New life of old earrings

Recently a friend of my friend has brought me a pair of old vintage earrings (Sterling silver, labradorite and pearls) and asked me to create an unusual piece of jewelry using those earrings.


Create a new pair of earrings using the old ones? Oh, no! I decided to keep the old design, and put the earrings together on a blank beadwoven bracelet. I picked up seed beads matching labradorite and pearls for the bracelet, and added a few seed bead branches with amethyst rounds, pearls and some gemstone chips. So, here we are!

Joined The Year Of Jewelry Project 2012 - New Beginnings

After watching from the sidelines for the last couple of years, I've decided to actually join in the fun at the Year of Jewelry Project 2011. My goal is to improve greatly my wire wrapping skills once I've finished the year. I just hope I can keep up with a project a week until then :)

The first week's theme is called New Beginnings, and I created this pendant with 2 new beginnings in mind. For one, I've actually used for the first time balled up wire for the pendant frame. Until now I only used it for silver headpins. if you want to learn how to create your headpins using a simple gas stove technique.

Also for the first time I actually designed this pendant from scratch. I did a few designs on paper, then I created something in brass wire, measured it, created it again for about 2 times, and when I was satisfied that it was a workable idea, I've created it in sterling silver. So this is definitely something new for me. It's fun to go through the creative process and come up with something other than simply following some tutorials and apply your own twist to them.

The pendant is using chrysoprase as the focal briolette gem, silver stardust and some tiny green crystals which I'm not quite sure what they are. The are translucent when hold against the light. The entire silver pendant length is about 2 inches, around 4.5 cm long including the bail.

Where is the time going?

Once again it has been a long time since I last blogged. I did say that I was going to blog about 2010 in the life of Zazu Jewellery but unfortunately my scanner has broken so cant put my press articles in!

I have decided to start a party plan business so if you would be interested in getting some extra cash please do let me know.
I have my first recruit who lives in the same town as me and she has her first party booked  in a couple of weeks time.

I have been busy refining collections like this:

Creating new collections like these:

Its only two months til the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and i'm getting really excited. There is absolutely loads of stuff to do still.
I now have all the stand furniture and need just a couple more necklace stands. The hotel is booked and most of the collections are completed.
I do however still need to design some promotional material, make up a stock of jewellery and get a hair cut!
I am hopeless with my hair so I plan to get it cut the day before we go in the hope I can keep the style looking good for 3 whole days!

The Bronze Age cometh!

So, today I sold these earrings on Folksy, but at the request of the lovely customer involved, I revamped them so that instead of silver there are in an 'antique bronze' finish.  I've never worked with anything but silver before, and I can only wear sterling silver in my ears now (punishment for years of abuse wearing trash-y earrings in my teens!), but now .... I really liked how these little lovelies looked, and I'd had to buy more than I needed of antique bronze findings, so I'm thinking I'll do some more.  What do you think?







They bronze version look very baroque to me and remind me a bit of Venice somehow.  I'm thinking of a little bracelet now, with the same combination of brown glass hearts as charms, carnelian beads and watermelon antique bronze spacers.

And thanks again to Jackie, for commissioning these, for sparking the creative idea and for buying! What a great customer :-)

The Bronze Age cometh!

So, today I sold these earrings on Folksy, but at the request of the lovely customer involved, I revamped them so that instead of silver there are in an 'antique bronze' finish.  I've never worked with anything but silver before, and I can only wear sterling silver in my ears now (punishment for years of abuse wearing trash-y earrings in my teens!), but now .... I really liked how these little lovelies looked, and I'd had to buy more than I needed of antique bronze findings, so I'm thinking I'll do some more.  What do you think?







They bronze version look very baroque to me and remind me a bit of Venice somehow.  I'm thinking of a little bracelet now, with the same combination of brown glass hearts as charms, carnelian beads and watermelon antique bronze spacers.

And thanks again to Jackie, for commissioning these, for sparking the creative idea and for buying! What a great customer :-)

Very Busy Week

I have set myself a quite large weekly 'to do' list in order to get everything done in time for my first trade fair in April.

I have been busy loading items to my Etsy page as it has been very neglected recently. There are some great bargains here and most are one off items.
I have also been putting some things on Ebay in an attempt to make some space for my stock.

A new website should be ready (fingers crossed) by the end of October, I have been busy loading items but there is still loads to do, this is a sneak peak so far.

This is a new collection based on some jewellery I have previously made. These would make ideal wedding jewellery. Made with freshwater pearls, rock crystal and cute sterling silver toggle clasps.

I just need to design some matching earrings now.

Business Decision of the Week

This year I decided that I would try and concentrate my efforts on my jewellery business Zazu Jewellery.
I decided to attend craft events like I did last year but I have to say the majority have been absolutely appalling for numerous reasons.

