Cameo Necklace

This month we had a really fun challenge from Artbeads for Blogs and it fit into just what I was trying to do, I love it when that happens!


The challenge was “make it new” which meant to take something you already owned and give it new life, perfect!

I had a Victorian Shell Cameo given to me and all I know is the value is somewhere between $115.00 and $1500.00. While I wait to have it appraised I thought I could come up with a general design for it on a resin Cameo. I also had a variety of copper chain lengths and none of them were quite long enough to do anything with. I ordered some new copper chain, large copper jump rings, the Cameo, pearls and I was on my way.

Because the chain lengths varied I used the large copper rings to join them together in an asymmetrical pattern. I used 49 Strand wire to string the short strand of Czech Druk beads, Pearls and some odd copper beads I had in my stash, leftovers from other projects. For the last strand it was back to the 49 Strand but this time I added genuine Carnelian chips and of course the Cameo.

Now I have a showstopper Cameo Necklace that did not break the bank, used up some of my supplies that I have for a while and gave me some ideas toward what I will do with this genuine Cameo. The metals I use will be determined by the value of the cameo but I know I like the multiple chain designs and lengths and adding the gemstones and pearls worked nicely.



Blog for Beads by Artbeads.com contributed a large part of my materials in exchange for my honest evaluation of their merchandise in my blog. I am not paid to endorse them in any way.

Military Memories Charm Bracelet Free Tutorial

Do you have someone special in the military? If so here is an idea for a wonderful and meaningful gift and one they can add to throughout their military career. You will need:
A variety of charms,
6 inches or so of chain
oval jumprings (20 gauge open/unsoldered)
pearls, gems, beads of your choosing
headpins
The first thing I did was think of my daughter, her passions, and funny or meaningful times in her life. She took ballet, she loves horseback riding and so on. The main focus though was on her military career.
Where did it start? Where has she been?
First let me say that most of the charms are sterling silver as is the base chain. I found everything I needed at Artbeads.com; the selection of charms is astounding and the prices are great. I will highlight each item with a link for you. They also have a learning center.
The first charm I selected was the USN charm and I chose this one because she has a tattoo on her back with the anchor and of course, the daughter charm. They have other, more delicate military charms as well. She began with Boot Camp so I got the Illinois State charm, then A school was in Florida so I had to have that one. I live in Maine so I got that one and so on for every place she has been so far. I also chose an opal because it is her birthstone. She loves the leaves in the Fall so I got her some vintage Lucite leaves. They are pink but I wanted to stay with a theme. What woman does not love pearls? Right, so I put those in as well.
When I do charm bracelets I really like the oval jump rings because the stress is not on the opening.
You have gathered the items for your bracelet, now what?
If you need to put any beads on headpins now is the time. I prefer a wire wrap as opposed to a loop because it makes it so much more secure. You will want to do this if you use sterling or gold for certain! Video tutorials are available.
Cut your chain…make sure you subtract the clasp from the total. For instance if you are making a 6 inch bracelet and your clasp is an inch you only want the chain to be 5 inches. Lay out your chain and begin putting the charms on the table where you want them to go, don’t attach them just yet. After you get that all sorted out begin by putting on the clasp. I put 2 jumprings on here just for added strength. When you open your jump rings make sure you do so by twisting and not pulling apart. If you pull it you will never get a clean join again! Hold your jumprings with 2 pair of pliers. Twist one towards you and one away from you just enough to allow the chain to fit There are great tutorials all over the Internet so I won’t go into all that. Attach it to your bracelet and twist back. Put all your charms on leaving space for new charms that she will acquire later. Not only is this a lovely and meaningful gift but you can send charms to have put on later. There are a couple of fun charms, a cowboy boot (she learned line dancing recently) a high heel shoe for my little shoe queen. The guys that did her home of record move even made comments on the amount of shoes!
Please send me photos!

Divella Delights from Sea to Sea

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that right around the middle of September you will be able to see my jewelry at Clothware in the Square in Cambridge, MA in Harvard Square. My hats will be at Fyberworks in Portland, Oregon the Fall! I am very excited! Perhaps New York is next!!

Come by Divella Delights and see my new creations of the jeweled variety as well as my new knit and crochet Hats and Scarves for 2010!

Baroque Pearl Jewelry

Oh I just love baroque pearls. I never know exactly what I am going to get in the way of shapes and these are wonderful! I made a triple strand beaded necklace for them with beautiful silver seed beads as well as some really pretty hex beads. The clasp is a sterling lobster claw and the earrings are sterling a button pearls.

Sweet Dreams

I have had this vision locked away in my head for quite some time. With the Holiday madness and working 2 jobs I didn’t have any time to be creative. Now that things have quieted down a little and thanks to the generous team at Artbeads today is the day. They contacted me and asked if I would be willing to review some of their inventory free of charge. Well, what designer can pass that up?
I love lampwork and have used a lot of it my work. I really had a hard time choosing between the bamboo lampwork pieces and the one I finally chose. I also use a lot of seed beads and Artbeads has an extensive assortment of colors and finishes making it easy to get those ideas in my head into reality.
I am very left brained and I have wanted to branch out a bit and try something asymmetrical.
To create this 20 inch necklace I used #8 beads in a light green then made a weave with #11 seed beads in Opal Topaz and Green Picasso along with Smoky Quartz gemstones and genuine pearls . Oops, I nearly forgot the 4mm Swarovski crystals

It was really hard for me to do the two sides different but I think it turned out beautifully...what do you think?

You can see more photos of this piece and get more information on my website at Divella Delights.
Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads, I receive the elements in this necklace above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products. I am not being compensated by Artbeads for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed

Daily Special

Every day at Divella Delights we have one itme that has been reduced by 30%. They change every day.Here is the one for today 11/16/09:Fit for a Princess, these earrings are made with Swarovski fine lead crystals from Austria and creamy pearls. Each pearl has a lovely twist of beautiful copper around it for an ultra feminine look. I could not stop taking photos of these, they really sparkle and they cascae so gracefully.

Caught in the Net

I showed you the earrings earlier and I have at last completed the necklace.

Having a stunning drape of 18 inches, this necklace contains over 4500 seed beads each one applied by hand one bead at a time. On the surface of this lovely creation you will find Bamboo Leaf Jasper, genuine pearls and Swarovski crystals. It has a smooth base so it lies beautifully and comfortably on the skin. The closure is a beaded loop and golden button.
More than a necklace, this is a stunning one of a kind work of art. Make sure and drop by Divella Delights, there are more photos of this lovely piece as well as the earrings that match!

New Jeweled Beaded Bookmarks

I got the new Ken Follet book for Christmas and decided I needed a book mark for it so I made one! Here it is and I plan to make many more. I love them. This one is made with faux pearls, Swarovski crystals and genuine pearls although the future designs will be all genuine gemstones and genuine pearls, Sterling silver and/or 14K gold filled. The pins on this one are sterling and the wire is professional grade. You will be able to see them at my website where I have gemstone jewelry and the wonderfully successful Flapper hats. Come by and order your very own jeweled beaded bookmark.

Centipede Bracelets

This design I am working on reminds me of a Centipede. It came about as a result of my woven designs when the local jewelry store requested hat I come up with something a little less expensive this year for the Holiday season. So when I went to photograph my first Caterpillar bracelet I laid it out and it screamed out " I am a Centipede" to me so there you have it. I use hundreds of tiny seed beads and a variety of gemstones and pearls and Swarovski crystals in each of the Centipede bracelets. I also use a heavy-duty stretchy cord and double it so they are very sturdy and at the same time they will fit most women. I can’t say one size fits all because that is never the case from my experience.
Although each Centipede bracelet takes me well over an hour to create, I love doing them. I like the beaded toggle clasps, I feel they give the pieces continuity and they are easy to work with. Oh right, I make those too. The have a wonderful slinky feel to them when you wear them and lots of movement and a little sparkle. The Christmas Centipede has 2 original lampwork beads I purchased from Libelula Designs.
They are very affordable so this year I think every woman needs a Centipede Bracelet!

HANDMADE JEWELRY SALE

Pictured here are some of my latest designs and there is something new almost daily. I have the gemstone line, a crocheted line, lots of great earrings, bracelets and necklaces. I even have ID lanyards that have the breakaway feature.

I am having a Grand Opening sale at my new website! Come and check out all the new designs. When you go to www.divelladelights.com click on the Grand Opening link at the top of the page and enter gopen08 all lower case, all one word then click on the Gallery link watch the prices drop 15%! This offer is good until 10/15/08 so shop early for Christmas. If you would like to add your e-mail to the guestbook I can send you info on sales and new designs! Please sign the guestbook anyway and let me know you came from Blogger you don't have to put in your e-mail. I would like to know where people are visiting from.

A classic combination with a twist. Toumalinated Quartz is a milky white quartz with striking black needle-like inclusions of black tourmaline and was the inspiration for these pieces. The necklace is 17 inches and has 4 layers of high quality seed beads, Tormalinated Quartz, Black Onyx, black and gray Pearls and Snow Quartz. As is the case with this piece I usually add in some Swarovski fine lead crystals from Austria for some extra sparkle. The Onyx in the necklace center is faceted for a little sparkle of it's own. All of the silver in the the necklace and both pair of earrings is Sterling. You can see more photos of this piece and a lot more at my new website at http://www.divelladelights.com Come and browse and sign my guestbook!