Antiqued Brass and Garnet Jewelry

This weekend I beaded these two pieces using antiqued brass and garnets.

Necklace:  The antiqued brass chain on this necklace has a pretty textured stamping pattern.  The ornate circle pendant is antiqued brass pewter and has a small round garnet bead dangling from the center.  I formed wire-wrapped links using garnet oval beads and antiqued gold plated filigree beads.  Finished with a lobster claw clasp.  Measures 20 inches.

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace - View 1

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace - Close-up view of pendant

Earrings:  I used intricately patterned antiqued brass pewter chandelier drops on antiqued brass fish-hook earring wires.  Small round garnet beads are wire-wrapped to the chandelier drops.  Drop is 1 1/2 inches.

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Earrings

Antiqued Brass and Garnet Necklace and Earrings

Glass Gem Marble Pendants

I call these pendants glass gems because of their gem like beauty.  I used clear flat-back glass marbles (about 3/4 inch diameter) and applied pigmented glazes to the back.  I selected iridescent jeweled colors for the pigments and I must say the resulting effect is beautiful.  The shimmering colors when viewed through the front of the glass are absolutely spectacular!  I used Aanraku bails – most have sterling silver-plating, but some have 18K gold-plating.  I attached a matching ball chain necklace in either silver or “vintage gold.”

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Carribean Blue

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Copper Sparkle

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Sunset Gold

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Golden Glow

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Shimmering Green

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Majestic Purple

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Cherry Red

Glass Gem Marble Pendant - Silver Pearl

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace

This morning I revised one of the necklaces I created and described in yesterday’s post.   I really wasn’t satisfied with the final look.  I changed the bail to a simple sterling silver jump ring and created a more elaborate focal pendant station.  I kept the antiqued sterling silver chain and used ornate pewter links with antiqued silver plated finish to create the pendant station.  I think it has a more refined appearance and gives the piece more of a Victorian or Twilight flair.

Description: Vintage inspire necklace with spectacular Siam Red Swarovski crystal heart suspended on a delicate antiqued sterling silver necklace.  Crystal heart is in brilliant AB (aurora borealis) finish and measures 18mm. I created a focal pendant station for the heart using antiqued silver links connected by round jump rings.  Necklace measures 20 inches. Drop on the pendant is 1 3/4 inches.

♥ Swarovski crystal heart, Siam Red – AB finish
♥ Antiqued sterling silver chain – textured
♥ Sterling silver lobster claw clasp and heart closure
♥ Ornate antiqued silver-plated pewter links

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace (View 1)

Antiqued Silver and Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklace (View 2)

Swarovski Crystal Heart Necklaces

Today I beaded two necklaces using antiqued sterling silver chain and Swarovski crystal hearts.  I love the contrast of the antiqued sterling silver against the brilliance of the Swarovski crystals.

The Siam Red heart has a simple bail which I created by wire-wrapping half-hard sterling silver wire.   It measures 17 inches plus has a 3 inch extender chain with a small sterling silver heart charm at the end.  Lobster claw clasp and heart closure.

Siam Red Swarovski Crystal Heart and Silver Necklace

Close-up View of Siam Red Heart Pendant

The amethyst crystal heart is connected to the antiqued sterling silver chain with an ornate focal station – also in antiqued sterling silver.  It is my favorite of the two pieces because of its more complex appearance.  I also wire-wrapped a bail for this heart using a 20 gauge sterling silver headpin.  Lobster claw clasp and heart closure.

Amethyst Swarovski Crystal Heart and Silver Necklace

Close-up View of Amethyst Swarovski Crystal Heart Pendant

Little Gem Glass Pendants

I call these pendants “Little Gems” because of the gem like beauty.  I used flat back glass marbles and applied iridescent pigmented glaze to the back.  I used powdered pearlescent pigments in “Gold Pearl” and “Antiqued Silver Pearl” which I purchased from Fusionbeads.com.  I mixed the pigments with Diamond Glaze.  After the glaze dried – I waited 48 hours – I applied Aanraku bails to the back.  I used an 18K gold-plated bail with a ball chain necklace in “vintage gold” for the gold colored pendant.  I used a silver-plated bail and ball chain necklace for the silver colored pendant.

These pendants shimmer with a beautiful radiant glow.

