoise.  The secondary strand uses turquoise beading wire (manufactured by Soft Flex) and metallic firepolished violet beads. 

I wove the pendant from mostly the same beads that are in the necklace, using a thin gauge silver wire.  I made a simple hook and eye clasp with a few turquoise seed beads to finish the necklace.  I don't think I ever go anywhere glam enough to wear this, although I suppose other people do! 

Photography Setup Exposed!

Who says people don't use their formal dining rooms any more?

A few readers have asked about my jewelry photography.  It is really important to have a nice picture of a piece in order to inspire someone to buy it off the internet.  I had many unsuccessful attempts at photography until I finally used this set up.  I had to bite the bullet and buy special lamps and a light-box.  I also purchased some jewelry displays for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  In addition, I've been learning which fabrics are best for the backdrops.  I keep trying to improve.  It certainly took a lot of patience at first, since I had to keep redoing the photos.  Hopefully, now, the photos do justice to my jewelry pieces.

You can see my jewelry photos on this blog, and in my Etsy shop at d'Olivia Jewelry.

Grey Beads on Knotted Silver Lame Cord

Silver lame (lah-may) cord is hand knotted with pretty glass gray beads. This is a triple strand necklace and looks airy and delicate. It is very lightweight. The shortest strand is about 19" long. It is finished with a magnetic clasp.
I wish I knew how to make an accent aigu here.  Calling my jewelry lame is not my intention.

I like the looks of this lam-e cord, and I didn't know it existed until I saw it in the store.  Although it is slender, it is still difficult to thread it through the beads.  It is not stiff, it is more like the silk knotting thread that I also use.  On the other hand, it doesn't work well with a needle.  I eventually discovered a way to get it done, which I may leave as a workshop secret.  I bought large spools of both silver and gold cord, so I have plenty to use up!

Some people have asked me where my jewelry is sold.  There are links on this blog page itself, but here is the link to my Etsy store d'Olivia Jewelry.  You can make it as a bookmark favorite, and there is even a link in the right hand column of the store page where you can "Subscribe to shop feed". 

Current Garden Photos

Since things are blooming nicely again, I thought I would share some pictures.  If you haven't tried it, you can click on the picture to see the larger version.  Also, depending on your computer settings, you may be able to right-click on the picture and use it as your desktop wallpaper.  I often use my garden pictures for wallpaper.

Above is creeping phlox, which seems to be more couch potato phlox in my garden.  It does little creeping.  To the above right are some daffodils, and the name escapes me.  They have white petals, a pinky-peach middle and yellow stamens.  Sounds like a good color combination for a Spring necklace!

Below are some tiny flowers, which comes under the heading "did I plant these?".  It is possible they are weeds, but just as possible they are from some seeds I planted last year.  I have been known to identify flowers as weeds and rip them out, and then leave weeds alone for too long, wondering if it is really a flower.  If you can identify the flower/weed below, leave a comment!

Pearls on Gold Lame Cord with Magnetic Clasp

Gold lame (lah-may) cord is hand knotted with pretty pearl beads that have a rainbow finish. These beads are highly reflective. This is a triple strand necklace and looks airy and delicate. It is very lightweight. The shortest strand is about 21" long. It is finished with a magnetic clasp.  I used acrylic beads that have an aurora borealis pearl finish.  The necklace seems luxurious, and it is very easy to wear and to take on and off.

Pale Pink Pearls with Puffed Silver Heart

This has a nice romantic look to it.  These are glass pearls strung with silver pewter beads.  The necklace focal is a filigree puffed heart.  I also made matching earrings.  I prefer glass pearls to the natural ones because I think they will hold up better.  With real pearls, they always say no hairspray, no perfume, no lotion, etc.  Those are too many rules for me.  I always treat my jewelry carefully, but I'm not keen on a long list of rules.  If you've ever seen the many collections of glass pearls, oh my!  So many beads, so little time!

Many Colors 7 Crystal Chakra Silver Chain Necklace

This is a delicate 20" sterling silver chain with a spring ring clasp. Its pendant has seven crystals all lined up in a vertical row. Red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, dark blue, and purple. According to the chakra concept, these are forces that govern your body and soul and are identified with the specific color. If you are not into chakras, you can just enjoy this as a colorful necklace that will match just about anything in your wardrobe!

The Garden in Early Springtime

The pussy willows bloomed a little while back, and here are some pictures!  We have 3 varieties.  One of them is a black pussy willow that grows on a reddish brown stem, and the other two have silvery gray catkins.  One of them has jumbo sized catkins.  I no longer remember the actual names of these species, but it is always so nice to see them each Spring!

Colors of Amber with Silver Pewter

I really like the orangey-gold color of amber.  This necklace uses amber resin beads that look like they have occlusions.  The focal beads are ceramic in the shape of a parallelogram or trapezoid.  My geometry days are long behind me, so I won't claim absolute accuracy in the naming of this shape.  Each bead was purchased in a different store, since I can never seem to be satisfied in putting together a necklace easily with items all from the same place.  The seed beads have a unique duochrome effect, and are there to help add lightness and flexibility to the necklace.  I'm not big on the heavy chunky necklaces that feel stiff around the neck.

Black Organza Ribbon Beaded Bracelet

This is a very pretty bracelet using 3 strands of organza ribbon.  Black and white beads are strung on the ribbon and it is finished off with a silver magnetic clasp.

Violet and Black Beaded Crochet Bracelet

This bracelet has violet purple and black beads on two types of crocheted stringing material.  I used a violet pearl cotton and also black beading wire for the crochet.  I believe the bead crochet is fairly new to popular beading.  I have many afghans, scarves, caps, and slippers in my past and was interested to see its surge in popularity.  I believe these fashions stay out of style long enough for me to lose things, for instance my old crochet hooks and my yarn stash.  No doubt I will find them once they are no longer a la mode.  I had to buy new crochet hooks for this.