Let the design go where it may!

I really struggled with making this design come together.  I'd add stones, take them off, second guess and put them back on...and on and on for over an hour.  Finally I had to step back, take a big breath, and let the design go where it wanted to.  The results?  Proof that I need to listen to the muse and stop trying to control the ride.

What's new for Fall 2013?

Geode slices!  I love geodes so I was thrilled to find these rustic beauties.  I'll be using these in long necklaces for Fall - some with leather, others with a mix of gemstones and chain.

Of course, I have to keep one for myself!  I had a hard time deciding which one, but in the end this beauty caught my eye.

The first one I'll work with will be the light gray circular one (top row middle).  Right now, I'm thinking about a mix of gray moonstone, tourmalinated quartz, pyrite and oxidized silver.  Can't wait to get started!

Holy dowel!

I spent a little time in Home Depot today buying paint to finish my studio's makeover and picked up these awesome wood dowels.  These are great for forming wire for ear wires, hoops, jump rings, etc.  I plan on using the largest diameter to make a pair of rose gold hoops.  And yes, I did buy one in every diameter!  I don't think the lady who checked me out had ever seen anyone so excited to buy a bunch of wooden poles...

Handmade

There's been a lot of talk lately in the Etsy community about the flood of mass/factory produced items into the handmade marketplace.  Its been in my thoughts lately too as I work on defining/refining my "brand".  What does handmade mean to me?

To the maximum degree possible, I make by hand all of the components that I use in my jewelry.  Why?  Because its important to me...because it matters.  I think of myself as an artisan/craftsman.  I think its what helps set my jewelry apart from others.  

Maybe it would be nice to share a glimpse into that process from time to time?  Yes!  So today, I wanted to share some pics of the process I use to make ear wires. First, I choose my wire - sterling silver in this case - and then I measure and cut.

Umm, funny how this is the first time I noticed the warning about safety glasses.  Don't be like me!  Luckily, I wear prescription glasses so I'm covered...right?

Time to file!  Nothing is worse than sharp edges next to tender ears.  I'm working on the end that will make the loop at the front of the ear wire.  You'll see later on that the other end - the one that you slip through your piercing - is a little more labor intensive.

This is a handy little tool that slightly rounds the edges.  

These lucite drops require a larger loop to hang and swing correctly.  

Hammer time!  This helps harden the wire....also good for letting off excess angst and stress...not that I have any of that....

I use these handy pliers to bend the wire into an ear wire-ish shape.  They're actually good for all sorts of projects.

Add the final kick and then trim it down to a not so scary length.

Now its time to file the other end.  Yes, I'm a little fanatical about getting that kick smooth!

Hammer time again.  I actually have a specific number of hits that I use every time.  Hmm, maybe I shouldn't admit these things in public :)

Ta-Da!  After a good cleaning, they are ready to use. 

I hope this post wasn't too boring.  I tend to get a little excited when I start talking "shop".  What can I say?  I love what I do!

This week in the studio....

I received some colorful, beautiful quartz gemstones....

Some of these beauties will be making their way into new designs for next week.  I've already used the green  drops in a version of my popular Ophira earrings and the beautiful blue elongated drops in a new pair of Peyton earrings.

Last night I took the very grainy shot below of some work in progress.  I finished up 2 orders and managed to make 1 and a 1/2 pairs of earrings.  The one I am holding is a new version of my Satchel earrings - I'll finish the set tonight.  The pair sort of hidden by my hand are the Peyton earrings made with blue quartz.

The muse is definitely with me this week!  I can't wait to share the final pics on Monday.  Till then, have a great weekend!

Spring 2013

I love this time of year when things begin to grow and bloom, the temperature is just right, and the sky is a lovely bright blue.

This Spring, I've gathered a mix of lush emerald greens, vibrant pinks and oranges, and sweet pastels to celebrate the season.  I hope you'll enjoy the new designs!

To kick-off the new season, I'm having a sale!  Choose your coupon code - SPRING (for 15% off any purchase) or FREESHIPPING (for free shipping - includes international orders).  Sale ends March 11, 2013.  The coupon codes are for use on both my website, www.KristinaHenning.com, and Kande, my Etsy shop.

Kande Earrings with ruby zoisite

Kande Earrings with hot pink quartz

Ashley Necklace

Olivia Earrings with opal quartz

Green

Do you ever get fixated on a color?  I do all the time.  This month its green.

Kassandra Earrings

Green quartz, smoky quartz, pyrite, tigers eye & silver

Riley Earrings

Emerald green quartz & silver

Julie

How do you know if she is the best friend in the whole world?  When she graciously volunteers to be your model/victim for product shots.  She never says a cross word as you have her poke 30 earrings through her poor little ear, drape her over and over again with necklaces, and push her this way and that way to catch the light.  All in a rush as you try to get this done in a 30 minute lunch break!

The best part of all?  She happily offers to do it again next week!  THANK YOU JULIE!

Hadley

Finally had time to work in the studio a little bit this weekend - yay!  I've had a few requests lately for smaller earrings for everyday wear so I came up with the Hadley earrings.  I love the way these turned out.

Hadley Earrings

Sage green quartz, labradorite silver and gold

I'm hoping my shipment of wire arrives this afternoon.  I've got a lot of creative energy to burn off!

Exciting News

My Delilah Earrings are featured in Bead Style's 365 Earrings, Special Edition. January 2013!  Thanks so much Naomi for giving me this great opportunity!

