Wow it's been a busy month! Since I found out I was losing my web hosting I've had for 12 years (company shutting down), and I learned I'd have to make other arrangements, I decided to do some major changes. Instead of having one main jump off page, now I have all separate websites.
The jewels shown here are from my new jewelry company
TornadoGems.Com. I'm creating a line of jewelry in keeping with the tornado style I so enjoy. When I first started making my tornado beads, I felt I was locked into
beads. By opening up my mind and heart to the idea, I've since discovered many other gems can be created using the same technique!
For instance, the Tornado Gems cross pendant as seen here. This pendant is shown in silver with citrine gemstones. But it can be created in any metal color, with any gemstone, pearl or crystal accents.
The neat thing is, even though I make each pendant the same way, they turn out looking slightly different each time, since I allow the wire to "go with the flow", so to speak. :)
Each
Tornado Gems cross pendant is custom created according to the order received and the customer's preferences for metal color and accents. So even though the overall design and size is the same, each ends up being a one of a kind creation. Two customers could order the same exact cross, yet each will appear different due to the hand-fashioning of the pendants.
Another fun design I've created is the
Tornado Gems heart pendant. Once again, this can be created in any metal color with any accents the customer chooses - gemstones, crystals or pearls.
This week I'm working on a dangle earring design (
I already have a simple drop earring design on the website) and a hanging charm design (which will be similar to the
slide bead charms on the website).
I'm also pondering an oval or circular wreath shape design for a pendant.
Some other fun things added to the site this past week....you now have the ability to
WIN a free Tornado Gem Slide Bead Charm or pair of drop earrings! Each month in 2010, we're giving away the winner's choice.
We've also set up an
Authorized Dealer program, and a
Virtual Jewelry Sales Representative program for those who aren't ready for the Authorized Dealer program, but who'd still like to earn money by helping us get our new jewelry out to the public. :)
And somewhere in the middle of all of this, I should be getting ready for Christmas! I haven't done a thing yet. Although I am making a slide bead necklace for a family member...and I have started that process, in between orders from customers. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to do the "holiday stuff" - though I have a feeling I'm not the only one out there who does this!
InJoy,
Jai
It has been one BUSY month! My newest jewelry is now available at
AllyJs.Com. I've been working all month on a new collection, the Tornado Gems Collection. All of the new jewelry in this collection is still not up, however the
Tornado Gems Slide Bead Charms and necklace chains are now available.
The gemstone slide beads are available with any gemstone, (pearls too!) and are created in a small size (approx. 5/8") and a large size (approx. 1"). Each slide bead charm is handmade and is interchangeable.
I have a viking knit handmade necklace chain option available (bracelet chain too!), but the charms will also fit the popular chains along with other charms such as Pandora and Troll Beads. These are a great way to add your favorite gemstone to necklaces and bracelets, as well as create a birthstone compilation for moms and grandmothers.
Each charm is handmade, one at a time. The viking knit chains are also handmade and are very labor intensive, but well worth it when complete!
The photos I've shown here are of a grouping I made with a Christmas theme - garnet gems (red), genuine emeralds (green) and pearl.
The charms can be worn one at a time, or mixed with others to create colorful looks to match your favorite outfits. Custom ordering for individual beads with your gems of choice and metal color is available at
AllyJ's.
There's also a Christmas sale you can take advantage of until December 15...you can save $50 on a set!
Click here for the details.
And yes! Another new tutorial makes it's way out of the studio and into the jewelry tool boxes of many. :)
This lesson teaches you how to make a fun and easy "O" Ring...using a simple hardware component you might not have thought of. And if you or your better half is a "toolie"...you probably have hundreds of these laying around. :)
Read more about the O Ring Tutorial here and check out my
rings page on my website for some finished rings.
We've also added a
newsletter signup to the new website - each month, one lucky subscriber will win a free piece of handmade jewelry!
And because site traffic is expanding daily, we've added a way for you to advertise your website on our site as well - for a very inexpensive rate!
Check out our advertising details here.
I've just finished my 3rd wire jewelry tutorial. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a woven wire sword pendant. Here's a description of this tutorial:
This lesson teaches you how to make a unique and powerful woven wire sword pendant. In this tutorial, I will demonstrate the making of the sword pendant in the center photo.
The sword developed from the dagger, when the construction of longer blades became possible, from the late 3rd millennium BC. Swords are very powerful and are symbolic of solidarity, defense, clarity, honor and force. The sword is mostly known for its symbolism of protection, with honor and justice embodied in the blade. Metaphysically speaking, the sword symbolizes the power of the mind, and encourages the wielding of trained intellect to bring about the results we seek in our life. I’ve always been attracted to the sword, and tend to be drawn to artwork which includes a sword. The sword is often seen in the work of many of my favorite fantasy artists.
Once you have completed the tutorial, you’ll have a unique design you can add to your wire jewelry offerings. The design can be adapted to include different types of bails (this tutorial shows you how to make a tornado bail topper for the sword), various beads and gemstones, and a mix of wire colors, making each one unique.
Get your copy of my woven wire sword jewelry tutorial here.
Recently I became obsessed with learning how to make a woven peapod. I spent TWO MONTHS figuring out how to do this, and since I couldn't find any tutorials on the topic, I decided to write one myself!
You can get a copy of my
woven peapod jewelry tutorial here.
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