Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Amethyst Four-Way Medal

This piece feels very old world.  The bronze replicas of an antique crucifix medal and ornamental centerpiece are very simply strung together on Vintaj brass wires with 6mm beads of natural lavender amethyst.  The slight irregularities of the gemstone beads give it that antique vintage look.  The necklace is 16" long, and can extend to 18.25".  The front of the medal features a crucifix, St. Joseph, the Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Grace, and St. Christopher.  The reverse identifies the wearer as a Catholic in the event of an emergency.  The set includes matching dangle earrings and a 6.5" bracelet which can extend to 8".






Snow Quartz Stella Maris

This 16.75" necklace is made with Vintaj brass findings, 4mm snow quartz and 6mm white river shell for a bronze replica of an antique Stella Maris medal.  The reverse of the medal is just as lovely as the front.  Asymmetrically placed Vintaj brass swallow charms make a distinctive impression.  The set includes matching dangle earrings and a 6.75" bracelet which can extend up to 8.5".



The back view:



Saturday, January 26, 2013

Black Glass Seven Sorrows

This is a 32" remake of the double-wrap Seven Sorrows necklace I made for myself out of 6mm and 4mm black traditional Czech glass beads, which are still made in small factories in the Czech Republic.  The centerpiece is a sterling silver replica of an antique medal, and the beads are strung on stainless steel wire.



Serpentine St. Hubert

This Vintaj brass necklace features a bronze replica of an antique medal depicting St. Hubert's (or St. Eustace's) stag.  According to legend, the saint experienced a dramatic conversion after being confronted by a stag with a crucifix in it's antlers while on a hunting trip.  The necklace is 17.5" long with a 3.5" tassel.  A detachable extension chain is included, which can add up to an additional 6".  The beads are 6mm and 4mm natural green Russian serpentine.  Also included are dangle earrings and a 6.5" bracelet which can extend up to 8.25".




Pyrite/Serpentine Ave Maria

This four-strand Vintaj brass necklace is built around a large bronze replica of an antique Ave Maria monogram medal.  26.5" at it's longest point, it features 4mm and 6mm pyrite beads and 4mm green Russian serpentine beads.  The set includes matching dangle earrings and an approximately 7" three-strand bracelet.  







Saturday, January 19, 2013

Obsidian Seven Sorrows

Here's a slightly gothic piece.  A 30" wrap-around necklace made of 3mm and 6mm natural black obsidian and 4mm natural silk stone built around a sterling silver replica of an antique rosary centerpiece depicting the Seven Sorrows of the Immaculate Heart.  The back of the medal depicts the Sacred Heart.  An extension chain adds 3" of adjustability.  The matching bracelet is 6.5", but can extend to 8.25".  All findings are stainless steel except for the clasps and extension chains, which are platinum-plated.



The back view:





White Pearl Fleur-de-lis

AVAILABLE:  $50.00 + $5.00 shipping

If I had my wedding to do over again, this is what I would wear.  A simple and elegant necklace of white cultured pearls built around a sterling silver replica of an antique rosary centerpiece.  The complete set includes a matching 7.5" bracelet and drop earrings.  The pearls are strung on stainless steel wire for extra durability.  The clasps, ear wires and drop pins are platinum-plated.



The back view:





Wednesday, January 9, 2013

White Shell St. Joan of Arc

This necklace is sized for a child, but includes an extension chain so it can be worn for years to come.  The medal (5/8") is bronze, and pictures St. Joan's vision of St. Michael the Archangel on the front, her execution on the back.  The beads are 6mm white river shell and 3mm Swarovski pearls on Vintaj natural brass pins and findings.  The necklace is 12.5" long, but extends up to 15.5".   It comes with a matching 6" bracelet, which extends up to 7.5".





Hematite/Gunmetal St. Anne

I made this for my sister because the St. Anne medal was just too cool to pass up.  The beads are 6mm hematite, 4mm gunmetal-plated brass, and 3mm platinum-plated brass, all on 21 gauge stainless steel pins.  The medal is sterling silver.





Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Agate/Obsidian Crucifix

A 15.5" necklace using 4mm black glass beads, 6mm black agate beads, and black obsidian chips.  The agate is streaked with soft brown tones.  The crucifix and centerpiece are sterling silver, the beads are strung with stainless steel pins and finished with a platinum-plated clasp.  Matching bracelet and earrings are available.  Both necklace and earrings come with platinum-plated extension chains.




Both the agate and the obsidian are natural semiprecious gemstones and have not been dyed or color-treated.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WEAR:

"Agate is a microcrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks." (Wikipedia)

"Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.
It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows, where the chemical composition (high silica content) induces a high viscosity and polymerization degree of the lava. The inhibition of atomic diffusion through this highly viscous and polymerized lava explains the lack of crystal growth. Obsidian is hard and brittle; it therefore fractures with very sharp edges, which had been used in the past in cutting and piercing tools, and has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades."  (Wikipedia)