Can't Wait to Design!

   

I received some gorgeous stone cabochons in the mail the other day from Ron Miller's Etsy shop, rondmil50.  The cut and polish are exquisite -- I was in awe and so very pleased when I opened my package!  Of course, the fun part is getting to create a design around these.  I'm thinking about a large cocktail ring for the teardrop shaped, Crazy Lace Agate.  I think the others will be pendants, probably with solid colored gemstone accent stones...onyx for the Charoite oval, and citrine for the gray/golden Crazy Lace Agate?  We'll see!

O.K., back to the studio!

-Dana
Coil and Flame
DLPom Handcrafted Expressions
Soap Sense
www.dlpom.com

Earring Fun!

I truly enjoy making a variety of earring designs.  Some are simple.  Some are complex.  Some are elegant.  Some are casual.  But no matter what design or style...they all receive the utmost attention to spectacular workmanship.  Here are two NEW pair from DLPom Handcrafted Expressions.  The first pair are just sterling silver.  The second pair, with garnet nuggets, are too cute!

 

Enjoy!

~ Dana

http://www.dlpom.com/

Spring Green Jewelry in Prehnite, Prasiolite, & Peridot

The three "P's" of spring green jewelry:  Prehnite, Prasiolite (also known as green amethyst), and Peridot!  Prehnite, with its opaque, green hue is a neutral stone with casual appeal.  Prasiolite has brilliant clarity for an elegant touch.  Peridot, the darkest green of the three stones, can swing either way depending on the cut of the stone and design of the jewelry.

Here are the spring green jewelry examples from my shop:  The first is a sterling silver washer necklace with a prehnite briolette, hand wire-wrapped in 14 kt gold fill wire. 

The second is an elegant pair of rectangular, prasiolite earrings in sterling silver. 

Finally, a cute little padlock pendant with a peridot cabochon. 

I'm ready for spring!  Happy shopping for spring green jewelry!

~Dana

http://www.dlpom.com/

Coil and Flame on Etsy
DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy

Choose your Turquoise Stone...I'll Make Your Ring!

I'm so excited about this design!  The gorgeous prototype belongs to my sister-in-law.  She chose the turquoise cabochon from my collection, and I made this cocktail ring in her size.  The half-dome band is so comfortable, and while the ring is larger in size, still so comfortable to wear.  Drop by my Etsy shop, Coil and Flame, and choose your stone for a unique, one-of-a-kind ring!

Until next time,

~Dana

Wire storage: The Perfect Solution!

What a tangled web of coiled wire I had!

After searching for months for what might be a convenient and easy-to-use wire storage solution, I finally found this large card box with dividers.  I labeled the dividers according to the gauge of my wire, and voila, coils of wire all neatly organized, not tangled, and easily accessible.

I used the final slot for my twisted wire, copper wire, and gold-filled wire...but it would be easy to have a separate card storage box for each different metal.

Let me know what you think of this solution and how it works for you if you give it a try.  BTW, I purchased this particular box at Office Max.

-Dana @ Coil and Flame

& DLPom Handcrafted Expressions

Bracelets Galore!

I've been on a bracelet kick the last few days.  Once I got all my bead boxes open, I sat on the floor in my crafting room and just mixed and matched for hours.  There is something therapeutic about playing with beads!

My first creation was the bracelet to match the lampwork earrings I posted previously.  I designed it around a large, Thai Karen Hill Tribe puffed seashell.  It has floating roap rings for a little movement and is the perfect summer bracelet.


Summer Shore Lentil Lampwork Bracelet

The second bracelet was a very unexpected combination.  I picked up these stunning botswana agate square beads and paired them with merlot garnets.  It turned out to be a very striking design, if I do say so myself!  The colors in this bracelet are very transitional from summer, to fall, to winter.


Earthworks Agate and Garnet Bracelet

 Until next time.

~Dana

Summer Lentil Lampwork Jewelry!

These blue and green lentil-shaped lampwork beads just spoke to me the other day, and I had to turn them in to something summery, fun, and one-of-a-kind.  The earrings are really quite simple - suspended from rope rings and my own hand-formed and hammered earwires.  The matching bracelet is spectacular...I'll leave that for my next jewelry post.  Happy shopping at my original bead shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy.

Summer Shore Lampwork Earrings in Sterling Silver on Etsy

~Dana

Bangle Bracelets: The Tricky Science of Measuring for Your Size

There is nothing worse than a bangle bracelet that falls off...or worse yet, one that you can't get over your hand. Since bangle bracelets are "all the rage" right now, it pays to know your size when purchasing online. Actually, measuring for a bangle bracelet is a mix of science and art. Here are a few tips and alternative ways to measure your hand for a bangle bracelet.

First of all, everyone's hand is shaped differently. But what you need to do is measure around the widest part of your hand with a tape measure. In the photo, the widest part of my hand is just below the pinky knuckle across to where the thumb meets the hand. You may have to experiment a little to see where the widest part of your hand is...just be sure not to measure at too large an angle.

My hand is small - only 8 inches. However, I find that a 7-1/2 inch circumference bangle bracelet fits perfectly. Why the difference? Because your hand can probably collapse down a little more than what you measured with the tape. Again, everyone's hand flexibility is a little different.

Alternatively, you can measure with a strip of paper and then line that up with a ruler. Or even better, measure the diameter of a bangle bracelet you already own, and go up or down from there.

Good luck with your next bangle bracelet!

Dana @

Coil and Flame: http://www.coilandflame.etsy.com/
DLPom: http://www.dlpom.etsy.com/