Recycled Multi-Strand Choker Necklace

I realized that I never posted photos of one of my favorite recycled-chained pieces from last year.




This necklace combines similar lengths of very different types of chain--small links, large links, round links, oval links, etc. All of the chain is suspended between findings connected to a neck chain.





Some of the recycled chain is silver and some is gunmetal grey. I think the 2-tone look is kinda cool.




It was actually a lot of work to match up lengths of chain (I had to measure twice and cut once, but then measure again and cut again after getting it wrong the first time, haha) and to assemble them in a way that was aesthetically pleasing. I sometimes wonder if people who don't make things (jewelry specifically) realize just what goes into making those things. I know for sure that I'm very naive about the work needed for projects I don't do.

But I think it was all worth it!

Argyle Pink Jubilee

Oh my! Is this not a beautiful stone? This piece of pink diamond rough weighs in at a whopping 12.76 carats. I know that rough is lost when a gem is cut, so I don't know how large this gemstone will end up. But I can't wait to see it!



Above is a shot of Jennifer Lopez's 6 carat pink solitaire diamond ring. Ben Affleck paid $3 million for it.



And her engagement ring from her ex-husband. It's a lavender blue (very washed out, if you ask me) 8.5 carat solitaire. I believe he paid $4 million for it.

This new stone already has a name: The Argyle Pink Jubilee (the mine where it was found, where most pink diamonds come from in fact, is called the Argyle Mine).

Lovely.

Citrine Pendant Sterling Silver Earrings

I have had these little citrine pendants in my stash of beads and supplies for longer than I can actually remember. 10 years? 15? 20? I can't say. I don't even recall where I first got them, but I'm sure sterling silver was far cheaper back then.

I decided at the end of last year, during my rush to make stock to sell, that it was time to finally put these babies to good use. Sometimes, it just makes the most sense to move out old stuff, especially since you've already paid for it. And, these little pendants only needed jump rings and sterling wires, so they were as fast as they are cute!

The citrines are faceted and surrounded in a casting of sterling silver. The outside of the bezel is wrapped in a loop of sterling rope and there's a small trefoil (I guess that's what I'd call those little joined balls of silver). Simple. Pretty.

I'm kind of bummed that I only charged $14 for them (it's a LOT of silver and real gemstones!) and that they sold. But i hope whoever bought them loves them lots.

p.s. You might need to click and enlarge the photo for a better view

Hearts and Flowers

Well, just flowers, actually (the hearts must be on my mind because of Valentine's Day!). I like to add some fun into the mix sometimes, and when I saw these bright red glass flower beads with their happy little yellow centers, I had to buy them. I figured someone out there would want to have a little fun, too.



The beads are pressed glass and the bracelet is finished with a silver-plated toggle clasp.

$14

Animal Print Resin Earrings

I had a few pairs of these resin-coated earrings at the end of last year. Originally I had circles (aqua polka dots, aqua paisleys and green fern-leaves), and squares (animal print, multi-colored 'quilt'-type design). I've sold out of a lot of them over the last few years, and put the rest in last year's holiday sale. I'll have to try to dig up photos of the rest. Ear wires are sterling silver.




Price: $10

Green Jasper Bracelet

I don't think these photos highlight how beautiful these natural Green Jasper beads. They're a rich green with a brown matrix that runs through them. The beads are shaped like slightly puffed rectnagles



When I put pieces together in my holiday sale display, I like to include a mix of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. They don't always match, but they do "go" with one another as a general rule. So I displayed this green item with a necklace that was also a mix of brown and green stones, though not green jasper.

It took a while for this beauty to sell, but happily, it did.

Price: $18

Multi-colored Lampworked Toggle Bracelet

An apple a day keeps the ugly fashion away.

I was trying to snap shots in a hurry a while back, and using every prop I could find to hang things on, drape things over, attach things to, etc. Luckily, I hadn't yet eaten my lunch!



I don't think this bracelet sold, unfortunately, but it's still cute. And that's all I'm going to say about that!

Price: $16