Little Gem Glass Pendant - Golden Glow

Little Gem Glass Pendant - Silver Pearl

Glass Marble Pendants and Glass Square Tile Pendant

These marble glass pendants are so versatile.  Wear them with casual or evening wear.  The ball chain necklace pictured is quite casual, but other more sophisticated chains can easily be substituted for a more elegant look.   I purchased these images from Etsy seller Artcult.  She has an extensive collection of unique and original designs.

Petite Marble Glass Pendant

Petite Marble Glass Pendant

The square tile glass pendant features a sepia style art nouveau image of a woman probably from sometime in the early 1900’s. This glass tile is scrabble sized at about 7/8 inch.  Just like the marble pendants, the ball chain pictured can easily be substituted with a more elegant chain.  I purchased this digital image from Etsy seller Sabrinazanetti.

Art Nouveau Glass Tile Pendant

Both the square tile and the marble pendants have metallic silver paper on the back sealed with Diamond Glaze.

Materials used:

• Glass square tile and round flat-back glass marbles
• Silver-plated Aanraku bail
• High resolution digital images
• Paper
• Adhesive
• Diamond Glaze

Christmas Themed Glass Tile Jewelry

I am officially addicted now to making glass tile jewelry – they are incredibly fun to make and the possibilities are limitless for themes.  Of course, besides jewelry glass tiles can be made into magnets, ornaments and other items.   I purchased my glass tiles and my digital pictures on Etsy.  Here are a few Christmas themed pendants I made last week.

 

Glass Tile Pendant - Victorian Era Christmas Scene

Glass Tile Pendant - Victorian Era Santa

Glass Tile Pendant - Santa and Child

Glass Tile Pendant - Victorian Era Children

 

 

 

 

Glass Tile Jewelry

I have been experimenting with making glass tile pendants.  The first ones I made were not suitable for resale as the image clarity was poor.  After researching a bit I found some helpful information on making the images crystal clear.

First if using digital images with an inkjet printer, use a good quality sealer onto the image.  I read that Krylon was a good choice and a product called Microglaze.  I had difficulty finding these products initially, so I used a product called Aleene’s Acrylic Sealer, and it actually worked quite well.  I used 3 light coats, letting them air dry between coats.  This did prevent bleeding of the colors.

The other issue had to do with the type of paper to print digital images onto.  I initially had used regular white paper on my first projects, but have now started using high quality matte photo paper which worked very well.  The finished images turned out crystal clear with bright vivid colors.

I used 1×1 inch glass tiles, but they are available in several different sizes and shapes including rectangles and circles.  For a great tutorial on making glass tile pendants visit this site on eHow.  It is simple to follow and tells you exactly what supplies are needed.

Victorian Lady Glass Tile Pendant

Bright Flowers Glass Tile Pendant

New Collage Pendant and Ice Resin Heart Pendant

I am now experimenting with new mediums for creating jewelry.  In the past I have made beaded jewelry items.  Over the past couple of weeks I have begun trying my hand at collage pendants and ice resin pendants.

The first item is a wooden collage pendant with black and white floral print captured forever under glass like glaze – called Diamond Glaze. Oval wooden pendant measures 24×30mm (about 1 x 1 1/4 inches.) Sterling silver bail. I placed the pendant on a  black organza ribbon necklace measuring 17 inches plus 3 inch extender chain with a tiny heart dangle at the end. Ribbon ends, lobster claw clasp and extender chain are silver-plated.

Black and White Floral Collage Pendant on Organza Ribbon Necklace

Close-up View of Black and White Floral Pendant

The second item is a  heart pendant made with Ice Resin which is a clear resin that hardens to a glass like finish.  I added a beautiful powder pigment color called “antique silver pearl.” Pendant measures 20×20mm (approximately 1 inch) and is finished with a sterling silver bail.  I placed the pendant on a black organza ribbon necklace. Ribbon measures 17 inches plus a 3 inch extender chain with a tiny heart dangle at the end. Silver-plated lobster claw clasp, chain and findings are used on the ribbon.

Ice Resin Heart Pendant Necklace

Close-up View of Ice Resin Heart Pendant

My Newest Projects

This week I am experimenting with creating molded resin jewelry items.  I am using a product called Ice Resin from fusionbeads.com.  I am also working on a collage pendant using a pewter pendant and sealing it in Diamond Glaze – also from fusionbeads.com.

These projects must first dry, then cure – so more to come, along with pics, as soon as the projects are completed!