Enlivened Heart Jewelry

21Apr
0

Handcrafted Semi Precious Jewelry

When it comes to making jewelry there are a lot of different options out there. You will find cheap plastic beads, more expensive acrylic beads (fancier plastic), glass, crystal (glass with lead or other ingredients mixed), and even semi precious gemstones. In fact, with a growing demand of semi precious jewelry more and more crafters, artisans, and jewelry designers are adding beautiful semi precious gemstone beads to their list of must haves.

There are a lot of different options when it comes to picking out stones for semi precious jewelry. Beads, pendants, charms, and focal pieces come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, designs, and even materials. There is also a wide variety of gemstones cut into shapes and then put into settings. There is something for everyone and finding the perfect pieces can always be done.

What is Semi Precious Jewelry?

The first thing that one needs to define for themselves is what is semi precious jewelry? Everyone has a different answer and those answers will effect the types of things you want to make or the types of jewelry you choose to buy. First there are the gemstones. Semi precious gemstones come in a wide variety and more and more are fitting into that category as time passes on. Common ones on the list include amethyst, garnet, topaz, moonstone, aquamarine, and onyx as just a few examples in a wide range of prices. Many people would definitely jump at the idea that amethyst is indeed a semi precious gemstone, but some would say that onyx is not. You have to define what fits into the category of semi precious jewelry.

Next there are a few different types of metals to consider. Here you have to ask if brass, copper, or nickel blends can be used on semi precious jewelry. Many people use semi precious gemstones with inexpensive metals. Others think that the metal has to be at least plated with silver or gold. Silver seems to be a great option for semi precious jewelry, but there are also others who want gold. Again, the decision is one each person has to make.

What an Artisan Can Do to Make Semi Precious Jewelry

There are a lot of different methods that can be used by artisans to make high quality semi precious jewelry. The simplest designs combine semi precious beads that are carefully strung into an appealing pattern. Others will use semi precious pendants and focal pieces. Some will make elaborite strands of beads and others will leave it on a simple strand of beads or even a chain. One unique options is to wire wrap a semi precious stone and use this as the pendant. All of these can make beautiful semi precious jewelry options, but you don’t have to stop there. Beadweavers can add semi precious stones into bead weaving projects and beads can be wire wrapped for special touches. The options are limitless.

Reasons to Buy Handcrafted Semi Precious Jewelry

There are a number of reasons to buy handcrafted jewelry in general. These include factors such as a higher quality, the love that went into each piece, and the higher likelihood that it is a one of a kind piece. However, semi precious jewelry has some other advantages as well. Most times the quality of the piece is much higher than many other locations. This is especially true for beaded jewelry items. In most cases the quality of the beads is also higher.

Semi precious jewelry is one that is highly sought after. There is a reason for it to because its quality is higher than acrylic beads and gemstones offer a look all of their own. Choosing to purchase semi precious jewelry not only says something about you, but will also last a life time. Handcrafted semi precious jewelry takes things to the next level.

Posted by admin in Uncategorized and tagged with ,
28Mar
0

How To Make Wrapped Jewelry

Wrapped jewelry is a term that different people use for different methods of combining wire and beads. Some people’s wrapped beads are simply those with wire loops attached and others use the term for pendants that have been intricately wrapped with wire. In each case the method can be used to make beautiful wrapped jewelry.

Simple Loops. This method works for top drilled beads to make dangles for necklaces or bracelets or for the end of dangling earrings. To do this you run the wire through the whole at the top and form a wrapped loop at the top. This method can be made with beads as well. You run the wire through the center of the bead and then make a wrapped loop on each end. This is an easy method that allows you to combine elements to make lovely wrapped jewelry, but it isn’t a method that makes intricately wrapped jewelry.

Wrapped Beads. The next option is to make wraps or loops around the beads as well as your wrapped loops to connect the beads. With solid colored beads this can have a stunning effect and make for lovely bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings.

Simple Free Hand Wraps. You can also make pendents and earrings with free hand wraps. Often this is done with one or two wires that wrap around the item and create a freehand or freestyle look. These items are pretty, but lack the stunning work of very intricate wrapped jewelry.

Intricate Wrapped Jewelry. This method is much more complicated and takes a lot more practice. Often wires are temperarily taped together using masking tape. They are then wrapped around the edge of a pendent. At the top the wires are then brought down and over the piece in spirals, loops, whirls, and other patterns. Beads can also be “caged” using similar wire wrapping techniques. These pieces are stunning, usually wrapped in gold or sterling silver, and cost a lot more than other wrapped items.

