Have you ever stumbled across some random item and fallen head over heels with it? You don't need it, but you want it....bad! It happened to me this morning when I saw this amethyst bathtub...
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Bathtub Envy
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Rocks, Minerals & Gems....Oh My!
Ugh, my new shipment of wire was delayed in its arrival through snail mail, so I didn't get any pieces finished (or started) this weekend. Its nice to take a break every once in a while...or at least that is what I've been telling myself. Saturday, I got caught up on all the housework that is constantly put off so I can have some quality studio time. Saturday evening, I felt on top of the world - Super Mom to the rescue. By 8:00 a.m. Sunday, I was bored as heck!
What's a gal to do!?! When in doubt - Pinterest! I decided to start a Pinterest board dedicated to my sweet true love - rocks, minerals and gems. I found some real beauties too! Check it out if you get a chance - http://pinterest.com/kristinahenning/rocks-minerals-gems/
Here's a sneak peek...
I also started a blog on Tumblr - random thoughts. What am I sharing over there? Random thoughts in the form of photos of pretty stuff, quotes I like or find inspiring, and my favorite predictions from fortune cookies. Stop by if you get a chance, I'm at http://kristinahenning.tumblr.com/.
Monday, October 15, 2012
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...
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...
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!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Fall Colors
I'm always on the lookout for new color combinations. Here's a few that have caught my eye for Fall from Design Seeds along with a few possible gemstone combos...
You can find more color inspiration at Design Seeds http://design-seeds.com/.
Smoky quartz, rhodocrosite, champagne citrine, citrine and not sure about the last color...maybe a dark peach moonstone or something from Swarovski crystal like crystal copper
Scapolite or beige pearl, moss aquamarine, smoky quartz, black spinel, rutilated quartz
From top - This is a hard one....maybe cats eye scapolite, smoky quartz, plum sapphire, rutilated quartz, champagne citrine or soft gold pearl
Silver quartz, gray moonstone, black onyx, peach moonstone, lemon quartz
Chalcedony, blue topaz, burgundy Swarovski crystal, carnelian, .....mmm, mustard yellow...maybe a yellow jasper or a gold freshwater pearl
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
I've got the bug.....
Once the first little wisp of cooler air hits each September, I'm overcome with the redecorating bug. I'm not talking a little rearranging either! Its a full on repaint every wall in the house, repaint all the floors, out with the old, in with the new, move everything around in the house kind of bug. Thankfully, a hectic life keeps things down to a minimum.
The best and most challenging part of being struck by the redecorating bug is, due to a very limited budget, I've got to be resourceful and willing to get my hands dirty. This year, I'm also feeling very crafty. Here's a few of the ideas I have planned for this Fall (with a little help from my Pinterest boards):
This is so awesome! I have hard wood floors throughout most of my house but they are all painted boring off-white. Why didn't I think of this? I'm going to try it out in the living room first.
I think one of these would look awesome on my back porch. Plus, I happen to have an old washtub....
This is too cute! What a neat way to write little messages. I think I have an old globe of Elijah's that I can use for this project. If not, these are easily found (and cheap) at garage sales.
I think I need one of these for my studio. Especially love the bright turquoise color! I don't have a larger frame like this, but I see them all the time at garage sales, Goodwill and thrift stores.
And yes, I do have plans to repaint almost every wall in my house too! I've got big plans to pick up paint chips this weekend. This year I'll try to be brave enough to share pictures.
The best and most challenging part of being struck by the redecorating bug is, due to a very limited budget, I've got to be resourceful and willing to get my hands dirty. This year, I'm also feeling very crafty. Here's a few of the ideas I have planned for this Fall (with a little help from my Pinterest boards):
This is so awesome! I have hard wood floors throughout most of my house but they are all painted boring off-white. Why didn't I think of this? I'm going to try it out in the living room first.
This is too cute! What a neat way to write little messages. I think I have an old globe of Elijah's that I can use for this project. If not, these are easily found (and cheap) at garage sales.
I think I need one of these for my studio. Especially love the bright turquoise color! I don't have a larger frame like this, but I see them all the time at garage sales, Goodwill and thrift stores.
And yes, I do have plans to repaint almost every wall in my house too! I've got big plans to pick up paint chips this weekend. This year I'll try to be brave enough to share pictures.
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