New pearl jewellery

I have made a few new pearl pieces over the last couple of nights - still in my 'pearl phase' I think!!

I wanted to do something really different from anything I've done before, so I've used big chunky blister pearls in vivid colours, for a really bold, summery look here ('sunset' pearl necklace and bracelet). I think the shape and colour really takes away the traditional perception of pearls (see my previous post!).

I've also put together a whole set of pearls - necklace, earrings and bracelet - which I have never done before. I'm not a particularly co-ordinated person (some may say I look a little.....'jumble sale'), and being so un-cooridinated, I have always thought that matchy-matchy was a bad thing. I have to confess in recent months, I have been trying to look a bit more 'put together' and can now see the benefits of jewellery sets. When I put on a jewellery set, it means that I can look like a fight in a thrift store with my clothes, but at least one element of me looks like I tried! So in previous posts when I have said that I don't do matching...well, I'm getting there!!

This 'Pistachio pearls' set is made from coffee, white and mint, large nugget pearls. They are really chunky again, which take away the formal element of having a matching set. I think these colours are beautiful together, really fresh - and it means you can mix and match with any of your traditional white pearls.

I have made another simple string of rice pearls but in seaside inspired colours. I was browsing through holidays online the other day, and photographs of the tropical, turquoise blue seas of the Maldives inpired this necklace. Unfortunately all I can do is think of holidays now!!

This necklace would look great with a tan, or one of those pretty broderie anglaise dresses or tops that are fashionable this summer......I'm good at fashion for other people, just not for myself it seems!!

All of these pieces are available at www.arteryuk.com

Pearls don't just go with twinsets you know!

I've made a couple of little pearl bracelets over the last night or two, and it got me thinking about how pearls are perceived.

So many people think of pearls, and think of lavender perfume, twinsets and their nana! They don't have to be like that (am I just being defensive, because as I write this, I have on a single string of white pearls and a cardigan....?).

Pearls come in so many shapes and colours right now, as the growing, and dying techniques have improved so much in recent decades. The can come in hearts, or diamond shapes, and literally every colour of the rainbow. They are so versatile - they can make something look a bit vintage, or chic and elegant, or kitsch or unique - I think this is why they are probably my favourite material to work with.

I have turned into a bit of a pearl 'geek' since I've been making jewellery, and have read everything there is to read on them - I have written a little piece on them for a gallery which sells my work - you can read it here:

http://arterygallerynews.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=35

I've included photos of a couple of my new pearl bracelets - my 'jelly tots' bracelet - multi-coloured nugget pearls, and my white pearl and open heart bracelet....hopefully they don't evoke lavender and old folks homes for you......

New ideas kill artist's brain cells!!!

So far, since I've been making jewellery, the thing that is most difficult, is to constantly come up with new ideas, rather than variations on ideas. So I've tried to strike a balance so that I don't send the creative part of my brain into meltdown!!

If I come up with one new idea, and do two variations of it, in necklaces, earrings and bracelets, that should give me lots of new looks, but save my tortured artistic brain from exploding. (it's not really tortured and artistic, but I quite like to 'buy into' a theme, and tortured artist is workable).

I have made a very pretty, girly necklace in rose quartz ovals, amethyst chips, pink pearl nuggets, and pink, violet and opal Swarovski crystals. It reminds me of that lovely pink blossom tree that comes out around this time of year - the one that's like confetti when the wind blows. Actually, saying that, I suppose it could make a nice bridesmaid necklace and earrings set, as its just so feminine. Continuing on that theme, I made a plain white rice pearl bracelet with lovely rose coloured crystals interspersed with the pearls. It looks really clean and fresh.

I used the same sort of pattern for the rose quartz necklace in a different stone and colour, so I'm really getting two necklaces out of one idea (remember tortured artist brain...). In this other necklace and earrings set, I've used new jade, crackled rock crystal, white rice pearls, and swarovski crystals. This gives a totally different look,which has been born out of the original idea. The square jades in this necklace are gorgeous - each one is a pale, marbled green, slightly different from the others.