Making wrapped jewelry depends on what method you want to use. You can start out simple and work your way up into more complicated methods of wire wrapping.The biggest thing you need to know is you get to define what your wrapped jewelry will look like!

Posted by admin in Techniques and tagged with , , ,
22Mar
2

What is a Lariat Necklace

There are a lot of different terms used to describe different types of jewelry. One fantastic necklace type if the lariat necklace. The lariat necklace is designed to drape over around the neck and then form a Y shape down the neck. This can be achieved in a couple of different ways.

One long strand. With lariat necklaces there are a few different options. The first option is a long strand. This can be a single strand or more than one strand hooked together. In either case, a person drapes it around the neck and then gently knots the two ends together to form the Y. You have complete control over how tight it is around the neck and even how long the ends are. Longer lariat necklaces can also  be worn like a scarf or wrapped around the neck more than once.

Loop end. The other major way to make a lariat necklace is to leave a loop in one end. This allows you to place the other end through the loop to form your Y. While this can have a very pretty appearance, this type of lariat necklace has fewer options that can be done with it. You can leave it unwrapped, but one end will have a loop and the other end will not.

Lariat necklaces are beautiful and versatile. They can also come in a huge variety of styles and each lariat will look different. Length as well as the size of the beads and the number of strands in the necklace will all make a difference in how the piece looks. You will see them made in a wide variety of beads, gemstones, and other materials. However, it isn’t likely that you will find a lariat necklace made with chain. This is because the chain is likely to become tangled during the process. Lariat Necklaces have a lot to offer anyone who likes to wear beautiful necklaces.

In the example here there are six strands of seed beads accented with crystals, pearls, 24kt gold beads, and gold lined bugle beads. This lariat necklace is fairly long, but not long enough to wrap around the neck more than once. None the less it is a lovely piece.

Posted by admin in Necklaces and tagged with , ,
15Mar
4

Different Types of Bead Weaving

Weaving has been a process that has produced many beautiful cloths over the years and most of us envision a loom and some woman spending hours weaving at it when we think of weaving. However, many different cultures have used weaving techniques and stitches with beads to produce beautiful beaded items throughout history. There are many different beaded stitches that can be used for a wide variety of items. In fact, there are more stitches than I could possibly list here, but these are some of the different types of bead weaving stitches and how they are commonly used.

Bead Weaving Technique #1 – On the Loom

As a young girl I first learned about bead weaving on a loom. This practice was very common among Native American tribes and is one that resembles a traditional idea of weaving because it is on a loom. Strands are attached to the loom vertically. Then the beads (seed beads) are woven around the vertical strands in a horizontal direction. Often pictures or images are created. These can make beautiful bracelets, head bands, decorations for items around the home, and even pictures.

Bead Weaving Technique #2 – The Right Angle Weave

Weaving is about interlacing things together. While the right angle weave doesn’t produce a look that one traditionally thinks of as woven, it’s process if very much one of weaving. Beads are put on the needle. One must run the needle back through the beads to form a square. More beads are added and the thread run through some of them to make a series of squares from the beads. This process is often done with seed beads, but can also be done with other beads. In the picture example bicone crystals were used along with 4mm “stardust” silver beads to make a lovely choker.

Bead Weaving Technique #3 – Peyote Stitch

I don’t know the history of this stitch. It is named after the Peyote Tribe of Native Americans and that would leave me to believe that they used it often or may have even created it. In either case this is a beautiful stitch that creates a piece of beadwork that is heavy duty and more like a cloth. It can also be used to create patterns or even pictures. Another interesting fact is that after the piece is started you add each bead on one at a time making anything of decent size a very time consuming process. You can enhance the beadwork with other stitches or dangles as well. There are several methods of peyote that differ from one another in small ways allowing your to create a variety of looks from this one stitch. The example here is a diagonal peyote with a simple dangle. It has been made into a bracelet and has a lot of sparkle from the seed beads used.

This is just an introduction of the different kinds of bead weaving. There are literally hundreds of stitches and variations of the different stitches allowing beadweavers to make jewelry, decorations, and even 3-D art with beads. The process is time consuming, but usually worth the results.

