Custom Orders
Although most of my jewelry is one-of-a-kind, there are some basic styles that I often create, with variations. You can order any of these styles and have it customized just the way you like it.
I don't make a lot of rings, pins, hair accessories, cufflinks, or tie tacs, although I have in the past. If you are interested in something special, please contact me and we will see what we can work out.
Necklaces
I make a wide variety of necklaces, and they can be customized to your personal style. Be sure to tell me the length you want, color or stone, whether you want sterling or gold-filled clasps and accents, and what type of clasp you prefer.
One of my more popular styles of necklace is a single
strand of a stone or glass bead, with focal beads in another stone or glass
bead. These usually have sterling or gold-filled spacers to set
off the focal bead. I often string on silk and knot between the
beads, to make a more secure necklace. This is especially
important for soft stones like amber, freshwater pearls, lapis,
malachite, and turquoise, but
makes a nice touch for any necklace. Vintage glass beads,
freshwater pearls and some stones start at $30, amber necklaces and other stones
usually start around $45. If you would like to include handmade copper
enamel beads (3 - 7) as the accent beads, or include fused silver
components, this would add $10 to $20 to the cost. Many of my
necklaces are priced from $35 to $95.
Some of my "Rare Treasures"™, however,
are a bit more expensive ($75 to $250). Rare Treasures are usually one
of a kind, and include stones like ruby,
sapphire, good quality emeralds, Mexican opal, spinel, rare garnets like hessonite and tsavorite,
and other stones that I find only once in a great while.
Let me
know what I can create for you.
1) light and dark aventurine with silver accents and clasp and
"melted metal" fused silver centerpiece, about 22 inches, $75.
2) oval banded carnelian with handmade lampwork bead and
gold-filled accents and clasp, 20 inch $65..
3) "Rare Treasure"™
26 inch necklace of graduated facetted rubies, centered with a matching
handmade copper enamel bead. $185
1) vintage Japanese glass beads, pink and aqua,
sterling clasps, about 19 inches, $30 each. 2) gray
freshwater pearls, knotted on silk, sterling clasp, about 18
inches, $35. 3) rectangular kyanite beads, knotted on silk,
with handmade lampwork center bead and sterling accents and clasp,
about 22 inches, $65.
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I also sometimes create necklaces of multiple strands, most commonly freshwater pearls in several sizes and shapes. Or I may combine several stones in complimentary colors. Sometimes I twine strands of glass seed beads into the necklace as well. The strands may all be intertwined or they may fall loosely. Sometimes they might be gathered up into a single focal bead in the center. These necklaces are usually 16 to 20 inches long, and usually range in price from $75 to $115. |
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I enjoy beading and creating one-of-a-kind pieces, often with handmade beads as the focal point. Here are some examples of styles I might repeat. These will be made of assorted colors of seed beads (I especially like iridescent beads) and may be accented by small glass or stone beads or one large bead. Lengths are usually 16-20 inches. Special centerpiece beads may add a bit to the price.
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Bead lace has a lovely ruffled effect, and can be made all one color or 2 or 3 complimentary colors. It may have small glass beads hanging from it in places. The price ranges from $45 to $85. |
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For a more tailored look, multiple strands of tiny beads braided together, in 2 or 3 closely related colors, with or without a centerpiece bead, provide a striking effect. The price is around $45. |
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Another striking look is my seed bead "rope". The core beads are one color, and the beads spiraling around the outside may be the same or a different color. A center bead can be added, if desired. This necklace is quite strong, due to its construction. Priced around $45-75. |
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I call these my "furry" necklaces, as the multiple layers of beaded loops fall softly and feel wonderful. These usually have one color of core beads and 2 or 3 related colors of loops. A center bead can be added. The price is about $60 to $95 in most cases. |
Lately I have been making pendants that can be added
to a simple chain or ribbon, or used to dress up a strand of beads.
Some of my favorites are the ones I have been making from vintage
mother-of-pearl and abalone buttons, accented with sterling silver and
freshwater pearls or natural stones. These range in price from $45 to
$95, depending on the size. I have also been playing with silver and
other stones to make some very interesting pendants, priced from $35 to $60.
And after playing with silver, I often wind up with scrap pieces
that are not otherwise useful. Since I have always liked playing with my torch, I
assemble the silver scrap into pleasing arrangements and melt it. So I
wind up with my "melted metal"™ pendants of fused sterling silver.
These can be worn on a small chain or incorporated into beadwork or other
necklaces for around $15 - $25 additional.
Bracelets, anklets
Bracelets and anklets differ mostly in the length. A standard size link bracelet is about 7 inches long, a cuff bracelet is about 6 inches, and a standard size anklet is about 10 inches long. But wrists and ankles vary in size, so I can make yours the length you need - just let me know what size.
| For stone bracelets or anklets, I usually use one main stone, possibly an accent stone, and often some accent beads in sterling silver, gold-filled, or gold vermeil. I often string on silk and knot some or all the beads, or I may use a strong synthetic. I usually use a spring ring, lobster claw, or toggle clasp, as these are the easiest to operate one-handed. Prices range from $15 to $50 (most commonly $15 to $25), depending on the stone and the length. |
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| I also make forged (hammered) sterling silver or copper cuff style bracelets, often accented with special stone or glass beads. Priced from $20 to $50. Please indicate size as ladies small, medium or large, or man's small, medium, or large wrist. |
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| Sometimes I may make a bracelet of some of my "melted metal"™fused silver pieces. These are hard to get to come out, so I seldom have more than one or 2 at any time. They are usually priced around $50. |
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| I also have my "Bramble" series of bracelets. These are made in copper from $30 to $50, depending on the stone, and in sterling silver from $75. The frame may hook, or it may be left as a cuff, and a multitude of beads are positioned to fill out the bracelet. |
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Earrings
I have always enjoyed making earrings. I especially like larger earrings that move around and draw attention, but I do not like heavy or uncomfortable earrings. Sometimes I like small but special earrings. Let me know which ones you like.
| Some of my favorite earrings are my "Squiggles"™. These are individually hand-formed (no jigs are used), hammered sterling silver or copper wire curlicues, They are light in weight but visually striking. Some are loosely based on ancient Greek or Roman designs, others are just doodles I like. Some may include a special lampwork or cane bead. These range in price from $25 to $45. |
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I also make earrings of stone beads, often to match
a necklace or bracelet. These may have one or several stones,
usually with sterling or gold-filled accents, with one
to three drops. I like these because they move and call
attention to themselves, but are not heavy. These range
in price from $15 to $45, depending on the stones and
how many drops there are.
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| I recently found a stash of vintage mother-of-pearl buttons, in lovely iridescent shades of white or sometimes gray. I have made a few of the matching ones into earrings. These will have sterling squiggles, and may be embellished with freshwater pearls or with other stones. (Garnet and apatite look especially nice on the mother-of-pearl.) |
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I have been collecting glass beads for over 40 years. I am forever
fascinated by these miniature works of the glass makers' art. So I
like to make earrings of some of my favorites. These are usually
one special bead accented by a few smaller beads. Be sure to tell
me what color. I also have some adorable tiny pottery animals from
Peru that make wonderful earrings. These earrings come with
sterling or gold-filled kidney or French hook ear wires, and are usually
$10 to $25.
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| I have also found a few vintage metal stampings that make lovely earrings. They are either copper or brass, with some patina of age, and have sterling silver earwires. $15. I have had leaves, fairies, art Nouveau peacocks, fish, flowers, scallop shells, "pirate tresure" imitation or replica coins and several others - inquire as to what designs are currently available. |
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