I also made a new bracelet, building on the 'sunshine' themed jewellery, of coral and turquoise. I put together a bracelet of tiny little coral branches, with turquoise, and peachy-orange blister pearls - it just says summer to me. This idea could be built on further I think, perhaps adding in sponge coral nuggets, or something along that idea.

I made a necklace which was an entirely new idea, and already I can see lots of variations and themes of this pendant style necklace. It is jasper rounds, with tiny chips of peridot inbetween each jasper. It is finished with a large, carved jasper flower pendant. Jasper is such a versatile stone, with so many colours and names. It is also known as 'The Scottish Stone', so I feel I'm doing my patriotic bit by making jewellery in this material!

It has been a taxing few days!! I'm off to re-charged my delicate and artistic soul, with a cuppa, and a night off I think...(idea for next post - lazy girl's guide to jewellery making...?)

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.......

Pretty, girly, pastels or bold and bright and pushy? I love both, and can't decide!!

I've made some new jewellery along those lines - some of it is very delicate and feminine - spring flowers inspired this, and some chunky gemstones in bright colours - just a bit of fun really.

I've made this pastel coloured necklace - 'Crocus' necklace, and earrings - inspired by spring flowers and the little, new unfurled leaves on the bushes. It's made from cracked rock crystal, Swarovski crystals, nugget pearls, and a large fluorite pendant. The earrings to match are so cute! (even if i do say so myself!).

This chunky coloured jade necklace my 'Sweetshop' necklace - has been made from sweetie shaped jades and tiny olive serpentine rounds in-between. I think they look like sweets from an old fashioned tuck shop! This is a real statment piece, and quite different from anything else, so if you like to be noticed, this one is for you - just don't try to eat it!!

I'm not sure if most jewellery designers make such opposing pieces - it makes me look slightly crazy to have two such different styles, but I don't think it's necessary to stick to the rules when it comes to jewellery - or anything for that matter! Some people would call it eclectic, some would call it bohemian ( know someone who will be choking on his blackpudding roll laughing at this - he has said I've to remember the look is 'boho' not 'hobo' - quite a difference apparently) - anyway, whatever you want to call it, I'm not going to stick to the rules. That's about the only thing I can make my mind up on!!

I may have gotten a little carried away.....

Well, after yesterday's summer inspired post on here, I received an email from someone who is signed up to the instant update service - it read "Salad? Salad?! Only because you had hee-haw else in the fridge!!". The cheek of it!! Obviously I am eating salad because the first glimpse of a warm afternoon has reminded me that come summertime, I will be wearing flesh flashing summer dresses and skirts, and after a long cold winter of pie and mash, there is a danger that I may have to spend summer in trousers and over coats, unless I mend my ways!

So I am hoping that lots of summery, sunshine inspired jewellery will keep reminding me that sandals season is just around the corner.....

I have made a little summery set of jewellery - 'Sunshine' lariat, bracelet and earrings. They are designed so that each piece is a stand-alone piece, but they look great together as a set. I often think a matching set of jewellery can look a bit boring - it's great for formal wear, but can look a bit old fashioned the rest of the time. This set all goes together very well, but doesn't match exactly - it gives it a less rigid feel, and will look more like you just happen to have chosen some pieces that work well together.

The lariat necklace includes turquoise, blister pearls, mother of pearl chips, Indian glass beads

and glass seed beads. It's a really vibrant piece and looks just like a sunny day.

The earrings are little turquoise cubes with Swarovski crystal in a firey orange-red, and the bracelet is made from small rice pearls with vivid ocean blue, and orange Swarovski crystals.

I look at all this warm weather inspired jewellery today, and think maybe I have gotten a little carried away - it is after all only the first day of April, and it's a bit cold and grey outside.....nothing wrong with a bit of optimism though.... :)

These three items are all available at Gallery 1, 8 Whitburn Road, Bathgate, along with other items of my jewellery.

http://www.gallery1online.co.uk