Posted by admin in Bead Weaving and tagged with , ,
04Feb
0

My Plans

I am still struggling to find a balance between writing and making beautiful jewelry. Add to this the desire to sell my beautiful creations and I really find that I am at a loss for making it all work. Here is the gernal plan. I hope to work hard writing for most of spring. I will be adding a few new pieces of jewelry to my shop each month and this fall I have some amazing ideas.

What are you working on?

I am working on a wide range of projects. I want to increase this blog so that it has more to offer the reader. I will be writing a wide range of articles here as well as sharing the projects I am working on. I will eventually get to the point where I am working on jewelry making each and every week. It may take a few months to actually get to this point, but I look forward to it.

In addition to working on Enlivened Heart Jewelry website I am also working on a number of other projects.

  • aidenofthetower – This is my personal blog that connects everything that I do. I found that I had too much going on and really needed a good place to connect everything.
  • The Phat Diaries – The Phat Diaries is a blog about weight loss. It includes a lot of great information, loads of tips, and more.
  • 5Currencies – I have learned a lot over the past few years about making money online. I am a member of a great team sharing a lot of information of making money online as well as information about the four other currencies in your life: time, reputation, connections, and knowledge.
  • InfoBarrel, HubPages, Squidoo, and other revenue sharing sites. I have been working hard on a wide variety of sites to produce more content and also to increase my earnings.

Stay Tuned.

I definitely recommend that you stay tuned in. There will be a lot of great posts this next few months.  Plus this fall will be really exciting with a fantastic secret that will burst open and should please everyone!

Posted by admin in Uncategorized and tagged with , ,
29Jan
1

Why I Make One of a Kind Jewelry

I thought long and hard about what I wanted from my jewelry making and selling experience. I researched the best methods to make money from your jewelry. The truth is that it isn’t a great idea to make one of a kind jewelry if you want to make a lot of money. However, I decided that I wanted to make one of a kind jewelry any way.

Why It’s Better Not to Make One of a Kind Jewelry

One of a kind jewelry is time consuming. You have to take the time to figure out what you are going to make and then lay out the beads. You may have to try a few new things. If it doesn’t work you will have to take it apart. All of this is the most time consuming part. If you are just stringing beads then once the design is figured out it is really quick and easy. Even when doing bead weaving it is always faster the second time. By deciding to make lots of a single design you have several advantages.

  1. You can buy beads in bulk. If you are going to use a lot of the same beads you can often save money on supplies.
  2. You design it once. This is the time consuming part of most projects. While bead weaving is still time consuming you often have to take it apart or start over when designing  new piece. This wouldn’t have to be done when repeating the piece again.
  3. You get faster and faster when making the piece again.
  4. You can hire someone to make it. While this is usually something down the road and once you begin to make money, the truth is that you can pay someone else to make your design over and over again. I read up on a very successful woman who has become a designer and a seller. She hires a family in the Philippines to make her designs and she sells her jewelry all over the United States. Each season she designs new items, takes them with her to the Philippines, and teaches her family how to make them. This can only be done if you skip the one of a kind jewelry idea.

Why Choose to Make One of a Kind Jewelry?

There are a number of reasons that I choose to make one of a kind jewelry. When it comes to me, it is more exciting. I find the design process the most exciting part of making jewelry. However, that isn’t the only reason that I decided to make one of a kind jewelry items.

  • You really do deserve one of a kind jewelry! Every woman deserves to own a beautiful piece that no one else has. I really believe this.
  • One of a kind jewelry not only makes the customer special it makes the jewelry special.

While it is more time consuming, harder to sell (sometimes the idea of making a single listing for hundreds of items sounds so easy), and makes it more expensive it is worth it. because you are worth one of a kind jewelry!

Posted by admin in Uncategorized and tagged with ,
28Jan
1

Gemstone Beads – Gotta Love Them

Over the years I have made a lot of different types of jewelry. However, there are things that have changed in my style and I have fallen in love with some materials over others. One thing that I love working with is gemstone beads. Gemstone beads come in a huge variety and even before they are worked into beautiful designs they call to my heart.

Different Kinds of Gemstone Beads

There are a huge variety of different kinds of gemstone beads. Not only can you find many types of semi-precious gemstones you can also find fine gemstones and other minerals and stones that make beautiful beads. They also come in a wide variety of shapes. My favorites tend to be fairly standard such as rounds and oval shapes.

gemstone beadsWays to Use Gemstone Beads

Gemstone beads can be strung on a nylon coated wire for a quick and easy project. This often looks amazing if you choose the right beads to mix it with. You can also use gemstone beads in combination with chains, seed beads, or even beadweaving. These things can be used to highlight the beautiful gemstone beads.

