Woven Flower Earrings

It's amazing what seed beads and a needle can do!  These pretty purple earrings are woven with tiny seed beads surrounding a Swarovski Crystal, creating a lovely and decorative work of art.  For more information on these earrings check here in our Etsy Store.

More Ceramics On Our Mind

 

A new chapter begins... a couple of weeks ago we went to Phoenix Fired Art in Joplin, MO.  The "Phoenix" is a wonderful, very well equipped studio where you can come in and make ceramics.  They offer classes and have a fantastic Art Gallery.  Anyway, we met up with our friend Kristin Girard and our friend Peggy Lierheimer, who just happens to work and "play" there.  This is where we found the fun of bringing clay to life.  You can form it, texturize it, color it, you can do just about anything with it, then fire it in a kiln - and VOILA - it's frozen in time!  Love it!  Above are pictures of our first efforts.  Needless to say, we're hooked!  We've been playing with our clay and all the new glazes we ordered to experiment with.  When it comes to ceramic jewelry, your imagination is the only limit!!!



AJE Earring Challenge-Reveal #8

Since our last earring challenge we have discovered the "fun" of making ceramics!  This first pair of earrings feature three different Swarovski crystals playfully wrapped with copper wires, with a two-toned rectangular ceramic dangling from them.

Our second pair has been created with czech glass flowers capped over pearls, with a ceramic leaf dangling below.

Right Angle Weave Class

These are the beautiful bracelets that were created in our fun jewelry making workshop today.  The right angle weave (RAW), was taught today by our friend and instructor Peggy Lierheimer.  This is a very useful and versatile beadweaving stitch, the structual nature of this weave allows for so many possibilites.  By adding some playful touches you can create even more difficult and unique pieces if you so desire.  There are so many options.  It's all great fun!!

Adventures of "The Hat's Off Challenge"

The creative juices have been flowing, and we've been gathering up our goodies for our most recent endeavor, the "Hat's Off Challenge", sponsered by Beadsong Jewelry.  Just like the Kentucky Derby Hat Parade, there are no rules or limits for this artistic event.
 

Our First Hat

 

 The "Gatherings" 

 This design will explore colors!

Our Second Hat

 

 

The "Gatherings"

This design speaks of nature!

Lots of fun ideas rattling around here, and in the words of Dr. Seuss:
"Think left and think right and think low and think high.  Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try."   :)

Vintage Lampwork Key Pendant

Not only is it fun collecting vintage skeleton keys, it's fun to create jewelry with them.  This blue lampwork bead is made under a flame and melted right around the key, creating this unique pendant.  You could wear it on a simple chain, or put it on a fun charm necklace.  The possibilites are endless!  This key has been cleaned and kiln-annealed.  For more information, check here in our Etsy Store. 

Vintage-Style Flower Necklace

This necklace adds that special touch for the romantic at heart.  Created with glass pearls and flowers, and filigrees with acrylic flowers topped with crystal chatons, in beautiful soft hues of pinks and browns.  Filled with the details of yesteryear, I truely love this look.  Find more information on this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

Look What's New!!!

We are excited to share our newest additions of copper.  These beautiful pendants make great focals, and the charms are perfect embellishments.  I love the earthy look of copper, it adds such warmth and elegance to jewelry designs.  For more information go to our Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry Website, and check here for copper pendants, and here for copper charms.

Resin Flower Cabochons

These vintage-looking resin flower cabochons are very detailed and come in this beautiful array of summer colors.  They are lightweight, and have a flatback, so they can easily be glued into jewelry creations, as well as many other craft projects.  For more information check here in our Etsy Store. 

Butterfly Wing Pendant

How beautiful the butterfly...One style which remains popular still today is Butterfly Wing Jewelry.  I love the details in this delightful addition to our pendants.  This can be customized in many ways, such as filled with resin and colorized.  This pendant can easily be put on a silver chain and worn as is!  For more information on this pendant check here in our Etsy Store.

New Chain Update !!!

Beautiful new copper chain has arrived, over 45 new styles!!!  Come and take a peek at them here on our Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry Website.

Semi-Precious Charm Bracelet

Turn up the charm with this very colorful bracelet.  The hammered copper chain is bursting with a mix of semi-precious stones and pearls hanging from decorative headpins...the perfect touch!!!  Check out this charm bracelet here in our Etsy Store. 

A Peachy Necklace

Peach is such a versatile color, so soft and warm.  This pretty necklace features hand-faceted peach glass with glass cream pearls, and sparkly gold faceted crystal accents - a charming combination!  For more information about this necklace, check here in our Etsy Store.

Hats Off Challenge

It's time for another challenge, and what a fun challenge this will be!  A first of its kind, the "Hats Off Challenge", sponsered by Beadsong Jewelry.  We will be creating a piece of jewelry inspired by one or more of a very colorful collection of hats.  We have choosen two hats, and they are...