Delilah - Pink amethyst, antique pink glass seed beads, sunstone,silver and gold

New Pretties

What's new in the studio this week?  These drops of chrysocolla set with gemstones - white topaz (left) and pink sapphire (right).  Such yummy colors!  I already have big plans for the one on the right, but I think I might have to keep the one on the left for myself.....

New this week

It feels so good to be back into the regular routine.  Best of all?  I've got some new sparkly girls going into the shop this week! 

Thalassa Earrings - ammonite fossils with a mix of green and brown gemstones and pearls

 

Gesine Earrings - sugilite, silver and gold

Satchel Earrings - mix of green and teal gemstones

 

Autumn Earrings - gemstones, crystals, gold and silver

 

Olivia Earrings - crimson red quartz and gold

 

Verdant Earrings - black geodes, quartz, silver, gold

Saturday Progress

It's a rainy day down here in little Mauriceville, TX.  Its been raining all week...I'm so ready for it to move on.  On the bright side, I've managed to make a bit of progress in the studio.  Here's what I spent my morning working on courtesy of Instagram...

I'm loving the black geodes with the sage green quartz drops.  I love the sugilite too - the purple color is gorgeous.  

Time to head back into the studio.  I hope you're enjoying your Saturday as much as I am. Bye!

Hello Stranger!

Oh my, its been quite a while since I've blogged.  I took some time off during the holidays to spend time with my family and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Now its time to shake off the last of the holiday daze, get in the studio, and get to wrapping!  Here's a little glimpse into what I've been up to this week....

I found a drawer full of packages at the post office....not once, but three times!  *happiness*

Inside the packages, I found an explosion of color....quartz, sugilite, garnet, and more!

I made some fine silver head pins with my handheld torch....

...and then I used some of the head pins & light teal quartz to make this version of my Satchel earrings...

It was a wonderful way to kick off the New Year!  I hope 2013 is treating you well too.  Well, its time to head into the studio to see what kind of trouble I can get into tonight.  See you back here on Monday evening!

New Gemstones. Winter Sale.

Well, the holidays are definitely on the way! Things are crazy-busy in the studio, but in between orders I'm planning out new pieces for 2013.  I'll try to pop in here and share news when I can...like these sparkling beauties that arrived the other day...

Olive quartz, ametrine, and teal quartz

If you're looking for a gift or want to treat yourself, drop by the shop for my annual Winter Sale...

Save 15% off orders at KristinaHenning.com or at my Kande shop on Etsy.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Well, I'm still toiling away in the studio in preparation for the upcoming holidays. Thought I would drop in and share one of the lovely pieces that found its way in the shop this week.

Giselle Earrings with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, gold and a touch of silver

These turquoise drops are from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona.  Wonder what the heck that looks like?  Well here are some pictures:

Sleeping Beauty Mine

By the way, I've had several questions this month about sales for the upcoming holiday season so I thought I would throw this out there for all to see:

* I will be having my annual Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale this year from 11/23 - 11/26 (on my website & on Etsy)

* Yes, there will be a coupon code especially for my FB fans to use during that time...but, no I don't know what it will be yet

I haven't figured out all the details, so that's all I can say about it right now. I will release the details of the sale on Monday 11/19.  Check my Facebook page for details http://www.facebook.com/KandeJewelry

Elizabeth Necklace. Ametrine.

I wrapped up some lovely projects this weekend including the newest version of my Elizabeth necklace.

In case your wondering, the purple and yellow stone is called ametrine.  Ametrine is a naturally occurring mix of amethyst and citrine.  It is one of my favorite gemstones.  Here's an example of what it looks like in a more natural state...

 

Image via Pinterest

Now I'm off  to clean up my studio. I found myself in a bit of a creative whirlwind this weekend and moved into each new project without putting up the elements from the previous projects.  Now the top of my jewelry bench is a sparkling, cluttered mess!

Work in Progress. Green and Teal.

I thought I'd try something a little different here on the ol' blog - sharing pics of works in progress.  These will be quickie shots taken with the Instagram app on my phone to keep them spontaneous.

So here we go...

I was almost through with this design before I got struck by the idea of a work in progress shot.  This pair of earrings includes green tourmalinated quartz, antique leland slag in teal, vesuvianite, labradorite, moss aquamarine, peacock teal quartz, freshwater pearls and silver.  I made all the fine silver head pins myself with a torch.  I also made the ear wires (no pictured) by hand. Tomorrow morning I'll oxidized the silver in this pair of earrings and then buff it.

It was a wonderful day in the studio!  Along with the earrings above, I finished two more pairs of earrings with cascades, two more Hudson necklaces, two pairs of Peyton earrings with carnelian and lapis, and a pair of Gesine earrings with a huge pair of marquis carnelians - the unwrapped drops are a long 2 inches!  My thumb joints are killing me but I'm happy as can be.  I'm hoping to be able to finish an Elizabeth necklace with a large teardrop of ametrine in the morning.

Hopefully the sunny weather we had today will hold out for tomorrow afternoon's photo shoot.  The last couple of Sundays have been overcast and the photos haven't turned out as well as I had hoped.  If the weather cooperates, I'll reshoot some of the previous pieces while I'm at it. Look for the new pieces to start making their way into the shop on Monday.

Now its time to head off to bed so I can get an early start in the morning.  Good night all!

Orange. Color Inspiration.

Source: starsmasquerading.tumblr.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: design-seeds.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: stylebistro.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: nicolarobynevents.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

Source: feelinglovesome.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest