jewelry design

Update: Centerpiece bracelets

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Last month, I watched a webinar on creating new product lines, which introduced me to the idea of collections.  I realized that while I do have some products (like angel pendants or collaged word pendants) that could fall into that category, I have a lot of general jewelry that falls under “wire wrapped gemstone jewelry” without a specific theme.  So, I’ve been working on a new collection: Centerpiece bracelets.  Mostly, it’s assembling already existing pieces and charms, but I’ve also experimented with making my own centerpiece connector.  Here are a few pictures.

Celtic goddess bracelet
Crystal beads with brass filigree centerpiece
Gemstone beads with copper plated filigree centerpiece
Two bracelets: repurposed watch band and button and wirewoven crescent centerpiece

They remind me a bit of watches with a focal point in the center.  There are so many possibilities for the centerpiece connection, from buttons to charms to wirewrapped or wirewoven pieces.  It’s been fun to play with this design and see what unfolds.

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October recap

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Wow, it’s the last day of October!  Happy Halloween!

This month, I:

  • Sold two items on Etsy – from people I don’t know in person!
  • Went to a gem and mineral show and bought quite a few pretty stones.

    Two pieces of Ametrine from the gem show!
    Two pieces of Ametrine from the gem show!
  • Did one craft fair.
  • Started working on editing my oracle cards again.

    Screenshot: working on a card in Photoshop
    Screenshot: working on a card in Photoshop
  • Sent off my first holiday order.
  • Made a pair of earrings and a pendant for a friend for her birthday

    Earrings: bronze plated wire with lapis lazuil and aquamarine
    Earrings: bronze plated wire with lapis lazuil and aquamarine
  • Constructed a feather barrette and mask for my Halloween costumeBird costume!
  • Did my first art abandonment and  three pairs of Halloween barrettes in different places for people to randomly find.

    Halloween barrettes
    Halloween barrettes
  • Made a few other jewelry pieces, such as these:
    Chrysocolla and brass pendant
    Chrysocolla and brass pendant

    Quartz and silver pendant
    Quartz and silver pendant

I finally got a new mixed media sketchbook and have started playing in it already.

Treee!

 

I’ve had some days lately where I’ve wondered if I’m doing enough.  After writing all this out, I realize that I’ve done a lot this month  – and that I deserve the moments in between where I can rest, play, and dream.

Practicing creativity and self-care

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Yesterday, I was feeling a little anxious.  There’s something soothing about creating a chain through connecting beaded links.  It’s methodical, detail-oriented, and repetitive.  So I decided to make something.

I have a bag full of beads leftover from other projects, or given to me by a friend who didn’t want them.  I’d seen a picture somewhere of necklace created with leftover mismatched beads, and wanted to try it.

This was my result:

Assorted Bead Necklace
Assorted Bead Necklace

This necklace is simple,  yet it stands out because it doesn’t follow a pattern.  I appreciate its asymmetry and variety.

How did I feel after making this piece?  Definitely calmer and more focused.  Creating is part of my self-care practice.  I’m so grateful there are times when I can take care of myself and make something beautiful in the process.

September 2015 Gallery and Recap

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It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of September.

Me at craft fair
Me at the OFF Center Folk Art Festival in downtown Albuquerque

This month, I participated in one craft fair.  I didn’t sell too many things, but the atmosphere was pleasant and I learned from it.   Looking ahead, I’m trying to sign up for at least one craft fair a month through the holidays.

It’s been hotter than usual for this time of year:  the high temperatures are still lingering in the low 90s and high 80s.  It’s definitely feeling more like Fall at night and in the mornings, though.

This past weekend, I went on a hike with my dad and his friend and saw some of the fall colors.  I came out of the forest, turned, and saw this:

The Sandia Mountains, late September 2015
The Sandia Mountains, late September 2015

I’ve also been busy making things.

I hope to create more custom orders, some seasonal and holiday items, and more.  I’m looking forward to seeing how Fall inspires my creativity.

September 1st Snapshots

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I had the realization that business social media account-wise, I tend to post a lot on Instagram, occasionally on Facebook, sometimes on Pinterest, and rarely here.  My intention is to start blogging more.

I’ve been working hard – prolifically making jewelry, figuring out prices, planning for my next craft show (on September 13!), editing my digitized oracle cards on Photoshop, putting up a few new items on Etsy, and getting ready to go away for Labor Day weekend to visit my love.

So, here’s a taste of what I’ve been up to recently:

Brass Flowers with Lapis Lazuli Leaves Earrings
I found these brass flowers at a local bead shop/art gallery and knew I had to make them into earrings.  Brass Flowers with Lapis Lazuli Leaves Earrings.  Up on Etsy here.
Triangular turquoise in sterling silver
Triangular turquoise in sterling silver.  Also on Etsy.  Seen here with  a beautiful piece of selenite, one of my recent favorites from my stone collection.
Ways to Make a Wish Card - I see this as a birthday or general encouragement card. It's blank inside. Here on Etsy.
Ways to Make a Wish Card – I see this as a birthday or general encouragement card. It’s blank inside. Here on Etsy.
Collage/mixed media piece in progress. I wonder what it will become.
Collage/mixed media piece in progress. I wonder what it will become.  At this point, I know it will have more layers, but I’m not sure beyond that.  There’s something really soothing about creating with glue and paper.
I took this photo early Sunday morning. I woke up because the moon was still so bright, and then decided to get up and take this picture.
I took this photo early Sunday morning. I woke up because the moon was still so bright, and then decided to get up and take this picture.
Moonglow, Sunday night
Moonglow, Sunday night.  I came back home after seeing live music, and turned around to see this.  The picture doesn’t capture the full beauty, but it does capture some of its essence.

August 2015 Gallery

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Here are some pieces I made this month.  I had a lot of fun playing with my materials and new styles.

If you are interested in any of these pieces, please feel free to contact me for pricing and more information.

Intuitive Custom Orders by Seeking Spirit Designs

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My vision:

I sit in an office, or maybe it’s the back room of a store, or at a small table in a living room.  I ask my customer what she is looking for:   is there a specific stone she is drawn to?  I have a bowl full of stones to look at as well as other resource books on crystal meanings.  Would this be a gift for someone or herself?  Is there a quality she would like to embrace in herself more?  Something she wants to let go of? Something she wishes to protect?  Are there any symbols or shapes she is drawn to?   I ask her record her dreams for a week and tell me any details that stick out to her.

Once I have information I spent time brainstorming.  I show her some sketches. She gives me feedback about what she is drawn to, and why.  At this point, we discuss materials and price.  Then I create, playing with wire, gemstones, and intuition.

I would like my jewelry design and art business to have an intuitive custom aspect, where I combine my energetic and artist gifts to create one-of-a-kind pieces for people. I’ve made a custom piece for a friend, and I really enjoyed the process:  it was experimental, collaborative, and very satisfying.

Jewelry Portfolio
Custom Piece: Citrine and Silver Spiral Nest
My energy healing training:  I am Reiki Level 2 attuned and I’ve also done some informal training based on the teachings of the Berkeley Psychic Institute.  Energy work feels like it comes naturally to me, but training and attunement has made it easier for me to access and sense energy.  I also identify as empathic, and can pick up on others’ emotions.  I want to continue to integrate these skills and abilities into my creative process – it feels healing for me, and I hope it will help others as well.
I love the idea of setting an intention and working with someone to make something special for them or a loved one.
If you are interested in ordering a unique, intuitively-created piece, let me know.  You can contact me here.

Bracelets!

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I’ve been on a quest to diversify my jewelry inventory and add to my available collection.  In this case, this has meant playing with bracelet designs.

Copper ridge bracelet with with jasper, red tiger's eye, and onyx beads
Copper ridge bracelet with with jasper, red tiger’s eye, and onyx beads

It’s been fun to pick out beads and come up with different ideas.

Bracelet 2Sometimes I play with the design several times before it feels right.

Lapis and Labradorite bracelet during the design process.
Lapis and Labradorite bracelet during the design process.
Lapis and Labraodorite Copper Twist bracelet and Jasper and Wood Bead bracelet
Finished:  Lapis and Labraodorite Copper Twist bracelet and Jasper and Wood Bead bracelet

Jewelry design is such an intuitive process for me, and it’s so satisfying to see the finished products.  I’m looking forward to making more!