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Special News Update March 2008
The prices of sterling silver are skyrocketing and now gold prices are also on the rise. In the future this will affect jewelry pricing. Fortunately I still have precious metals in stock purchased before the major price hike so price increases will not happen immediately. Stay tuned...
All news can now be found at my blog - click on the link below to go there (or copy and paste into your browser):
31 October 2007
I can't believe how fast Christmas is approaching. Now is the time to start thinking of gift ideas and I'll be busy over the next month designing beautiful jewelry that will make wonderful gifts. In September I received another parcel of top quality gemstones and they are begging to be made into special pieces - blue quartz, madeira citrine, more amazonite, rhodonite, onyx, sardonyx and absolutely to die for Peruvian Chalcedony.
September 2007
I was thrilled to take out the Recognition Award in the 11th Designer Quest sponsored by Atelier OccularSky. This is second place and this piece was inspired by the magnificent display of Clivias out in bloom on Sydney's Upper North Shore.
It is made up of mainly carnelian with some rock quartz crystals focal pieces, freshwater pearls, smoky quartz and garnets. Another wonderful honour.
31 August 2007
It's time to start looking at Fashion Forecasts and the colors and styles of jewelry for Spring/Summer 2007. The catwalks are still showcasing plenty of the classic black and white so I'll be incorporating more Onyx pieces into the store. Also in are cobalt blue and the acid colors of the 80s - think neon green, fluro colors, Wham! etc. In jewelry trends, acid colors mixed with blacks are in and necklace lengths are long again. Everything is big and bold. If it all sounds too garish take a look at how I keep current with trends but add a touch of elegance. Bright, sparkly, colored swarovski crystals should do the trick!
Gold is also really 'big' and the metallic look is showing up in all the top designers' collections. Gold is now more affordable with the return of Vermeil - essentially sterling silver that is gold plated. A little more expensive than sterling silver but a whole lot more affordable than real gold.
Have been hard at work on turning that shipment of gemstones into beautiful jewelry. You'll see many of them featured in the new collection - Earth Gems. The good news there is now more on the way and this time I have ordered some Labradorite - a gemstone with a brilliant flash of rainbow colors when the light hits it.
27 July 2007
Woohoo - they're finally here! Have received my parcel of gemstones from Hong Kong! Strands of amazonite, black amazonite, london blue topaz, freshwater coin pearls, black onyx, pink peruvian opals, mystic topaz, rainbow casilica, enormous red coral beads and porcelain fire agate are in my studio.
I now know why the postage was sky high - the absolutely humungous red coral beads - they will definately turn heads and it may be a while before they are made up into just the right design.
By far the best buy were the london blue topaz faceted kite drops, with beautiful clarity and depth of color. They will be made up into something very special, which I am sure will be extremely hard to part with. Also, I am thrilled with the quality of the freshwater pearls. It is not an easy task to find coin pearls evenly sized, smooth, with little imperfection and good lustre. These I am happy to report were worth waiting for and will make up beautifully.
Off to the studio - keep a look out for what these beauties will be turned into.
24 June 2007
I am thrilled at winning the Beading Forum's 10th Designer Quest, sponsored by Not Just Beadz. It is such an honour particularly when you note that the range of entrants is from new amateurs to serious professionals - the talent of all the entrants is awesome. My winning necklace will be published in the December 2007 issue of Creative Beading magazine. In the meantime have a peak:
It is titled "Hawaiian Sunset" as it was indeed inspired by watching the sun go down over Sunset Beach while visiting there in May this year. I started the piece there and added the finishing touches when back in Austalia. Obviously I need to get out more - overseas that is - the inspiration does wonders for my creativity and design skills. The beads are all contemporary Czech glass, with the leaves being finished in a metallic coating to give them a really super shimmer. |
