"S" is for Sandal

Piece Name: "S" is for Sandal Postcard

This is a VERY BELATED postcard for my quilt guild's summer postcard swap. The postcard swap theme was the "S's of Summer" and had to use a ribbon in some way. I was inspired by the decorations in the cottage of our vacation home when we went to the beach in Corolla, NC for a week this September. The ribbon is 3D...though I am sure it will be squished in the mail. Piece completed 09/30/2007.

I See Pink!

Piece Name: Allie's Baby Pillow

I make baby pillows as gifts. My husband's sister had a baby girl named Alexandria Genieva earlier this year. As they live in Georgia and we live New Jersey we don't get to see them very often. I met Allie for the first time this past week and of course showered her with lots of spoiling as any aunt should do. This was among the gifts. The size is a 20" pillow and the designs are by Hatched in Africa. Pillow completed 09/22/2007.

Argentium Sterling Silver and Rolled Gold (aka Gold Filled) Earrings

Piece Name: Various Argentium Sterling Silver and Rolled Gold (aka Gold Filled) Earrings

Along with my sister's birthday this week it was also her mother-in-law's birthday as well. She recently had a break in at her house (thankfully she wasn't home!!) and lost her jewelry box with all her beloved earrings. While I can't replace what she lost, I thought I'd soften the blow a bit by making her some new ones.

I literally spread all my beads out before me and went to town mixing and matching combinations. It was quite fun actually...though it is hard as a beginner getting the earrings to turn out the same length!! I can't remember the guage wire I used for them or what all the components are, but ultimately three were Argentium Sterling silver and three were Rolled Gold (aka Gold Filled). I am quite happy to report that they were very well received!! Earrings completed: 09/20/2007.

Blue Lace Agate & Argentium Sterling Silver Jewelry Set

Piece Name: Argentium Sterling Silver & Blue Lace Agate Jewelry Set

Finally a new post!! That's what happens when you are working on birthday and Christmas gifts! You can't post about them until they are given!!! Anyhow, I made this set for my sister Cindy for her 30th birthday earlier this month. What is funny about this is my sister was pretty sure she was getting jewelry because we went to a BeadFest together in April and she picked out beads she liked and said make it a birthday gift. I will make those beads into a jewelry set for "a" birthday...it just wasn't for this one. So she was totally suprised when she opened this set up. I am very glad to say she loved it! Now for the nitty gritty...

Necklace and Pendant: The pendant is inspired by a Lisa Niven Kelly design and instructions were featured in the Summer 2007 edition of "Step by Step Wire Jewelry". The chain wire is 20 gauge argentium sterling silver. The pendant wire is 24 gauge argentium sterling silver. The stone is a faceted blue lace agate flat tear drop. The beads are 4mm bicone Swarovski crystals in three colors. The 22" chain is woven in the "byzantine" (aka "bird cage") pattern.

Bracelet and Earrings: The earrings and 8" long bracelet are of my design. The wire on both is 20 gauge argentium sterling silver. The stones are faceted blue lace agate. The chain maille weave is "byzantine" (aka "bird cage").

I worked on this set on and off over the summer, but it was ultimately completed 09/18/2007 when I made the pendant (which took 3 hours!). I thoroughly enjoyed making this and giving it to my sister! I really wanted to do something special for her 30th. :)