Here are some earrings I made the other day, during Isaac’s (shortening) naps.  They are hung on handmade sterling silver headpins, then attached to sterling silver ear posts.  

I spent the better part of today working on some ceramic pendants and beads.  I have a huge kiln, and it will take a long time to fill it unless I get some other, larger pieces made.  I’m trying a new clay which is giving me fewer problems with warpage; I’m also sandwiching the flat pendants between boards. 

  I love pearls.  I find it fascinating that something that started out as basically an itch in a mollusk shell could come out so lusterous.   I received my first pearls, a set of large pearl earrings, from my sister when I graduated high school.  When I was 26 I bought my strand of pearls which I eventually wore on my wedding day.  I had no idea at the time, though, that pearls came in so many colors and shapes. 

 Pearls are the birthstone of June (alternate June birthstones are Moonstone and Alexandrite).   They are seen as a sign of purity (hence the “Pearly Gates”).  The ancient Greeks believed pearls were actually the tears of Aphrodite, while the Chinese believed they originated from the brains of dragons.  For many years only the wealthy were allowed to own pearls, as they were a status symbol. Cleopatra once made a wager with Marc Antony that she could host the most expensive meal in history.  He was impressed, but did not believe that the meal was any more extravagent than any other she had hosted.  Cleopatra then removed one of her pearl earrings, worth a fortune at the time, and dropped it into her wine,  which she proceeded to drink as the pearl dissolved.  Antony conceded defeat.

 Naturally formed pearls are relatively rare today, so if you have a strand handed down through the family, cherish them. Most pearls available in the trade today are cultured, either freshwater or marine.  They are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and can be bleached white or dyed virtually any color of the rainbow. 

  Even if you’re not interested in wearing a “classic” pearl strand, the variety of shapes and colors means that virtually everyone should be able to find a style to suit them.   They are suitable for birthdays, graduations, shower presents; you name it, pearls are a wonderful gift.  For jewelry designers, the possibilites are endless.

Sorry if you visited my site this afternoon and, well, couldn’t find it.  I think I have it straightened back out.  Tried to move my blog up as my home page.  Obviously didn’t work.

I spent last night flipping back and forth between Home Shopping Network and QVC.  Jewelry nights on both.  On HSN there were some gorgeous picture jasper pendants and earrings.  I can’t really remember what I saw on QVC (it was late and I was enjoying my Benedryl).   The night before Tori Spelling had some attractive pieces on HSN as well.  I never used to watch those stations until I started making jewelry; now sometimes I set the timer on the tv.

Yellow gold is big again.  And is it just me, or are there an awful lot of crosses being created?

Check out this blogroll of Etsy sellers, buyers, teams, etc. 

http://mothtoflame.com/etsy_blogs.html

 I just uploaded quite a few pictures onto Indiepublic today.  I really need to get to work….

So I spent the last 4 hours trying to upgrade my WordPress to the latest version.  Thank goodness for backups.  We are back to an older version.  Why can’t it just “do it” like all the other programs that have to be updated?  Grrr

Well, I was up till the wee hours last night reading through my copy of “Ceramic Bead Jewelry” by Jenniver Heynen.  Well worth the price.  She uses low fire clay, and thoroughly reviews all the steps necessary to create the beads.  She also addressed some issues that I’ve had trouble with in the past.  The beads are gorgeous.  Not all of the projects are my taste, but so easily adaptable. So, my first impression was right, 2 thumbs up!

 If it’s not one thing, it’s another.  I think the computers of the world have conspired against me to make every stinkin’ thing I try to do totally impossible.  So I’m going to keep it short and just post some earrings I finished today.  Maybe.  Suddenly I’m having an awful time trying to get pictures uploaded to this blog.  I know I have to update WordPress to the latest version, but quite frankly, I had such a hard time getting the other blog up and running, I almost want to limp along with this version.  Almost.

 Finished these earrings today, during the “Battle of the PC.”  Lucite with Sterling Silver. Fun!

Got a new book today about Ceramic Beads by Jennifer Heynen of Jangles. I’ve been looking forward to this since I pre-ordered it in March.  I’ll be reviewing it in a couple of days, but judging by my initial browse, two thumbs up!

  Just a little teaser…this necklace will be posted on etsy tomorrow.  Rose quartz, cultured pearls, cloisonne and Swarovski beads, and sterling silver wire.

Just a quick post today.  “The Boy” is up from his nap…

Since I sold my last pair of earrings with the etsy theme “Flowers for Mom” I decided to put another pair up, even though the sale will only last till this saturday.  Here are my cherry blossom earrings, regularly $24, but on sale this week for $18.  They are made from lucite and sterling silver.

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11801596

Well, I was going to post these new earrings that I made yesterday here with a link to them at etsy, but when I got up this morning, they had already sold!  I guess it was worth battling the computer to get the images up.  My first sale on etsy (that seemed to take forever….).  Here’s a picture of them, anyway.  I’ll be making more, probably with different colored centers….