Wire practice and oxidizing with LOS

So I went out today and bought fine steel wool and I gave LOS another shot. I think this time I had more success with it, particularly due to the steel wool, which is just great! You can actually select what to become ligher and shinier and what remains darker from LOS.
Also I've practiced some more wire wrapping. Not a very good result, but I did say this week is for practicing, not for making jewelry for sale. And I've learned a few things in the process. Plus I had this idea in my head which I wanted to try out. Now I know what I'll do the next time I try the same thing.
And of course, I've oxidized it as well, just for the fun of it.

Wire wrapping

I felt like wire wrapping a bit, so I made this silver amazonite pendant, about 4cm in diameter. I find wrapping around the core quite relaxing. It takes quite a bit of wire, but I love it. I remembered why I started to work with silver and semiprecious stones in the first place. Because of wire wrapping. Being so busy lately with making jewelry to sell for the holidays, I lost track of enjoying learning and getting better at wrapping techniques.
Next week I'm on holidays from work (thank god for small favours), so I will take the time to get myself more advanced in this art form. With no rush for other things, I will have all the time to just do what I like to do best.

Necklace for mom

In about two weeks I am going to visit my parents, who are living currently in Hungary. I haven't seen my mom for almost two years, so I wanted to make her a jewelry gift. I know she likes green, so I though a turquoise and silver necklace should be something she might like. This is the result.

featured on Beadaholique customer gallery

I buy a lot of jewelry supplies at beadaholique.com and at some point I sent in my carnelian mask, as this is where I bought the gorgeous carnelian stone and the little silver beads from. While shopping at the site, I clicked on the customer gallery to see what's new, and there it is my carnelian mask, hehe.

Merry Christmas!

Elli is on count down as and from later today the Christmas here begins - meeting and seeing friends for gift giving and lots laughter! So i thought a quick post now would be better then waking up on Christmas morning knowing I had no chance to wish you all - my friends and customers of 2007 a Very Merry Christmas. So here I am!!

SO to everyone who has supported me during 2007 - I really am blessed with so many talented, and wonderful friends and also my customers who without whom my inspiration could not have been channeled!!

See you all very soon

Loads of love

Jo & Family

xx

(The above necklace "Ethereal Forest" includes artisan beads by Isabelle Anderson with gemstones and crystals)

© Gemheaven 2007

New line - for the younger generation

I'm adding a new line to my Dawanda shop, a much more affordable jewelry line, for the younger ones (say highschool, college students, or young carreer starters). Basically it will be jewelry with less wire wrapping on it and instead of silver chain or semiprecious beads for necklace, I will use various faux leather cords. Less silver = less cost and work involved = cheaper prices.

The first one is a gorgeous carnelian heart with a silver bail and wrapping. The stone itself is so beautiful, it doesn't really need any additional enhancer. The clasps on the cord are sterling silver.

Hungry for psychical when physical not well

It's been already a week since I last poster here. I got the flu so I've been sort of out of synchr during this time. I didn't have any mood to make jewelry, but instead I read 3 books on spirituality. I tried a couple of novels, but nothing grabbed me, so I read instead:

Reaching for the other side by Dawn Hill - this book touched on the author's psychic development, some of her stories, and storied told by others. She even has some exercises scattered here and there that one can follow, if interested in opening up (more) to psychic abilities.

You have been here before by Dr. Edith Fiore - this is a book about past lives and their recall under hypnosis. Typical stories that one reads related to past life regressions. Liked it a lot and only strengthened my belief in reincarnation.

The death are alive by Harold Sherman - this one was quite interesting. It discussed pretty much everything about spirituality, psychic abilities and making contact with the 'other side'. It even touched on EVP (electronic voice phenomena) - remember White Noise the movie?

I guess in the hectic of life lately (stress from work, busy with jewelry, etc) I didn't have time to slow down and just touch on my soul. Heck, I even stopped meditating.
Sometimes the universe has its way of reminding you of what's more important, to put the priorities straight in life. Just stop, and smell the flowers, that's already enough at times.