Posts from — August 2008

Tap into your wild side with this big link antique copper chain. This is stand alone chain, just attach a clasp with jump ring in one hand and pliers in another and your off and running lookin good without lots of time. We posted yesterday about this chain in antique brass suggesting other ways to incorporate this chain.

Like the big links, but just need something light and simple? [Read more →]

Popularity: 3% [?]

It is always a thrill to tear open boxes of jewelry making goodies. You think by now we would have the box cutters handy for such thrill seeking, yet through the excitement we find jamming the keys through the six inches of packing tape to be equally effective. Oh well! Yesterday's excitement included new spools of antique brass ox chain. The picture shows off the textural chain with big ole' links perfect for one long drapey necklace or mixed with with a couple other chains for a multi-strand bracelet. My friend will hang three links from an ear wire and call it done, which would be easy to say the least. Then we just needed a simple cable chain in antique brass. Sturdy enough to hang lots of wrapped loops, or even making a a lariat necklace which is prominent in all the magazines. Either chain makes jewelry design more and more fun!

Popularity: 13% [?]

I've been busy creating earrings this week. Monday through Friday I have and continue to post a new earring design on Brandolina.typepad.com. I liked this pair so much I thought to share it here also. I worked in a monochromatic color scheme using various values and intensities of blue glass beads. The copper findings are complimentary in color and brighten the overall look. The big ring used is a link from a chain customers have named Hippie Chain. The paddle findings are light weight and these earrings can move. If you sell your jewelry at shows these are impressive looking, especially if you had several color versions. Gunmetal components would alos look great, making them a little dressier. Next time around I plan to make these in gunmetal mixed with iridescent colored glass, with a splash of gold and silver.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popular 2 stranded czechglass beads offer so many creative possibilities. When these strands arrived one of our instructors made a bracelet very similar to this one featured, and displayed it in the showcase. One customer after another scooped these up designing many versions of this bracelet. They later brought their creations in to show off many color and bead combos. The glass bars are 1/2 inch long and crystals used here are 4mm. We paired these beads with a magnetized two strand tube clasp. However, single ring clasps and toggles work just as well. Just make sure the clasp is large enough balancing the look and size of the beads. Click here to view these 2 stranded beads in jet.

Popularity: 12% [?]