We are looking forward to seeing all the fabulous creations which will be revealed on May 4, Kentucky Derby Day.  Have fun creating, I know we will!!!

Stone Medley Necklace

Embrace a little color in your jewelry.  Accessorize your outfit with a variety of multi-colored stones paired with antique brass findings.  This necklace would add so much charm to a simple cream peasant blouse!  For more details about this necklace, check here in our Etsy Store.

Mother Of Pearl Necklace

Can't you just see it...walking the beach, wearing your favorite summer dress, and this beautiful turquoise-blue mother-of-pearl necklace.  Such an eye-catching statement!  For more information on this necklace, check here in our Etsy Store.

AJE Earring Challenge Reveal #7

These lovely crystals with the lampwork leaves by Jennifer of Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry just seem to be the perfect pair!  I love the contrast between the sparkly and the rough!

This pair of beadwoven earrings have a very soft, shabby chic color palette.  The rustic and bumpy pearls look so pretty when mixed with the seed beads and Swarovski AB Crystals.  Lots of interesting textures going on.  I will lovingly refer to these as "the caterpiller" earrings! :)

Cuff Bracelet Class

Kristin Girard taught the Cuff Bracelet Class today.  A beautiful collection of distressed and vintage-looking bracelets were created!  Can't wait to see what is yet to come.  Great job ladies!

Strawberry-Mascapone with Vanilla Bean Buttercream Cupcakes was our treat today!

Cross Pendant Tray

Create your own personalized jewelry with this beautiful cross pendant.  The trays are so much fun to fill with beads or paper, and perfect for mixed media embellishments.  Great to use with resin, glaze, or glass!  You can find this pendant here in our Etsy Store.

Copper Butterfly Necklace

You'll be a "social butterfly" when you wear this enchanting necklace!  The beautiful copper butterfly focal-point is suspended from copper chain, which has been adorned with crystal dangles.  The butterfly...so lovely and beautiful.  For more information on this necklace, check here in our Etsy Store. 

Sterling Silver And Copper Lampwork Pendant

This handcrafted lampwork pendant has been bezel-set in sterling silver and then layered on a hammered copper base.  The lampwork has lovely hues of blue and red in the design and was annealed for durability.  Such a lovely centerpiece!  You can find this pendant here in our Etsy Store.

Flower Pendant Necklace

Make a statement and add flowers to your outfit with this whimsical necklace.  The floral centerpiece has been wrapped and twisted with lightweight acrylic flowers and crystals secured on a filigree.  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.  Or...make your own creation!  We carry a nice assortment of these softly frosted, translucent flowers here on our Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry Website.

Steampunk Sprocket Earrings

Add something fun and unique to your jewelry collection with these Steampunk Earrings.  A torch-enameled covering on the sprockets add a beautiful layer of color.  Set on a filigree, then accenting with  pacific opal crystals adds just the right touch.  For more details, check here in our Etsy Store.

Filigree Embellishment

Discover how beautiful a filigree can be!  They make a perfect base, they are bendable, and can be wrapped around a bead or stone and then linked.  Filigree embellishments are a perfect way to dress up your jewelry creations.  You can find this filigree here in our Etsy Store, along with many other wonderful sizes and shapes.

"Roundabout" Woven Necklace

Our class today was the "Roundabout" Woven Bracelet, taught by Peggy Lierheimer.  New beading skills were mastered today by using a unique "roundabout" thread path.  Seed beads look beautiful in jewelry designs, and the bracelets today were overflowing in style and texture.  One thing for sure...beadweaving can easily become a passion!

Our treat today...a Berry Trifle!

Vintage-Style Black And White Necklace

This charming vintage-inspired necklace is a stand out!  There is nothing quite as stunning as the two-tone contrast of black and white.  We have mixed the old with the new by adding vintage components to filigrees and then finishing it with a black silk chain.  Classic and unique.  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

Copper Gears

These solid copper gear blanks are perfect for stamping and embossing.  They are a popular and fun steampunk accessory, and they enamel beautifully when torch-fired.  You can find these gears here
in our Etsy Store.

Riveted Flower Cuff

Distress it, hammer it, paint it, bend it, and rivet it!  Sound fun?  Well, this class is filled with many different skills.  You can customize your bracelet, make it any size, and give it a pop of color.  Our instructor, Kristin Girard, is teaching this class on Saturday, April 13th, from 2-5pm.  For more information on signing up, check here on our Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry Website.

Purple Cloud Lampwork Beads

This set of six handmade lampwork beads are made from double helix silver glass.  They have a beautiful purple berry hue to them.  The effects and color retain their luster under an encasement of clear glass.  They have been kiln annealed.  You can find this set of lampwork beads here in our Etsy Store. 

Chain...And More Chain

 

 Add something special to your design and select chain.  Chain has become such a popular component.  We offer a large and unique selection here on our Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry Website.