So, I decided after carrying out a survey that I would use the money I have been spending on events and use it to advertise through Google, get a brochure printed and get some flyers made up to promote my jewellery parties.

I am also re building my website which will include new ranges including Sterling Silver, Wedding rings, jewellery, accessories and favours.

So where will you see Zazu Jewellery this year? We are going to try and attend a market in London once a month, jewellery parties can be carried out in the comfort of your own home and we plan to extend our stockists and galleries around the country.

Masculine Bracelet

This is a bracelet I made for a friend of mine.
It is made from large cubed Tigers Eye beads, small metallic looking Hematite cubes and round bone beads. It is secured with a sterling silver magnetic clasp - he turned out to be very picky when choosing the clasp!

I would love to hear your thoughts about this bracelet!

Speak soon

Chloe

xxx

Folksy Friday Simply Sterling Silver

1. Silver flower necklace by Wellydog Designs   

2. Square leaf pendant by Silver Poppy Designs

3. Scroll ring by Silver Moss Jewellery Designs    

4. Sea bubbles cuff by LucyCampbell

5.Square bangle by Sarah Jane Anthony Jewellery 

6.Buttercup posy by Pebblestone

I love colour - you can see that in my shop.  But occasionally even I have a day when I just want to adorn myself in the simple elegance of plain, unadulterated sterling silver.
And then, these are the sorts of things I love - some quirky, some traditional but all beautiful.
Click on each picture to find the Folksy shop.  Some of these sellers are seriously undiscovered, so you could be one of the first there!

Folksy Friday Simply Sterling Silver

1. Silver flower necklace by Wellydog Designs   

2. Square leaf pendant by Silver Poppy Designs

3. Scroll ring by Silver Moss Jewellery Designs    

4. Sea bubbles cuff by LucyCampbell

5.Square bangle by Sarah Jane Anthony Jewellery 

6.Buttercup posy by Pebblestone

I love colour - you can see that in my shop.  But occasionally even I have a day when I just want to adorn myself in the simple elegance of plain, unadulterated sterling silver.
And then, these are the sorts of things I love - some quirky, some traditional but all beautiful.
Click on each picture to find the Folksy shop.  Some of these sellers are seriously undiscovered, so you could be one of the first there!

Busy Busy Bumble Bee!

I have been busy making jewellery today for the first time in ages.
I have just got myself a new stockist who has taken a lot of my stock and I have a party coming up so thought i'd better get cracking!

Well this is one of the things ive done, its my favourite of the day. It's made from pretty white Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystals and has a Sterling Silver Heart toggle clasp.

Sterling Silver Items

I thought it was about time I showed the world some of my Sterling Silver makes. I am training to be a jeweller and would love to hear your thoughts.



This is a stretcher style earring made from a solid piece of silver. It has a pale lilac CZ stone on the front.

I will start to add more of my items soon.

Make a day - Bracelet

Well this isnt like my regular stuff! I had these beads but didnt know what to do with them - hope you like

It is made from lampwork glass beads and tiny dyed pink Jade beads finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

Make a day - Murano Earrings

Well unfortunately this week I am a little behind - mainly due to the fact by the time ive made things and got round to photographing it is pitch black and you cant see my pics.

These are Murano glass earrings on really funky sterling silver feature ear wires.

Simplicity

Let's face it, we are in the middle of recession, no matter how much we want to ignore it. And although it has started in the US, it can be felt all around the world, including in Europe.

Why do I mention this? Because we all know when the money is tight(er), the two things that go first are perfume and jewelry. Many women stop buying jewelry until the situation is better. I mean jewelry and perfumes are still considered luxury items. And they are the first to go.
And if you have been following wire wrapping lately, it has become very complex, complicated and expensive. And no doubt about it, gorgeous as well.

This is why for the next few months I will be focusing on creating very affordable, yet sweet, elegant and beautiful jewelry. Focus will be on those of us who - no matter what situation the economy is in - we do not want to deny ourselves those little secret pleasures, like eating a few dark chocolate pralines, or wearing a cute pair of earrings.

Having this in mind, I am starting the very affordable collection of simplicity and beauty.

The first in this collection is actually an interchangeable pair of earrings - i.e. you buy two pairs for the price of one! Changing the beads on the earwires is extremely easy, just slide them off and put the new on in place. Voila, you have a new pair of earrings for that other outfit.

The stones are orange agate beads and chunky amethyst briolettes on sterling silver fancy earwires.
Everything has been tumbled in my Lortone tumbler for added shine and durability.
Shipping as usual is free. Price is shown both in EUR and USD, use whichever is more appropriate for you, depending on your geo location.

17 Euros

22 USD

Marcasite used in jewelry

I've been talking with somebody about marcasite jewelry, and I had to admit that I didn't know what that is. It seems I've never heard of marcasite before. So I looked it up on Google (I have to say, Google search is one of my best friends, it doesn't hide anything from me and it gives me everything I want!) and here are some interesting tidbits on marcasite.

