This beautiful Black and Copper Sterling Plated Cuff Bracelet was created by Heidi Urbanski.
Heidi Urbanski is a stained glass jewelry artist in State College, PA. She has soldered a flat back marble to the bracelet and wrapped it in pure copper wire. Simple and nice! You can visit her etsy shop at http://hurbanski.etsy.com or Facebook
Read more...
By now, if you have not discovered the wonderful world of polymer clay beads, it is still not too late!
Handmade polymer clay beads has been a favourite medium for many independent artistes around the world. Google "polymer clay beads" and you will find thousands (if not millions!) of articles from making them to buying ready made ones from renowned artisans. If you want total exclusivity in designs, you can also have them customised!
The learning process of making my own polymer clay beads have brought me much gratification the past 2 years. These clay beads have certainly enhanced my jewelry collections, making them stand out from the crowd, especially when no two beads will be exactly the same. You will be surprised at how even a small clay bead focal makes a creation special and attractive.
I will leave you here with some of my sold out creations featuring the use of my handmade clay beads as focals.
Perhaps you would consider using them in your next creation!
I recently got a book on Chinese knotting. From knotting, the author turns it into beatiful jewelry and accessories. Looking at the designs, I am very eager to learn and master the art of chinese knotting. Chinese knot is a decorative handicraft arts that began as a form of Chinese folk art in the Tang and Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) in China. It was later popularized in the Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368-1911 AD). The art is also referred to as Chinese traditional decorative knots[1]. In other cultures, it is known as "Decorative knots".
Archaeological studies indicate that the art of tying knots dates back to prehistoric times. Recent discoveries include 100,000-year old bone needles used for sewing and bodkins, which were used to untie knots. However, due to the delicate nature of the medium, few examples of prehistoric Chinese knotting exist today. Some of the earliest evidence of knotting have been preserved on bronze vessels of the Warring States period (481-221 BCE), Buddhist carvings of the Northern Dynasties period (317-581) and on silk paintings during the Western Han period (206 BCE-CE6).
Further references to knotting have also been found in literature, poetry and the private letters of some of the most infamous rulers of China. In the 1700s, one book that talked extensively about the art was Dream of the Red Chamber[2].
The phenomenon of knot tying continued to steadily evolve over the course of thousands of years with the development of more sophisticated techniques and increasingly intricate woven patterns. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) knotting finally broke from its pure folklore status, becoming an acceptable art form in Chinese society and reached the pinnacle of its success. Knotting continued to flourish up until about the end of imperial China and the founding of the Republic of China in 1911 AD when China began its modernization period[1]. From 1912 to the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the art of Chinese knotting was almost lost[1].
Here is a video from youtube on some sample designs using Chinese Knot. Join me in the journey to discover chinese knot!
Read more...
Now, I could write a big, long blog about the King of Pop, but I am going to leave that to the media. Just as his albums, people has started created a lot of things about him for sale. This includes handmade jewelries from rings to necklace. Just search eBay and you will find them :)
I have tried to work on this square bracelet in the last few days. Have finally came up with the '1st' draft. This bracelet is using tecnhique of wire wrapping and coiling. Thought it looks beautiful by using a brown copper wire and heart shape gemstones. I am trying to figure out a better way to hide the wires that are used to attach the heart beads onto the frame. Will refine the technique further and watch out for my final version.
Cheers
Read more...
Hi friends,
In the month of August/ September, we would like to feature some jewelry making teachers/ instructors. We will invite selected teachers to share their experience as instructor, the fun of running workshops, the Dos and Don'ts of running the business. If you know of anyone that you like us to feature, please drop us a note here. We will then extend the invitation to them.
The interview will be published at www.handmade-jewelry-club.com as well as www.DIYLessons.ning.com
Read more...
