Faceted glass

I love glass beads! Everything-from intricate artisan lampwork glass to sea glass. Recently I discovered some beautiful faceted glass beads, that look similar to Swarovski crystals, but are a fraction of the price. They are not a replacement for Swarovski crystals in my designs, because nothing sparkles quite like a genuine Swarovski, however, they certainly provide some fabulous design options that lend a certain glamour to the piece, while keeping the cost for the buyer affordable. Here are some creations recently made using this pretty designer glass.




Several strands of glass beads combined with chunky vintage brass chain create a bold fashion statement!




These are large oval beads in a midnight blue,accented with sterling silver beads and chains.


These are crystal clear and angular, I like the contrast of the d edged glass beads, with the vintage silver plate beads and peach colored glass pearls.


Just a few of the faceted glass beads are used here as an accent to some beautiful hammered sterling silver chain.


This is one of my favorite necklaces. My friend bought this one, and wears it all the time. This one is embellished with sterling chains and genuine silver colored Swarovski crystal balls.
On another note, I am heading off on vacation tomorrow, for 5 weeks! I am, however, participating in a few street markets and summer craft fairs, while on the road, so I hope to report back to you, via my iPad, with some news! Talk to you soon!
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Necklace inspiration

Recently I posted about Miriam Haskell Designs, and how much I adore everything with her name on it. This necklace, which is actually a new design by Haskell Jewels, from the La  Dolce Vita collection, was the inspiration for one of my latest designs.

 This Miriam Haskell necklace is stunning! It is created with gorgeous beads made from embellished resin, Russian, gold plated, French filligree beads and matte silver. It sells for a whopping $850.00!

In my poor mans version, I combined all vintage beads in lucite and metal, in various sizes, to create this bold, chunky, 1960's style necklace. I used vintage, brass chain,  in a pattern similar to the "Gucci G" design, on the upper portion, I kept the color scheme neutral by incorporating beads in white, cream, brass, copper and gold.....but not real gold!

The Hot Rocks version is a bargain at only $65.00!!!

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Hello all my faithful readers! I have been trying to post to my blog for two days, but I cannot seem to get the photo uploader to work for me anymore! So frustrating. Just so you know, I have not forgotten about you, and as soon as I can get these pictures uploaded, I will have some new reading and eye candy for you. Thanks for bearing with me! Pin It

New Designs!

Yesterday was such a beautiful, warm, sunny day, that I took all my jewelry outside to photograph.The sun on the faceted, Swarovski crystal pendants, really made them sparkle! This one includes pyrite and quartz beads.

 The center bead is a wonderful tumbled  piece of amethyst.The blue beads are vintage Swarovski and the dots really sparkle in colors of pink and  lavender. The handmade glass round beads are by  English glass artist, Clare Scott.

  Once again, a dazzling Swarovski pendant, wrapped in sterling silver wire and coil, and suspended from  sterling silver chains.

 This colorful summertime bracelet, features the lampwork glass of Louisiana artisan, Rebecca Werner. I included Thai silver, gold vermeil, vintage beads and Swaovski crystal.

                                  

  A few pieces from my more affordable line, using silver plate, rhodium plate, brass and copper. Many of the metal and lucite beads in the following photos are  vintage and really cool!

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Wow, the weekend went by so quickly! I had a couple of girlfriends over on Saturday night, for a "Girls Night In". Of course we gabbed, enjoyed some wine and gabbed some more. 

One of them suggested we play Masterpiece....remember that board game, where you buy and sell art with millions of dollars?  It was a lot of fun with many laughs, and hey...I won!

Then we watched The Ugly Truth, on DVD,  a true chick flick, rom com, which also rendered many giggles, especially the restaurant scene!

 I did manage to finish some new jewelery, lots of earrings, a couple of necklaces, and a bracelet, which I hope to photograph today for your viewing pleasure tomorrow. My son and husband had a great time at  Scout camp, where they went white water rafting, and horseback riding. The weather here was great as well, sunny and hot! 

On another note, for all my Entrecard droppers, I will be leaving Entrecard shortly. I am no longer accepting new ads, but will let the current ads run, and then I will cancel my account. I just do not have the time to commit any more. Thank you to all faithful "droppers", I have found some fabulous blogs thru the program, which I will continue to read. I hope that if you enjoy my blog, that you will mark me as a favorite, and stop by often. 

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Crazy week

Wow it has been a crazy week here at home! Appointments, volunteering at my sons school, and getting the boys ready for Scout camp this weekend, along with the regular household chores, has kept me very busy this week. So my blog has taken a back seat, and reading my blog faves has also suffered. However,  my husband and son are off to camp tonight, and there will be lots of time for catching up. I am itching to get designing some new jewelry pieces with the beads that I purchased last weekend.  I am also looking forward to enjoying some good chick flicks, and setting my own schedule for the next two days!  Hope all of you have a great weekend planned as well. I hope to post some new jewelery pics for your viewing pleasure, early next week! Pin It

Saturday in the City

We spent Saturday, in the big city. First we went to one of the large popular farmers markets/flea markets, where I picked out some fresh produce and browsed the flea markets junk stalls. Unfortunately, I did not find any treasures this time. There was also the annual used book fair going on, where there are thousands of used books for sale at bargain prices. I selected a few healthy cook books, and my husband, who is mad for books, had picked out about 25 selections, which should keep him busy for some time! The sale is organized by the Calgary Herald newspaper, and the books for the sale are donated, and collected over several months. The proceeds are shared by local agencies working in child and family literacy. We then headed down to trendy 17 Avenue, and had lunch at great little bistro, while sitting outside on the street patio, enjoying some magnificent people watching while also enjoying our meal! There were loads of people out and about, as it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day, and there were lots of activities and events going on in the area. Then the highlight of the day in my opinion, was taking the stroll a few blocks away, to the bead and gem store, which was having their semi annual bead sale! There were strands of beads at 50% off, and special strands priced at $5.00, $10.00 & $20.00. I picked up some great semi precious stone strands, originally priced at $75.00 and $100.00, for only $20.00! So much fun!

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Miriam Haskell

One of my very favorite collections of exquisite, vintage costume jewelery, is Miriam Haskell. You may have read her name in some of the descriptions of  vintage beads that I use in my designs. I only recently discovered her designs after doing some research, but I am in love with her work! Miriam Haskell, created her company and worked together with designer Frank Hess to create stunning pieces of jewelery, that are highly collectible today. Each piece was meticulously created by hand using Austrian crystals, rhinestones,  European glass beads, seed beads and stones. She opened her first boutique in New York city in 1926, and created designs for the society women of the day. Celebrities such as Joan Crawford, Coco Chanel, Gloria Vanderbilt and Lucille Ball were customers of Haskells creations. Enjoy the following eye candy Miriam Haskell Designs!

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New Bracelet

I am in love with the beads in this bracelet! The "sugar" style textured beads are vintage, and from what I was told, they arequite rare. They have a frosted bumpy surface, with a deep maroon colored center...very cool. The two styles of art glass beads,  are by Clare Scott, a talented, lampwork artisan from England. The fabulous silver gray imitation, glass  pearls are vintage Miriam Haskell,  an American, who designed stunning costume  jewelry from the 1920's to the 1950's. There are also  some super sparkly  vintage Swarovski crystals, and a fabulous sterling silver, hammered  toggle clasp. I embellished the bracelet with different sterling chains for even more interest. Pin It