So what is marcasite?
Marcasite, as a mineral is called irons sulfide, however most of the called marcasite used in jewelry is actually iron pyrite, as real marcasite often crumbles into dust and is thus too delicate and soft to be used in jewelry.
Marcasite was especially fashionable in Victorian times (one of my favourite period times). Jewelers usually describe marcasite as a bronze color, and you can usually see marcasite jewelry shining with a vintage estate look.
In jewellery, marcasite combines very well with sterling silver and other white metals, however it's not used with gold, as marcasite and gold do not blend well together.

It seems that when used in jewelry, it tends to be mostly cut in triangle or oval shape. One of the other stones that combines well with marcasite is the black onyx. Also mother of pearl, pearl and opal are stones that go well with marcasite.

As to what type of jewelry one can make with marcasite? Well, you can make the most common types, like earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings and even broches. The example in the picture is a gorgeous oval shaped pendant used as a locket, with a man-made amethyst in the middle.

Marcasite is one type of mineral that is glued mostly with jeweler's cement (I have hypocement at home, that should work well), rather than being prong set. Because of this, water should not really touch the jewelry as the stones will fall out quite fast from their setting. So make sure that you never go swimming, or take a bath or go sauna with your marcasite pendant. Or wash dishes (yes, some of us still wash the dishes by hand) with your marcasite ring on.

Now although I've mentioned sonic cleaner for cleaning sterling silver jewelry, for marcasite this is a no-no. To remove the tarnish, all you need to do with your marcasite jewelry is wipe it gently with a soft cloth, which can be dry or slightly damp. The silver polishing pads that I give for free with my jewelry (sadly no marcasite jewelry in sight yet) should do the job.

Which brings me to one other tip for cleaning your jewelry that I forgot to mention in my previous post. Wear your silver jewelry regularly. Yep, that will keep the tarnish away from your silver jewelry for a much longer time than if it's simply put in a safe place.

As a final note, for those interested in the healing properties of marcasite, here they are:
Marcasite is believed to fend of negative energies, improve one’s communications abilities, and protect those working in dangerous occupations.

Making sterling silver headpins without a torch

The other day I was making headpins and I ran out of gas for my little torch. Since I'm making headpins on the kitchen counter, next to the counter is the cooking appliance. I thought to myself, let's try it, why not. And it worked beautifully! Below are a few steps with pictures on how to do it with your regular cooking appliance.
Note: this is only applicable if you want to make headpins. It DOES not work if you want to solder :) But for a quick fix, if you ran out of gas and you're in the middle of the gorgeous pair of earrings and don't have any headpins left, it works :)

1. Cut your wire to size and put them in the flux (mine is some yellow borax liquid from the local jewelry supply shop). I prefer the flux to touch the whole pin, not only the part to be in the fire

2. Take the wire and hold it similarly to how I hold it in the picture, relatively vertical if possible, so the wire blobs up nicely in the middle. You see the bottom becomes after 1-2 seconds strongly yellow. Right after this it curls up into a nice round blob.

3. Take it away from the fire and inspect it briefly. If the blob is not in the middle, or is too small, or not to your liking, put it brieflyback in the fire and repeat the procedure. IF all is good, go to step 4.

4. In the meantime have hot (but not boiling) water in a jar of some sort, but make sure that the dish is not metal. I use a bowl that I bought yoghurt in a while ago. Then put a teaspoon full of pickle. The brand I use is in this picture.

5. As you finish with each pin, put it in the jar with the pickle. You see as the pins are in the container, they are all dark, ugly, oxidized. If you hadn't used flux before, it would be much much worse! Make sure that if you are using anything metal

to put the pins in the container, the metal does not touch the pickle. On the other hand, do not throw the pins in the pickle carelessly either, as the pickel is acid, and although it's not a strong one (yeah I tested it with my finger once, just coz...), it's still acid and not very healthy for your skin (or god forbid your eyes).

6. Leave the pins in the container for anything btw. 5-10 minutes (at least in my experience), until the headpins are nice and white. They are all coated with the film that will be removed during polishing stage.

7. Take out the pins from the pot using anything but metal. I have a copper thong just for this particular task.

My way of polishing the pins is with a Lortone tumbler. Use stainless steel shot of different forms, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. The US folks recommend Dawn, but as the rest of the world might not be equiped with Dawn, you can use any regular liquid. I'm using in general Palmolive, as this is the one I have in my household. Before that I used a no-name liquid that you buy in the supermarket in larger quantities, as it's cheaper. It worked just the same.

Leave the pins for about an hour or so in the tumbler, and when ready, take them out, rinse well and enjoy using your new home-made pins :)