In with the new

I had a bit of a play this week, trying out a few new techniques and I got a light tent. A lot of people have commented that I needed to improve my photos. So I got a cheap £25 set from Amazon that included 2 lights as well. This does make the difference, unless you're photographing tiaras. For some reason, tiaras look really flat if you use the light tent.

The reason I was re-photographing my tiaras was that I intend to have my own bridal tiara and jewellery website soon. I've been building it on Weebly this week. So watch this space for more news.

I've made 2 bracelets, 2 pairs of earrings and 1 necklace this week. The first bracelet was my attempt to do something for men. When I saw the black and white jasper, I knew this would work, and the chain gives it a more rocker feel. I even managed to persuade my husband to model it.





I then decided to go to the other extreme and do something very pink. And I mean, very pink.

 

My main piece of work though was slightly inspired by a spiragraph. I wanted to do something different with Howlite skulls, and came up with this. I won't lie, this took me a while. I made a coil and used 3 types of wire. I am very pleased with the result and I did make some earrings to go with it.

 

In other news, Jewellery Maker Tv, have showed my blue flower wirework sodalite and white quartzite necklace on their Wall of Fame. Not only that they used it to promote their jig. They said "These beautiful flowers have been made by Angela. Angela Finch. Thank you Angela, we're using your work as a classic example of how to use the jig. And look how regular and how beautifully sized these flowers are. Look at how symmetrical they are. Look how the designs the same to that flower, to that flower. You can get really beautiful designed uniformed sized flowers on an incrediable design like this. Just Gorgeous. Thank you Angela for sending it in."

 

Photos at last, and my creations

Yay, I finally managed to get the photos to work, all thanks to Folksy Forums. So below are the promised photos of what I made for my Mum's Christmas presents. I really liked the heart necklace.

 

 

I've been mostly making bracelets this week, and entered both of them in Jewellery Maker TV Wall of Fame. And they both feaured, am really pleased about that. The first one is made from blue quartzite, quartz and agate on memory wire and wire wrapped. I was happy with the way it turned out. The presenters said: 'Look at that colour' 'Beautiful colours' 'Great idea' 'Its a beautiful idea, those are my colours as well.' 'Very good' 'I that was on a stall I'd buy that one, cause thats my colours. And then I'd have to buy a holiday as well because that makes me feel like I need to go on holiday' 'Yeah, and with the memory wire bangles they are just so easy you could wear that to the beach, couldn't you' 'Easy, you don't have to worry about clasps or anything. 'Well done Angela' 'Really like that one'.

 

 

The 2nd bracelet was a bit of an experiment but came out really well. I think its my first statement piece. It includes 43 faceted agate roundelles and organza ribbon. The presenters said:  "Angela, I think it looks absolutely beautiful. I love the way they're kinda nesting in the ribbon there. It looks beautiful. Thank you so much for sending that in Angela, it looks lovely."

I have recently started making some sterling silver jewellery that has proved to be popular. Of the 3 items below, only one is still left for sale. The Emerald and Pearl Drop earrings with the pearl at the bottom.

 

Illness and Macrame

Well, it's been a while. I've had a horrible virus that makes half of my face in nearly constant pain, still got it but it’s getting less.

I had a big order of 8 Macrame bracelets this month. Luckily, I find Macrame therapeutic and it helps take my mind off the pain. The blue colours were very popular, and they turned out really well. Now all I have to do is work out how to do my accounts.

 While being ill I’ve been watching a lot of ‘Jewellery Maker TV’ DVDs. This has spurred me on to have a go at my first wirework project, ‘The Tree of Life’. It’s easier than it looks, and I was quite pleased with the result. I used quartz chips for the leaves, I was trying to go for a Gondor style look. Only problem was that some of the colour came off the wire, so I need some nylon covered pliers before I attempt to sell this design. On the bright side, it means that this necklace is mine, and I’ve already had positive comments about it.

 
Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope Father Christmas brings you all you want.