More for Fall Lineup 2011

 

Oh yes. Smokey Quartz and Andalusite on Vermeil <3

 Apricot Quartz Onion briolettes with aquamarine, iolite, peridot, citrine, and garnet on gold filled sterling silver. What else could you ask for????

My luck of the Irish Set. Emerald with Sterling <3

Fall 2011 Line Up

Update: How to make your feather Earrings

What you need!
1.) Feather collection (different lengths)
2.) eye pins with loop at end
3.) filigree bead caps ( fits over 12-16mm beads and are approx 16-20mm long)
4.) floral Tape!
5.) liquid fusion
6.) scissors
7.) newspaper (so you do not make a mess!)

Well, pick out your feathers (remember if they're earrings you want them to be as identical as possible!  But mirror them!

TIPS: Liquid fusion is available at your local Michaels (go online to their site and use that nifty coupon for 40% it runs about 6 bucks!!!)

Next, Start wrapping from base (back side) to front. I like to level the feather as I build them :)

TIPS: The newspaper is there to help with mess!  Feather Earring making makes a MESS. Be ready to clean up with your vacuum and tape even! Or lint brush?

Snip the tip so that your bead cap can fit over the bunch by also hiding the floral tape :)

Get liberal with that liquid fusion. Dries clear and is waterproof! So fun!

 Dip your eye pin (mine are usually 20mm in length) and twist it into your feather earrings at the top of the bead cap and make sure it is facing the direction you want the ear wire to clasp onto.

Lastly just let the sit over night.  If you need to add feather to fill in your pair, do so with liquid fusion. It's wonderful isn't it?  Feel free to add extras like rhinestones!

TIP: Making HUGE earrings for the fun it?  Try suede or cloth????

Photography - Jewelry Pieces

There are the typical Do's and Do Not's in taking proper photos for sale on etsy.com, ebay.com or even your own personal website.

Do NOT
1. Take one and think it'll be proper enough for your customers to actually SEE it. I take AT LEAST 10 of a single item and later pick the best ones....

2. Anything camera less than 5MP... nope.  And yes, MACRO setting is NECESSARY.

3.  Do not BUY a little studio setup or brand new camera if you're just starting out.  I almost did and here are the little tricks I learned :)

DO DO DO!
1.) Most smart phones like iphones or my handy HTC HD2 take wonderful pictures... seriously!
2.) I purchased my wonderful FUJI 10 MP Finepix S1500 1.5 years ago for less than 150 with a 2 year warranty BECAUSE it was a display camera at WalMart.  Check for scratches, ask for discounts, make sure it comes with a warranty and keep your receipts.  It's a STEAL.  or EBay :)
3.) Natural light is wonderful!  But an "Otto Light" at 40-50% at JoAnns' is just as good!  (natural light lamps unlike the "reddish" light regular bulbs give out)  helps your eyes also if you use it to read.

4.) No flash necessary. But if you get your hands on Adobe's Lightroom program... (80% off if youre a student like me) you can work wonders on the exposure settings, clarity, sharpening, cutting, editting!  Otherwise, the simple Microsoft editor works as well... I just like Lightroom because I can impose my customized watermarks and create MULTIPLE saves in a heartbeat.  Well worth the $$$.  Fixes old vintage photos too.  I cleaned up one of my sister and mom from 36 years ago! and it looks lINCREDIBLE!
5.) For Necklace displays I used shower hooks and an old curtain holders = $3.00.  Outside I have a free sidewalk that has some moss growing on it this summer. Evening hours is the best time to  take the best pictures especially in  shaded areas!

6.)  I cannot stress ANGLES and for backdrops... WHITE PAPER or scrapbooking paper.
7.) Lastly: Take CLOSE UPS & Entire photos. Give lengths, carats, details, measurements, the works.  Be thorough!

WRAPPING those....little...darn...briolettes...

I've been asked this frequently, especially for those who do not want to waste precious sterling or vermiel (14k over sterling) wire... HOW DO YOU WRAP YOUR BRIOLETTE?!?!

I go crazy on focals, but this tutorial is SO helpful!

http://www.making-jewelry.com/How-to-Wire-Wrap-a-Briolette.html

You use less and it's just as easy :)

Columbian Festival July 24, 2011 @ Eisenhower Park SA, TX

One festival down, hopefully many more to follow!  I'll post more info as the date approaches!

Also, lots of GREAT AUCTIONS at my EBAY store found here:
 http://stores.ebay.com/ABEO-JEWELRY-AND-BOUTIQUE?_trksid=p4340.l2563

Deep in the Heart of Texas

As summer approaches, I've finally made the the official move back to Texas.  I'm at a loss on what craft shows will be coming up and what I should do with the store?  My motivation faltered a little when I left for training and had my husband leave to go serve our country - so it is going to take a little time and energy to get back where I was last 4th quarter!  My apologies to everyone, hopefully the completion of my project on Abeo will come to a closer finale than the past!