Buying Gemstone Beads

There are a lot of different places that you can buy gemstone beads. I like to buy my beads on eBay. Sometimes when I get the package it is a little disappointing. However, there are lots of other times when what arrives in the package is amazing and is more than worth the risk. The deals that I get on eBay are also amazing. I have also purchased from Amazon with great results and on those times when I just can’t wait any longer I will head on over to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Craft store. There are definitely great gemstone beads, but they cost a lot more.

Working the Gemstone Beads Into Jewelry

I often have beautiful gemstone beads sitting on my desk. From there I see combinations when they end up next to each other and can wait for an idea to hit me. That’s what really happens too. Most of the time I would love to take credit for some amazing ideas and patterns, but they just hit me. On the occasions when I want to work with gemstone beads that haven’t somehow hit me with an amzing design I often find myself struggling. I will try several things before finally coming up with a good design. While I often enjoy this process as well as putting the beautiful jewelry together, it can counter productive to putting together a lot of jewelry very quickly.

I have also gotten to be  a lot pickier. I won’t put together or keep pieces put together that I don’t love. I have a number of things that are okay or decent, but not amazing and I plan on taking them apart to come up with some sort of amazing creation. However, gemstone beads are definitely one of my favorite beads to work with.

Posted by admin in Uncategorized and tagged with , , , ,
08Jan
0

Work, Work, and More Work

I haven’t had the chance to make or finish any new jewelry in awhile. Instead I have been working on the various writing projects to increase my earnings.

I currently have this blog, where my goal is to share why I make the jewelry that I do and maybe even a little how I make the jewelry I do. I write for The Phat Diaries where I share my weight loss and the things I learn about being healthy. Then there is aidenofthetower where I share what it is like to write and what I learn about making money online. Finally, I am on a team that is working hard to put together the ultimate resource for real wealth, 5Currencies.

I have also been trying to post an item or two in the store almost everyday. I have 300 items already made from a show I was planning on doing last fall. The show didn’t work out, but I will be placing each of these items in the store. It will take awhile at one or two items a day, but I am okay with that.

However, my plan is to get to the point where I can work on making jewelry at least one day a week. I find it much more relaxing and enjoyable than other types of activities. I love making new jewelry and really long to do it regularly.

Well, I am off to put some more items in my store. I will talk with you later.

Posted by admin in Uncategorized
03Jan
0

3 Items

Posting items to Etsy is a bit time consuming. First I have to take pictures and measure the pieces. Then resize them because they are too big coming off of the memory card. Then I have to write the description and include lots of detail. The pictures need to be uploaded. All in all, I am not very fast at it yet. So, I am excited to announce that I have three whole items uploaded all ready. Not as much as I want, but not a horrible start.

The first item I listed is one of my favorites. It uses copper glass seed beads that are woven together for a very lightweight and lacy look.

The second item I listed is a necklace that combines pearls, crystals, glass beads, spacers, and bead caps for an amazing look.

Finally I listed a pair of earrings that are wire wrapped and made with peach glass pearls.

All in all, definitely things worth getting excited about!

Posted by admin in Uncategorized
02Jan
0

Launch Day 2

Okay. So launch day hasn’t turned out quite as planned. One thing that I have learned over the last couple of years struggling to make an income online doing things that I love is that balance is one of the hardest things to find in this world. The past two months haven’t gone as planned because I was needed to help out family. That isn’t something I am upset about, but it does mean that I am behind in all of my online work.

Add to that a new website that I have been working on for the last 10 days or so and you have one busy Mama. I am really excited about the new website! I am working with a group of people from around the world. Together we are creating a wealth resource. While it is related to how you make money online, it goes much deeper than that by showing you how to increase the wealth in all five types of currencies including time, reputation, connections, knowledge, and money. If you are at all interested I would love to have you stop by and check it out all my work (and the work of our amazing team) at 5Currencies!

So, since launch day didn’t go as plan, I am looking at getting right on it tomorrow morning. I want at least five things in the store by tomorrow afternoon when we go to do family dinner. It won’t be easy and I still have a million and one other things to do, but I do think that it will be a great start. I have so many awesome things to offer! :-P

Keep in touch if you have any questions or comments! I would love to hear from you.

Posted by admin in Uncategorized
Next Page »