Saturday 23 July 2011

Birthday Cake for Nikki

I'm a bit late in posting this as Nikki's Birthday was in may but a lot has happened shortly afterwards and I forgot to post it.

Anyway here it is, the cake I made for her 30th Birthday.

So what sort of cake do you make for a party loving animal who likes pink and needs to feed over 100 people?

I opted for a 2 tier Genoese sponge cake with raspberry buttercream filling that looked like this:

 

Nikki has kept the elephant in the champagne glass as a memento!



There was also a single tier chocolate cake with a chocolate fudge frosting and filling but I forgot to take photos of it - must find out if anyone else took one!

Sunday 12 June 2011

999 Fine Silver Pendant with Peacock Blue Coin Pearl on 925 Sterling Silver Chain.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Silver Art Clay Designs

Some of my most recent jewellery designs using Silver Art Clay.  Silver Art Clay can be sculpted and modelled but when fired at high temperature produces 99.9% Fine Silver.


The first piece is "Daisy, Daisy" a Fine Silver pendant on a Sterling Silver chain with Mystic Quartz and Sterling Silver beads.


Fine Silver pendant set with 0.45ct, 4.5mm Brilliant Cut, Round Rhodolite Garnet on a Sterling Silver chain.
Fine Silver Teardrop shaped pendant with a 0.32ct 4mm x 5mm brilliant cut, pear shaped, Tanzanite gemstone










Tuesday 8 February 2011

Kyanite, Blue Agate and Shell Pearl Bracelet

This bracelet is made using blue Kyanite long chips with some blue lace agate long chips and green shell pearls.

Kyanite comes in several colour variations blue, green, white, grey, and black and can be anything from translucent to transparent.

The powerful blues of Kyanite have long been thought to inspire calmness, composure, serenity, loyalty and respect. The wearing of it's also supposed to help the wearer to speak easily and expressively.  Kyanite is used by alternative healers as a tool for mediation and relaxation, it's also said to foster tranquility and have a positive effect on dreams.

Blue lace agate is one of the rarest and most popular of the agates, it's said to be a calming and uplifting stone - wearing or carrying some to bring peace and happiness.

Red Sponge Coral Necklace


When I was using black onyx in a previous necklace I thought it would look nice with red.  So when I saw these red sponge coral heishe beads the result was this necklace and pendant.


The removable pendant was made using a red sponge coral donut with the pendant bale made using some carnelian seed beads and vermeil rondelles.  The toggle clasp is also vermeil.  


Vermeil is .925 sterling silver which has had several layers of gold (in this case 24K) bonded onto it so you get the look of gold without the price tag.  

More Jewellery Making

Here is a necklace and earring set that I made for my colour co-ordinated friend.


I have used Rose Quartz chips, and white Potato Pearls (6mm & 10mm) to make the set.  


The earrings are sterling silver shepherd crooks, faceted beads, 6mm potato pearls and rose quartz chips. 


The necklace is finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp, pendant and faceted beads.
   
In the language of gemstones Rose Quartz is known as the love stone, it's said to give inner peace and helps in all matters pertaining to love in all its forms. Rose Quartz apparently opens the heart to love.  It is believed by some that washing the face in water charged by rose quartz or keeping some under your pillow will help fade wrinkles and keep the skin young.  


Pearls are supposed to enclose you with an aura of calm and beauty it's also said they promote prosperity and success.  


Saturday 22 January 2011

New Arrival - A Nappy Cake for Elishia


There has been a new arrival in the family.  Elishia, the daughter of hubby's nephew arrived 10 days early catching me completely off guard in the pressie department - but at least the cards were made!

I'd seen the Diaper/Nappy Cake idea online and thought I'd give it a go - these photos aren't the finished article as I keep changing things.  Will take a proper look later and finalise what goes where and she might just get it by her due date!

Wednesday 19 January 2011

My First Attempt Making Gemstone Jewellery


Here is my first attempt at making gemstone jewellery.  As you can probably tell from the photo, it's a necklace and earrings set.  

I've made as a Birthday present, the set consists of tourmaline chips, pale amethyst faceted beads, onyx faceted beads and black lava rock.  I added in some Swarovski crystals for some added bling - unfortunately you can't see the sparkle in the photo! 

The findings I used are all sterling silver.  

Making Jewellery - turning an Earring into a necklace


For the last few years I've had a broken bling earring lurking in my craft box awaiting that flash of inspiration that would give it a new lease of life.  Last week I received the gemstone kit I'd ordered and whilst playing with a few bits and bobs from it I realised that the earring just might make a nice pendant for some faceted black onyx rounds and some AB coated Swarovski crystals on the lower half and in the top section the onyx is "floating".  

I had a go at making a display stand with a trifold card - a bit on the wee side but it did the trick once I wrapped the wires round!